“Running my own business builds self-confidence. It is making me less dependent on my husband, and I make my own decisions for my business.”
Fifty-three-year-old Zalika Bendera is a school teacher, married with three children in northeast Tanzania. Zalika is a busy entrepreneur making and selling vibrant batiks, marketing the honey she produces from two beehives, raising chickens, and farming.
In 2017 a Solar Sister Business Development Associate visited the Village Savings Group to discuss becoming an entrepreneur. Zalika decided to join since her teacher’s salary was not enough income.
Becoming an entrepreneur has expanded Zalika’s business reach and understanding of financial management, networking, and marketing. The training has also helped with her batik business.
Zalika learned how to forecast supply needs and plan ahead. She intends to get a solar refrigerator to sell cold drinks to the students at the college where she teaches. Her ultimate goal is to have a big solar product shop to market her colorful batik fabrics. Customers would like to get larger systems with a television and other amenities.
“Solar Sister has helped serve the life of many people in my community. I have brought energy access to 75% of my community. I am now well respected and trusted.”
This entrepreneur story about Zalika Bendera was supported by our partner Energia.
