Promotion and Construction of Modified Lorena Stoves in Southern Belize (BZE/97/16)

Project Details & Results

The project entailed the construction of 14 demonstration stoves in 14 communities, 7 each in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts with the resources of the project, and the construction of an additional 7 stoves from community resources. Stoves in Toledo would be built in Big Falls, San Miguel, San Jose, San Antonio, Silver Creek, Indian Creek, and San Pedro Columbia. The 7 stoves in Stann Creek would be constructed in Seine Bight, Hopkins, George Town, Santa Rosa, San Roman, Maya Mopan and Sittee River Village. In addition, the project proposed to train 56 participants in the construction of the stove, 4 from each community who were expected to become trainers in the process of expansion of the project. Construction and training were to occur between December 1997 and June 1998. Promotion of the Lorena Stove concept was planned for other non-participating communities through training that would have been facilitated by the original trainees and with the assistance of BEST.
Other activities in the project included an Environmental Education workshop focusing on efficient uses of energy resource and protection of the natural resource base, an assessment to determine the decrease in the consumption of firewood and an impact evaluation of the use of the technology.

Project Results
The project established the potential to significantly reduce reliance on large amounts of wood and consequently reduce deforestation and soil erosion. It has demonstrated the ability to consume in the region of 25 pounds per week instead of the 70 to 95 pounds that is being used for cooking on open hearths once the stove is properly constructed and completed.