Over the last 2.5 years, our generous supporters helped build a stove factory in Homa Bay, Kenya. It's now complete!
Mukuru Clean Stoves is the first woman-owned factory in East Africa to design and manufacture affordable clean cookstoves made from recycled metals. These stoves are vital. They cut fuel use and air pollution in homes. Cooking over open fires kills about 4 million people each year from respiratory illness. Women in extreme poverty are especially at risk.
In 2017, Charlot Magayi set out to create Kenya’s most affordable, clean cookstove. She recognized that existing stoves were too expensive for families living on less than $2.15 per day. Charlot’s solution? They use locally sourced recycled metals. This keeps production costs low. But, it also ensures fair wages for skilled artisans.
Even with just one small factory, Mukuru Stoves has made a significant impact. They’ve sold 300,000 clean cookstoves throughout Kenya, improving lives and reducing environmental harm. However, demand continues to grow, prompting the need for expansion.
Thanks to your support, Mukuru has built a new 3,000-square-foot factory in Western Kenya. This expansion will create jobs for 300 stove artisans and 200 briquette makers. Together, they will produce enough stoves to benefit 500,000 families annually.
The factory is innovative. It will also make a new line of eco-friendly cooking fuel briquettes. They will be made from agricultural waste bought from local farmers. These briquettes are an affordable alternative to charcoal and firewood. They reduce greenhouse gases and deforestation.
The Adventure Project will now focus on helping Mukuru hire and train 300 stove artisans, 200 briquette makers, and 1,000 sales agents over the next six months.
Charlot joined us for a Q&A in May to share her inspiring journey and her vision for the future of Mukuru Clean Stoves. We dare you to listen and NOT be awestruck by this unstoppable businesswoman!
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