Project: Lighting Malawian homes

I'd like to tell the story of Wezzie Mhango - Malawi's most successful franchisee so far this year.

In 2007 Wezzie was divorced, pregnant and with a child to care for; unanable to make a successful living working in Taifa Market trading cloths she tried her hand at selling fruit and vegetables. However with little support from her previous partner she grew increasingly concerned that her limited income would not support her new family.

Wezzie Mhango is SolarAid Malawi's most successful franchisee so far this year.

Wezzie's father introduced her to the Kavuzi Micro Solar Assembly and Sales group (an official SolarAid distributor) in 2008. Initially trained in assembly she raised enough money over the course of the year to care for not just one but two baby girls! She coped brilliantly with twin sisters and was able to provide access to all the care they needed.

Wezzie said: "Thanks to SolarAid, the money that I was paid after assembling panels saved the life of my children, I could easily take them to the hospital, buy better drugs from the pharmacies and buy milk which I used to feed them as it was very difficult for me to breast feed both of them at once due to health problems."

This year Wezzie has sold 22 products in Mtwalo and Embombeni areas of Mzimba District generating a net profit of MWK 51,700 (£218). Wezzie used to spend much of her income on kerosene, phone charging and batteries - with solar as a replacement she is not only saving money but developing her business skills as a microsolar franchisee.

Wezzie is eager to expand her business and generate more sales by the end of the year, she said: "This business is better than any other business I have ever been involved with. As of now I just want to be safely employed and independent. My goal now is to sell 100 products by the end of the summer."

To help SolarAid generate more jobs for young entrepreneurs like Wezzie please make a donation.

SolarAid is delighted to announce that The Body Shop Foundation is supporting our programme in Malawi with a £40,000 donation over a two year period. Funding will help with the implementation of our SunnyMoney brand - bringing light to the households to those who need it most.

SunnyMoney is the name given to SolarAid's innovative solar products. It gives small-scale solar entrepreneurs the means to earn an independent income - and help eradicate the use of harmful kerosene. It is a means for people to lift themselves out of poverty. By offering solar franchisees business training - we can help would-be entrepreneurs to develop their own successful businesses. And profitable businesses will benefit the wider community too.

The Body Shop Foundation is The Body Shop International Plc's charitable trust which supports innovative projects across the world working for social and environmental change. It is fantastic to have their support and we look ahead to an even brighter future for Malawi.

Read the latest news from Malawi here.
To visit the BodyShop Foundation website click here.

The new franchisees receive receipt of their start up loan from volunteer Mr Fungatira, Head Teacher of Gwengwere Primary School where they studied.

Five entrepreneurs have been appointed SolarAid franchisees as part of a new project in Dedza District. Initially a group of 17 potential entrepreneurs took part in the three day class, however due to a strict selection process, only five have been selected to form the first ever SolarAid Microsolar Sales Team in the central region.

The group were trained with the tutorage of Susan Reimer in her SolarAid Microsolar Project class. The new course, set up by Susan, introduces candidates to the business and marketing skills required to make successful microsolar franchisees.

Entrepreneurs also received technical training during the three day workshop.

The group will begin in earnest, utilising a loan of MWK100,000 (£460) provided by Susan to be evenly distributed between them, this was in addition to a start up supply of products from SolarAid. They were of course delighted with the loan and eager to bring light to the lives of many families in the surrounding communities.

With thanks to be people like Susan and enthusiastic entrepreneurs, with a business approach, we can not only light Malawi but begin lighting Africa with SunnyMoney products.

Susan Reimer (right) inspects papers before choosing the five successful applicants.

Field coordinator Brave Mhonie grabbing an 8km cycle ride back to Mzuzu.

It's great when you speak to those who have benefitted from microsolar. It is a reminder of how a simple bulb and solar panel can change a person's life.

Mr Kalua reads under the light provided by a microsolar system.

