The constant search for firewood to use as cooking fuel is a permanent problem for women in traditional Masai communities, is backbreaking labour, and occupies much time that could otherwise be used in more economically productive activities. The demand for firewood also puts pressure on and threatens fragile woodlands in the wilderness areas near these communities.

In a pioneering effort to combat these twin problems Governors Camp funded the construction of a bio-gas plant in a Manyatta (traditional Masai homestead) near Mara Rianda village. This bio-gas plant uses the dung of cattle and goats corralled in the Manyatta at night to fuel the production of methane gas which is piped into each and every house in the Manyatta (over forty houses are supplied with gas) for cooking on.

This project has freed up time for the women of the Manyatta to pursue more economically productive activities than the collection of firewood and has simultaneously lessened the pressure on adjacent woodlands. Indeed these woodlands are now beginning to regenerate and return to their natural state and the local ecosystems are beginning to thrive once again. Another benefit is that the number of flies in the manyatta has decreased a lot and with this the incidence of fly born/ transmitted diseases and infections has also gone done markedly.

Governors Camp is now raising funds to roll out similar bio-gas plants in other Manyattas and is proud to have been the first to use 21st Century bio-gas technology to solve some very pressing local problems in Masai-land.