Through a collaborative partnership between AVSI, GIZ Energising Development (EnDev), and the World Food Programme (WFP), ten Institutional Improved Cook Stoves (IICS) and ten large cooking pots were provided at five WFP School Feeding Programme sites in Gbanti Chiefdom, Karene District, in the northern part of Sierra Leone.
This is an area where poverty levels are high and communities often lack basic infrastructure, including safe and efficient facilities for meal preparation in school canteens. By providing free, nutritious meals to schoolchildren, the WFP School Feeding Programme aims to enhance food security, improve educational outcomes and boost local agriculture.
In most schools, food had previously been cooked outdoors on traditional open-fire stoves, which consumed large amounts of firewood, exposed cooks and children to harmful smoke, and posed safety risks. To enable the installation of the IICS, all communities successfully constructed new kitchen facilities, demonstrating strong ownership and commitment. These efforts significantly enhanced operational efficiency, safety, and hygiene standards during school meal preparation.
The stoves, specifically designed for institutional use, are a cleaner and safer alternative to open-fire methods. They reduce fuel consumption, minimize smoke exposure, and improve cooking efficiency. The installation of the IICS was carried out by Wonder Stoves’ technical teams, who ensured that each stove unit was properly set up and fully functional. To guarantee the long-term sustainability of the intervention, AVSI organized training sessions for the women responsible for meal preparation at each school. These sessions went beyond technical stove use and maintenance—they also raised awareness of the health risks associated with traditional cooking and highlighted the benefits of cleaner energy solutions.
A cornerstone of the project was its strong emphasis on community engagement. Communities co-invested in the construction of kitchen spaces and actively participated in every stage of the process.
This participatory approach fostered a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring the intervention was not only well-received but also well-rooted in local priorities.
The project culminated in celebratory handover events between May 12th and 14th, 2025. The communities expressed enthusiasm and pride in being part of a project that improves safety and reduces environmental harm.
This successful implementation marks a significant milestone in expanding access to clean and efficient cooking solutions in Sierra Leone. It epitomizes a replicable model that combines technical innovation with community empowerment, highlighting how multi-stakeholder collaboration within the realm of clean cooking solutions can improve school feeding programs to drive meaningful change.
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