By Own Correspondent

A new wave of opportunity is sweeping through Tafara and nearby Mabvuku, driven by a clean energy centre that’s doing much more than recycling waste.

Established by Practical Action with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), the centre is reshaping the community by combining skills training with solar-powered innovation.

The facility has become a learning hub, offering free courses in carpentry, welding, cooking, dressmaking, detergent-making, ICT, and hairdressing. Residents, especially unemployed women, youth, and people living with disabilities, are seizing these chances to build new livelihoods.

Solar energy powers the entire centre, underscoring a commitment to both renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

Immediate income is available too, as waste pickers earn up to US$250 a month by sorting and reselling recyclables.

Site manager Melissah Mhaka highlights the centre’s role in transforming mindsets: “Many residents now see there is real wealth in waste.

” The centre currently employs 29 full-time staff and is partnering with companies like Geo Pomona Waste Management and Delta Corporation, which provides a weekly truck to help with waste collection—a crucial boost for local collectors.”

Looking ahead, the centre aims to introduce on-site value addition, so residents can maximize returns from their recyclables.

Practical Action’s broader vision is to expand this model, blending green energy, practical skills, and inclusive economic opportunities to build a brighter, cleaner future for all.