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[Abuja, Nigeria]- Helen, a mother of two from Amizi, a small village in Abia State, had always relied on firewood for cooking—a reality shared by many in her community. One rainy evening, as she prepared dinner for her family, the weather forced her to move her cooking setup indoors. The combination of smoke, heat, and fading daylight made the task unbearable.
Seeking better lighting, Helen asked her daughter to fetch their kerosene lantern. As she attempted to refill the lantern near the firewood, a catastrophic chain of events unfolded. The intense heat in the room had created a buildup of pressure, leading to a sudden explosion. Helen and her son managed to escape with injuries, but her young daughter was severely burned. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries after being denied urgent care at a local hospital and enduring a long journey to Enugu for medical attention.
Helen’s story is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe cooking practices and limited access to clean energy solutions.
A Solution to Prevent Future Tragedies
The Energiz Project by LIDA Network was born out of a commitment to ensuring such tragedies become a thing of the past. By equipping women in rural communities with the knowledge and skills to adopt clean cooking solutions, the project is transforming lives and advancing the energy transition in underserved areas.
Through the Energiz Project, over 120 women have been trained in the manufacturing, sale, and use of clean cookstoves. This intensive program not only teaches technical skills but also fosters entrepreneurship. Many participants have launched their ventures, equipped with mobile kiosks to serve as local distributors and advocates for clean energy in their communities.
Building a Sustainable Future
The project’s impact extends beyond skills training. It empowers women to become change agents, promoting safer, healthier, and more sustainable lifestyles in their communities. By addressing the root causes of energy poverty and unsafe cooking practices, the Energiz Project is paving the way for a greener and safer future for families like Helen’s.
With the support of strategic partnerships, the initiative aims to scale across Nigeria and the African continent, creating opportunities for green jobs and empowering women to lead the transition to clean energy.
Helen’s story is a testament to the urgency of this mission, and the Energiz Project serves as a beacon of hope, ensuring no family endures such preventable loss again. Together, we are building a world where safe, sustainable energy is accessible for everyone.
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