A breath of relief in the kitchen
“I used to experience a lot of smoke in the kitchen, which made my eyes teary and my chest uncomfortable. The soot would also stain the saucepans and even fall into the food,” says Eva Poni, a refugee, in Imvepi Refugee settlement, West Nile Region in Northern Uganda. Cooking was once a stressful, tiring, and costly chore, until she adopted the Lorena energy-saving stove. Today, she uses just three sticks of firewood to cook meals for her family, saving time, money, and her health.
A neighbor’s stove sparked curiosity
Eva’s interest in the Lorena stove began when she observed how effortlessly her neighbor cooked without smoke filling the kitchen. Around the same time, she learned from her local Refugee Welfare Council 1 (RWC1) chairperson that West Nile Community Action for Rural Development (WNCARD) and DanChurchAid (DCA) were supporting families to construct these improved energy-efficient cook stoves.
“When I saw my neighbor cooking comfortably, I knew I wanted the same for my family. I quickly gathered the materials and joined the group,” says Eva.
Cooking the traditional way comes at a cost
The three-stone method, still used widely across Uganda, consumes large amounts of wood fuel and produces smoke that harms both the environment and people’s health. According to the Uganda National Alliance for Clean Cooking (UNACC), only 7% of the population used clean and efficient stoves as of 2012. Schools and institutions were especially reliant on inefficient methods, with 96% using firewood and only 4% using charcoal, as reported by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. These outdated cooking systems contribute heavily to deforestation, air pollution, and respiratory illnesses.
Bringing Cleaner Cooking Closer to Communities
To address these challenges, DCA, with support from UNHCR and Danida, is implementing the Environment and Energy project aimed at increasing access to energy-efficient cooking technologies among refugee and host communities. Through local partners like West Nile Community Action for Rural Development (WNCARD), families such as Eva’s have gained the skills and materials needed to build their own Lorena stoves.
“These energy-saving stoves have made a big difference in the daily lives of families,” says Andruga Jessica, Project Officer from WNCARD. “With just one piece of firewood, they can cook a full meal, which means fewer trips to collect firewood and more time for other household activities. Families are also spending less on firewood, leaving them with extra income for food, school fees, or savings. It’s not just about cooking; it’s about improving livelihoods and protecting the environment at the same time.”
Simple innovation, lasting change
The Lorena stove has brought many benefits to Eva’s household. She no longer has to buy firewood three times a week, which previously cost UGX 5,000 and still wasn’t enough. “Now, I go once a week or use branches from the trees we’ve planted at home,” she says. The savings of about UGX 2,000 per week allow her to buy essentials like sugar, salt, and dried fish.
With two cooking points, she can prepare meals more efficiently and use the saved time for other chores. “It has two cooking points so that I can prepare soup and posho at the same time. The food cooks faster, and I use the extra time to fetch water, do laundry, or dig around the compound,” she adds. Most importantly, her health has improved. “Since I started using the Lorena stove, I no longer suffer from eye irritation or chest problems. Everything feels easier and cleaner now.”
Looking ahead: from one home to many
Eva isn’t keeping this progress to herself. She continues to spread awareness in her community, encouraging others to switch. “I always tell others to use the Lorena stove. It uses less fuel, saves time, and is better for our health and environment,” she says.
As part of its plans, DCA is testing the construction of institutional stoves in five schools within Arua and Yumbe districts. These cleaner options promise not only safer kitchens but also long-term environmental resilience in refugee-hosting districts.
In Eva’s home and beyond, cooking has found a new way forward, one that’s cleaner, faster, and safer for everyone.
Three-stone vs. Lorena Stove: Why the Right Stove Matters
Three-Stone Method
A traditional cooking setup where three stones are arranged to support a pot over an open fire. It is widely used but consumes a lot of firewood, produces heavy smoke, and poses safety risks, especially in enclosed spaces.
Lorena Stove
An improved, fuel-efficient cookstove made from a mix of mud and sawdust or ash. It has enclosed combustion chambers and chimneys that direct smoke outside, reducing indoor air pollution and firewood consumption.
Why “Lorena”?
The name Lorena comes from the Spanish words lodo (mud) and arena (sand)—the main materials used to build the stove. Developed in Latin America, the design has since been adapted across various regions, including East Africa.