As the girls are reaching the third mountain, the rest of the village is just waking.  

Fatem’s, mother, Najat, is arranging precious wood from her pile onto coals from last night. A little prodding, the fire is rekindled and the morning tea is set on rocks to boil.  Her little fire gives off only enough heat to warm a small space so, she sits very close, nursing Jamila, arm around her precious Reda. Smoke from the fire curls around the trio as it rises towards the blackened ceiling, escaping through a soot stained door frame.    

Reda is still treated as the baby of the family even though he is four years older than his sister.  Born in one of the lean years following the flood, he is the size of a two- year-old and constantly fighting respiratory infections. 

Thinking of him, Najat instinctively places her had against his cheek to check for fever.  The memories of her baby convulsing in his bed as he fought his lungs for air, are vivid in Najat's mind.  Many nights she has watched Reda struggle to breathe, time stretching out impossibly with her feeling of powerlessness.  Now, touching his slightly warm face, Najat feels her anxiety rising again.

Dangers of Exposure to Wood Smoke    

Open wood fires release toxic smoke directly into the dwelling space.  The chemicals in this smoke include: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, CH4 and NMHCs. 

Long term exposure to this smoke carries an increased risk for lung cancer, asthma, emphysema and respiratory infections. 

The World Health Organization has estimated that smoke from open fires kills 1.8 million people, worldwide, each year.

The immediate solution is not obvious. 

Gas can be cost prohibitive for poor families and the supply may be sporadic in remote areas.

Solar energy is free and endless, but only while the sun is shinning.

SunSmile believes that a successful solution will be one that practically addresses the transition away from wood fuel; not one that forces a specific replacement fuel.