Guest blog post by Chele Swaby
Communication is at the heart of the Solar Sister model. From the surface, it seems simple—communication enables Solar Sister’s business development associates to train and support the entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurs to connect with their community. However, communications, regardless of the medium used, have had a substantial impact on both Solar Sister’s groundwork and storytelling efforts.
As a junior public relations student at Howard University, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the importance of communications in continuing the Solar Sister mission as a Summer Communications Fellow. One part of my duties included organizing B-roll footage taken directly from places Solar Sister operates, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
Out of the hundreds of clips I had the opportunity to organize, the clips that stood out to me included videos where entrepreneurs interacted directly with their community to showcase products, entrepreneurs dancing and singing with one another, and clips with entrepreneurs and associates simply walking together or working alongside each other.
Imagery is a powerful tool when harnessed correctly, and these B-roll clips encapsulated the heart of Solar Sister’s mission. My hope is that this B-roll footage can be used in the future to demonstrate the significant impact Solar Sister has had on the entrepreneurs and associates in the countries where Solar Sister operates.
I also had the opportunity to create graphics for Solar Sister’s social media page. It was important to me that, while creating these graphics, I highlighted the people whose pictures I used. Not only to visually capture people who are interested in Solar Sister, but also to have the reader inquire, just as I did, about the life of the person behind the bright orange Solar Sister uniform.
Each entrepreneur and associate who works with Solar Sister has a story, and it is one of those stories that inspired my fellowship work this summer. I was deeply inspired by Loveness Sabaya’s impact story and how she was able to live out her dreams of having a business in a different way as an entrepreneur. Each person who works with Solar Sister in any capacity brings a different perspective to Solar Sister’s mission. Whether it is a drive for sustainability or the opportunity to achieve a better living, everyone works together to achieve a common goal—eradicating poverty by empowering women with economic opportunity.
This, to me, is what Solar Sister is about. Not only does it bring light to millions, ignite hope for a better climate, and create opportunities for those who need them, but these few words are also a reminder of how powerful this vision can be—people uplifted, families supported, and more women becoming pillars of their communities.
I am grateful for the opportunity to further Solar Sister’s mission, and I cannot wait to see how Solar Sister will continue to share their mission with the world.
Chele Swaby is a Constellations Fellow with Solar Sister through the Global Warming Mitigation Project. The Constellations Fellowship provides students and recent graduates with professional virtual internships within our global network of Keeling Curve Prize Laureates and Finalists.