GVI Kenya

The Madrassa, Anziwani Village (venue of the training)

Once back in Shimoni, Isaiah Maobe (our biomass fuel briquette trainer) arrived on a matatu from Mombasa.  From the moment he arrived, there was no doubt that he was a truly honest and genuine gentleman, full of wisdom.  Any worries I had quickly diminished.

Isaiah Maobe, our Biomass Fuel Briquette Trainer

Unfortunately there were some issues about the list that the trainees would sign-up on; it did not reach the community. So as myself, Isaiah, our three FSF tour guides and Asha, walked the 3km up the dirt road to Anziwani, we had no idea who would show. The training was scheduled to start at 8.30am, people slowly joined us in the Madrassa and we were able to start training with a total of 14 people!

Gathering outside the Madrassa, for the training

Some people I recognized, but there were a few new faces. We started the training by introducing ourselves. At first, many of the attendees appeared rather shy and cautious. As people were introducing themselves several said their job was carrying out casual work. Everyone just looked at each other, nervously, until one guy came straight out with it “I’m a charcoal burner”. This caused the group to burst in to fits of laughter, and the ice was broken.

Introductions at the start of the day

The first day consisted of sorting out the schedule for the week, voting for the chairman, time keeper and discipline master, and going through the theory and history of biomass fuel briquetting. Looking around the classroom nearly everyone was taking notes, and several were asking questions. When Isaiah was explaining the importance of the forest to the community he quoted Mahatma Gandhi (India), “What we are doing to the forest of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and another”.

The history of biomass fuel briquettes

 The last topic covered were the advantages of the biomass fuel briquettes; 1. Saves the environment, 2. Generates income, 3. Saves energy, 4. Saves time and 5. Saves money. You could see by some people’s faces and the few questions asked that people were still a bit doubtful and needed to see it to believe it. 

Isaiah teaching the theory of briquetting

We ended the day by collecting some raw materials for the next day’s practical session, in the form of dry mango leaves. On our walk back to Shimoni, we discussed the day’s events. Isaiah had spoken to a few of the trainees, who had shown a lot of interest, and said if this training goes well, this is something they would really like to do. We walked home with high hopes for the rest of the week.

The group collecting dried mango leaves for practical training the next day

Group photo at the end of day one