Busia, Kenya, is a bustling border town on the western edge of Kenya and eastern Uganda. The sign that welcomes visitors to Busia proudly proclaims it as the “Gateway to East and Central Africa.” It’s a melting pot of cultures and people; for many young folks, it’s a place where opportunities can be hard to come by.
That was the case for Emmanuel Juma, a twenty-two-year-old who was struggling to find a good job in his hometown. He had big dreams of marrying his girlfriend, who had already moved to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant and chaotic capital. So, he packed his bags and took the two-hundred-and-eight-mile journey to the city in search of a new beginning.
Emmanuel’s transition from a small town to a sprawling metropolis wasn’t easy. He had to navigate unfamiliar streets, deal with heavy traffic, and interact with a diverse array of people. But fate intervened when he met Benson Banyanya, a Sales Agent for Solar Sister, who understood what it was like to move to a new place.
Benson encouraged Emmanuel to join Solar Sister as an agent, and he jumped at the opportunity. The business training he received at Solar Sister gave him the confidence and skills to approach customers with ease. Emmanuel learned valuable selling techniques and prefers connecting with customers personally, one-to-one. Emmanuel knows that the core training he received at Solar Sister will serve him well as he continues to grow as a business person.
Solar Sister’s work in Kenya is essential, given the country’s high youth unemployment rates. Many young people move to large cities like Nairobi in search of work. Yet, they often lack the education and training necessary to succeed. Solar Sister provides them with the training they need to become successful sales agents or entrepreneurs, equipping them with valuable skills in business, customer service, and sustainable products that will last them a lifetime. With Solar Sister’s help, young people like Emmanuel are taking control of their futures and achieving their dreams.