DAR ES SALAAM: THE Oryx Energies Tanzania and the Kidoti Foundation have joined forces to promote the use of clean cooking energy by engaging salon professionals as ambassadors of the campaign across the country.
The partnership is expected to harness the influence of hairdressers, barbers and beauty service providers, who interact with hundreds of customers daily, to spread awareness about the benefits of clean cooking energy.
Speaking today (June 26) during the signing ceremony of a three-year partnership agreement between the two organisations, Kidoti Foundation Executive Director Ms Jokate Mwegelo, who is also Patron of the Tanzania Salonists Association (CCST), said salon professionals occupy a unique position in society and can play a significant role in changing public attitudes towards clean cooking energy.
“Salon service providers interact with people from all walks of life every day. They build close relationships with their clients, making them well-positioned to influence behavioural change and encourage the adoption of clean cooking energy. We want them to become ambassadors of this transformation,” she said.
Ms Mwegelo noted that efforts to ensure more Tanzanians adopt clean cooking solutions should not be left to the government alone but require the active participation of influential community groups.
She said the collaboration would enable salon professionals to benefit from using clean energy in their businesses while also encouraging their customers to abandon polluting cooking fuels that pose risks to both human health and the environment.
Speaking at the event, Oryx Energies Tanzania Sales Manager Mr Shaban Fundi said the company decided to partner with the Kidoti Foundation after recognising the important role that community groups can play in accelerating the adoption of clean cooking energy nationwide.
He said that besides providing clean energy solutions, the company is committed to increasing public awareness of the benefits of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other modern cooking technologies that contribute to improved health and environmental protection.
“For many years, Oryx Gas has implemented a dedicated strategy to promote clean cooking energy among different groups. Today, we have signed a three-year agreement with the Kidoti Foundation to reach another important group—salon professionals,” Mr Fundi said.
On his part, CCST Chairman Mr Ntuli Mwakatobe described the partnership as an important step towards empowering association members to contribute to the implementation of the country’s clean cooking agenda.
He said salon owners and beauty professionals have been seeking ways to reduce business operating costs while ensuring safer working environments.
“Today we have an opportunity not only to use clean energy but also to become voices of public awareness. This is an opportunity we will use to educate our customers every day,” he said.
The use of clean cooking energy is widely recognised as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change while improving the lives of women, who have traditionally borne the greatest burden of cooking-related responsibilities.