This couple were happy to get their biodigester just before they had their child - it was a real struggle collecting firewood while pregnant(Photo: © Joseph Steinberg/CMS)A pioneering biogas project backed by CMS is among a select few initiatives to be visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury during his forthcoming trip to Kenya
The biogas project in Machakos diocese, Kenya, was featured in a recent
CMS appeal, and is inspiring many leaders in the region.
The project, which creates clean gas fuel from cow dung, as well as creating fertiliser from the waste slurry, is attracting attention from church leaders throughout the region, including from Sudan.
Three bishops from Southern Sudan came to view the project in September 2010, and left determined to take the idea back with them.
From the abundant 'waste' product of cow dung, the biodigester produces all sorts of benefits:
- First, gas on tap – affordable and ending hours gathering wood. Saving lives too, as smoke inhaled when cooking over wood is like smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.
- Second, rich fertiliser – creating much higher crop yields and so generating more income for the family at the market.
- Third, Jesus is shared – non-Christian neighbours are being impacted and attending church as local Christians share their bio-fertilizer and other resources with them. And the extra time and money released by using the biogas is being invested in church outreach work into the local community.
Mrs Bilha Mukeku farms with her husband in Kithangathini. She says, "Our banana, avocado and orange production has gone up drastically since we started using the fertilizer. It has lots of nutrients, just the right ones for our crops.”
She is also thrilled with her new biogas stove: “My original improvised Jiko [stove] that utilizes firewood and charcoal was full of smoke and so unfriendly to the environment, but biogas works! I used to spend lots of money and time buying firewood and charcoal.”
The archbishop will also hear a presentation about the work of the Centre for Urban Mission in Kibera, Nairobi, where CMS mission partner Colin Smith works. Located in the heart of one of Africa's largest slums, the Centre trains leaders to become pioneers in mission in Africa's growing towns and cities.
The archbishop's visit to Africa, which lasts from 18–26 June, also takes him to DR Congo, where he will spend time with the Anglican Church of Congo, another key CMS partner.