STAMICO women spark clean energy drive with Rafiki Briquettes
DAR ES SALAAM: IN a bold move to celebrate International Women’s Day in the country, women employees of the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) took the opportunity to push the envelope on sustainable cooking energy, promoting Rafiki Briquettes as the eco-friendly alternative to firewood and charcoal. Who knew that celebrating women’s rights could also mean saving the planet, one briquette at a time?
The bright spark behind this initiative was STAMICO’s Senior Human Resources Officer Ms. Leah Jericho, who unveiled the campaign during the March 8 celebrations at Dar es Salaam’s Leaders Club Grounds, saying: “Our goal here today is simple but powerful. We are empowering women and girls not only to protect the environment but also to build a sustainable future for the generations that follow.”
For those unfamiliar with Rafiki Briquettes, think of them as the eco-friendly superhero of the cooking world, made from agricultural waste and designed to replace the harmful impact of traditional cooking fuels like firewood and charcoal. They are cleaner, cheaper, and better for the planet-essentially, the cool new kid on the block in the world of clean energy.
Ms Jericho continued, sharing that STAMICO is not just talking the talk but walking the walk. The company is actively raising awareness about this cleaner cooking energy to ensure that more people jump on board and start using it.
But wait-there is more! STAMICO decided to roll out Rafiki Briquettes at the National Women’s Day celebrations in Arusha, where the company demonstrated the briquettes’ versatility, showing attendees how they could be used in a variety of ways depending on specific needs. Whether you are cooking up a storm at home or powering up a small business, these briquettes have got you covered.
“Imagine if every woman in Tanzania swapped their firewood or charcoal for Rafiki Briquettes,” Ms Jericho mused. “Not only would we reduce harmful emissions, but we would also be saving money. It’ is a win-win situation!” Her message? It is time to ditch the polluting fuels and embrace this affordable, environmentally friendly solution.
In fact, STAMICO’s efforts are not just a one-day affair. The company is actively involved in a national campaign, with a presence at various regional offices including Dar es Salaam, Songwe, and Dodoma, spreading the word about Rafiki Briquettes and their benefits. They are taking this message beyond just one event-this is a movement, not just a moment.
But Ms Jericho was not done yet. She also took a moment to acknowledge STAMICO’s management for their ongoing support of female employees. “It is crucial that women are given opportunities to participate in all aspects is of our organization, including project management and implementation,” she said, thanking the management team for fostering an environment where women can thrive and lead.
And, of course, Ms Jericho’s thoughts turned to the theme of the day: “Women and Girls 2025, Strengthening Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.” A fitting theme, she said, because the push for clean energy is not just about environmental responsibility-it is also about ensuring that women and girls are empowered to make decisions about their health, their finances, and their futures.
“By promoting clean energy options like Rafiki Briquettes, we are empowering women in ways that go beyond just saving the environment,” she added. “This is about creating economic opportunities, improving health outcomes, and securing a brighter, cleaner future for everyone.”
The celebrations, both at the national event in Arusha and across regional offices, were a chance not only to showcase STAMICO’s work but to engage the public on the importance of making sustainable energy choices. In the end, it was not just a celebration of women, it was a celebration of the planet.
So, the next time you find yourself cooking up a delicious meal, remember: the future is clean, green, and full of Rafiki Briquettes. And thanks to STAMICO’s female workforce, this is not just a pipe dream-it is happening, and it is happening now.
