Rocket Stove by Caritas, Kitui



Country:
Kenya
Why to choose this solution?
The stove emits less smoke, and consumes less firewood compared to the traditional stoves or cooking on three-stones. So it reduces incidences of diseases caused by smoke, and reduces work using it.
Savings per day or production:
This energy-saving Rocket stove reduces firewood consumption as it uses firewood in a smaller percentage.
Cost in money and in own time to construct:
With a subsidy from the Kitui Diocese, each stove costs KSh 3200 (about USD 32).
Lifetime:
About 5+ years.
Maintenance needed:
Repair the concrete part of the stove when broken.
Resources needed in use:
The stove uses firewood.
Problems and limits:
It Produces some smoke, so good ventilation is needed in the kitchen, the best is a kitchen hood. Some very poor households cannot afford the cost paid to the artisan after construction. As the training is donor dependent, there is a fear that once the project phases out, reaching out to other areas becomes a major challenge.
Where and how can you get it or make it?
Available in Kitui county and Maralal in Samburu county Kenya.
Skills needed to produce, install. maintenance, use:
Construction and maintenance of these Rocket stoves requires a well-trained artisan. The use requires a short introduction only.
How to use it:
To be added.
How to maintain it:
To be added.
Climate effect (if any):
The stove emits less smoke (black carbon smoke) and uses half the firewood of open fires or traditional fireplaces, which contributes to reduced climate change.
Where it is used and how many users are there?
Used in Kitui county and Maralal in Samburu county, Kenya. Nearly 10,000 of them have been installed in homes, under the diocesan carbon offset project.
Why is it successful?
Because it uses less firewood, it takes women and children less time to fetch firewood, leaving them with more time for other activities. It also is easier to use, is relatively affordable, and emits less smoke.
If you can make it, a short description, typical problems, materials needed.:
A standard rocket stove requires 50 bricks, a wheelbarrow of sand, ash, a bag of red oxide, and water.
How to make it (if possible):
To be added.
How is it delivered and by whom?
The stoves are constructed by Catholic Church in Kenya through Caritas departments in the dioceses, Kitui County and the Diocese of Maralal.
Successful financial model
Training the community, subsidy from the Kitui Diocese, successful partnerships, and support for development.
What policies and strategies helped the success?
Community sensitization by bishops and priests through groups such as Catholic women and men associations, Active campaigns for the stoves.
More info:
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2019/10/10/caritas-kitui-kenya-provides-energy-saving-cookstoves
Sources:
Caritas Kitui, Kenya. https://caritaskenya.or.ke/ Tel: +254 727 802810
Name of the association uploading the case:
SusWatch Kenya
When was the case uploaded? (YYYY-MM-DD):
2020-09-08