What if protecting the environment could also help people earn a living and bring hope for the future?

In many communities across Malawi, people face two significant problems: the environment is being damaged and there are few job opportunities. Forests are disappearing, many families still rely on charcoal for cooking and finding ways to make money is hard. The Tingathe Eco-Briquettes Project was established to address both issues. It teaches people skills that protect the environment while helping them earn a living. One group showing how well this works is Maziko Group, made up of eight people from Mtandire Lilongwe.

The members of this group graduated from the Tingathe Eco-Briquettes Training. After finishing the course, they had a choice: wait for jobs that might never come or start something on their own. They chose to act.

“During the training, we realised we could do more than just learn,” says Annie Finyani, one of the members of the group. “We could help our community and make a living at the same time. That’s when we decided to start Maziko Group.”

The group’s goal was to make eco-briquettes from organic waste, give families a safer and cleaner alternative to charcoal and help protect forests. Eco-briquettes burn well, produce less smoke, and reduce the need for firewood. Every briquette sold provides energy for a home and helps protect Malawi’s forests.

Starting the business took courage and teamwork. Each member contributed K30,000, raising K240,000 to buy materials for production. With access to Tingathe’s Zagwa Training Centre and the eco-briquette machine through the project, the group quickly moved from learning to producing.

“Those first weeks were intense,” remembers Annie. “We went from practising in the training room to making real briquettes for families. It was exciting and a bit scary, but we learned a lot along the way.”

The work of Maziko Group goes far beyond simply producing fuel. They carefully check each briquette to ensure it meets high standards, manage the daily running of their business and find ways to reach and sell to customers. Along the way, they have learned how to package their briquettes neatly, set fair prices and clearly explain to households why using eco-briquettes is safer, cleaner and better for the environment.

“Some people are used to wood charcoal and are afraid to try something new,” Annie explains. “But once they see how well the briquettes burn and how long they last, they understand. One demonstration is better than a hundred words.”

Maziko Group is not stopping in Lilongwe. They want to sell eco-briquettes in other districts, create more jobs and encourage more people to use clean energy. “We want young people to see that it is possible to protect the environment and make a living at the same time,”

The success of Maziko Group shows what the Tingathe Eco-Briquettes Project is all about. The project helps people earn money while caring for the environment. It proves that solutions to big problems can be simple, local and sustainable.

Tingathe continues to support the group with mentorship, helping them reach customers and checking on their progress. This guidance helps them solve problems quickly and stay on track for long-term success.

The project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility through the United Nations Office for Project Services under the United Nations Development Programme.

Today, Maziko Group’s work can be seen across Lilongwe. Families are cooking with cleaner fuel, the group is supporting their own livelihoods and forests are being protected. Even more importantly, their story shows others that protecting the environment and earning a living can go hand in hand.

“Every briquette we make and every family that uses it reminds us why we started,” Annie says. “It shows that with knowledge, action, and teamwork, real change is possible.”

Maziko Group proves that caring for the environment is not only a duty it can also be an opportunity. With determination, skills, and the right support, communities can build a future that is greener, healthier, and full of hope.