In this section

• Source of cooking fuel in Africa
• The effect of firewood to an African woman
• The Snapi Zera America Interventions

 

Sources of cooking fuel in Africa

In the rural Africa, firewood is the most popular source of fuel used for cooking. This is because it is available, inexpensive and many homes lack access to modern cooking fuels. The woman is always the victim because the sole responsibility of preparing food in a home is her lifelong duty.But firewood is also the leading cause of diseases and premature death in Africa. A large number of households are not aware of the hazards that are associated with cooking with firewood.

Due to lack of enough space, cooking is always done in the living room without a chimney and proper ventilation. This makes the woman even more vulnerable.

The smoke emitted by the firewood hearth is similar to the smoke emitted by 75 to 150 cigarettes. The risks of cooking with firewood are much higher than smoking two cigarette packets daily. Mothers, housewives and children who are at home most of the time are the biggest victims of this pollution.

Firewood is primarily sourced from felled trees. The major reason for Uganda is a country with a well balance ecosystem which is being slowly distorted. There are multitude contributions but the main issue is the lack of local government control and of course, its poor economics system. It would be ideal to see a tree replacement concept in place.

Within our Life Skill Activity Center will want to encourage and instill upon our girls the importance of tree replacement. For each girl, we will do two things for them. One is to plant a tree on the compound for a remembrance to their journey in life. Secondly, on their departure, we will provide them with seedlings/seeds, to plant at their home for their future. These future trees can provide income when their child completes their education and can be sold for profit. The profits can be used to pay for advance education assistance or their personal vocational career.

Effect of firewood in Africa
It has been widely reported of the very serious adverse health effect African women face by the continued inhaling of smoke emitted by firewood combustion. This Smoke contains complex gases and fine particles, which affects the lungs, the eyes and the heart. It is painful that most women (the users of firewood) do not know the health hazard they are exposing themselves to.

Numerous scientific studies have linked the use of firewood for cooking to a variety of problems, including:

• Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or
  difficulty breathing;
• Decreased lung function;
• Aggravated asthma;
• Development of chronic bronchitis;
• Irregular heartbeat;
• Non fatal heart attacks;
• Premature death in people with heart or lung disease and;
• Cataracts

Other Troubles
Aside from the fine particles, the complex gas emitted contain sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and potentially carcinogenic compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde and dioxins , which are known to cause cancer, Plus the notorious Greenhouse gas carbons.

A World Health Organization report revealed that cooking with firewood often resulted to indoor pollution, which globally accounted for over 4 million deaths every year.

The Snapi Zera Solution

“Why must we continue to decimate our women population and keep pretending as if nothing is happening?”

The Solar Power energy

Electric light replaces kerosene lamps and candles. In Uganda, Electricity is expensive and most households are not accommodated with such luxury. We recommend solar energy which is cheaper, safer, and easier to use.

Besides using it as a source of light, Snapi Zera also empowers the rural communities to get information that can help them to uplift their lives and livelihoods. By getting solar power, women can be able to watch television or radio and be exposed to media of their cultures and lifestyles. This can change opinions of society as in arrange marriages, suffer wage discrimination, and have higher levels of empowerment with gender equality issues and decision-making process, as in lower fertility, opinions of the ideal family size. Through the media, women can also get health knowledge.

 

The fuel saving Stove

Snapi Zera America is teaching women in the rural communities to adopt energy saving charcoal stoves for cooking. The stoves produce less smoke and consume less fuel. This is a greener, safer and healthier way to prepare food in Uganda.The stove has a chimney and burns less than 10% of fuel than an ordinary fireplace and charcoal burners. You can be part of this team to radicate their current conditions and turn into a viable solution by providing a charcoal stove. This link will direct you to your donation selection