Briquette Making Project.

Hello again,

Thanks to Steve and Patricia for the following blog.

On the island of Ukerewe we saw for ourselves that the traditional method of cooking is a pot balanced on three rocks over a fire and this is still the case in much of rural Africa.  Those that can afford to, buy charcoal or sticks for fuel, but the majority have to go out searching and gathering firewood every day.

In the UK alternative fuels are being developed using waste materials such as sawdust, wood shavings, straw etc.  On Ukerewe we saw large piles of sawdust and shavings where joinery businesses were operating and Lake Victoria itself is infested with water hyacinth.

Research led us to the Legacy Foundation who have developed a lo-tech briquette making press and have produced a set of manuals on how to build, operate the press, and train a team to make and market the briquettes.

A talented friend constructed a press for us and we have spent many hours making trial mixes and monitoring their burning properties.  Any waste material can be used, sawdust, shavings, corn husk, rice straw, leaves, banana skins, anything in fact provided it will burn.  The press is now on its way to Ukerewe in the container with all the accessories needed to get the project underway.

Following advice we have made contact with two Tanzanian women trainers who will come to Ukerewe when we are there in July and train a group of Swahili speaking locals; as well as showing them how to produce the briquettes, they will advise on costing and marketing etc.  The intention is that the group will produce an inexpensive form of fuel from waste materials to use themselves and sell the excess to produce an income.

We look forward to seeing the Briquette Maker in use on Ukerewe and are sure this will be a sustainable project to help the local people.

Thanks once again to Steve and Patricia for this very informative contribution.


Until next time.

Best Wishes,
Derek and Diane.