The Magnificent Power of Poop

Now that we have your attention... One of the most impressive realizations of our time here in Uganda is how seemingly small inputs and innovations can have a vast, multifaceted and transformative impact. Whether it be basic health and hygiene knowledge, the introduction of a road or the provision of a few vegetable seeds, a little can go a very long way in Karamoja, a place so desperate for revolutionary change.

One of the activities under the NUSAF2 project which Pearce is concentrating on is the introduction of biogas technology to Karamoja. Last year, these innovative systems were installed for nine households as a pilot project. Biogas is generated by mixing fresh cow or pig dung with water and pouring it into a specially designed underground tank called a digester. As the mixture ferments, gas is produced. The gas travels through pipes from the underground system into the home, where it powers a special stove and lamp for cooking and lighting. The residue, called bio-slurry, that flows out of the digester can also be used as fertilizer, boosting crop production in the gardens. 

Biogas provides a cheaper, safer, more sustainable and consistent energy source compared to firewood, kerosene, or charcoal, while eliminating the need to cut down trees, mitigating the negative impact of deforestation on food production in Karamoja.  Deforestation compounds the problem of environmental degradation caused by drought, flood and soil erosion.  Without trees, productive soils are washed away, leaving precious little land capable of growing food to sustain the population.

One of the biogas households was that of Peter Lokut. Peter’s story, which he shared with Pearce, reflects realization of the vast potential biogas has to transform the lifestyle of a beneficiary household. Before Samaritan’s Purse intervened, Peter’s household was wholly dependent on firewood as fuel, “we didn't have any other sources, firewood only.” His wife and children traveled 14 km (9 miles) round trip on foot, a six hour journey, regularly to fetch the wood. A batch of wood costing 16,000 Ugandan Shillings ($6) bought nearby would only support cooking for four days.

Peter also said his family faced “very many risks” in going to fetch firewood, explaining that the area is insecure and meeting violent thugs along the way is a real and present danger. These “armed enemies” have been known to strip clothing, assault and even kill people. This danger unfortunately hit Peter close to home. “When they were going to fetch firewood last year, thugs met my wife, taking her shoes and clothing.” And this was not the only danger Peter and his family experienced using firewood. Once while cooking, one of his huts burned to the ground. In another instance, his daughter was burned by the flame and still carries a scar on her stomach. Smoke from burning firewood in an enclosed space also posed a respiratory health risk to his family.

When Peter was approached by SP about installing the technology at his home, he says “I was green about biogas.” He’d heard of it being used in the capital city of Kampala and understood it was “very nice.” Peter directly participated in the installation of the system, helping dig the holes and offload materials from the truck. As for his expectations, Peter said “I was expecting to get fire as a source of energy and even to use the waste as manure; I was very happy.” Indeed Peter has seen even his greatest expectations exceeded as he now enjoys the benefits of biogas.

“It has improved my family. We are benefiting in cooking food well, and it works even in the rainy season when you can’t collect firewood. I don’t now spend money buying firewood or go into the bush. We now just get cow dung right here. Fire is only under the pan, so it can’t come out. We were not using light before because I had to buy expensive paraffin.” Peter had been forced to spend 2,000 shillings ($1) for a single soda bottle of paraffin, which might light the home for one week. Now, with consistent light from the biogas, his children stay up after dark playing games, reading and completing school work. They also enjoy participating in the biogas process, regularly fetching dung with the wheelbarrow and piling it into the digester. His children offered an enthusiastic endorsement that biogas “is very good!”

Peter’s wife shared her gratitude for the more efficient and convenient system as well. “I am very happy for light and cooking. I am no longer going to the bush and facing these problems.” Peter also noted how “speedy” cooking is with biogas. Whereas porridge previously took an hour to cook, it now takes six minutes, a tenth the time. Water boils in two minutes, and beans which once took six hours to cook now take only two. With the saved time from cooking and traveling for wood, Peter and his wife now spend more time tending to their garden and increasing household food production. They also take advantage of the bonus benefit afforded by using the “bio-slurry” as fertilizer. He can now plant crops in new places and sees a stark difference between those without the fertilizer and those with, which are twice as tall and a vibrant, healthy green.

Peter wishes the technology, which has dramatically improved the life of his family, could spread through the community and benefit his neighbors, who have seen the impact and long for biogas in their own households. But Peter is already serving his neighbors. His use of biogas rather than wood cut from endangered forests is making a dent in the problem of deforestation that is plaguing Karamoja and thereby improving food security for tomorrow.

Who knew poop could be so powerful?

SNAPSHOTS OF AFRICA