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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
We Need More Fuel Briquettes!
Here is a general update about our Fuel Briquette Program here in and around Virunga National Park:
1. 100% of our fuel briquette production output is being sold. Both April and May’s stock was delivered to the five refugee camps in Goma (Bulengo, Mugunga 1, Mugunga 2, Mugunga 3 and Kibati). WWF is purchasing our monthly yield through their emergency fuel fund, and Mercy Corps is in charge of the distribution.
Refugees waiting in line, for their share of fuel briquettes
And then off to their tents with bags of fuel briquettes
2. We are currently training more Rangers and local staff to get them out on the ground to provide proper support to beneficiaries who have received a pressing machine with accessories. We urgently need to get the production yield up. We are confident we can create a demand, but the product has to be out there, competing with charcoal in the markets.
10 Rangers attending training in Don Bosco’s premises in Goma
3. Greenhouses for all. Remember that a dry fuel briquette means a smoke-free fuel source. We need to make sure all pressing teams on the ground have their greenhouse built to quickly dry the briquettes. Last week we ran a training session on how to build a greenhouse, so by the end of this month every group will have one in place. We hope that means production should double!
Cutting the local bamboo for the structure
Getting the structure up for the transparent plastic
Balemba with the white shirt, posing with the Rangers inside the finished greenhouse in Matebe
All efforts are now going into increasing the fuel briquette production and placing good trainers on the ground to give all necessary support and encourage the local population.
Lastly, we are installing our carpentry workshop in Rumangabo, from where we will be making our own pressing machines. More about all this in the next post, so stay tuned!
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News from Congo- Report: Congo mutineer forces 149 more boys, young men to fight - Los Angeles Times
- Group: Congo general recruiting children again - Atlanta Journal Constitution
- Vodacom May Lose Congo Shares as Court Orders June Sale - BusinessWeek
- Prosecutor: Congo suspects are guilty as charged - Fox News
- Group: Congo general recruiting children again - STLtoday.com
- ICC Prosecutors Say Congo Leaders Guilty of Village Massacre - AllAfrica.com
- Falconets off to Congo DR - Nigerian Tribune
- Congo Police Investigate Former PM for Corruption - Voice of America
- NEWSMAKER-Goodlace a calm hand for Implats tiller - Reuters
- Congo: Peacekeepers Wounded - New York Times
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10 Responses to “We Need More Fuel Briquettes!”
Thanks for the wexcellent report. This program is so worth while!!
I knew this project would take off like a rocket! Congratulations on a big success, Virgninia!
Fantastic results! You are all wonder workers! x
impresionante!!!!!!
Felicitaciones y hasta cualquier momento
Susana
Hi Virginia,
Thanks for the update, this is excellent news!
Questions: are the new users of briquettes advocating them to their family and neighbours? Are you seeing horizontal progress of awareness?
Also, big question, do the briquettes smell in any way? As some foods are grilled, a smelly smoke would impede the progress of briquette conversion (I’m not saying charcoal doesn’t smell or smells nice, but it’s likely to be an aquired taste!)
Really looking forward to reading more news
Take care and congratulations on the great work.
Virginia. you are a Super Super woman…. sigue adelante-
Fantastic work Virginia, Balemba, Jean Bosco & all the team!
A round of applause to the Briquette Team. You guys are making huge progress. And, great looking greenhouses!!
[...] by training them on how to produce these briquettes by supplying them with training and equipment. These briquettes are then also distributed in and around the various refugee camps in Goma. The lack of interest in charcoal also of course means the parks could potentially be saved and a [...]
[...] by training them on how to produce these briquettes by supplying them with training and equipment. These briquettes are then also distributed in and around the various refugee camps in Goma. The lack of interest in charcoal also of course means the parks could potentially be saved and a [...]