NFG have supported a stove project that encourages rural Ethiopian women to produce wood stoves for sale. These stoves require less wood and therefore women do not need to spend as much time collecting firewood, which again is an advantageous to the village and in the long run for the natural environment.Ehtnesh has received a new stove in her kitchen for making meals for the family. She can now save time with regards to collection of firewood, as well as reducing the amount of smoke in her home that was a danger to the health of the family.

Women are often the key to a well-run village in rural Ethiopia. However they often need to spend excessive amounts of time to gather firewood, which over time is only found at greater distances from the home. An effective stove for cooking food, allows the women to take fewer trips (75% fewer) to the woods for fuel, informs Project Coordinator Yeshanew Ashagrie Abitew.

The time saved in collecting firewood is now available for production of stoves, amongst other things. For example, some women have had time to engage in the café business, which also provides an income. They are also available to work in the fields, which gives them a right to participate in decision-making when discussions about area utilisation are held. Knowledge about the issues of area utilisation is being provided through local courses in regards to biodiversity and sustainable use of the land. This opportunity is a direct result of their participation in the stove project.

The Project Coordinator informed that the main objective of the stove project is to improve the sustainability of land use in Ethiopia. This entails that more trees are planted to sustain the soils, improve the local climate and provide much needed resources at the local level.