Mumias widows turn grief into green energy one briquette at a time

Wadada Solidarity Group members in Mumias, producing eco-friendly briquettes to support their families and overcome poverty [Mary Imenza/Standard] In the heart of Mumias town, Kakamega County, a determined group of widows is redefining survival and resilience through an unexpected source: briquettes. The Wadada Solidarity Group, comprising 20 widows, has ventured into the production of eco-friendly briquettes in a bold effort to support their families and break free from the stigma, poverty, and hopelessness that often accompany widowhood in rural communities. Each day, the women gather at a member's home, rolling up their sleeves to manually mix charcoal dust, sawdust, and other organic waste to create briquettes. The process is entirely manual-a labour of both love and necessity. They currently produce about three bags per day, each sold for Sh2,300 to local residents and nearby schools. Jamila Rashid, the group's chairperson, says the idea was born from shared pain and desperation. Many of the widows, she explains, had lost their husbands under tragic circumstances and found themselves isolated, shouldering the full responsibility of raising children without a source of income. "Many of us were grieving and also struggling to feed and educate our children. We came together because we understood each other's pain-and we wanted to find a way to rise again," said Rashid. In addition to selling, they reserve a portion of the briquettes for home use. "This has significantly reduced our dependence on firewood, helping cut household fuel costs and contributing to environmental conservation," she added. However, their biggest challenge remains meeting demand. With local schools and institutions increasingly turning to briquettes as a cleaner and cheaper energy alternative, the group struggles to keep up with the growing number of orders. "We often receive requests of more than 10 bags from a single school, yet we can only manage three per day. If we had a briquette-making machine, we could meet demand and increase our income," Rashid noted. She is now appealing to the government and well-wishers to support them with modern equipment to scale up production and uplift their livelihoods. Wadada Solidarity is one of several women empowerment initiatives under the Women Pillar Alliance Organisation (WOPA), a grassroots non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to equipping underprivileged women with economic and social empowerment tools. WOPA Director Violet Ombaka says the group was formed after the widows were mobilised and trained through a community outreach initiative funded by Uraia Trust since 2019. The programme focuses not only on livelihoods, but also on reclaiming dignity. "Many of these women had fallen into a cycle of mourning and self-pity. Our empowerment initiative helped them realise they could lead dignified lives and contribute meaningfully to society," said Ombaka. WOPA also offers training on women's rights, helping the widows gain knowledge and confidence to stand up against injustices such as property grabbing, gender-based violence, and discrimination. "The community has been a key support system. We rely heavily on local resource mobilisation to ensure these women not only survive-but thrive," she added.

Mumias widows turn grief into green energy one briquette at a time

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