My name is Cindy Burleson and I'm chairman of the International Sibling Society.
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When this season of SDGs Explained, we're exploring the incredible projects currently
underway under the Mandela Washington Fellowship recipients across the African continent.
I'm your host, Cindy Berlison, chairman of the International Sibling Society.
Today we sit in the studio of the Innovation Center in Reno, Nevada.
Our guest comes all the way from Zambia.
Please welcome Lazarus Suelula, a passionate change maker, award winning entrepreneur,
and advocate for sustainable development.
Lazarus it's a pleasure to sit across from you in the studio and have you on the show.
Thank you.
Let's just dive right on into it, Lazarus.
To start with, can you tell us about your project and how it aligns with the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals?
Thank you once more, Cindy, and I'm thrilled to be here and also to share my experience
about my work in Zambia.
My project is called Virgin Green Renewable Energy Limited and we are located in Zambia.
We are championing SDG number 7, SDG number 3, SDG number 17, and also SDG number 13.
Fantastic.
Wonderful.
What is your project focus on improving?
My project focuses on improving lives, those that depend on using firewood and charcoal
and also inefficient cook stoves that uses dirty fuels.
So at Virgin Green, what we are doing, we are trying to recycle waste materials into
clean cooking solid fuels by recycling biomass wastes into charcoal briquettes.
At Virgin Green, we also produce energy-saving cook stoves that uses less fuels and reduces
carbon emission.
And this product we sell to our low-income families that uses dirty fuels and also inefficient
cook stoves so that we can be able to reduce the levels of deforestation.
Well, Lazarus, tell us a little bit about how these families cook and prepare their
food.
Thank you.
So in Zambia, generally about 90%, I would say, they use wood fuel.
The forest?
Yes.
So these are fuels that comes from the forest.
They go in the forest, they cut trees, and then they come back and use that wood.
This could be a problem.
Very much.
What's happening to the forest?
So the situation is like currently we are losing about 250,000 to 300,000 hectares of
trees every year, of which 90% of these trees goes to energy.
Because like I said, area on, 90% uses wood fuel like charcoal and firewood.
Because most of them, they are living between $2 to $3 a day and they cannot afford to cook
using other forms of energies like electricity and LPG gas.
So most of them, the only affordable fuel that they use is by degrading the forest and
then use the firewood that they fetch from the nearby forest.
So the product that Virgin Green Renewable Energy Limited is creating is helping to solve
this problem in the forest.
What is your product made of?
So like I said before, we recycle waste materials.
So these materials that we recycle, we rely on biomass fuel.
So let me just explain a bit about what biomass is.
So biomass, this is a biodegradable material that is able to decompose.
So what we don't use in producing the solid fuel that we produce, we don't use polyplastics,
but we rely on biomass materials like agricultural waste, municipality waste, all those things
we are able to collect and then we recycle them into a product that we call charcoal
briquettes.
Charcoal briquettes.
Yes.
Wonderful.
I know that on some different videos that I've seen of fishing on some of the large
bodies of water that we've talked about that are in your country, and they will be people
on boats cooking their fish with live fire or what have you on the boats, which culturally
speaking it's a beautiful picture, but I can see how cooking food with open flame is
a cultural tradition there and that your product is offering a new way to solve this problem
of harming the forest through burning it with this cultural rite of cooking with the trees.
So basically that's very true.
Well you know, speaking of the country, Zambia, what can you tell us more about the people
in your country, in your country itself?
Should we visit?
Yes, you can visit.
Zambia is a friendly country and it's also, in Zambia we have got one of the seven national
wonders of the world, which is our Victoria Force.
So it's a beautiful place to tour.
So whenever you are ready and everyone listening to us, if you want to visit us, we are located
in the southern part of Africa.
We are neighboring with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo.
So you are welcome.
Fantastic.
Well, I'm glad that you are actively involved in achieving several of the sustainable development
goals through your efforts in Zambia.
Let's take a closer look at those specific SDGs that you mentioned.
You mentioned that your project is working to achieve sustainable development goal number
7, which is affordable and clean energy.
Renewable development goal 7 involves ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable,
and modern energy for all.
As someone involved in renewable energy, it seems like you are contributing to this goal
by advocating for and implementing clean energy solutions in your society and enterprise.
This helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigates the adverse effects of climate
change.
When speaking of climate change, you are working to address sustainable development goal number
13, which specifically deals with climate change.
SDG 13 focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Given your interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, it's clear that you are
actively contributing to this goal.
By providing or promoting clean energy alternatives, you are helping to reduce greenhouse emissions
and support sustainable development practices.
You also mentioned that you are working with sustainable development goal number 17, which
is one of my favorites, which is partnerships for the goals.
