100 Gardeners in 100 Days: Celebrating Charlot & Nora

The end of this week will bring us to the halfway point of our 100 Gardeners in a 100 days campaign. Since the start of the campaign on October 1st, we have signed up 23 new gardeners. A huge thanks to all of you who made that decision. But clearly we have work to do to reach our target of 100 new gardeners by January 7th. So let me share with you some exciting recent developments that might nudge you into becoming a monthly gardener.

Last week we received the incredible news of the official announcement that Charlot Magayi and Mukuru Clean Stoves have been nominated as a finalist for the 2022 Earthshot Prize in the "Clean Our Air" category. The winners will be announced at a live event in Boston on December 2nd.

Charlot and Mukuru have been an integral part of Rockflower since 2017 when we were able to provide support for her vision in the very early stages. She has since gone on to receive many awards and recognitions, including being named as Forbes Africa 30 under 30 this past June. In February 2021 Charlot joined the Rockflower Board of Directors, bringing her light, wisdom and lived experience to our work.

Rockflower is powered by individual donations both large and small, not from foundations or corporations. The funds that we were able to send to Charlot back in 2017 came from many small individual donations. Those who share their resources with Rockflower do so in the knowledge that none of us make it alone. Never is that more evident than when one of our partners makes their own financial contribution to Rockflower. Indeed one of the most severely backwards narrative is this idea that philanthropy comes from wealthy people who benevolently bestow their charity upon those less fortunate. In fact, quite the reverse is true, by being given an opportunity to share their wealth, they are the ones being blessed. Some of the most generous people I know are the ones who on the face of it have the least to share. To share whatever you have is one way to ensure both individual and collective freedom. Or in Charlot's wise words:

"When you provide support, no one ever really feels it’s enough and often you might be discouraged to give when these feelings creep up on you. But ... $10 is worth one life saving stove, and to another, a year’s worth of reusable sanitary towels, $10 is many things to many people. It's important to not wait until you have $10,000 to change the world when $10 could be impacting 5 lives today.” Charlot Magayi, Founder and CEO, Mukuru Clean Stoves

The second piece of incredible news last week was that Nora Spencer, Founder and CEO of Hope Renovations was named as one of the top ten CNN Heroes. Nora first contacted us back in 2018 through a partner application on the Rockflower website. She was in the early stages of building support for her vision for Hope Renovations. I wrote back to explain that Rockflower did not work in the United States but I was very inspired by her vision to engage women in the construction industry and by doing so ensuring that seniors would be able to age in place by having their homes renovated by her team of female builders. I continued to keep in touch with Nora and contributed personally whenever I could. Over the years we have struck up a good friendship and in 2020 Nora became a Rockflower gardener, firmly believing in the Currency of Mind and the abundance mindset. If you feel inspired by Nora, please vote for her to become the CNN Hero of 2022 on December 11th.

“As someone who runs a small nonprofit trying to solve big problems, I know the importance of being supported by strong partners who believe in the power of what could be. That’s why I am so proud to be a Gardener! It’s deeply rewarding to know that while I’m working to empower women here in the US, my monthly support is helping Rockflower empower women around the world.” Nora Spencer, Founder and CEO, Hope Renovations

I am hoping that as you read this and see the incredible achievements of both Charlot and Nora, that you will feel inspired to become a Rockflower monthly gardener. Whether you are a packet of seeds, a watering can or a wheelbarrow, all are welcome and all are needed to make our garden grow - no amount is too small and we are so grateful for your support.

- Tine Ward, Founder and CEO, Rockflower Partners Inc.

Rockflower congratulates Charlot Magayi & Mukuru Clean Stoves on being nominated as a 2022 Earthshot Prize finalist

It is with great pleasure and immense joy that Rockflower celebrates the nomination of Mukuru Clean Stoves as a 2022 Earthshot Prize Finalist.

Featured in the category of Clean Our Air, The Earthshot Prize will be awarded “to the most outstanding efforts to meet this challenge. To the innovators who create job opportunities in green transport and clean energy; to the businesses who remove more pollution from the air than they put into it; and to the communities who let us heat our homes, travel to work and feed our families without polluting the air that we breathe.”

Charlot Magayi has been an integral part of the Rockflower family for some time. In 2017, Rockflower partnered with Mukuru to provide early stage investment for a proof of concept to build 200 stoves. Since then we have watched in awe as Charlot has expanded her vision and her reach to achieve her goals. We were fortunate to have Charlot join the Rockflower Board of Directors in February 2021 to bring her lived experience and deep wisdom to the work of Rockflower.

