"My mind is at rest because
there is no risk of fire."
In the past, Burundi has been marked by decades of conflict and political instability. Although today the country is mostly at peace, about 65 per cent of the population live below the national poverty line and education opportunities are limited for young people.
Only half of students complete secondary school. Access to quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in Burundi is challenging, particularly for girls.
Thanks to the Creatable program, more young girls like 16-year-old Gislaine can participate in STEM subjects, while also improving their day-to-day lives.
Gislaine used to collect wood in a field five kilometres from her home in Rutana Province multiple times a week. One bundle of wood would last four days.
That all changed after she learnt how to build a rocket stove. This is your shortcut of the process:
- A base is built from bricks and a slab is placed on top.
- A passageway is created for the firewood to go into
- The top later of bricks is covered with clay ready for cooking
"I had to go to get firewood four times a week. But now I only go there once a week. Once you use this improved stove, you can't go back,” says Gislaine.
“In this course, the improved stove allowed us to see the world differently.”