ZAMBIA – Solar energy project

De-forestation in the South Luangwa region of Zambia is hitting unprecedented levels, with the resultant loss of habitat and environmental impacts being severe. Our Zambian partner, Project Luangwa, has therefore introduced into the local village communities the use of eco-stoves, which are designed to use small twigs which can be gathered locally around the home. These stoves reduce drudgery by some two hours per day and lessen the impact on the depleted forests of the region, thus helping to secure the local wildlife economy.

The eco-stove project operates through five chiefdoms across South Luangwa, and since 2021 some 2000 stoves have been built in local communities. However, in 2023 it is hoped to quadruple that number, meaning that, with two stoves per house, some 8,000 stoves will benefit at least 4,000 homes, impacting the lives of some 12,000 people.

A number of teams construct the stoves on-site, which is where our Foundation comes in.

With the planned increase in the number of stoves and the teams who build them, there is a need to ensure managed control of the project as it grows in size. There is therefore a desperate need for the all-important Field Supervisor to be able to travel quickly between the various teams in remote areas in order to check the standard of the stove construction work and to ensure that the field teams are reaching their monthly targets. The need for transport for the Field Supervisor means that we are able to play a small but key part in the Project.

Our funding will allow the purchase of a motorbike for the use of the Field Supervisor, making the increased size of the South Luangwa project manageable and controllable. Our small funding contribution will therefore, for the 12,000 people of South Luangwa, help to change lives.