Creufa Steven Ngetwa, Solar Sister Entrepreneur, Ihomasa Village, Mafinga, near Iringa, Tanzania.
Since 2019, Solar Sister has been collaborating with global bike, another women-centered and women-powered non-profit organization supporting women-owned bike distribution and repair programs in rural Tanzania. The idea for this partnership was borne from many Solar Sister Entrepreneurs reporting transportation challenges that make it difficult to reach remote customers, limiting their market potential.
Creufa is a part of the global bike program.
“I received a bike in 2020. I use the bicycle to distribute my solar lanterns. Even if I go to the nearest village, I take the bike, distribute solar, and return home.
I also use the bicycle to travel to distant villages rather than depending on other means of transportation that can be expensive. I have sold my lanterns and made a better profit because of the bike. With this, I have bought piglets. I have taken my children to school, and until now, I still do. I am so grateful. My bicycle has helped me a lot.
Because of the bike, I can carry and distribute an entire box of 32 solar lanterns. Before the bicycle, I could only take 10 or 15 lanterns with me.
The increased income has helped this year. I have bought cement to fix my floor. I am planning to buy two bags of fertilizer for my farm.
I have a very huge advantage. First, my family does not have to carry water, my children use the bicycle to fetch water, and we have cultivated the fields there. Instead of carrying maize on their heads, the children load it on bicycles and then bring the maize home. So my family has benefited a lot because of the bicycle.”
Creufa learned how to repair and take apart the bicycles as a part of the program.
“My community is pleased… to see that they have a woman bicycle mechanic, and I fix the bicycles from my group.
Currently, I am only fixing bikes from our group. I want more training in bike repair to become even more competent.“