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The constant search for firewood to use as cooking fuel is a permanent
problem for women in traditional Masai Communities. This problem occupies
much time that could be otherwise 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 and all
the interconnected ecosystems.
In a pioneering effort to combat these twin problems Governors’ Camp
funded the construction of two bio-gas plants in a Manyatta (traditional
Masai homestead) near Mara Rianda village. This biogas plant uses the
dung of cattle and goats corralled in the Manyattas at night to fuel the
production of methane gas which is piped into each and every house in
the Manyatta (over forty houses) for cooking on.
The use of Biogas as a renewable source of energy for this Masai
community has some clear benefits to both the environment and the local
community.
The 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
and with this the incidence of fly born/ transmitted diseases and
infections has also gone done markedly. Another health benefit has been
that the use of Biogas as a cooking fuel instead of burning wood has
greatly reduced smoke in the Masai homes and as a result the incidence
of both respiratory and eye disease has also lessened greatly.
The capture and burning of biogas (methane) in the Manyatta means that
large quantities of methane (an extremely harmful Green House Gas) are
prevented from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
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.
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