A champion against all odds

After a rooftop fall left carpenter Jumanne Mtayomba in a wheelchair, he traded despair for ingenuity. With Helvetas’ training, Jumanne switched from outlawed wood charcoal to earth-friendly briquettes made from rice husks, corn cobs, and coconut shells. Five years on, he earns more than ever, farms his plot, and guides a five-person crew who call him mentor and friend. His clean fuel now supports families and spares the forests our patrols protect—a testament to grit, community, and second chances.