Rocket Stoves: Small Solution with a Big Impact

The Amazing Six Brick Rocket Stove

I’ve returned from Uganda just three days ago. It’s seven years since I first went to assemble our first Six Brick Rocket Stoves there. Even after three years I am still learning about the stoves and their uses. But the basics – that they use just half the fuel and emit just a quarter or less of the particles and smoke – remain constant. Seven years and I am still impressed by how well our stoves improve the lives of the very poor people in the communities we serve.

Our process includes a training session in which the women learn from our staff about the benefits of our stoves and how to use them.

Next is assembly day. Every woman assembles her own stove. Almost none have ever handled a pair of pliers before and it’s always a challenge for them to learn how to pull on and tighten the wire that binds the stove together.

The stoves have to be protected with bricks and mud inside the hut so that they become useful kitchen appliances.

After it dries for several days the stoves are ready to use. You can see there is no flame shooting out the top and no visible smoke. No smoke, no flame, but lots of heat! That’s what I like to see.

Aid Africa staff works very efficiently and do an amazing amount of work for the few people we have on our staff. My mantra for the year is “Do more good.” My hope is to double the number of stoves with a minimum of additional cost. These people do an amazing job and deserve all our respect. They have great heart for their jobs.

And thanks to all of you for your support of Aid Africa. The amazing work we do wouldn’t be possible without you.

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