Eight years ago, thirty-three-year-old Mwanaidi Msuya sat in a gathering of her fellow villagers at the VICOBA (Village Community Banking) group meeting. As she listened to a presentation by a Business Development Associate from Solar Sister, she grew excited about developing a business to bring clean energy to her community in rural Tanzania. That meeting marked a turning point in her life.
Mwanaidi wasted no time and immediately purchased a handful of solar lanterns. To her delight, her neighbors, intrigued by the lamps, purchased some when they visited her.
Mwanaidi was already a hardworking entrepreneur who ran a snack business in the village market during the evenings. She started bringing her portable solar lamp with her to the market. When customers come for snacks, she tells them about solar products and how they help her family.
The impact of solar lamps on Mwanaidi’s family has been significant. With improved lighting in the evening, she cooks faster and more efficiently. Her children use the lamps for studying. Mwanaidi expressed appreciation for the lights since they have spared her family’s eyes from the irritation produced by smoke from the kerosene lamps, which had caused redness and itching.
“My life changed through the solar sister business. I can take care of my family without depending on my husband. I can buy school uniforms, books, and food.”
While Mwanaidi regularly visits local schools, markets, and clinics to market her solar lamps, she says that visiting new communities is the best thing because she meets new people. Mwanaidi uses a bicycle provided by globalbike or hires a motorbike to travel further afield to expand her clientele and her business chances.
Despite her success, Mwanaidi recognizes the challenges that her community faces. The lack of employment prospects in Tanzania makes it difficult for people to afford even the most basic solar lighting.
Ever the optimist, Mwanaidi hopes that individuals will leverage their membership in VICOBA groups, just as she did in 2015, to invest in solar lamps collectively.
As the sun sets on another productive day, Mwanaidi’s entrepreneurial spirit burns brightly, illuminating the way for a future where clean energy and economic empowerment merged seamlessly in her corner of rural Tanzania.
