Microenterprise

Understanding that the long-term sustainability of its fuel efficient stove program depends on the genius of the free market, Lifeline has developed an affordable metallic version of its stove and set up a “factory” in Northern Uganda with the capacity to produce more than 1,000 of them each month.

Lifeline has since fostered a vibrant commercial market for these stoves through a concerted advertizing campaign and the creation of a sales force of some three dozen female micro-entrepreneurs who it has set up as stove vendors.

In short, Lifeline’s FES program is building local capacity – creating jobs for skilled laborers and independent salespersons while, at the same time, improving the health and livelihoods of their customers.