In the remote district of Zebak, Badakhshan, a small project has made a big impact on the lives of local families. The “Reducing the Effect of Smoke & Improving Personal Hygiene” initiative, implemented by SALEHO and funded by the BBS community of supporters, has successfully introduced more smokeless bread stoves to the community.
Project Overview
This project, which ran from February to June 2024, aimed to reduce smoke inhalation and improve personal hygiene by providing smokeless bread-making stoves to households in Zebak. With an initial goal of distributing 12 stoves in this project phase, the project exceeded expectations by delivering 18 stoves, achieving an impressive 149% of its target.
Local Innovation and Empowerment
One of the most significant outcomes of this initiative was the localisation of stove production. Previously, these stoves had to be transported from other districts or Faizabad city at a high cost. Now, local women, under the guidance of a local trainer, have learned to produce the stoves themselves. This development not only reduces costs but also empowers the community with new skills and economic opportunities.
Impact on Daily Life
The smokeless bread stoves have had a profound effect on the daily lives of Zebak’s residents:
- Reduced Smoke Exposure: Families now enjoy a cleaner, healthier cooking environment with significantly less smoke.
- Improved Hygiene: The project included house-to-house hygiene promotion visits, educating residents on minimizing smoke inhalation and maintaining better personal hygiene.
- Economic Benefits: Local production of stoves has created new economic opportunities within the community.
Looking Ahead
SALEHO has committed to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the stoves’ efficiency. They will continue to interview beneficiaries and conduct home visits to ensure the long-term success of the project.
This initiative demonstrates how targeted, community-focused projects can have far-reaching impacts. By addressing the seemingly simple issue of smoke from bread-making, the project has improved health, hygiene, and economic prospects for the people of Zebak.
The success of this project in Zebak serves as an inspiring model for similar initiatives in other remote areas, showing how local innovation and empowerment can lead to sustainable improvements in quality of life.
BBS continues to fundraise for this project through the dedicated Aseel Do Good page. If you’d like to contribute a new oven to a family in the Zebak region, please click here.
