As a mother and a grandmother, Lydia is the heart of her household. Over the years, she’s prepared hundreds of meals for her family. And in her home, that’s no small feat. Lydia and her husband Christopher have nine children, some of whom are now adults while the rest are in their teens, and one grandchild. Together the family lives in a small, metal sheet-roofed house in their remote village in southern Uganda.
Lydia cooks for her large family in a tiny space with very basic supplies, and for many years utilized traditional cooking stones that are commonly used by rural Ugandan women. While skilled in this method, Lydia was keenly aware of the hazards of open fire cooking. “The smoke was simply intolerable,” she remembers. “My eyes would burn, and my chest felt heavy. I often worried about the health of my children, who were always around the cooking area.” Lydia and her kids frequently suffered from respiratory infections due to smoke inhalation.
The process was arduous. It took hours each day to collect adequate firewood, leaving minimal time or energy for other activities. The physically-demanding work left Lydia in a constant state of exhaustion, but she pressed on for the sake of her family, trusting God to sustain her. Lydia found comfort in the words of her favorite scripture, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Feeling like she was stuck in an endless cycle, Lydia began attending a series of community meetings organized by Cross International’s local ministry partner, HEED Uganda, which informed residents about various resources and opportunities. Lydia listened intently as meeting leaders discussed the construction of energy-efficient stoves for individual households at extremely low costs. When she realized this was an option for her home, Lydia was elated!
It took just a few hours for Lydia’s new stove to be built. Cooking with the energy-efficient stove produces far less smoke and requires only a fraction of the firewood that was previously needed. Since the switch, Lydia and her family have been healthier from breathing cleaner air. Meanwhile, fewer trips to collect firewood has freed up time for Lydia to spend on other activities. “I now have more time to tend to my garden and grow vegetables for my family. I even have time to make crafts that I sell at the local market in Kafunda.”
From energy-efficient stoves to safe water to agricultural training and much more, Cross International collaborates with local ministries to equip individuals and transform communities. Lydia has experienced the difference firsthand: “Your generosity has brought hope and empowerment into our lives, and I am deeply grateful.”
It’s the selfless giving of people like you that enables Cross International’s work to continue. Partner with us today to bring vital resources and the hope of Christ to the poorest of the poor!
