Environment • In Focus

An energy-efficient wood stove. "Since we adopted the stoves, we no longer need to cut firewood from standing trees," says one Tabora resident.

Africare's work has combined conservation education, support of environmentally respectful income-generating activities and training in environmental management at the grassroots.

Poverty Alleviation,
Environmental Conservation

In Tanzania, Africare has worked since 1998 to reverse environmental destruction near the ecologically fragile Ugalla Game Reserve, in the Tabora region. Hundreds of villages surround the reserve, and poverty in the area has run high. To survive, villagers have engaged in the only agricultural practices they have known: practices that, unfortunately, also have depleted the lands.

Africare's work has combined conservation education, support of environmentally respectful income-generating activities and training in environmental management at the grassroots.

Higher-output beehives, fish farming and lucrative new crops such as the Moringa olifera tree have increased farmers' incomes and thus reduced their need to grow traditional crops (like tobacco) that strip the ground cover, sap soil nutrients and otherwise stress the land.

Energy-efficient wood stoves have reduced tree cutting for domestic use. "Since we adopted the stoves, we no longer need to cut firewood from standing trees," says Amina Mwiga, of Urura village. "Wood from dead trees or fallen branches is enough."

Africare's program has spanned 400 villages and involved more than 135,000 people in the Ugalla Game Reserve area.

 

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(Updated, Dec. 17, 2007)