In July of this year we held a series of Partner Workshops on the Rockflower Five Key Framework. In the session on the key of Economic Empowerment, Charlot joined Haja, Lucy, Roseline and Constance, partners from Liberia, Tanzania, Cameroon and Zimbabwe who shared their experiences on the many challenges they had experienced raising funds for their social enterprises and community based organizations. For everyone it took enormous resilience and faith to keep going before receiving that first piece of funding. Charlot summed it up best:

“The problem with the world is imagining that if we are going to give women the chance we first have to set them up for success, but they have already set themselves up for success and all you have to do is trust them and get out of their way” - Charlot Magayi, Rockflower Partner Workshop - July 2022.

We couldn't agree more! Thank you for your guts and and fortitude Charlot - we couldn't be more grateful that we were able to support you in the early stages and then “get out of the way” and watch you as you manifested your vision.

Rockflower congratulates Board Director Charlot Magayi on being named one of Forbes Africa 30 under 30 for 2022

Rockflower is delighted to congratulate Board Director, Charlot Magayi, on yet another well deserved recognition of her work to bring clean cooking technology to underserved communities through her organization, Mukuru Clean Stoves

Charlot was just named as one of Forbes Africa 30 under 30 2022. With over 600 nominations and an in-depth referral process the competition was high, but Charlot’s story and the magnitude of her achievements proved to be a winner. 

“Our journey with Charlot began in 2017 when she was raising initial investment for her Mukuru Clean Stoves social enterprise. We provided very early funding for a proof of concept, from which she was able to leverage other sources of funding and bring her vision to life. I could not be more thrilled for Charlot for this recognition, as she is the embodiment of grit, resilience and determination. She brings a unique perspective to all that she does and blesses all those she meets with her empathy and understanding.  We were fortunate to have her join the Rockflower Board of Directors in February 2021. As I was quoted in the Forbes piece - watch this space - she will be President of Kenya before too long!”  - Tine Ward, Founder and CEO, Rockflower Partners Inc. 

In addition to this recognition from Forbes, Charlot was also awarded the Waislitz Global Citizen Award in 2019, The World Bank’s Inaugural SDG’s and Her First Prize and the 2019 AWIEF Empowerment Award for her work empowering marginalized women in Kenya and her fight against indoor air pollution.

This past Mother’s Day Rockflower highlighted the importance of the Mothering Economy in celebrating mothers and those tasked with mothering. Looking at our current economic structures from the perspective of mothering, there are many other ways to measure progress that are not limited to traditional metrics of growth.

Within the Rockflower partner family, there are so many mothers and other individuals tasked with mothering who demonstrate daily the deep breadth of knowledge available in how to keep households, communities and nations thriving. By listening to their wisdom as they insist on a different future for their children and grandchildren, we can place ourselves at the center of their willingness to nurture, not just your own child, but every child, with a capacity to imagine a future based not on “getting” but on “giving”, and an intrinsic ability to predicate all of this on a practical and achievable framework.

Charlot is the embodiment of this future and this mindset, something that has been known by so many women for decades, understanding that a new economic paradigm really is possible if those who are best positioned to direct the funds are given the opportunity to do so. 

“It [the mothering economy ] would mean that the economy as a whole world would function to serve and nurture the most underdeveloped economies within it, that the accumulation of wealth from one economy at the expense of another that has not yet matured, would not be looked down upon. The 'maternal gaze' would be a more selfless, rather than selfish approach to obtaining and distributing wealth.” - Charlot Magayi 

Charlot Magayi joins the Rockflower Board of Directors

Rockflower Partners Inc. is delighted to welcome Charlot Magayi to the Board of Directors.

Charlot is CEO and Founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves, a social enterprise that designs, produces and distributes improved, reliable and affordable cook stoves for low-income households. She grew up in Mukuru, one of the biggest slums in Nairobi. Charlot won the Waistlitz Global Citizen Award in 2019, the World Bank’s inaugural SDGs and Her award in 2018 and the AWIEF Empowerment Award in 2019. Charlot believes in a toxin and smoke-free world and has dedicated her time, skills and experience to fighting household air pollution. Charlot is also a 2020 Echoing Green Fellow.

"Rockflower Partners Inc. enables social entrepreneurs to accelerate their social impact. They did that with Mukuru Clean Stoves and I am proud and honored to join their Board of Directors, to lend my voice in their decision making process and contribute to their impact by ensuring that we provide better access to financing and resources for female entrepreneurs in under-served markets." Charlot Magayi, CEO and Founder, Mukuru Clean Stoves

Charlot has served as both a Global Ambassador and on the Partner Advisory Council for Rockflower over the last four years, and brings invaluable perspective and experience to our work.

“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Charlot for a number of years. I was instantly struck by her drive, ambition and more importantly her heart. She has a unique set of skills to bring to the decision making of Rockflower and we feel extremely fortunate to have her on the Board. “ Tine Ward, Founder and CEO, Rockflower Partners Inc.

