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Lake Tana: Turning Water Hyacinth into Home Energy — Level A1 — a small village with a mountain in the background

Lake Tana: Turning Water Hyacinth into Home EnergyCEFR A1

26 Jun 2025

Adapted from Solomon Yimer, SciDev CC BY 2.0

Photo by BDU Fellowship VLM, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
75 words
  • Lake Tana has a water hyacinth problem.
  • The weed blocks boats and damages nets.
  • Fishermen cannot fish in their usual places.
  • People tried to pull the plant by hand.
  • The plant grew back and work stayed hard.
  • Researchers and villagers tested a biogas system.
  • They fed the weed and animal dung together.
  • Families now cook and light homes with gas.
  • Women spend less time collecting firewood now.
  • Leftover material is used as fertiliser for crops.

Difficult words

  • water hyacintha floating plant that blocks water and boats
  • weeda wild plant people do not want
  • biogasgas made from plants and animal waste
    biogas system
  • dunganimal waste used as fuel or plant food
    animal dung
  • fertilisermaterial added to soil to help crops

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Do you use gas to cook at home?
  • Do you collect firewood where you live?
  • Have you seen plants in a lake or river?

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