Be the Change
Our mate and visual story teller, Ryan Carter, has generously shared this inspirational photo blog from one of his encounters with amazing people around the world. In this case, a portrait from the Democratic Republic of Congo, of Murhula Zigabe who has turned waste into an environmentally friendly livelihood.
Murhula Zigabe, Founder of Briquette du Kivu (C) Carter/2019
For many in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the environment is secondary to daily survival. Over several decades, instability and conflict has meant that only 17% of the population has access to electricity, forcing the majority of Congolese people to rely on charcoal to meet their energy needs, which can consume up to 30% of their daily income. The production of charcoal results in deforestation, a major factor in climate change. Burning this charcoal impacts daily life by increasing respiratory illness, and reducing the availability of already limited finances for other needs - like education and healthcare.
The Briquette du Kivu production line (C) Carter/2019
‘Every problem is an opportunity for innovation,’ says Murhula Zigabe, eco-entrepreneur and founder of Briquete Du Kivu. Noticing the waste problem and the financial pressure to purchase cooking fuel, Murhula found a way to solve these problems while addressing the larger environmental issue of climate change. “I wanted to find a solution to help safeguard our future,” he says.
A team for good (C) Carter/2019
Briquette du Kivu creates a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable source of charcoal by collecting waste that is otherwise left to rot in the street and using this waste to produce briquettes to be used for fuel. "We add value to the waste that is otherwise a burden to society." says Murhula, and he’s right. The resulting product is 3x cheaper (16 euro cents v 50 euro cents) and burns cleaner - reducing the carbon released when cooking, which is kinder to the environment, better for people’s respiratory health, and reduces financial hardship. By recycling waste, this ‘green’ coal fights pollution, sickness, and poverty to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
These briquettes are three times cheaper and burns much cleaner - reducing both environmental health risks and carbon emissions. (C) Carter/2019
Give back. Be the change (C) Carter/2019
Thank you soo much Ryan, Murhula, and everyone at Briquete Du Kivu. What a beautiful and motivating group of people you are! At Rain Barrel we are in awe and proud to be associated with change makers like you - and to share your story.