One third of the world's population still uses open fires for cooking using wood or coal. This practice leads to deforestation, financial expenses for families, and back-breaking labor for those responsible for collecting the wood. The amount of smoke inhaled by indoor open fires is also the cause 3.5 to 4 million deaths every year.

The MBP has begun to address this issue in Madagascar by providing the necessary training and support to construct fuel-efficient "Rocket Stoves" that offer an alternative to the open fire and reduce the amount of wood burnt as well as family expenses.

The MBP has been working with the Kianajavato community to construct fuel-efficient "Rocket Stove" as a cooking alternative to help alleviate cost restraints, inconvenience and illness. "Rocket Stoves" were originally developed by Dr. Larry Winiarski at the Aprovecho Research Center and modified design used with the Kibale Community Fuel Wood Project in Uganda. These stoves use an insulated burn chamber to produce more heat in a concentrated area than a traditional cooking fire. The use of these stoves for daily cooking would greatly improve indoor air quality and burn quicker, saving cooking time.

The use of the "Rocket Stove" would not only be beneficial for the users but also for the forests and the Greater Bamboo lemur. A three stone stove required 40 pieces of wood a day, the same amount of wood would last for 3 days when used with the "Rocket Stove"! The fuel-efficient cooking method reduces deforestation as well as time and money for those responsible for gathering the wood.

The MBP has conducted "Rocket Stove" workshops in and around Kianjavato village. Participants were taught the advantages of the new cooking system and trained to build the stove using locally available supplies.

Mindy and the crew from the Genetics department at the Henry Doorly Zoo have put together a short video explaining how to make a rocket stove like the ones they are teaching the Malagasy people to make.

It's a great idea for anyone interested in a cleaner way to cook in the great outdoors!