I’ve become a role model and traditional arbitrator on issues related to women in our Maasai community.” Neema Michael Melau
The vast open grasslands, bush, and Acacia woodlands of the Tarangire Park region in Northeastern Tanzania are home to Maasai communities who maintain their traditional ways of life, cultivating crops and herding cattle. They share the land with elephants, giraffes, and lions, who also call this region home.
Four years ago, Neema Michael Melau, a Maasai woman, received a call from her village chairman. He invited her and four colleagues to explore an opportunity with Solar Sister. Without hesitation, Neema embraced the chance.
“I grew up as a small entrepreneur selling kerosene and chickens. Solar Sister alone has helped me change many things in my life. I have managed to overcome light energy poverty. My income has increased, enabling me to provide my community with light from quality and affordable products. It has also changed my thinking and perspective on business and the community around me.”
Through Solar Sister, Neema receives free entrepreneurship training that has transformed her business skills.
The program has taught her how to manage sales records, build customer relationships, and adopt effective sales techniques, all while minimizing risk. She notes that her confidence has grown, whether meeting new clients, speaking in front of groups, or navigating social events.
“My role now in the community is to educate the community on eradicating the poor traditional practices that oppress women.”
“I explain to my community the importance of a woman’s role in society, the importance of a woman getting a chance to contribute and make decisions in her family, the importance of a woman having financial independence, and even the importance of a woman competing for various positions in society and government.
In business, my main goal is to reach my Maasai community within Tarangire Park by providing them with the service of large solar products.
Additionally, I want to do drip irrigation farming. The plan is to continue growing my solar business to make enough profit and enable me to buy irrigation equipment. I believe that if I do that, I will increase the number of solar customers, and I can sell fruits and vegetables.
I have been able to spend more on my family, especially to meet essential needs such as food, medicine, and clothing, and for my children to get a good education. We use solar lamps at home, which has reduced the cost of phone charging and relieved me of frequent colds, red eyes, and coughs.
I am proud to be a Solar Sister. “