Project - "A burning Need" - Smokeless Stoves

“A Burning Need”

Here is how we intend to ‘GROW’ this Project.

GOAL: (The Objective)

To reduce large numbers of women and children contracting upper respiratory problems,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality in and around the villages of Kodaikanal.The goal is to install smokeless stoves with chimneys in a phased manner across the villages of Kodaikanal and simultaneously educate the women on how to optimize use of these stoves to safeguard their own health and that of their families.

REALITY : (The Problem)

Globally more than 2.5 million people die from the effects of indoor smoke pollution created by unventilated cooking fires in the home. Most of them are women and children. Upper respiratory infection caused from exposure to carbon monoxide gasses is the number 1 killer of children under the age of five. (Source. World Health Organization). Because of the weather conditions In Kodaikanal, families use the kitchen stoves not only for cooking but also to keep themselves and their homes warm. This results in exposure to harmful poisonous fumes for extended periods of time which in turn accelerates the onset of several health problems
including upper respiratory, heart problems, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis ,pulmonary emphysema and lung cancer amongst others .

There is a burning need for a solution to the problem faced mostly by women and children as a
result of the harmful exposure.

OPTIMAL SOLUTION: (The Relief)

To address this need, Soroptomist will partner with a local organization to install non-smoking Stoves in those homes where the open furnaces are still in use. The project will be supported by “Betsy Elizabeth Trust“ who will monitor, manufacture and supervise the installation of the stoves.

About the Stove
• The stove has been developed, tested and installed in villages in South India for the last
eight years by Ms Ann. ( PSIK Member)
•Red clay, which the local people are familiar with and use in their homes is the primary
material used in making the stoves.
•In keeping with the cultural sensitivity, the stove is installed facing the rising sun.
•All Technical aspects have been given due importance, as at the time of installation we
will ensure correct roof positioning and ventilation.

Step by Step Approach

• Choose a village that surrounds a school where relationships have already been
developed.
• Identify one person / family who is willing to have a stove installed as a pilot.
• Hold a parent seminar and talk about the need to get the harmful smoke out of the
house.
• Involve school students to do a skit highlighting the harmful and positive impacts of the
stove
• Get the school children to demonstrate how to use the stove.
• Have all soroptimist members each spread the word to at least three families within that
village to further help ensure high levels of awareness.
• Installation of stoves in as many households as possible.
• Follow up of maintenance and upkeep by trained staff to ensure the stoves are being
used effectively
.
Advantages for the Beneficiaries

Primary:
• Health Benefits of a cleaner and safer environment and air space.
Secondary:
• Lesser Time Spent Cooking (as this Stove is more effective)
• Lesser Money Spent (as this Stove uses lesser fuel)
• More Usable Kitchen Space (as the cooking top can be used to keep other utensils)
• Warmer Food (as Cooked Vessels kept on the stove keep the heat)

Fund-Raising for the Project

• The Soroptimist Club will raise funds for this project via a fund-raiser.
• The Besty Elizabeth Trust will match the funds that Soroptimist generates
• The Beneficiaries at the Villages will have to share a nominal amount of Rs. 200/-.
• Certain funds needed from the Mother Club
Please note an excel sheet with the project budgetary calculations is attached.

WAY FORWARD : (The Deliverables)

- Budget and timelines will be created for effective implementation
- Committee Members will be allocated specific roles to ensure smooth implementation, awareness building and education and follow up
- Regular reports in collaboration with the implementing partner will be reviewed by the committee members and presented at the group meeting
- Impact of the intervention will be measured and reviewed.

Budget:

• Stove RS130.00
• Stove pipe RS 450.00
• Bricks
• RS48.00
• Sand Rs 45.00
• Cement RS 75.00
• Cowl RS 50.00

Total Materials Rs 798.00

Labour 1 day Rs 300.00
Bike petrol Rs 100.00
Advertising, travel RS 300.00

Total Cost Rs 1500.00