In April 2025, Ugandan stove specialist and ceramist Allan Ojok trained and certified eight local technicians to build energy-saving stoves at the household level. Three months later (13–20 July 2025), he returned to Burundi with the objective to:

• Evaluate the performance and user adoption of the newly built household models
• Introduce a larger, advanced design suitable for bigger families, schools, hotels and communal kitchens.

Main Results of the visit

1. Household stoves perform as intended:
Field checks in five communes confirmed steady daily use of the stoves. The households visited reported firewood reduction of approximately 40-50%.

2. Advanced stove built at a Catholic sisters’ community:
Allan Ojok trained two stove technicians to build advanced Stoves suitable for bigger families, schools, hotels and communal kitchens. The training took place at the Soeurs de Saint Camille convent, home to 20 sisters. The sisters previously relied on the traditional three-stone stove.

“When I entered their kitchen,” recalls Allan Ojok, “my eyes immediately teared up - smoke filled the room; it was clear they were suffering in silence.

3. Health, time, and energy benefits:
Sr. Gretta Sinzobakirana, the Superior of the community, summarized the impact:

“This stove arrived just in time. We can now cook two pots at once, in a clean kitchen, with reduced smoke-related illness and less time spent searching for firewood. Firewood costs will fall, and the forest will benefit too.”

In response to rapid deforestation and a changing climate, AKI will continue its effort by promoting the construction of energy-saving stoves at the household level and for institutions. These stoves not only conserve firewood and protect the environment but also reduce smoke-related illnesses - improving both health and quality of life in the communities they serve. 

This project is implemented with financial support from the State Parliament and the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg through the Foundation for Development Cooperation Baden-Württemberg (SEZ).