We at the International Sibling Society are glad to be working with you in Zambia in partnership
for the goals for sure.
The 17th goal emphasizes the importance of global partnerships and collaborations to
achieve all the sustainable development goals.
As an advocate for renewable energy and energy efficiency, you likely understand the significance
of partnerships and alliances in driving sustainable development.
By working with others and engaging in initiatives that foster collaborations, you can contribute
to this goal and you are doing that.
And then you also mentioned sustainable development goal number 3, which is good health and well-being.
Sustainable development goal 3 focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being
for all at all ages.
While you didn't provide specific details, it's possible that your work in renewable
energy and energy efficiency directly supports this goal.
By promoting clean energy sources, you contribute to improving air quality, which positively
impacts people's health.
And then of course there is sustainable development goal number 2, zero hunger.
Zero hunger aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable
agriculture.
Although not directly related to renewable energy and energy efficiency, it's commendable
that you are championing this goal alongside others.
Addressing issues of hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture can have a significant
impact on the overall well-being of communities.
Your efforts in championing these SDGs demonstrate a comprehensive approach to sustainability,
covering energy, climate action, health, nutrition, and partnership building.
By focusing on these goals, you are making a positive impact in your society in Zambia
and contributing to the global sustainability agenda for all of us, all around the planet.
So as you work on each of these goals in Zambia, you move us closer to achieving the sustainable
development goals.
We are all in this together, regardless of what country we are in.
So I just encourage you to keep up this good work, Lazowit.
Thank you.
Well, how did you come up with this idea for this project and what motivated you to pursue
it in the first place?
Thank you for that question.
So the whole idea came out of a tragedy.
I lost my grandmother in 2019 just after graduating from uni.
And I was struck when we were being told at the hospital that the reason why your grandmother
passed away was because of smoke, because I direct asked the doctor to know that what
really happened.
So they had to find the traces of smoke into her chest and lungs.
And so when the doctor told me that the reason as to why your grandmother died was because
of smoke, I was surprised because my grandmother never smoked cigarettes at all.
So I got curious and I started researching to know the reason why.
And the numbers that I found on the internet, the numbers that the World Health Organization
had to put up in place, can you imagine, Cindy, that in developing countries about four million
people die every year because of using dirty fuels like charcoal and firewood.
These are records from the World Health Organization and Clean Cooking Alliance.
And it was through my research that I also discovered that Zambia is placed on number
one in Africa in terms of deforestation.
Like I mentioned area on that our country is currently losing between 250,000 to 300,000
hectares of trees every year.
That is with a population of less than 20 million.
So I started thinking within myself to say this is not acceptable because those numbers
I was overwhelmed with them.
So I started thinking around how can I be able to contribute to this.
But I never wanted to and I also graduated at a time when Zambia had unemployment rate
above 15 percent, we were ranked in the top 10.
I was searching job everywhere but I couldn't find job.
So I got tired and I wanted to sustain myself.
So I started developing interest in business but I didn't want to just create a business
that would just benefit myself.
I thought of creating a business that will also impact the community.
And yeah, that is how Veggie and Green came about.
That is definitely inspiring, Lazarus.
What could you walk us through the process of implementing your project?
What steps have you taken to ensure it's successful?
So we started in 2020, late 2020 in October.
I had to use the funds that I had to make the machine, the health machine that we are
using.
So from there I was able to, because I didn't have formal trainings and none of, no one
was doing it in Zambia.
So what I did was coming up with machines that would be able to produce the briquettes
that we are producing.
And so it was tough but along the way we had to manage on how to produce the machine because
we didn't have enough funds to purchase the machines from overseas like China.
So when we started in late 2020, I just had to organize two guys who came to help me.
And then we started Detainway.
We started making the charcoal that we make.
The product was bad because we didn't have formal trainings.
So we continued, we relied on researching on how can we be able to improve the product
so that we make sure that what we want to do is okay.
So when we started producing the charcoal briquettes that we produce, we realized that
when someone comes to buy our product, they were not coming back, especially when they
buy our charcoal briquettes, they were not coming back.
And so it got into me, I started thinking to say, but why are they not coming back?
And so it was from there that we had to conduct a market research.
And we discovered that the cook stoves that were on the Zambian market weren't compatible
with the charcoal briquettes that we were producing.
So it was during that time when we also discovered that the reason as to why Zambia is ranked
number one in Africa and five globally is because an average family in Zambia with the
cook stoves that were on the Zambian market is able to consume one ton of wood fuel per
year.
And this is unacceptable.
So we had to design our own stove that will reduce the consumption of fuel by 50%.
And also make sure that the cook stoves that we designed was also compatible with our charcoal
briquettes.
