World Connect

Environmental Friendly Energy Sources (Briquettes Making)

Year: 2019

Country: Malawi

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Environment

Project Investment: $688.74

Project Launch: 10-22-19

This project will train 35 women from Chikanda, Malawi in briquette production using locally sourced materials, such as sawdust and waste paper. The long-lasting briquettes are easy to make and emit little smoke, thereby protecting the environment from gas emissions and deforestation. The women will use the briquettes as an alternative for cooking fuel, as firewood is a scarce resource in the area. Excess briquettes will be sold to the community. The proceeds will be used as a revolving fund, enabling the women to acquire loans to start small businesses.

Project Update: 11-30-20

Nine women out of the twenty-seven (27) trained in briquette making acquired meaningful skills in briquette production. The briquettes being produced are mainly being used at household level by the nine families who have since reduced charcoal usage and is hoping that community members will adopt using briquettes in the long run for environmental protection.

Final Report: 9-17-21

The idea testing for the $688.74 briquette making project by Chikanda Women in Zomba District has not been hugely successful. Nine women out of the twenty-seven (27) trained in briquette making acquired meaningful skills in briquette production. Over 2,000 briquettes were produced and largely used by the nine family members as the general community did not adopt use of the same in their day to day cooking. The main challenge remained that the briquettes were producing smoke and were not long lasting hence less effective than the traditional charcoal. While the members are still meeting and doing their village savings and loans program, they seem to have abandoned the idea of producing briquettes altogether.