Acress Paulo Petro on Solar Sister, Solar Fishing, and Women's Strength

Photos and story by John Nyallu, Communications Manager, Tanzania

Acress Paulo Petro’s home is full of people and purpose. A mother of ten and grandmother of six, she lives with 12 family members and her husband in a busy, vibrant household in Tanzania. Since joining Solar Sister in 2017, Acress has embraced entrepreneurship to bring light, income, and opportunity to her community.

“I am very proud of Solar Sister,” she says. “Starting with the light and the opportunities. One of the opportunities is this fishing program using solar fishing lights. It makes me proud.”

Fishing is big business in the Lake Zone region near Lake Victoria, Tanzania, where Acress lives. Fishermen go out at night, relying on light to attract fish. They use kerosene lanterns or battery-powered lights. These are either expensive, smoky, and unreliable. Using solar-powered lamps to attract fish will improve the fishermen’s business. The fishermen go out at night to fish on the lake and rely on the moonlight to find their way.

“During storms, like when strong winds hit them on the lake, they had nothing to protect themselves. But now, with buoys and solar, the fishing process will improve.”

Acress is one of ten Solar Sister entrepreneurs participating in a new solar fishing pilot, Powered By, launched by Solar Sister, leasing solar lights to fishermen.

Acress feels confident she will have good customers to lease the solar fishing lights. Though not a fisher herself, Acress understands the trade well and knows many of the fishermen. She runs a small business selling sardines and rosella wine. She also sees how this new income stream will play out:

Personally, I’ll benefit too because when I buy sardines, I’ll get more stock, my stall will profit and my family won’t struggle. Through this opportunity, the small profit I make will increase both my solar and general business capital.”

Acress’s homemade red and dry wine, made from rosella flowers, is a also a hit at the local market. She bottles, labels, and sells it herself. “I make it from rosella flowers… it’s my business.” It’s no wonder that Acress encourages other women to go out and start a business.

“I say to women, Wake Up! and stop sleeping. They should go out and hustle because a woman is the backbone and strength of the family.”

To the woman who hasn’t joined Solar Sister yet, I warmly welcome her to join. The organization lifts women from extreme poverty by providing light, opportunity, and hope. Through Solar Sister, she will earn an income, enough to bring light and help her invest in her children’s education.”