Rocket Stove Workshop Enlightens Macuata Women
Two-hundred women from 13 villages and settlements in Macuata Province will benefit from a workshop organised by marine conservation and non-government organisation C3 Fiji.
The workshop on Rocket Stove Initiatives was funded by the United Nations Development Programme.
Issues about women have always been the talk and concern of every community.
The plight to give them better chances in life is often limited by the insularities of their communities and transportation challenges.
The smokeless and reduced firewood consumption rocket stove is designed for a few positive reasons.
C3 Fiji senior officer, Maleli Qera proposed that one of the major reasons was to combat cutting down of trees for firewood.
“This is often hectic and time consuming for women in rural Fiji,” he said.
“Now these women do not need to go out for hours for firewood because this stove works perfectly with small twigs and even driftwood.”
Mr Qera also highlighted that using rocket stoves contributed to emission reduction.
It is made of flat iron and filled with cement.
Participants painting the rocket stove during the workshop. Photo: Laisa Lui
“Climate change experts are more concerned with the drastic increase in poisonous gas emissions and this stove is the perfect option,” he said.
“Apart from the open fire with uncontrolled and excessive smoke.”
C3 Fiji has carried out consultations and training for the 13 communitites; Naqunu, Korotubu, Yaro, Daku and Ligau on Kia Island, Kavewa Island, four villages in Namuka district; Lakeba, Nasovivi, Nabubu, Silivakatini with Qaranivai and Nabuna villages in Dogotuki district.
Kia Island has been a hive of activity for the past week where the project is being piloted, from fabrication to being trialled out.
Two days into its use Kia women have been thrilled with the project.
Ligau villager Repeka Tinaisoi, 40, said the project was a blessing to them.
“We are blessed with the implementation of the rocket stove for cooking. With little firewood and more food being cooked in less time is amazing,” Ms Tinaisoi said.
Kia islanders could not stop thanking UNDP for the funding and C3 Fiji for choosing their community.
Edited by Percy Kean
Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj
