On a typical day, Elizabeth Osamo wakes up and does her house chores before ordering stoves through the Solar Sister Kisii Business Development Associate, ‘Madam Hyline’, as they call her. She then moves from market to market with her products.
“I plan my week in advance, choosing which places to visit from Monday to Friday. This method has helped me meet many people who also recommend other customers to me after they are satisfied with our service and cookstoves.”
Elizabeth, a mother of three, joined Solar Sister in March 2022 as an agent with Livelyhoods in Kisii, Kenya. After the merger of Solar Sister and Livelyhoods, she transitioned to Solar Sister entrepreneur.
Before Solar Sister, Elizabeth was a housewife managing a small-scale poultry farm. Although the farm provided some income, she longed for an 8-to-5 job with better earnings. Upon becoming an entrepreneur, she received a week-long training from Hyline Obiri, the Kisii Business Development Manager, and joined a supportive Sisterhood Group.
With no prior business experience beyond selling poultry to neighbors, Elizabeth gained new entrepreneurial skills and field experience through Solar Sister and became one of the top entrepreneurs in Kisii.
“I can now support my family as I make more from selling clean cookstoves. My husband is happy that he connected me with Solar Sister as he now sees my full potential in business. For instance, the construction of our new home was stalled due to financial constraints, but with my contributions, it is now complete!
I plan to expand my business and diversify into Apparel Ankara imports from Congo, as they are equally fast-selling here. I know this dream can be achieved if I continue to work hard and maintain a good relationship with my customers.”
Elizabeth advises women to seek opportunities that improve their livelihoods and emphasizes the importance of hard work for those already in business.
“I can support my husband with our children’s education as I buy the school requirements while my husband pays the school fees. Our relationship has improved as my husband sees more support and potential in me every day. He is my number one supporter, and this keeps me going every day to work even harder.”