Hasnuu Makame Secondary School in Southern Unguja, Zanzibar,
has switched its cooking energy from firewood to liquified petroleum gas,
enjoying low costs and health benefits.
The initiative is in line with the Tanzanian government campaign
to encourages public institutions including schools to switch from firewood and
charcoal to cleaner energy sources like gas.
Headmaster Mr. Mohammed Ally said that using firewood was
expensive and harmful to chefs and students' health.
“We had to take students to the hospital often because of
smoke-tainted food. Students had no appetite for food and water due to
smoke-tainted food,” he explained.
When the school started, it had 110 students and the school spent
TZS 650,000 per month on firewood.
With 471 students now, the school spends 778,600 shillings
every two months on gas. Mr. Ally noted that the costs would have been higher
with firewood.
Switching to gas has also saved money on kitchen repairs.
“Smoke damage had previously led to frequent repairs, and
the school used to buy milk to help cooks deal with smoke. These costs are now
gone,” he noted.
Gas cooking has brought several health benefits. It
eliminates smoke and particulate matter, which reduces respiratory problems
like asthma. It also prevents eye irritation and lowers the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning. The cleaner air inside the school has improved overall
health and reduced the risk of respiratory infections.
Hasnuu Makame Secondary School’s switch to gas shows how
adopting clean energy can improve health and save money.
