Dear All, I just wanted to tell you the good news about Africa Conservation Fund and their Fuel Briquette Program in Virunga National Park. I am currently coordinating such iniciative, and there are 130 pressing machines on the ground so far.
This is how fuel briquette sacks are sold in the local market: same volume as the charcoal ones, and as heavy as 45 to 50 kilos
Fuel briquettes are currently being sold in the local markets in Goma, and last month 300 sacks have also been purchased by WWF to provide refugees with an alternative energy source in the IDP camps (distribution in charge of Mercy Corps).
ACF’s truck downloading fuel briquette sacks in the refugee camp Mugunga 1
Downloading a full truck of fuel briquette’s sacks
So far it is all good news, production is steadily going up, and the feedback is really positive.Of course there are many difficulties we do encounter on the ground, but with patience and a lot of effort, we are overcoming the problems. Please do check on www.gorilla.cd for further updated on this fantastic project!
This is amazing!! Congrats to everyone on your team. What a success story!
By: ladiesinaction on May 26, 2009
at 12:47 pm
Dear Virginia,
Your work is wonderful! I had been trying to get more information about the fuel-efficient stove and biomass fuel briquettes and found your website. Fantastic!
I am a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden (California). The Zoo is participating in the Year of the Gorilla (YoG) and is raising awareness and funds for the YoG campaign’s wild gorilla conservation projects in Africa. We have a “Go Gorilla! Weekend” event coming up August 29-30 and I would like to have a model of a fuel-efficient stove and some sample fuel briquettes on display to show our thousands of visitors. How would I go about obtaining some sample briquettes? Or can I make them myself (are there instructions you could send me)? Should I contact the Africa Conservation Fund instead?
I’d appreciate any advice you can provide. Thank you so much for your help and for your valuable work on behalf of the gorillas, their precious habitat, and the DRC local human communities.
Best regards,
Laurel Colton
lmcolton@hotmail.com
By: Laurel Colton on June 22, 2009
at 9:06 pm