Stove Builder
“My name is Zinash Begna. I am the leader of this group. We make fuel efficient stoves. We were part of a LWF program for Income Generating Activity.
To make one stove:
- 4 shovels red ash (volcanic soil)
- 3 shovels cement
- 40 litres of water (two jerry-cans)
You have to be strong to do this work. We have to mix it four or five times, left to right, then right to left. This takes one hour. Then we bring in the moulds, and put the mix in, then compact it. This only takes five minutes for each mould.
There are six moulds of different shapes for each stove Then, it is left to cure for one week. We must water it each day. People come here to our shed to buy. It sells for 1000 Birr ($12 AUD).
LWF own the building. It is right alongside a large bus station, so many people can see and buy our stoves.
In our group, there are three women and one man.
Country
Ethiopia
Who you support
Zinash, Mother
Occupation
Stove Builder
"In a week, we can make 10 stoves."
I do this business because I want to help our community reduce carbon emissions. [60% reduction in emissions]
I also want to help fix human health, so women don’t get diseases of the eyes and chest from the smoke.
For myself, I use the profits I make to serve my family, and we also build up savings in the bank.
NB: the group had a start-up loan from LWF of 200,000 Birr ($2,500 AUD). They now have 210,000 Birr in their bank account.
My husband is happy I am working here because I contribute to the family income. We also have a clothes shop where my husband works.
I would like to thank LWF for supporting us.
Together we are helping our families and preserving the environment. I believe that if you have willingness to work, you can do many things, even if it is hard. Those who say this is only man’s work is the one who is not willing to work. For us it is easy, because we know it is important.”
Why your help is needed
In Ethiopia, years of drought and floods have left families struggling with poor soil, low harvests, and limited resources. For many women, one of the hardest daily challenges is collecting firewood for cooking. It can take hours, sometimes the whole day, leaving little time for anything else. Burning timber in open fires also creates thick smoke that damages health and harms the environment through deforestation and soil erosion. Families need safer, faster, and cleaner ways to cook.
How your hour changes lives
A simple stove changes everything. Using less firewood means women no longer spend entire days collecting it. The stove heats quickly, which means less smoke is produced and inhaled, protecting health. It also burns less timber, helping reduce deforestation and environmental damage.
Most importantly, time is given back. Women have the opportunity to raise their children, grow their gardens, learn literacy, or even start small businesses like beekeeping. With this gift, families gain health, dignity, and the chance to build a stronger future.