Promoting clean, free energy until the cows come home

This was my first opportunity to meet our Kenyan Sunny Money franchisees. It was quite momentous for me personally as I'd heard so much about them! Our venue was a basic, though perfectly adequate storage room (turned function room) at Naitiri Dairy, in North Bungoma. The meeting was punctuated with the occasional mooing of cows who were wandering happily around outside.

Miguel led the meeting. There was a packed agenda, though the main purpose was to introduce the Franchisees to the newly improved, Sunny Money 'Ravi' product, and another lamp developed by Barefoot Power, the 'Firefly'.

Ravi versus Firefly
The two products are quite different - serving a more diverse market. The Firefly comes fully (solar) charged and has a tiny 1.5W panel included. It has a flexible head and provides incredibly bright, brilliant white light from its 12 LED bulbs. The Firefly (below) also has a hook, allowing the user to hang it up - to light an entire room. The Ravi, has a fully integrated phone-charging and lighting facility. It requires 24 hours worth of charging from its 1.5W panel. This is the first fully-branded Sunny Money product. These products are sold for 1800 KSH (around £14) as an introductory price.

The franchisees were delighted with the new products and especially that their feedback had been fed into this new improved model.

I led a small focus discussion with Romonah and Maximillar. Their first reaction to the Ravi was very positive. They were especially impressed by the instruction manual, as they say their customers need instructions to be as clear as possible.

Having been selling Sunny Money products for a year now, I was keen to hear from Romonah and Maximillar about any issues they'd come across and the kinds of feedback or questions that their customers had.

ABOVE: The Sunny Money Ravi.

"My customers are often very surprised by the size of the solar panel. Many don't believe that so much light can be produced from such a small panel" Romonah told me.

"They are also pleasantly surprised when you tell them that the product has a one year warrantee. This is so rare. Customers want to know that they are getting a good service and that the product is not just going to break or run out of power like others they've used. With Sunny Money, we are giving them a quality product that is reliable" Romonah told me with her signature smile.

A leading figure
Romonah's strategy is to target teachers, as this increases her chances of making a sale. Unlike many other professions in Kenya, teachers have a stable salary. They are also in a fixed location so there is less travelling required for her and she can meet with several at a time. Selling products after dark also has a strong impact - giving customers a chance to see the true capabilities of the product.

"My customers are always very excited when they see Sunny Money products".

Romonah, who is a very prominant figure in her community, is also determined to be a role model to other women and young girls:

"By being a franchisee I hope to show other women that you don't have to stay at home and be a home-maker or just cook and bear children. You can have an income which improves your family's quality of life, and helps the wider community too".

Romonah, meeting some customers.

You can help our franchisees to help their family and communities to make savings, reduce their reliance on kerosene and improve their health and life quality. Please support SolarAid today.