By Maston Kaiya
Group Village Headwoman (GVH) Pengapenga of Ntcheu District has commended the Chitetezo Mbaula stove initiative under the Leaving No One Behind project by MAEVE, for its contribution to reducing deforestation and promoting environmental conservation.
She made the remarks on Saturday during the distribution of Chitetezo Mbaula stoves in Pengapenga Village.
“I am happy and excited with the program. It will help reduce fuelwood demand by curbing deforestation and lowering carbon emissions through the use of these stoves,” said GVH Pengapenga.
She also urged local leaders to promote tree planting and discourage the reckless cutting down of trees in their communities.
Pengapenga Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson, John Mkwezalamba, described the project as a welcome development for the area, which is prone to floods and environmental degradation.
Faith Kanyika Gondwe, Programs Coordinator for the project, said the initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which promotes access to affordable and clean energy.
“The ‘Leaving No One Behind’ project is addressing the affordability gap and ensuring that no one is left behind. This is being done by scaling up the distribution of Chitetezo Mbaula to marginalized households,” said Gondwe.
She added that the project is targeting beneficiaries of public works programs under the Climate Smart initiative, as well as those enrolled in the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
As part of the project, Chitetezo Mbaula stoves are being sold at a subsidized price of K1,000 to make them accessible to ultra-poor households.
