Dear John,

In the Eastern Province of Rwanda climate change is driving extreme weather fluctuations, making the region prone to both droughts and
floods. This, in turn, is causing environmental degradation, leading to poor land productivity.

Since most people across the Eastern Province depend on farming for their livelihoods, this is having a huge impact on their ability to provide for
themselves and their families.

While countries like Rwanda have contributed little to causing global climate change, one local activity that does produce so-called 'greenhouse gases' is the use of woodburning and charcoal stoves. These not only release toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, harming those who use them, but also impact local biodiversity and encourage deforestation.

We are working with partners across the Eastern Province to distribute and promote the use of fuel-efficient cooking stoves. With these stoves, families are exposed to less harmful smoke, spend less time and money on securing fuel, less trees are cut to produce charcoal, and less greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

We aim to distribute 100,000 of these stoves to households in eastern Rwanda by 2027. Below, you can see how we’ve defined eight objectives to help guide the project to achieve its goals.

As Beatha Mukandakaza, a resident of Gashora in eastern Rwanda, tells us:

“The cooking [stove] is very easy to use...and I have noticed a decrease in
the amount of firewood I use. My friends and family would like to get the same [improved cooking stove].”

By contributing to our Planetary Health Appeal, you can support communities and activists worldwide to protect people’s lives, livelihoods and environment. Please give whatever you can today and help to find sustainable ways to improve our lives together!

Warm regards,

Siaffa Bunduka,

Supporter Engagement Manager