And so after we designed the stove, we took it to the market.
That was the beginning of our story because now we had customers who were able to come
back, they would purchase our charcoal briquettes together with the cook stoves.
This was the beginning of everything.
Fantastic.
That is a lot of steps.
Market research there and then some innovation to create your own stoves that's compatible
with your product.
I'm just curious, can you put those stoves on a boat?
Yes, I can.
Cool, cool.
That's wonderful.
Well, I tell you what, can you share some of the specific activities or initiatives
that your project undertakes to achieve its goals?
Okay, so in alignment with the goals, what we're doing is so when I started the business,
I had to think of a business model because I didn't want to create a business which is
completely for profit.
But I wanted to create a business which will also benefit the community.
So that I should be able to have some minimal impact.
So I started a social enterprise and not just a completely for profit business.
So we had to design a business model where we had to incorporate the community.
So let me just take you through on how we produce our products and also how we sell
our product.
So we are working with local people who supply us with raw materials.
Like currently, we have about nine permanent employees and 110 part-time employees.
So these 100 part-time employees, these are people who supply us with the raw materials
that we use in the production of charcoal briquettes.
They bring all kinds of wastes.
So what we normally do is we train them the kind of waste that we need from them.
And once we train them, we provide them with the kins that they will use when they are
collecting those wastes.
And then they will put them in those wastes and then we go and collect them.
So from...
Now just to clarify, the wastes is what now?
The biomass wastes.
I got you.
That's the, okay, the biomass wastes.
I'm with you.
Okay, in the containers.
Yes.
I understand.
Okay.
Yeah.
So these, there are 110 and these are people who are not employee, who are not employed.
So we go...
When we started, we were recruiting, of course, but when they saw that we are now...
When the community saw what we were doing, some of them started coming to us.
Oh, I want to work with you.
I want to work with you.
I love what you're doing.
So now people started coming like that and...
But we couldn't take everyone because the capacity that we have couldn't allow us to
do that.
So at the moment, currently, we have 110 part-time employees that supply us with the raw materials
that we use.
And these are people, when they bring those biomass wastes, they can be able to...
They can be able to earn a living out of it because we buy from them.
And then from there, after the production of the product that we produce, we do not
sell by ourselves.
Of course, we sell some at the factory, but we are using a very unique business model
where we sell through a team of local women who own roadside kiosks across the slums and
also townships.
So currently, we have a workforce of 65 women who are selling our product.
And these are women who may be just selling vegetables across the roadside.
I know you might be curious.
In Zambia and in most developing countries, there are people who sell across the corridors.
They just have got...
They sell vegetables, tomatoes.
So these are the people that we follow.
And then when we follow them, we go to them, and then from there, we train them also.
Then they'll be selling our charcoal briquettes together with the cookstalls.
And then from there, they'll be able to generate a commission.
And so when we are conducting a selling analysis, last...
The close of our 2022, we discovered that a person who is constantly selling our product
is able to generate not less than $1,000 a year.
And also, our users who are using our product, they are able to save about $200.
And so this is not just a business, just completely for profit, but it's a social enterprise.
Absolutely.
And right there, you have described social enterprise.
Not a nonprofit, not a for-profit effort.
It's a profit that involves a community.
Community change.
Okay.
So maybe I can explain a bit on a social enterprise.
So a social enterprise is a business that is not completely for profit, but it is also
creating an impact.
An impact could be creation of employment, economic impact.
It can be social impact.
It can be environmental impact.
Yeah, that's a business plus an impact equal to a social enterprise.
Excellent.
And so many people around the world are discovering the sustainable development goals provide a
business opportunity.
So in this business opportunity of working towards the sustainable development goals,
you actually are bringing about a global change at the same time.
So I do appreciate you talking with us specifically about social enterprise and the benefits it
has for those in business and the community.
Thank you.
Well, I tell you what, can you share any success stories or memorable moments from your project?
Thank you.
So the success of my story about my business has, when we started, like I said, area on
when we started in 2020, we were operating at a smaller scale and it was difficult.
2021 was very difficult for us, but a breakthrough came in 2022 when we were being supported.
I was the winner of the Dr. NH Prize.
And so this was the beginning of everything.
It's changed.
The prize changed the aspect of my business entirely because we received a grant of over
$7,000 and we were able now to purchase the machine from China and other prizes followed.
But I would say my memorable moments was the first prize I received from Dr. NH Prize because
it helped me now to solidify my business.
And then the success stories has always been about the impact you had me area on.
Currently, I have a workforce of permanent employees.
That's about 11 of them, including myself.
And we also have what a part-time employees.
These are suppliers of raw materials, the 110 and also the 65 women who are selling
our product.
