“The most important thing in being a businesswoman and a Solar Sister Entrepreneur is how it has earned me respect in my community and made me a role model to many housewives in my community, especially after seeing my achievements.”
The transformation in Juliana Ngassa’s life since she joined Solar Sister in March of 2017 is nothing short of remarkable. Juliana put in the hard work.
Juliana and her husband live in north-central Tanzania. They farm, raise and sell cattle and have five children ages 29, 26, 24, 22, and 19. Now a successful solar light business as well.
Juliana buys shares in her savings group every week. After the first few years of her business, she put aside enough to build a new cement block house. Her daughter was able to complete college.
“From the Solar Sister training, I am now able to save money, set goals, and ways to achieve those goals. One example is collaborating with my fellow group members to save money to buy plenty of cattle feed. Then the cows are healthy and fat, and we can sell them for a good profit.”
Juliana set her sights on opening a shop of her own. Her capital grew, and she started selling larger systems and products despite the pandemic. She purchased a bicycle so she could go to villages further away. Her husband pitched in to help her when he visits the community. She used to walk door to door to advertise her business. Now, friends and associates take their lanterns around, so their friends inquire about the lights. Good reviews from customers earn her even more business.
“Now people come knocking to my house to purchase lanterns. I also meet my customers in different places like the market, churches, women groups, etc. I can present to them about me, and I also get to explain my business by doing so.”
Recently, in 2021, Juliana purchased a small place that she will use to open her shop.
Julian in front of the building she purchased to open her shop.
“When I tell my customers about my solar lights, I talk with pride and confidence since I know my products are genuine. I have them understand that my products have a warranty, are genuine, and they receive a receipt for every purchase they make, unlike any other seller in the marketplace.
Mostly it’s the confidence and pride that makes them believe me even more. When I tell my potential customers about clean cooking, I make them aware of the dangers of not using clean cooking. That is the danger of using too much charcoal, which can be expensive and harmful to health.”
Juliana says that the most crucial training she received from Solar Sister is entrepreneurship.
“This has been the key to everything from how to sell to saving.”
After seeing her achievements, Juliana is proud of her role in her community.
“It is important that women work. For one, it reduces dependency on our husbands and improves our lives. I think I am a testimony to that.”
The new home Juliana is building with savings from her business.
