The cost of electricity, frequent power-cuts and poverty are leading causes of deforestation and land degradation in Zimbabwe. Millions of Zimbabweans now use firewood for cooking while others sell to generate an income. The rate at which trees are being chopped threatens the survival of current and future generations.
Some young people are beginning to take action to address the problem of deforestation. Emma Kachikamakwara (26) is a young woman who has decided to act in order to save the trees in her community.
Emma is a member of the local community at Gwangwadza farm in Trelawney, Zvimba district located in Mashonaland West Province, in central northern Zimbabwe. Emma abandoned the traditional open fire for a rocket stove to reduce the amount of firewood she needs for cooking.
Emma’s motivation to shift from using traditional open fires to using a Tsotso stove was because she wanted to play her part in curbing deforestation. Tsotso is a local name which means twigs among the Shona speakers.
A Tsotso stove is an efficient and hot burning stove that uses small-diameter firewood (tsotso). It can be used to boil water, cook or heat up spaces.
“I started using a Tsotso stove in order to conserve trees in my community. The stove was made by my husband and I started using the stove in June this year,” says Emma.
Emma says she sees many benefits of using the Tsotso stove.
“Buying firewood was expensive,” says Emma, adding that she no longer travels long distances in search of firewood.
“I no longer use much firewood… This tsotso stove has helped me,” says Emma.
Emma has developed a passion for conserving trees and desires to teach others to do the same.
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