This is a group formed by eight people who graduated from the Tingathe Eco-Briquettes Training Program. After completing their training, they did not sit back and wait — they took action. They came together to start a small business that produces eco-briquettes made from organic waste.

Their goal is to support their lives by starting this business, and at the same time, help protect the environment by reducing deforestation. Eco-briquettes are a cleaner, safer, and eco-friendly alternative to charcoal.

To start their business, each member of the group contributed K30,000, bringing the total to K240,000. They used this money to buy raw materials for their briquette production. With free access to Zagwa training center and the eco-briquette machine, they have already started producing eco-briquettes.

Maziko Group has big dreams. Their vision is to grow their business and supply eco-briquettes beyond Lilongwe. Using marketing skills they learned at Tingathe, they are promoting their products both online and through face-to-face sales in their community.

This is exactly what the Tingathe Eco-Briquettes Project is all about — empowering participants to start businesses and take part in protecting our environment.

As Maziko Group grows, Tingathe is walking with them. We are providing mentorship, helping them find customers, and closely monitoring their progress to ensure they succeed.

The Eco-Briquettes Project is being implemented by Tingathe with support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), through funds allocated by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Seeing what Maziko Group is doing makes us excited. The change we hoped for is beginning to take shape. We believe that with their efforts and those of other groups like them, Malawi’s forests will be protected, and more people will take part in protecting the environment.