Sudan, Peru, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka – just some of the countries where women are being helped to take a lead in self-sufficiency.

People in these countries are usually too poor to pay for little home improvements, so they cook in their kitchens over an open fire.

They and their children breathe in the choking smoke day after day, so it’s no surprise that many of them suffer from asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems, as well as living with the risk of lung cancer.

Practical Action has come up with a very simple stove which cuts out almost all the smoke and has started teaching the women how to make them. So, not only are their living conditions improved but they can now start to earn a modest income by selling these stoves to others, through a local co-operative.

Health improves, healthcare costs reduce, dependency reduces so less “AID” is needed.

You can find out more about these and other simple projects to help people become independent at practicalaction.org

It’s said that St Francis sent out his followers with the instruction: “Go and spread the Gospel – use words if necessary”.

I hope you will agree that people like Practical Action (and there are many others) are doing exactly that! Simple technology at low cost sets people free from depending on so-called handouts and gives a real insight into what God really wants from his people.

  • Brian Gray, Levens Methodist Church