On The Ground in Malawi: Grace Josaya

A Briquette Maker

Grace Josaya works in a profession that may look like one small step for a woman, but may one day be a giant leap for mankind – and womankind as well. Grace works with fuel briquettes, an alternative to firewood that helps to slow down deforestation and to ease the workload of rural African women.

Manufacturer and businesswoman

Grace starts her workday at six o’clock in the morning. Early morning hours are a convenient time for working, especially during the dry season, when temperatures tend to rise above 30 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in the afternoon.

When WWF Finland started the briquette project in Chembe village at the turn of the millennium, Grace was one of the first six local women to join the project. Now there are more than 30 briquette-makers in the village.

A natural leader

Until recently, briquette-makers in Chembe were employed by WWF Finland. Grace was also engaged in the marketing and regular demonstrations of briquette use in the village. At the moment the briquette centres are gradually becoming privatized and Grace, as a natural leader, has been active in encouraging the various groups of women to become organized and independent.

Juggling many responsibilities

A single mother of six children, Grace has a lot to do at home, too. “At home I work in the cornfield, and do some gardening too. Sometimes I also go out and gather material for briquettes.” Sundays are different: that is the day when Grace, along with numerous other people in the village, goes to church.

Support for the whole family

Fortunately Grace’s children have lately enjoyed good health. As for herself – she is a bit worried. Recently Grace had malaria and for already a long time, she has kept having headaches. The reason for the headaches remains a mystery. “In the government hospital, they did not find a reason for it, they just gave me painkillers. And I don’t have enough money to go to a private clinic”

”Because I am a single mother, I am also worried about the future of my children – whether they will get enough education”, she says. “But this project of WWF has been a great opportunity for me. Because I can now use briquettes for cooking, I save time, since I don’t need to go looking for firewood. And I can use the money I make to support my children.”

Grace’s son Ovarton Bomba has also been actively involved in the WWF project. Ovarton, too, has benefited from the income his mother makes from briquettes. After finishing primary school, which in Malawi is free, Ovarton has the opportunity of going to secondary school, because of his mother’s work.

Grace has her children, and she has friends, but one also needs something else in life. “My work makes me happy”, she says. “To have a good life, you need resources to generate income.”