The Maasai people of east Africa are historically migrant herders. When they do settle, they build mud huts, with 10-odd structures in a family settlement, making up a minor community, or a “boma”. A boma may house 50 – 100 people and their livestock.

Cooking is traditionally done on an open fire inside the hut. This creates enormous smoke and hazard for burning of young children. Early death from smoke-inhalation-related diseases is typical.

This project created and installed 100 closed stoves for cooking and warmth. More than 95% of smoke and carbon monoxide is vented through the engineered stove and chimney. The stoves also use 60% less firewood than their open-air predecessors.

All materials are designed and built by members of the International Collaborative for Science, Education, and the Environment (ICSEE), one of TGUP’s NGO partners in Tanzania. They are exclusively installed by ICSEE-trained Maasai women, also members of the Collaborative.