Mariam Ahmed Alzaid Idris - Low-Smoke Stoves Project (LPG)
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Authors
Elizabeth Dunn
Issue Date
2016-03
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Energy
Alternative Title
Abstract
Mariam is from a village called Korma, approximately 2 hours from El Fashir in Darfur and has 8 children (3 girls, 5 boys). One boy has passed away. Mariam has been involved in Practical Action's Low-Smoke Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Stoves project. "When Practical Action began working in Darfur, they formed a community-based organisation (CBO) near my village (Awsta Abdog Society). In my village, the community leader gathered all the women and told them about Practical Action and how we should form a society. I then became the leader of the society. We began convincing women to join the society for 1SDP. This money then registered the society. Afterwards, we began to build our own building, where the society could meet. We built it together, from brick. All meetings were held there." "[The village] was a mixture of pastoralists and farmers. We did not have a good life. We suffered from no water. I collected money from the community and worked with Practical Action to build a well. I was living in a home made from sticks. I had 4 rooms. I cooked using wood that I collected from the valley. We cut the trees. I had to walk for 2km there and 2km back. I left at 6am. I used an axe to cut the trees. I would stay all day cutting the trees and leave for home at 6pm. I would collect as much as I could. If I had a donkey to carry the wood, it could last for 3 days. If not, the wood I brought back [on my head] would only last for one day." "Before 2003, it was safe to collect wood. After, it wasn’t safe. Sometimes my skin would bleed. The thorns would cut me. I would sweat a lot, it was hot in the sun. I was badly affected by the smoke. It would affect my eyes. When my children were sleeping, soot [from the walls and ceiling] would fall on them. Breathing was hard. The main affect was my eyes. I had cataracts and the Doctor told me I needed glasses." "Since the LPG, my eyes feel cleaner. They were red before and I no longer need the glasses. I feel better." Mariam now lives in El Fasher and has a poultry farm which earns an income for her family. She also runs a village savings and loans scheme with women from her local community. "I started with Izdehar, she trained me in 2008 in how to start a business. I learnt that poultry would work for me. I had saved some money and started with 50 chicks. I now have 100 chicks. It is sustainable. I generate 100 SDP per day which I use to feed the chickens and support my family. I sell the eggs, 12 eggs earns me 30 SDP." "After I got LPG and moved to El Fashir, I can now prepare food before my children go to school. I have more time [it takes less time to cook with LPG]. I now go to Women’s Development Group meetings, I go to mosque. I manage my business and clean the home. I am able to save money for my children, so they can go to school, they have a future." When asked about why she works with other women to help them save and change to LPG, she explained: "I am doing this for my sisters. I want to be a leader. I now feel good, not just for me but for my children."
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