We prune to let go of growth, letting die what is alive but not growing in the best direction. We prune to let go of death, letting go what is dead but still taking up space. Pruning is a form of dying in order for the tree to more fully live and bear more fruit. – Brother Luke Ditewig

A laborer hired by World Renew partner agency Beer-Sheba carefully prunes trees on the 250-acre Beer-Sheba project site in Sandiara, Senegal.

World Renew supported Beer-Sheba’s efforts to educate locals on how to make charcoal using more environmentally-friendly techniques like pruning – an effort linked directly to the sale of the Jambaar stoves, which also burn charcoal and wood more efficiently.

Lined with clay to help preserve heat during cooking, the Jambaar wood stove burns as much as 50% less fuel, which, when combined with techniques taught by Beer-Sheba, creates 35% more charcoal during the charcoal-making process, adding up to significant preservation of precious local trees.

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID SNYDER