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The Beginning
It all started with a piece of land. Clement Maro, a tax accountant by day, inherited a piece of land from his father in the town of North Uru. Wanting to put the land to good use while supporting the local community, Clement was inspired to start a non-profit organization.
The Impact
The sustainably-made charcoal is a step toward reversing the trend of deforestation in the Kilimanjaro region. The organization currently employees around 20 local community members. With funds generated from the Mongioni Falls tours the company is seeking to expand its positive footprint!
Process Overview
THE PROCESS
After receiving support from Polish Aid, Clement employed local community members to produce sustainably-made charcoal. Combining fallen twigs and leaves with some yam starch, the non-profit makes charcoal. The charcoal is then used by locals as a substitute to wood from trees.
THE PROJECT
Step 1
Fallen twigs and leaves are gathered from the surrounding forest and jungle. Yams are uprooted.
Step 2
Fallen twigs and leaves are burned by being exposed to high heat. Yams are boilded in a pot.
Step 1
Fallen twigs and leaves are gathered from the surrounding forest and jungle. Yams are uprooted.
Step 3
Ashes from fallen twigs and leaves are partially cooled. Liquid from pot with yams is filtered.
Step 4
Ashes from fallen twigs and leaves are grinded to finer consitency.
Step 5
Grinded ashes are mixed with yam liquid. The starch from the yams acts as an adhesive in the mixture.
Step 6
Mixture is shaped into a roll-like form and dried on drying racks. Dried charcoal is ready to be used.
THE IMPACT
By going on a Mongioni Falls tour, you support the work of the nonprofit, Urunjari East Organization.
Reversing the Trend
Deforestation is scaring the beauty of Kilimanjaro. Years of unsustainable habits have culminated into soil erosion, river bank exposure and ecosystem suffocation. Forests and jungles are increasingly being cleared to use cut wood as a source of heat for cooking and maintaining homes. Urunjari East Organization is striving to reverse the trend of deforestation. By using twigs and leaves to produce charcoal in a sustainable manner, the nonprofit offers locals an alternative to using wood from forests and jungles as a source of heat.
Empowering the People
Over 20 people and many families are involved with the nonprofit. The charcoal project offers financial stability to those involved with production. The nonprofit also provides nourishment to locals involved with the project. The basecamp includes a farm with livestock ranging from cows to goats. Elephant grass planted around basecamp is a source of nourishment for the livestock while also helping to prevent soil erosion. Future plans include increasing the number of locals involved with the project and establishing a village community bank. The nonprofit relies on your support to further its work.
