Second meeting with Nkoarisombo

Today Nik and I met with the Lulu VICOBA to ask them more questions concerning the feasibility of a training program in the area. The group plans on using briquettes mainly for their own benefit, and will sell them if there is a surplus supply of briquettes available. They are very interested in participating in a briquette training program, and are willing to dedicate a portion of their time to do so. At the meeting, the VICOBA members decided a 2 day intensive session for 4 hours each day would best fit their schedules. Together, we decided to hold the training for next Monday and Tuesday, July 9 and 10. Nik and I will be spending the rest of this week preparing a detailed plan for the training days. We will be emphasizing basic briquetting techniques and skills so the VICOBA members may develop different mixtures best suited for their area and create a  flexible briquetting program for when the DHE summer trip leaves the area.

After our meeting, the group showed us the biomass they had collected, so we could get a better idea of the materials in the area. They collected sawdust, corn leaves, and banana leaves. Though coffee is grown in the area, they were unable to gather coffee husk since it is not harvesting season. This is another reason why Nik and I plan on providing the VICOBA members with a foundation of the knowledge necessary for briquetting, so the group will have the skills to work with coffee husks and other materials that may not be in season at this time. Nik and I will begin composting these materials back at EARD-CI, so that we may have some already prepared materials for our composting demonstration during training next week.

The VICOBA members wanted us to make some briquettes with their press and materials they had begun composting last week. They made a sawdust and banana leaf mixture. It was a good start, but unfortunately the banana leaves were not given enough time to decompose and there was too much sawdust in the mixture, so the briquette fell apart after we took it out of the press mold. This was a great learning experience for the members because they were able to learn what was wrong with their mixture and why it did not produce a good briquette. Nik and I will go into further detail on proper composting and making mixtures during the training sessions. We are very excited about Nkoarisombo’s enthusiasm to advance their briquetting skills and knowledge and we look forward to working more closely with the group in the upcoming weeks.

-Amelia