Empowering Communities, Protecting Our Planet
In 2017, Herbert delved into the world of social entrepreneurship, seeking ways to leverage his expertise for the greater good. He immersed himself in various social entrepreneurship models, enrolling in online courses such as Adansonia and SEED eco-business models. His active participation in global youth entrepreneurship forums like Digital Opportunity Trust further broadened his understanding and network.
Herbert’s commitment to combating climate change became evident in 2022 when he became a Climate Parent Fellow under Our Kids' Climate-UK. Collaborating with parents worldwide, he advocated for the cessation of fossil fuel usage, striving for a secure and livable future for the next generation.
His efforts extended to co-authoring several children’s climate storybooks, furthering climate literacy among the young.
On How He Started
In 2017, Herbert founded the Rural Environmental Sustainability Initiative (RESI) Limited, inspired by the Building Tomorrow Fellowship Program.
His fellowship experience, which introduced him to social entrepreneurship and grassroots community work, fueled his determination to create RESI, aiming to positively impact communities and protect the environment.
The initial steps to establish RESI involved sharing the idea with his fellowship cohort, consulting with target communities, and forming partnerships with both global and local entities, particularly in biogas and climate action.
After registering RESI, Herbert and his team piloted biogas technology and climate education programs in Lyantonde district. The success of these pilots enabled them to expand their interventions to two additional districts, impacting over 1,000 children and 700 adults.
On His Successes
RESI’s accomplishments are noteworthy. The organization has installed 70 biogas systems across several districts, benefiting more than 700 individuals, 60% of whom are rural women and girls.
RESI has also published three children’s climate education storybooks and educated 1,000 school children about climate change. Collaborations with global partners such as SP Ecofuel-India, Sistema bio, Our Kids' Climate-UK, and Parents for Future Global have bolstered their initiatives.
RESI's impact on communities is significant. By providing clean cooking biogas fuel, the organization has alleviated the burden of using polluting wood fuel, particularly for 400 rural women and girls. Additionally, the promotion of climate literacy through storybooks has reached 1,000 young children in rural schools.
On His Challenges And Future Plans
Despite these successes, RESI faces challenges, particularly in fundraising and attracting professional talent due to limited finances. To address the fundraising issue, RESI is adopting a hybrid social enterprise model to improve cash flow. However, the challenge of attracting talent remains unresolved.
Looking ahead, Herbert’s goals for RESI
include making clean cooking biogas technology more affordable and efficient
for underserved rural homes and developing a replicable climate literacy
program for rural primary schools across Uganda.
Herbert’s advice to the Alumni network is poignant: “Let us not fear to start from where we are with what we have. Our network is rich with talent; let’s cooperate to build the future we dream of. He believes our alumni network is unlimited.”
To the Current Fellows aspiring to start their own social enterprises, he offers simple yet powerful guidance: “Just start, stay positive, network, and keep learning, unlearning, and relearning.”
Herbert Murungi’s journey from an environmental science graduate to a social entrepreneur exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have on their community and the planet. Through RESI, he continues to inspire and lead by example, driving positive change and sustainability.
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