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CWS (Child Welfare Scheme)/ NAMUNA Announcements

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Womens Group Members trialling the revised dung briquette press
Photo by Lisa Brinkley

Story from the field - dung briquettes for stove fuel in Nepal

EWB Field Volunteer shares her story working to develop an improved stove design to reduce air pollution, save on fuel collection time and improve the health for women in Nepal.

Posted by Lisa Brinkley to CWS (Child Welfare Scheme)/ NAMUNA, 27th November 2011, 12:23am

EWB partner, Child Welfare Scheme (CWS) is an international development charity, dedicated to supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in Nepal. CWS work closely with local NGO NAMUNA, on projects which are child-focused, child-friendly, and aim to empower children and communities to create a brighter future for themselves.

EWB volunteer Lisa Brinkley provides an update about the dung briquettes; a new type of fuel which is being trialed for stoves.

"The first two stage briquette press was demonstrated and trialed by the Women of the Rupandei region of the Terai. Briquettes that were prepared and dried were supplied to members of the Women's Group to try in their traditional cooking stoves.

The press demonstration was preceded by a discussion regarding the benefits of preparing washed dung compressed briquettes in terms of reusing the nutrient rich dung tea for fertiliser and having washed out the salts and chlorides which cause toxic smoke when cooking.  A variety of dung briquettes mixed with woodchips, paper and straw were distributed for the ladies to use at their leisure. 

Initially, with the assistance of Namuna staff I prepared a batch of washed dung mixed with straw and put it throught the press infront of an ever increasing crowd of onlookers.  After preparing a batch of briquettes and putting them aside for drying a couple of the ladies were keen to have a go themselves which was a great source of entertainment for the crowd.  My kitchen gloves provided additional interest for many of the women in the crowd. 

A second batch of briquettes were produced by the ladies assisted by comments and direction from everyone watching.  Initial trials were very encouraging.  A follow up visit is planned for a next week to collect feedback on both the briquettes burning qualities and the press machine."


2 comments

Posted 5 Months ago by Ian Cunningham

Cool!

Posted 5 Months ago by Ian Cunningham

Cool!



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