0 Safe Stoves for Darfur Refugee Mothers

Subject: Together, We’ve Reached Every Refugee Mother—Now Let’s Keep Going

Dear GlobalGiving Team, Donors, volunteers, and Supporters,

We are writing with full hearts and deep gratitude to celebrate a historic milestone—the successful completion of our Safe Stoves Project, which began in 2013. Thanks to your unwavering support through GlobalGiving, 3,840 safe stoves have been produced by refugee women in Chad in 2024. In the final phase, an additional 600 stoves were made—bringing warmth, safety, and hope to every mother in the camp.

today, every refugee mother in the camp has a safe stove.

This life-saving project has been about so much more than stoves. It has been about empowerment, dignity, and transformation. Through safe stove production, women gained income, organized into decision-making teams, supported each other, and became respected leaders in their communities.

Fatima, a refugee mother and stove maker, shared:

“These stoves changed our lives. The income helped us buy food, clothes, and school supplies. We feel proud and hopeful.”

The stoves:

• Reduced firewood use by 75%
• Lowered indoor smoke, improving health
• ‍ Protected women and girls from rape and attacks during firewood collection
• Warmed shelters during harsh winters
• Provided income during the non-farming rainy season

And now we ask: what’s next?

This project may be ending, but the needs are not. As conflict escalates again in Darfur, especially in El Fasher and North Darfur, families are once again being displaced, many on foot, fleeing violence with children in their arms. Our commitment to supporting them continues—and we need your help.

We invite you to support our next two critical projects:

1. Disaster Response: Relief, Recovery & Resiliency
Help us provide hot meals, water, and transportation for the elderly and sick fleeing El Fasher, while supporting long-term recovery.
http://goto.gg/68632

2. Children’s Rights, Protection & Empowerment
This project supports vulnerable children in camps—those orphaned, trafficked, forced into labor, or at risk of child soldiering. Help us provide shelter, education, and safety.
http://goto.gg/47978

You didn’t just fund a project—you empowered a movement. Your generosity shielded 7,000 families, uplifted women, and sparked hope where it was nearly lost.

From all of us at Darfur Women Network, thank you for your compassion, your trust, and your belief in the power of refugee women to lead change.

With deepest gratitude,
Mastora Bakhiet

Economic Empowerment of Safe Stoves Production Groups-Darfur Refugee Women

How refugee women are transforming their lives, families, and communities—one stove at a time.

At the Darfur Women Network, we believe in women’s strength—not just to survive, but to lead, transform, and uplift entire communities.

Thanks to the unwavering support of GlobalGiving and compassionate donors around the world, 3,840 safe stoves have been produced by courageous refugee women. In this final stage, they made 600 more stoves, marking a historic milestone:

Every mother in the camp now has a safe stove.

Fatima – Refugee Mother & Stove Maker:
"These stoves have changed our lives. The income helps us buy food, clothes, and even school supplies for our children. We feel proud and hopeful."

But this project is about more than just stoves—it’s about economic empowerment, dignity, and survival.

These women organized themselves into production groups, developed work schedules, managed materials, and made group decisions. Through this, they gained not only income but confidence, solidarity, and respect in their community.

Production Group Member:
"I feel confident and happy. Our relationships with our families and neighbors have improved. We used to be undervalued , but now, we are seen as strong women, as providers, as leaders. We’ve changed how our community sees women—we are social change agents."

 The stoves are Life-saving and Economic Empowerment;

• Reduced firewood consumption by 75%
• Decreased smoke, improving air quality inside shelters
• Protected women and girls from long, dangerous trips to collect firewood
• Strengthened women’s unity and mutual support
• Improving the environment of the home
• Worm the shelter during dried hard winder

Production Group Member:
"During the rainy season, this project saved us. We had no farms, no income. Making safe stoves gave us purpose and hope. But now we ask… what comes after safe stoves? How can we continue to survive and grow? How will GlobalGiving support us in the next chapter?"

This project has shown us what’s possible when women are given the tools to lead. As we close this chapter, we open the door to new dreams—projects that build on this success:
Small businesses
Farming cooperatives
Skills training
Leadership programs

This is not the end. It’s the beginning of a stronger future—one led by the very women who once felt forgotten. Here is more information: https://youtu.be/XvT-iUM3oxQ

With heartfelt gratitude:
To our partners at GlobalGiving, thank you for standing with us. Your support has not only shielded 7,000 families from violence and illness but has created a movement of empowered, resilient women ready to lead the way forward.

Together, we’ve done more than distribute stoves.
We’ve sparked change.

A Message of Thanks

This impact would not have been possible without YOU—our compassionate donors, dedicated volunteers, and valued partners. Your unwavering support has brought hope, health, and dignity to thousands of families.

We especially thank GlobalGiving for making this project successful. Your partnership supports essential human needs and helps us reach even the most vulnerable.

Thank you