This is worth supporting. It's something that could really make a difference. Early last month, I wrote a story for IRIN called "High hopes for bio-briquettes". The Haburas Foundation, a local NGO, is behind a project to get youths making bio-briquettes. This not only addresses the need to create jobs in Dili, and beyond, but it takes on the problem of Timor-Leste's trees being cut down for use as fuelwood. You can read the story here and see pictures here.

Available now from Haburas are "Manatuto-made, fuel-efficient, briquette-specific stoves". That's quite a mouthful. Nicholas Molyneux from Haburas says the stoves can reduce the amount of money families spend on cooking fuel as well as the amount of smoke produced while cooking. The stoves are easy to use and they provide the means through which families can reduce their dependence on wood.

This may not have every expat in Timor-Leste jumping up and down with excitement, but how about buying a stove for a Timorese family? Surely all of us in Dili know at least one Timorese family who could benefit from something like this.

A starter pack costs $10 and includes a stove, a bundle of briquettes and a leaflet explaining what to do with it all. Haburas is located on Rua Celestino da Silva in Farol.