Schools Praise Green Amayaga Project for Providing Cooking Gas, Reducing Firewood Costs and Improving Hygiene

Several schools in Rwanda’s Southern Province that received cooking gas from the Green Amayaga Project say the initiative has significantly reduced the money they previously spent on purchasing firewood, while also improving efficiency in meal preparation compared to the past.

Nshumbusho Jean Baptiste, a cook at ES Ruhango, explains that the lives of both cooks and students have greatly improved since the school started using the gas provided by Green Amayaga.

He says they now cook in a clean environment, meals are prepared on time, and students are able to eat promptly. Unlike before, when they relied on firewood, the smoke exposed cooks to health risks and sometimes caused delays in meal preparation.

Munyaneza Jean Claude, Head Teacher of ES Ruhango, confirms that cooking gas has become an essential solution as it supplements the firewood that schools used to depend on, which would at times be scarce, leading to delays in cooking and challenges in providing timely meals for students.

This experience is shared by Sister Marie Josepha Uwamariya, bursar and head of student meals at ES Sainte Bernadette Save, and Father Venuste Nyabenda, head teacher of EAV Mayaga, who say the gas supply has addressed many problems, including the high cost of firewood, smoke-related health concerns for cooks, and delays in preparing food.

A Big Step Toward Environmental Protection

Southern Province Governor Kayitesi Alice says the initiative to supply schools with gas through the Green Amayaga Project has played a crucial role in reducing the number of trees that were being cut for firewood, thereby contributing to environmental protection.

She adds that improving kitchen hygiene and ensuring that students receive well-prepared meals on time is a key contribution to their health, wellbeing and academic performance.

The Green Amayaga Project operates in the districts of Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza and Gisagara, and has so far supplied cooking gas to 20 schools, supporting efforts to protect the environment while improving school feeding services.