Mirriam Phaninga is 19 years old and lives with her family of six in a house with a green backyard in the small town Madisi in Malawi.
Mirriam and her family used to use candles for lighting in the evening, but four years ago they bought a solar light. This is what opened Mirriam’s eyes to the benefits of solar, and after seeing her brother working as a solar light entrepreneur, she decided to become an entrepreneur herself and started selling solar lights.
Mirriam is mainly selling her lights through schools and hospitals and her big dream is to help more people discover the benefits of solar.
Saidi Kandulu, Regional manager in the central district of Malawi, is delivering lights to the entrepreneur Mirriam Phaninga.
“My plan is to help more customers. Solar is saving money. Before we were using solar lamps, we had to buy candles every day, it was costing a lot of money.”
Mirriam believes that there is a future in solar, and in her own home, three solar lights are now shining bright.
Through working with entrepreneurs, SolarAid can create long-lasting change in rural communities. A local market is created and sustainable income is generated for families. This way we can reach those furthest away with safe, clean, renewable light.