I recently interviewed secondary school teacher and Theology student at the University of Livingstonia, Mr R. Kalua, who purchased a microsolar system over a year ago. Still reaping the benefits, Mr Kalua expresses his passion for solar below:

"For a long time I have been facing the problem of lighting my house because I could not afford to install ESCOM [mains] electricity. The national grid line is also far from my village which makes it very difficult.

Finally, I would like to thank SolarAid for the brilliant idea that has changed my life and others in my community. I urge them to continue with this programme and bring in more important systems that have a direct impact to peoples' lives in developing countries. I and my family appreciate the positive impact that this product has on our lives."

More soon

Brave

I'm pleased to announce that two of SolarAid Malawi's best entrepreneurs have been reaping the benefits of a sustainable income.

James Nyirenda's dream is to be an accountant. In order to achieve his dream James runs two shops in Mzuzu and is a member of the Ungweru Youth Group team of entrepreneurs and the Global Microsolar Enterprise team. Emerging as a leading franchisee, James has used his entrepreneurial skills to set up a teachers' sales network to increase sales and ensure solar energy is accessible to the poorest families with children in education. This great work has granted James the income to fund his university fees of MWK35000, that's £150 each semester.

James (far left) at a meeting with the Global Microsolar Enterprise team in Mzuzu.

What makes this achievement even more special is that as an orphan James has had no external finances available and has had to achieve all this largely on his own. But his determination has paid off; James was recently awarded a prestigious Certificate in Accounting by his university and gained employment as Accounts and Administration Support for SolarAid Malawi.

You may remember Charles Nyondo from an earlier blog. Working as a Government Rural Health Officer in Mzimba district, Charles uses his microsolar business to support himself financially.

Charles was the first of 12 franchisees operating in Raiply, Mzimba to sell 100 units in 2009 and is renowned for his hard work and creativity in finding unique ways to sell and promote microsolar technology.

Charles (left) meeting with fellow entrepreneurs to share ideas and experiences outside the SolarAid office in Mzuzu.

However, despite his success there was a period of four months recently when his employers failed to pay him. James explains how his microsolar business allowed him to survive that tough period:

"There was a time when I didn't receive my salary from the government...but I survived because of this business, in fact nothing much changed. That is when I realised I could retire from the Government, I'm now planning to open a big energy shop in Mzimba town."

It's great to hear these success stories and since Charles is planning to retire from his Government job it is a clear that our goal to have self-sustaining employment for franchisees is working.

More soon

Brave

I met two fantastic franchisees this week from Mzuzu City's Engucwini Microsolar Sales Business: Mrs Chirambo who sells microsolar panels from her grocery shop, generating MWK45000 (£200) in profit, and fellow franchisee Mrs Malema, who has sold 45 units (that's MWK67500 or £300). With forward thinking, these entrepreneurs have become the highest earners of their 11 strong group and made enough money to consider working as full time SolarAid franchisees.

Mrs Malema fills in a cash recipt after selling another microsolar Kadzuwa product.

They've achieved this success by carefully choosing their target market and organising a system that allows local land owners to buy microsolar products for their staff by offering to deduct the cost from their workers' wages.

Our microsolar franchisees are initially given a loan from micro finance institutes such as the Micro Loan Foundation. Once the loan is paid, entrepreneurs such as Mrs Chirambo and Mrs Malema will be providing a successful and sustainable business in their community by bringing clean energy to rural Malawi.

Please support local entrepreneurs in Malawi by making a donation.

Brave

Two recent success stories here in Mzuzu have reminded me how solar power is improving lives and creating jobs.

SolarAid-trained entrepreneur James Mwakayoka runs Global Micro Solar, a shop in Mzuzu city that distributes portable solar devices. Yesterday happy customer and father of two, Mr Matengo, came to the office and spoke about SolarAid's impact on his life. Since he bought his first product in January 2009 Mr Matango no longer uses kerosene as a means of lighting or single-use batteries to power his radio. Interestingly he has found such value in our range of products that he has stopped using mains electricity to charge his mobile phone even though he has easy access - this reduces his expenditure by saving him 50MWK per cycle (around 25p).

