Oven-building

Three problems, one solution. Traditional cooking methods with open fires cost more lives in Malawi than tuberculosis and HIV/Aids combined. In addition, the high demand of firewood causes a high amount of wood clearing. Also, little kids get unnecessarily burned frequently. The clay oven developed by Florian Klaus and distributed by us in the region Benga, saves up to 50% of firewood and protects from the open fire. The households profit healthwise and save money, which can be invested in the future of their children. Because we work together with local bricklayers, we provide people from the region a secure and well-payed employment.
About 35€ are enough to build one oven, with half being material costs and half wages.

A lung function study was initiated in 2021 for the stove construction project, which, in combination with a questionnaire, will provide information on the effect of the stove we built. This will evaluate the extent to which use improves lung health and socioeconomic factors.
The stoves built so far are working perfectly and the response from households has been extremely positive. After evaluating a first part of the evaluation, it can be stated that households with stoves use about 50% less firewood, which not only protects the environment, but also leaves about 2000 Malawian Kwacha a month more for other expenses. This is about 13% of the monthly household income in the region.

Agriculture

With our agricultural project, we want to pave the way to enable people a life without need even in difficult climatic conditions. A life that secures health, education and income through their own efforts.
With a growing global population and increasingly difficult agricultural conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa, sustainable agriculture with higher yields of high-quality food is more important than ever. Scientific findings and practical experience gained in recent decades reveal the way to a sustainable future. The combination of complementary crops and soil-conserving cultivation techniques enables increased yields with a balanced dietary supply of nutritious food. Remaining products can contribute to the financial reinforcement of small farmers.
This is where we want to contribute. We establish an example of this approach (possibilities) using a field on site. This will form the basis for the transfer of knowledge within the framework of an educational program which will also certify the level of knowledge. The educational program consists of learning the cultivation techniques and the optimal utilization of the produced food.
Through personal experience and successes, the knowledge gained is consolidated and passed, so that external help is no longer required.

The concept is based on the structured division of the model field into 10m × 10m quadrants, on each corner of which an ana tree (Faidherbia albida) is planted. The ana tree is able to fix nitrogen, absorb water from deeper soil layers and additionally protect the soil from erosion through its leaves. Within a quadrant, a mixed crop of maize (Zea), cassava and the legumes pigeon pea (Cajanus) or cowpea (Mucuna) is then planted. Between growing seasons, soil quality is actively maintained with the help of Terra Preta.

Pyrolysis barrels

Charcoal is mainly used for cooking in Malawi. The charcoal is produced from local trees and therefore a driver of deforestation in Malawi. Our barrel project provides a relief to this problem. It was developed by Students from the RWTH Aachen under the RecyCoal organization. The barrel can produce biochar from agricultural plant waste like corncobs. The produced biochar can be sold locally or used in one of our ovens. Only two old oil barrels are needed for the barrel and can be welded locally.
After a first pilot project we want to spread the barrel usage with a global grant. Starting in 2023 we want to work together with the Rotary Clubs of Aachen and Lilongwe to enable locals to build a livelihood from this system. Furthermore, the biocharcoal can be combined with animal manure to create a cheap bio-fertilizer that can replace expensive, chemical fertilizers und sustain the soil fertility. The bio-fertiliizer is the second pillar of our Global Grant.