Reported by: Crief Daniel
“I urge every representative here today to ignite a fire of knowledge as multipliers—go forth and train your fellow members in youth clubs and organizations across our diocese!” — Mr. Crief Daniel, Laudato Si’ Coordinator
In a major step towards environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture, the Mzuzu Diocese, through the Integrated Ecology Centre at Bishop’s Residence, has successfully trained 38 young people in the production of briquettes and organic manure.
The training, which took place over two separate intensive sessions held at two-day intervals, brought together youth representatives from various clubs and organisations across the region. The initiative underscores the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to fighting climate change and restoring degraded land.
The training was organized by Malumbo Mkinga of the Green Girls Platform and the Model Farming Centre under the Laudato Si’ Project. The session focused on soil degradation as a major environmental challenge threatening agricultural productivity. Participants explored the causes and effects of soil degradation, alongside practical conservation methods.
The highlight of the day was a hands-on session where the youth learned permaculture manure production and the art of briquette making. The briquettes were presented as a viable alternative energy source designed to reduce household reliance on firewood and charcoal.
Mr. Crief Daniel, the Laudato Si’ Coordinator, encouraged all participating representatives to become multipliers of knowledge, tasking them to train fellow members in their respective youth clubs and organisations.
During this session, the youth learned to make three types of briquettes:
- Un-carbonised briquettes
- Carbonised briquettes
- Semi-carbonised briquettes
These briquettes serve as a direct replacement for charcoal, and using them significantly minimises deforestation caused by charcoal burning.
On soil degradation management, the training focused on creating composite manure using locally available resources. The youth were shown how this manure improves soil health, leading to better plant growth and higher crop yields.
A Timely Response to Malawi’s Climate Crisis
These trainings come at a time when Malawi is facing severe impacts of climate change: prolonged dry spells, cyclones, flash floods, and rising temperatures that continue to disrupt food systems and livelihoods. From Cyclone Freddy’s devastation to recurrent droughts in the Southern Region, the evidence of a changing climate is undeniable.
It is in this context that the Mzuzu Diocese is not merely teaching practical skills but is actively working to create a new consciousness towards nature and a new way of being one rooted in respect for creation and a sense of ecological responsibility.
The Spirit of Laudato Si’: An Integral Ecology in Action
The work being done at the Integrated Ecology Centre is a direct implementation of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. In that landmark document, the Holy Father writes:
“What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (LS 160)
The Mzuzu Diocese has taken this question to heart. By training young people in briquette making and organic manure production, the Diocese is promoting an integral ecology where environmental, economic, and social issues are addressed together. As Laudato Si’ reminds us, “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental” (LS 139).
These trainings respond directly to the encyclical’s call to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources and to adopt sustainable agricultural practices that heal the land rather than exploit it.
Importance of the Integrated Ecology Centre
The Integrated Ecology Centre at Bishop’s Residence continues to prove itself as a vital hub for environmental education in the region. These trainings are crucial because they move beyond theory, offering tangible solutions that youth can immediately implement at home and in their communities.
By hosting such sessions, the Centre is creating a ripple effect. The 38 trained youth have committed to sharing their new skills with their peers and stakeholders in the fight against climate change.
A Milestone for Environmental Learning
This event marks a significant milestone for the Mzuzu Diocese, demonstrating a growing appetite among young people for environmental stewardship. The fact that diverse groups are coming to the Centre specifically to learn about ecology shows a shifting mindset from seeing environmental degradation as a hopeless problem to tackling it with practical, local solutions.
As these 38 young leaders return to their communities to train others, the Diocese is proud to be planting seeds of knowledge that will grow into a greener, more sustainable future for all.
“The knowledge gained will not only remain among us, but it will be shared with the communities and stakeholders we work with,” read a joint statement from the participants at the end of the training. The Mzuzu Diocese extends its gratitude to integrated ecology centre, Green girls and all the facilitators for their dedication to empowering the next generation of environmental protectors and for walking the path of Laudato Si’ with courage and faith.