'Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe' Initiative Spurs Gas Cooking, Fights Environmental Degradation
'Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe' initiative boosts gas cooking's popularity, led by Community Energy Malawi and 265 Energy Limited, writes Draxon Maloya.
Lilongwe, Malawi - The 'Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe' initiative, spearheaded by Community Energy Malawi (CEM) in collaboration with 265 Energy Limited, is yielding fruitful results as gas cooking gains popularity across the country, writes Draxon Maloya.
This development brings hope to environmental conservation efforts.
According to Wonderful Mkhutche, the Advocacy and Communications Manager at CEM, a significant number of Malawians are embracing gas as an energy source for cooking, and this trend has been consistently convincing since the project's inception.
"The adoption of gas for domestic purposes is on a remarkable rise. For instance, during our recent promotion in Area 25, we sold over 100 gas cookers, exceeding our projected sales of 70. Even rural communities are displaying significant interest, surpassing our expectations," Mkhutche stated.
To realize the tangible goals of the Kuphika Moganizira Chilengedwe project, 265 Energy Limited is supplying gas cookers and providing training to users of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Taalumba Masambo, the project manager at 265 Energy, highlighted that more people are becoming knowledgeable about the safety measures associated with gas usage, resulting in increased demand.
"In the past, people had reservations about using gas, but after conducting several training sessions, we have observed a growing interest among Malawians," Masambo explained.
Edna Mbewe, a resident of Lilongwe's Area 25, recently purchased a gas stove after being motivated by messages from sellers and friends who extolled the reliability and cost-effectiveness of gas as an energy source for cooking.
"When my friends spoke to me about cooking with gas stoves, I initially had doubts and believed it was meant for affluent individuals. However, I have come to realize that cooking with gas is cost-effective and contributes to environmental conservation," Mbewe shared.
Under the project, 1,000 rural individuals are targeted to benefit from the 'Chitetezo mbaula' program, while 1,700 urban dwellers will receive gas cookers.
CEM is leading the project's implementation, devising distribution plans, and ensuring the efficient utilization of resources, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).