The Mwanamke Initiatives Foundation (MIF) has achieved a record-breaking milestone in the clean energy movement in Pemba Island. By successfully distributing over 800 gas cylinders to every household in Kisiwa Panza, we have ignited a powerful shift toward sustainable, safe, and clean cooking solutions. 

Why Kisiwa Panza? 

Kisiwa Panza, a small island in the Chokocho Ward of Mkoani District, is a home to approximately 3,740 residents. Like many communities in Zanzibar, its residents have long relied on charcoal and firewood as their primary sources of energy for cooking. While these traditional fuels are accessible, they pose serious threats, causing environmental degradation, deforestation, indoor air pollution, and chronic health issues, particularly among women and children.

The island has also been on the front lines of climate change. Rising sea levels, repeated flooding, and saltwater intrusion have devastated farmland and homes. These environmental pressures have heightened the urgency for alternative, sustainable energy sources.

A Community-Wide Transformation In response, MIF launched a pilot project to introduce clean cooking energy through the distribution of gas cylinders to every household

on the island. This initiative marks the first time the entire Kisiwa Panza community has been equipped with an alternative to wood-based fuels, a bold and transformative step toward environmental resilience and improved health outcomes

This distribution was not just about handing out gas cylinders, it was about laying the foundation for a community-led shift in cooking culture. From awareness campaigns to household-level education, MIF worked closely with local leaders, women’s groups, and youth champions to foster trust and understanding of the benefits of clean energy.

Early Impacts and Community Response 

Initial feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Many women report experiencing shorter cooking times, less smoky cooking environment, and cleaner kitchens. Families are also spending less time collecting firewood, freeing up hours for income-generating activities and education

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This shift is already contributing to the reduction of tree-cutting on the island; a hopeful sign for the long-term sustainability of the island’s fragile environment. 

What’s Next? 

While the distribution of over 800 gas cylinders is a remarkable start, sustaining clean energy adoption requires continued effort. MIF is now focused on: 

• Training local youth and women’s groups on gas safety and maintenance. 
• Creating a community-managed supply chain to ensure affordable gas refills.
• Monitoring adoption rates and documenting environmental and health outcomes.
• Establishing Kisiwa Panza as a model community for clean cooking in Zanzibar.
• Document learning and spill over the experience to other communities with similar contexts. 

We believe that with the right support and collaboration, Kisiwa Panza can become a beacon of clean energy innovation, inspiring other islands and rural communities to take similar action. 

A call to Action

There are over 70 smaller islands in the Zanzibar Archipelago in addition to the two main islands of Unguja and Pemba. We are determined to share the lessons learned and experiences gained from Kisiwa Panza with the rest of the small communities in Zanzibar. At MIF, we are proud to champion initiatives that center women, protect the environment, and create healthier communities. The success at Kisiwa Panza demonstrates that community-driven solutions make sustainable energy a right, not a luxury.

Let’s continue working together to expand access to clean, safe, and dignified cooking for all. Please donate here https://meal.mif.or.tz/g/donate to make an impact in the community with MIF.