Happy customer Mr Matengo has reduced his energy costs and stopped using kerosene since the arrival of SolarAid in Kenya.

Meanwhile metal worker, Mr Mthari who lives and works near Mzuzu has found a new use for his trade. By cutting recycled bulbs for portable solar products he earns 1500MWK (£7) for every 500 bulbs; an extra income that covers food costs and supports his family:

"I like the approach that SolarAid is taking. I never believed that I could have this opportunity and although I'm not directly involved in the sales business I'm satisfied with the benefit I get from being involved in the assembly process".

By helpin assemble microsolar kits Mr Mthari has an extra source of income.

Hopefully there are many more examples of ingenuity with regards to solar. It is great that jobs are being created organically. The more people who can gain income the better.

Please support our work in Malawi by donating here.

A group of 20 women, including 15 widows based in Luwinga Township near Mzuzu city are the latest entrepreneurs trained by SolarAid to distribute and maintain microsolar units. After setting up the Kwithu Community Based Organisation centre in 2004, the entrepreneurs have been using their various baking, farming, knitting and sewing skills to raise funds that help feed an orphanage of 120 children twice a week. The women provide ten of the orphans born with HIV, daily supplements in order to boost their immune systems and to give them the best future possible.

Three entrepreneurs repair microsolar products such as the Muuni held by Joice Hara (right).

To raise awareness the entrepreneurs counsel children and guardians on how to live positively with HIV and teach those free of the disease on how to avoid it. Orphans also attend evening classes to continue their education after the regular school day is over. Microsolar is another method by which to enable this process, to not only light their education, but with an improved income, provide a greater number and quality of reading and writing materials.

Children attending an after school lesson at the Kwithu Community Based Organisation centre.

Since meeting with SolarAid, the entrepreneurs are now training in microsolar maintenance and distribution to generate a more profitable income and provide an even better service for the orphanage. By selling microsolar products, these women will be empowered both economically and practically. The Kwithu ladies are filled with energy and want to expand their community centre to match their ambition, carry out an increasing number of activities and help a larger number of children. The distribution and maintenance of microsolar is a step towards achieving this aim by helping to improve the lives of orphans in Malawi.

Please support entrepreneurs like these in providing a brighter future for the rural poor in Malawi by donating here.

Engucwini's microsolar entrepreneurs have vowed to become the 'microsolar group of the year'. Last year they proved the viability and success of their microsolar business. This year, backed by an ambitious business plan, their lives could be transformed economically.

In the face of inadequate business capital, the group of 11 female entrepreneurs were one of 2009's success stories, selling close to a 100 microsolar products. On the recommendation of SolarAid, the Micro Loans Foundation confirmed that the group will be funded for a macro ventures programme as well as an increased loan for the microsolar business. Five of the group will now receive individual loans of an unprecedented K100,000 each from the MLF.

This is a fantastic development and will provide a boost in solar power for the region, expand their business and increase their income.

We are not long into the New Year and it already promises to be a thriller here in Malawi. What a good start.

Please support Malawian entrepreneurs by making a donation here

In a typical show of resourcefulness, SolarAid trained microsolar entrepreneur, James Mwakayoka, has extended his range of solar products for sale due to demand. Lanterns, torches and fans are now available alongside traditional Kadzuwa products.

James explained importance of the new stock for his business:

"The idea is to expand my microsolar business by sourcing and selling a variety of similar products. Having new products on my shelves will keep customers coming back, hoping to find something different."

James was trained in microsolar entrepreneurship in April 2008. He was then a member of Ungweru Youth Group. He praised SolarAid for, "teaching me how to fish as well as transforming me into a bread winner for my extended family."