Mukuru Clean Stoves

Kenya

A dusk to dawn curfew has been installed nationwide by President Uhuru Kenyatta. In addition, travel restrictions increased to ban movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, and two counties. Other restrictions include: closed borders; schools, pubs, entertainments venues, churches and mosques shut; everyone is required to wear face masks (arrest possible if not worn).

Concerns, Challenges and Adaptation Measures

Due to social distancing, Mukuru Clean Stoves has had to create new strategies to limit contact in their factory. Production and the number of workers were reduced to allow access to only two people at a time. Members of the production team are still working as they are unable to work from home. This will also ensure products are available when markets are open again. Due to the closure of markets, sales agents have closed their shops and Mukuru Clean Stoves has seen a drop in sales by almost 60%.

Emergency Fund

Rockflower supported Mukuru Clean Stoves through our Emergency Fund. Vulnerable families were identified with either young mothers or grandmothers living with 3 or more young children. They were able to distribute food parcels, including 2 kg of maize flour, 2 kg of rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, 2 kg of sugar, half a kg of salt, a bar of soap and face masks, and some cooking stoves to 25 families in Siaya County. The food will last a family for approximately one month.

Rockflower Welcomes Charlot Magayi to be a Global Ambassador

Rockflower is pleased to announce the addition of Charlot Magayi to our Global Ambassadors.

Charlot is the CEO and Founder of Mukuru Clean Stoves. She grew up in Mukuru, one of the biggest slums in Nairobi. She won the Waistlitz Global Citizen Award 2019 and SDGs and Her award 2018 for her work in fighting household air pollution and poverty..

We are excited to welcome her to our Catalyzer Collective!

Rockflower Partner Charlot Magayi Awarded 2nd Place in World Bank “SDGs and Her” Competition

Charlot Magayi, owner of Mukuru Clean Stoves of Kenya, (seen on the left) and Lucy Odiwa, owner of WomenChoice Industries.

Charlot Magayi, owner of Mukuru Clean Stoves of Kenya, was awarded second place in the World Bank’s global SDGs and Her competition. Her business addresses SDG8 (Decent Work), SDG1 (End Poverty), and SDG3 (Good Health). Magayi and Odiwa, the first place winner, were flown to New York City to attend the UN General Assembly to discuss their work and its impacts.

There were over 1,200 entries received from 88 countries. Congratulations to Charlot Magayi and Mukuru Clean Stoves of Kenya on this great recognition from the World Bank. Rockflower recognized your potential from the outset and is proud to have been an early investor in your work.

“Winning this award is a crucial validation to the work that my team and I are doing with the aim of significantly reducing household air pollution in Africa, and it boosts our commitment to making the world a better place by implementing the SDGs. The award naturally comes with the responsibility to network and share with other women business owners about my challenges and breakthroughs in running my enterprise; with the aim of sharpening each other’s business skills.
Our partnership with Rockflower was a major stepping stone in terms of enabling us to create more impact and grow our business. Through our partnership, we have directly impacted the lives of over 1000 people by providing 200 households with clean cookstoves.”

— Charlot Magayi

Read the World Bank’s press release here.

Read Ideas for Action’s article about events Charlot attended here.

Investing in Female Founded Social Enterprise to Expand Clean Burning Stove Technology in Nairobi, Kenya

By Investing in Mukuru Clean Stoves, a social enterprise that produces and distributes affordable, clean-burning cook stoves in Nairobi, Kenya, Rockflower is joining the growing movement to tackle the increasing problem of "dirty air" for so many in African cities. 

An article by Kwasi Gyamti Asiedu on June 28th 2018 in Quartz, references a recent study by Stanford University and the University of California, detailing the catastrophic effects of poor air quality for those in African cities, where "the causes are often hiding in plain sight - Kerosene, used in homes all over the continent to light homes and cook foods, is a deadly threat of which many people are simply unaware."

The article further notes that "[o]ther research has shown dirty air has lead to the premature deaths of 712,000 Africans each year, more than the toll of unsafe water, malnutrition and unsafe sanitation. In September last year, researchers calculated the monetary cost of air pollution in Africa for the first time: $215 billion from outdoor pollution and $232 billion from indoor pollution (based on 2013 figures)."

Innovative enterprises such as Mukuru Clean Stoves are imperative to change minds about the benefits of clean cooking.  

This first phase of Project funding will be used to:

• Produce 200 clean burning stoves.

• Set up a "Lease to Own" program.

• Train up to 200 households in the proper use of clean stove technology.

Mukuru plans to make the Lease to Own program self-sufficient by using the revenue from the sale of the initial 200 stoves under the lease agreements to support further manufacture and sales.

Read more about the Mukuru Clean Stoves project and stay tuned for updates on the project's progress.

A funding campaign for the project was lead by Rockflower Youth Advisory Board member Elizabeth Hardardt.