Projects

Healthy Homes, Healthy Communities

A Youth-Led Community Health and Clean Cooking Initiative

Background

Household air pollution remains one of the leading environmental health risks affecting families in Ghana, particularly women and children who spend significant time cooking with firewood and charcoal in poorly ventilated kitchens. Exposure to smoke from traditional cooking methods increases the risk of acute respiratory infections (ARI), chronic respiratory diseases, eye irritation, burns, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and premature deaths. At the same time, dependence on biomass fuels contributes to environmental degradation and climate change.

Festus Health Foundation Ghana recognizes that improving community health requires more than healthcare services. Sustainable health improvements depend on changing behaviors, empowering young people, strengthening communities, and promoting technologies that create healthier living environments. Through its Youth Service and Development Corps, the Foundation trains young people to become community health leaders who drive evidence-based behavior change and community development.

This project integrates community health promotion, youth leadership, behavior change communication, and the adoption of improved cookstove technology to reduce indoor air pollution and improve the well-being of vulnerable households.

Goal

To improve the health and well-being of rural and underserved communities by reducing household air pollution through youth-led behavior change interventions and the adoption of improved cookstove technology.

Specific Objectives

  • 1. Reduce exposure to household smoke and indoor air pollution among vulnerable households.
  • 2. Reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections associated with indoor cooking.
  • 3. Increase community awareness of the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
  • 4. Train youth volunteers as Community Health and Clean Cooking Champions.
  • 5. Promote behavior change that supports healthier cooking practices and household ventilation.
  • 6. Increase access to affordable improved cookstove technologies.
  • 7. Strengthen community ownership of sustainable health interventions.
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