A Jiko for the women of Mutanu: the stove that generates clean energy and independence

In Kenya, cooking is much more than a daily act: it's a moment of community, care, and tradition. In practice, cooking is always a task entrusted to women, and traditional cooking over open fires also involves health risks, high costs, and a significant environmental impact.

Since the "Mutanu: the pink garden" social and work inclusion project was launched, we have not only focused on giving women a concrete opportunity to regain their dignity through work, we have also implemented actions that improve their quality of life.

For this reason, this year we donated a Jiko to every woman involved in the project.

Jiko: what it is and what benefits it brings

The Jiko is a small charcoal stove. It has a ceramic interior that retains heat better, reducing fuel consumption compared to traditional fires. It's portable, but to minimize heat loss, the women involved in the project have built a masonry structure in their homes to contain it.

The benefits of the project for women

The introduction of the Jiko brings numerous direct benefits to women:

• Improves family finances: much less charcoal is needed for cooking, with an immediate impact on the family budget.
• Greater safety: the closed design reduces the risk of burns and house fires.
• Improves health: the reduced smoke compared to cooking with open fires means fewer respiratory problems, especially for women and children who spend a lot of time near the fire.
• Autonomy and dignity: having an efficient oven means more free time for work, education, and community life.

A choice that's also good for the environment

The Jiko is also a concrete gesture towards sustainability:

• It consumes less charcoal, helping to reduce deforestation.
• It emits less smoke and CO₂, improving air quality and reducing harmful emissions.
• It has a long lifespan and can be easily repaired, encouraging a culture of reuse and local craftsmanship.

Every Jiko is much more than a simple stove: it is a tool for empowerment, health, and environmental protection. With this gesture, our project supports not only the women of Kenya, but also a vision of sustainable development where innovation and tradition meet to build a more equitable and greener future.

Find out how you too can contribute to projects like "Mutanu, the Pink Garden" and make a difference in the lives of Kenyan women.