Cookstove Summary

Hi all,

The next set of blog entries will include a brief summary for each section of the assessment trip. This entry will detail what we have learned for cookstoves.

We introduced 4 stoves to URF, the women's groups, and the surrounding communities:

(1) Stovetec rocket stove - This is a wood fueled stove manufactured in Oregon by Aprovecho. It has an adjustable pot skirt and is designed for smaller saucepans (~$35-$40)

(2) Ugastove rocket stove - A wood fueled stove manufactured in Kampala by Ugastove Manufacturing Ltd. It has a fixed pot skirt and is designed for larger saucepans (35,000 shillings).

(3) Ugastove charcoal stove - A charcoal fueled stove manufactured in Kampala by Ugastove. Designed for smaller saucepans (13,000 shillings).

(4) Solar oven - A solar oven manufactured by the solar oven society in Minnapolis. It's intended use is as a supplement to other cooking methods (i.e., rocket stove or 3-stone fire) Cost: $85.

The four stoves are shown in the picture below (from left to right: Stovetec, Ugastove (wood), Ugastove (charcoal), Solar oven):

There was a significant amount of interest in the wood fueled Ugastove as well as the solar oven. Most of the women's groups members preferred the Ugastove over the Stovetec because of the larger size (most families are large and thus large saucepans are common) and concerns over children bumping saucepans off the top of the Stovetec stove. Passive observation indicated that there is a significant reduction in smoke and fuel use from all four options. However, users seemed to only be concerned with reductions in fuel use (not the reduction in smoke). This means health benefits from smoke reduction may be ancillary. Below are some photos from our meetings with the women's groups:

We were able to bring water to a rolling boil in all the stoves (except the solar oven). Overall, the Stovetec stove seemed to perform a bit better (i.e., boiled water more quickly and reduced smoke the most) but the vast majority of users seemed to prefer the Ugastove over the Stovetec. Below are a few pictures of the team testing these stoves (note the visible reduction in smoke from the improved stoves as compared to the three stone fire):

Finally, we found many modified stoves (see pictures below) in the households surveyed. These stoves were constructed locally for ~15,000-30,000 shillings. After speaking to the owners of these stoves it seems that most were not be performing as desired (i.e., not reducing smoke or fuel use).

Biosand Construction

Assessment Photos

Return to Kampala

Hi EWB,

Our apologies for the lack of posts, the internet was far from our site. We have just returned to Kampala and our looking forward to the implementation trip. While our time was short we were able to assess water sources, hold focus groups, host techology demonstations, talk with students, and visit a plantation. We have a lot to discuss!

In brief, the commuity was very appreciative and eager to use the modified stoves (in particuar the Ugastove), drip irrigation, and waterguard. These are all projects we would like to work with URF to provide to pilot communities. There are many other opportunities to fix hand pumps for wells, work with students and the women's group, enhance the seed loan program, and pilot the biosand filter.

As mentioned we hosted focus groups with two communites, conducted household surveys, tested water quality, and used GPS to map the community including water, homes, clinics, schools, and roads. We learned a lot about the community and received support. We look forward to sharing photos and more details soon!

Warm regards,
Sarah

Gankyanga Visit

After speaking with staff from URF and representatives from the women's groups we have decided to focus on two communities during the rest of the assessment trip: (1) Gankyanga and (2) Kyabagonia. These two communities are located within easy walking distance from Hope Integrated Academy.

On Sunday we were able to meet with the head woman's family and walk around Gankyanga. Today and tomorrow Amber and Sarah will conduct a focus group session with the woman's group followed by 10-15 household interviews. Here are a few observations from our visit on Sunay:

• Sparse population - As of now we are trying to define the total number of people and area
• Large variation in household behavior (i.e., early adopters vs. traditional)
• There are two water sources: (1) a swamp/pond that fluctuates with seasons and (2) a hand pump that is located 30-40 feet from the swamp. We were told that the handpump dries up but the swamp does not. Our initial thought is that the swamp must be spring fed.
• There are a number of rain water catchments (installed by World Vision) that have tap/valve problems.
• Property boundaries do not seem to be important for common goods (i.e., water, mango, etc).
• Primary fuel is wood but charcoal is also used.
• Sauce pans are typically large (average family size is 8-12 people) meaning some stoves may not be appropriate.
• Chickens and turkeys are raised but have had problems with disease. A pair of turkeys can be purchased for 7,000 shillings and sold 9 months later for 40,000 shillings per turkey.
• There are large maize and sorghum crops (as well as a few small family gardens).
• There is some sort of loan system in place (seems to be mostly between community. memebers

Here are a few pictures (see comments for captions/descriptions):

Ugastoves

Yesterday Steve visited the main manufacturing plant for Ugastoves. Ugastoves are improved wood-burning cookstoves that reduce the amount of fuel used during cooking and also reduces indoor air pollution. Below are some brief facts about Ugastoves and the manufacturing plant:

-The warehouse manufacutures approximately 200 stoves per week
-Stoves are subsidized by CEIHD (UC-Berkley) and carbon offset credits (JP Morgan)
-A clay mixer has been manufactured on site
-The stoves require a clay insert, and the clay inserts are all fired on site
-Ugastove hopes to train individuals for 3 to 4 weeks in Kampala. The newly trained individuals would then start franchises to manufacture Ugastoves at various locations throughout Uganda.
-The stoves cost 35,000 USh (~$18) a piece

Some photos of the plant in Kampala are also attached.

Arrival to Uganda

We have all arrived safely in Kampala, and we are running some final errands before headling to the communities. The flights were all very smooth, and the weather here is gorgeous. A 90 degree temperature swing in the positive direction always feels nice.

Tonight we are facilitating a session for a Young Professionals conference at Hope Integrated Academy. We will be discussing the process of planning, fundraising, and implementing projects as well as discussing our motivations for coming to Uganda to work on these projects. Over the next few days we be participating in the conference and will begin our assessment of the communities. Steve has also picked up three different types of stoves which we will be testing and presenting to community members.

Our availability to internet will be limited over the next three days, but we will hopefully be able to provide another update towards the beginning of the week. Please feel free to leave any comments if you have any questions or suggestions.