Update on Grace's Briquette Project

Grace’s briquette project continues to make progress despite various set-backs and it is wonderful to see the determination of Grace and the other women to see this project through to fruition. A lengthy delay in achieving mains electricity connection for the buildings did not deter them. The briquette machines were then found to have been supplied with incorrect motors and new motors have had to be purchased. These are now installed and the machines are finally working, so The Balmore Trust was recently able to support Howard Msukwa to go on a fact finding visit to a group in the south of Malawi who are successfully producing briquettes using the same machines. The information gained from this visit has now resulted in Grace’s group successfully producing their first batch of briquettes, a wonderful outcome for everyone involved. As you can see, the women are thrilled that production of briquettes is finally starting and we look forward to the ongoing success of their business.

Despite the delays the project has become a focus for the women in the community to come together, with the buildings being used as a place for the women to gather socially to or to pursue other projects, in itself a worthwhile achievement. Grace continues to inspire the women around her with her commitment, determination and vision of a women’s cooperative.