Today we have received the donation for 5 fuel briquette pressing machines, to be installed next week in different regions of South Kivu.

Proyecto Gran Simio is the donor, a Spanish NGO that works around the world in more than 20 countries, protecting big apes (chimps, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans). 

With the installation of 5 new press machines, we will be helping to stop deforestation. Most of the charcoal that is being locally used in South Kivu comes from the UNESCO world heritage Kahuzi Biega National Park. This illegal charcoal is the only means local population can cook with, for only 6% of the population has access to electricity. By stopping deforestation, we are protecting the habitat of lowland gorillas and many other species of the park. And we are also providing work for 30 people plus.

Picture with all the participants at the General Hospital’s premises

Six groups assisted to our 2 day training course last weekend, which was held at the General Hospital in Bukavu. They came from various villages in far territories, such as Uvira and Walungu. 

For two days, everyone had a chance to give it a try with the pressing machine

Gertrude, a team worker for the pressing machine at the hospital, talks about the different materials they use for their fuel briquettes.

To close the training session, we prepared local dishes with the fuel briuettes (fou fou, bailed bananas, rice and fried fish)