Green Gown Awards 2017 - Imperial College London - Finalist

Kenya Jiko Stove

The project involves teaching the community how to make and sell energy saving Jiko stoves in rural Kenya, Gaichanjiru. Jiko stoves are more efficient than traditional stoves by burning more efficiently, thus lowering the amount of firewood required by 50%.

The entrepreneurs are trained by Enactus on how to make the stoves, before selling them to the local villagers. Training is provided by Enactus on how to run the Jiko Stove business and sell it to the community based on a microfinancing scheme. Kenya Jiko Stoves was launched in June 2017.

After speaking to the NGO, MASH Foundation, we have got to know that 90% of the villagers are living below the poverty line.  In addition, with lack of knowledge of alternative technology, locals continue to use poorly made stoves. With the introduction of Jiko stoves they will help the locals to live more sustainably and healthily.

Top 3 learnings:

1 We learnt the importance of building trust with our beneficiaries as well as other stake holders.

2 We are able to plan a microfinancing scheme that can be implemented and enabled the locals to buy Jiko stoves in the future.

3 We have helped the locals to realise the importance of greener environment and contribute to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Videos

• Kenya Jiko Stove (click to hide)