A group of blacksmiths supported by Tools for Self Reliance is doing its bit in tackling global food insecurity and global warming. The Kisangani Smith Group (KSG), part of Tools for Self Reliance’s Tanzanian blacksmithing programme in the 1990s, has come up with two types of revolutionary new energy efficient stove.

The Swahili expression describes the stoves perfectly, as they are an extremely environmentally friendly solution to the growing problem of deforestation in Africa. It is estimated that one of the stoves uses 75% less wood fuel than other stoves. The other can be fuelled by sawdust, rice husks or other agricultural waste.

It’s not just the environment that is benefiting. Both stoves save people valuable time and money, and allow quicker and cleaner cooking. So there are real social and economic benefits for the local community too.

KSG was originally set up to train blacksmiths – it has trained about 120 blacksmiths in the past 10 years. But now its innovation has attracted the attention of the international community. Earlier this year KSG was awarded a prestigious Ashden Award for sustainable energy for its stoves.

For more information visit www.ashdenawards.org