Right now, our schools in Kenya rely entirely on firewood to cook meals and heat water for students.

Every single day, the schools burn approximately 230 pieces of firewood, costing about 2.1 million Kenyan shillings per year (roughly $16,000 USD annually).

This approach has several challenges:

• Trees must continually be cut down for fuel.
• Firewood prices continue to rise.
• Smoke from wood fires impacts air quality.
• The schools spend thousands of dollars every year on a resource that is used once and gone.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a renewable energy system that turns organic waste—such as animal manure and food scraps—into clean-burning gas. The gas is captured underground and used for cooking and heating water, replacing firewood almost entirely.

Think of it as turning waste into fuel.

How Would It Help REM Schools?

The proposed underground biogas system would:

• Eliminate the need for cooking firewood.
• Provide enough energy to heat water for students.
• Generate excess energy that can be converted into electricity, helping reduce utility bills.
• Reduce deforestation and environmental impact.
• Create a reliable, sustainable energy source for decades.

The Financial Impact

Current Annual Firewood Cost:

• 2,098,750 Kenyan shillings per year
• $16,114 US Dollars 

One-Time Biogas Installation Cost:

• 1,196,150 Kenyan shillings
• $9,201 US Dollars 

Annual Maintenance Cost:

• Approximately 70,000 Kenyan shillings
• $538 US Dollars

In other words, the entire biogas system costs less than what the schools currently spend on firewood in a single year.

After installation, the schools would save roughly $15,576 US dollars every year while continuing to cook meals and provide hot water for students.

Why This Is a Great Investment

Unlike many projects that require continual fundraising, biogas creates long-term savings.

• One donation creates benefits for 25–30 years.
• The system pays for itself in well under a year.
• It reduces operating expenses year after year.
• It frees up funds that can instead be used for teachers, classrooms, student meals, and educational programs.
• It protects the environment by reducing the need for firewood.

The Opportunity

By funding this biogas project, donors are not simply purchasing equipment—they are helping REM Schools become more self-sustaining for the next generation of students.

A one-time investment today can provide clean energy, lower operating costs, and improve student resources for decades to come. 

Will you partner with us to create sustainable energy?