And since inception, we have managed to produce about 300 tons of charcoal briquettes and
5,000 cook stoves.
This has allowed us in terms of environmental impact, it has allowed us to save over 20,000
adult trees that could have been cut down due to charcoal and firewood.
And through our product, we are also saving women and children from indoor air pollution
because they are using a smokeless fuel that do not emit any kind of smoke.
So they will have a different reality than what your grandmother faced.
Yes.
That's inspiring indeed.
Well looking ahead to future plans, what do you see for future plans and aspirations for
your project?
So looking ahead, we have a plan.
We currently, the numbers that we are currently making, those are not the numbers because
we are still very small.
You can imagine in Zambia we have 10 provinces, but we are currently just servicing three
provinces.
So looking ahead, we are looking at maybe in the next five years, we should be able
to be across the entire Zambia and also probably break in the neighboring countries like Malawi
and Zimbabwe because most of them, the situation is the same just like in my country in terms
of deforestation.
All right.
Now some of this might be some of the things that you've already said before, but I want
to hear it from you.
What again are those positive impacts that your project has had on your community?
So like I said earlier on, the positive impact is on the environment because what we are
doing now is we are saving the environment like I said earlier on, like from the time
up to now, we have managed to save about 20,000 adult trees.
Now you can imagine if we upscale because our long-term target is to make sure that
every year we are able to save, every year we should be able to be saving 100,000 adult
trees, those that could have been cut down due to charcoal and firewood.
And also the creation of employment.
Currently in my city where I come from, it's a whole different story.
I've managed to create a living for others, but that is on a smaller space.
We are looking at doing more so that we can be able to create more opportunities for the
community where I'm coming from.
That's incredible, Lazarus.
Moving towards the end of our time together here today, do you have any key advice or
key learnings you'd like to share with our listeners who might be interested in undertaking
a similar project in their part of the world?
Thank you so much.
One thing that I would say is we are best in different parts of the world.
And where I'm coming from, one of the pressing challenges that we have is unemployment, climate
change, and also we have different issues, I would say.
But you need to find something that really attaches to you.
And you need to come up with a solution on how you want to do it.
The one thing that I would say is identify a challenge.
We've got different problems in different parts of the world.
And then be able to be passionate about it.
And then I know it's not going to be easy.
It's not going to be simple.
It will be tough.
But as long as you stick to what you're doing, the world is able to, the world is watching
you as long as you're doing the right thing.
And you will be able to break through and do what is right in whatever you want to do.
Well that is excellent advice, Lazarus.
Before we go, is there anything else at all that you'd like to add to what we're conveying
here today with our listeners?
So like, yeah, what I would say is thank you so much for hosting me here.
And also to hear my views about the sustainable development goals and how our work is contributing
to SDGs.
But one thing that I'm worried is because time is moving, these goals have to be met
before the year 2030.
So we can only do this if we come together.
We can only meet, we can only achieve the SDGs if we come together as a universe.
Because time is moving and every day it's counting.
Yes.
Well said.
Well said for sure.
Well we want to know how to reach you.
How can we find you?
How can we contact you?
So firstly, you can reach us through our email address at Virgin Green Renewable Energy Limited.
That should just be ltd at gmail.com or in small letters.
You can also reach us, we have a website, virgingreenenergy.com.
Virgin Green Energy.
It's www.virgingreenenergy.com.
Virgingreenenergy.com?
Yes.
Okay, www.virgingreenenergy.com.
It's www.virgingreenenergy.com.
Well, Lazarus, I want to thank you for sharing your incredible project with us today.
It's been an honor to highlight your work and the impact you're making in Zambia.
We wish you all the success in your future endeavors.
And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to the International Sippling Society's
Sustainable Development Goals Explained or SDG Explained podcast.
Tune in next time for more inspiring stories and projects aligned with the Sustainable
Development Goals.
Remember together, as Lazarus said, we can make a difference.
Lazarus, it's been an absolute pleasure having you on the show today and learning about your
impactful work within Zimbabwe, or Zambia.
Thank you for joining us.
Thank you.
And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to SDG's Explained today.
Join us next time where you found our podcast here today.
Or you can search for us by name.
SDG's Explained on any of these well-known platforms, Spotify, Amazon Music, Samsung
Podcasts, Podcast Index, ListenNotes, and of course the RSS.com community.
You can also find the International Sippling Society and the SDG Explained series on YouTube.
We urge you to take time to look us up on YouTube and subscribe to our channel.
Indeed, we need your support to get our message out through the algorithms so everyone, everywhere,
around the planet can hear it and share with us all that they're doing to work towards
achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in their part of the world.
It only takes one click.
Hit the subscribe button.
Let's get YouTube on our side.