WORKING TRAILER
Like most of the women living in rural Bangladesh, Rehana has always cooked on a traditional biomass cook stove. And like her compatriots, Rehana’s health has been deteriorating due to these inefficient modes of cooking and heating.
“The worst part about cooking with earthen stoves is that you need a lot of firewood,” she complains, adding that her back hurts from collecting large amounts of wood.
“The firewood burns a lot; releases more smoke,” Rehana says. She is regularly plagued with headaches; coughing fits; breathing problems; and burning eyes, nose and throat. And fears for the health of her five children.
Upon learning of the Improved Cook Stove from a friend, Rehana went and purchased one. Since then she has never looked back.
“I am now able to avoid getting black stains on my skin from utensils due to the smoke,” she says with delight. “My health is no longer deteriorating. In fact, it is improving.”
Other advantages Rehana is now enjoying are that the Improved Cook Stove is portable, so she can move it around the house easily; her time spent cooking has lessened; and she is able to rest without worrying about her house catching fire.
“The most important benefit is that I am able to save money for my family,” Rehana says, as the Improved Cook Stove uses far less fuel. “I can purchase clothes and books for my children. And invest in their education.”
WITH USAID’S SUPPORT, OVER 300,000 IMPROVED COOK STOVES HAVE BEEN SOLD IN BANGLADESH REDUCING POLLUTION WHILE HELPING FAMILIES SAVE MONEY AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.
Client: Deloitte / CCEB
Subject: Mosammet Rehana Begum
Location: Pubna, Bangladesh
Videographer: Danial Danny
Photographer: Faisal Khan Sumit
Director: AZ Dipu
Editor: Nic Turton
Project Manager: Lisa Stewart
Producer: Morgana Wingard
