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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
12 Briquette Shops open in Goma - 6 more by end Nov
First of all a big hello to all readers. I am back in Goma from maternity leave, with more energy than ever to make sure that fuel briquettes are sold like hot cakes …. a difficult (but not impossible) task to achieve!
Previously we told you about the moving truck going around the streets of Goma with 6 guys dressed with gorilla suits, selling sacks of fuel briquettes, and playing a song Katya specially wrote about the “new charcoal”. It was a complete success, and we will continue doing it every day now.
But of course that is not enough. So we have opened 12 shops in the busiest areas of town, where makala (charcoal) is being sold (and of course where our target market is!)
Balemba and the saleswomen at the shop in the “Deux Lampes” neighborhood in Goma
So yesterday I went with Balemba to visit one of the shops, where fuel briquettes are sold side by side with makala. It is the same charcoal saleswomen who are now offering the briquettes. It is a great result.
A signpost was put up advertising fuel briquettes. It reads, in Swahili, Makala Ya Sasa “The New Charcoal” is sold here.
A saleslady grins as she sells the briquettes!
So now it is crunch time. We will be opening 6 more shops by the end of November. And we are adopting an aggressive marketing strategy. At the same time we also have plans to build a warehouse on the edge of Goma so that we can perfect the quality control and distribution of the briquettes.
Thank you for your continued donations. All kind of support is much appreciated as we continue on this journey to halt the deforestation of Virunga’s forests.
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- Buhanga, the Solitary Silver..March 11, 2010
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News from Congo
- US slams rights abuses in Sudan, Congo and Nigeria - Africasia
- Congo hopes new museum can heal nation's scars - Reuters South Africa
- UNICEF helping to keep displaced children in school in Republic of Congo - UNICEF (press release)
- CTC Suspends Congo Operation on Contract Non-Payment - BusinessWeek
- Former Congo rebels tighten grip on mines, says campaigner - Monsters and Critics.com
- Sex and power, from North Carolina to Congo - Huffington Post (blog)
- Congo-Kinshasa: ICC Prosecutors Tell Lubanga Witness He?s Just A Liar - AllAfrica.com
- UN to start troop withdrawals from Congo in 2010 - Reuters
- War crimes trial of DR.Congo's Bemba delayed - AFP
- French President Calls for Stronger Forest Preservation Effort - Voice of America
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9 Responses to “12 Briquette Shops open in Goma - 6 more by end Nov”
Welcome back, Virginia! I loved the marketing strategy for the briquettes. It’s wonderful to see the program doing so well. I wish all involved in the program much growth and continued success!
Hey Virginia! I am sure Goma/DRC is so glad to have you back! Well done with setting up the shop and good luck implementing this all…you and the team can do it…you always do!
Oh I am so headed to Care2 with this…Thanks Virginia…glad you are back!!!!!!!!
Big Gorilly Hugs…Gorilly Girl
If you wanna see what folks are saying right now on this go through this link…
http://www.care2.com/news/member/441464023/1301939
Big Gorilly Hugs and I am soooooooo excited about this…
Seeing briquettes go head-to-head with charcoal is a dream come true. Fantastic effort!
Thank you Guys. It feels really good to be back. Everyone in the program has been absolutely amazing, I am so blessed to be working with Balemba and Jean Bosco on the ground. See you next week for another post!
great job, Virginia, keep on keepin on, blessings to all your efforts, n hugs to G Girl!
Brilliant.
Congratulations on getting the briquettes in the shops! It’s been amazing to watch this program evolve. Excellent work.