During her G Adventures Tanzania Safari tour and Egypt trip, Eleanor Long had the opportunity to visit two incredible community-led initiatives supported by Planeterra.

From witnessing the life-changing impact of the Maasai Clean Cookstove Project in Tanzania to engaging with youth guides at Funtasia in Luxor, Eleanor saw firsthand how these community-driven efforts are improving lives and creating opportunities.

Below, she shares her powerful experiences and reflections from both visits.

In Tanzania, 95% of people rely on wood and coal for cooking. Women and girls spend hours each day walking to gather firewood, which prevents them from attending school or engaging in other productive activities. The smoke from open-fire stoves contributes to severe health issues, including cancer, pneumonia, blindness, and burns.

During a visit to a Maasai village as part of my G Adventures Tanzania Safari tour, we saw firsthand the challenges these families face. In one home, the traditional cooking method was still in use. There was no chimney for the smoke to escape, and the entire hut was filled with thick, suffocating smoke. It was difficult to remain inside for long.

In contrast, the second house had been equipped with an efficient cookstove and a chimney to vent the smoke outside. The difference was remarkable—this smoke-free environment felt noticeably better.

In a third hut, we saw women installing a chimney as part of the Planeterra-supported cookstove project. These women, known as stove engineers, are paid to build clean-burning stoves, providing both employment and a solution to the widespread health risks caused by traditional cooking methods.

The homes we visited had no windows and little light. The huts were tiny, often housing large families. It was a real eye-opener for me, seeing the harsh living conditions up close. Despite having read about these struggles, nothing prepared me for the overwhelming reality of being inside these small, dark, smoky, and overcrowded spaces, meeting the women who endure these hardships every day. It was a deeply moving experience.

A tour of Egypt with G Adventures is packed with visits to museums and archaeological sites, but a bicycle ride through the countryside of Luxor was a welcome change of pace. 

We were greeted by student guides at the Funtasia Project Center, a Planeterra-supported initiative. The students, who attended an after-school program to develop their skills in art, communication, and social interaction, led us on the ride. 

Our group of 16 travellers had the unique opportunity to engage with a local community, meet project leaders, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts. 

Most importantly, we were able to give these young guides a chance to take on leadership roles as they shared their knowledge and interacted with us throughout the ride. The journey itself was a delightful experience, offering stunning views of the countryside, and we even spotted hot air balloons drifting above—a perfect addition to our Egyptian adventure.

About the author:

Eleanor Topacio Long is a retired teacher, avid traveller, and enjoys hiking, often incorporating long hikes into her international adventures. She is dedicated to volunteer work both in her local community and in the countries she visits. Eleanor lives in Washington state with her husband, Richard.