When first meeting Ethel Bottomani In 2021, she was 22 years old, a smallholder farmer, youth club member, and Vice Chairman of the SunnyMoney group (SolarAid Malawi) in Chanje Village, TA Kasakula in Malawi. In a room full of men, she sat at the front, the only woman present. At first reserved, her confidence and humour quickly emerged once she began speaking. Her composure hinted at a young woman who could hold her own in what has been traditionally seen as male-dominated spaces.
At the time, she already recognised the promise of solar energy for her community. She explained, “Many people are happy with the program because they want to live in light homes at night just like in towns.” Beyond access to light, she noted that participants were learning new skills, including identifying reliable customers who could pay daily fees. She was urging expansion, requesting that the project continue serving communities and extend to new areas.
Ethel Botomani, Ntchisi Disctrict. Photo: SolarAid/Chris Gagnon
A year later, Ethel had taken on a more defined role as a Customer Service Representative (CSR) with SunnyMoney’s Light a Village initiative next to her work as a tailor and a farmer. Her responsibilities included collecting payments, supervising installations, and supporting households adopting solar lighting. She described how the job transformed her social world and financial stability:
“This job has changed my life, because I have known people whom I didn’t know in the villages. Besides, when we are collecting (money) we receive commissions, so through that we find our everyday needs.”
“It helps us, as I said, I am a farmer, so it helps us in farming to buy seeds and whatever, but also food for the children at home. We no longer lack soap. Food isn’t scarce anymore.”
Farming productivity improved, hunger stress decreased, and financial strain lessened. Before the role, tailoring alone was unreliable income. Now, she explained, “since I found this job we don’t run out of cash.”
Ethel also witnessed transformations among customers. Families saved money, charged phones at home, and no longer depended on disposable batteries. Solar light even extended her own productivity and that of her children: “even at night I am able to do tailoring, so I generate income with help of the light. It helps the children, because they study at night… they perform very well, indeed.”
Ethel Bottomani with her family. Photo: SolarAid/Kondwani Jere
Meeting Ethel again In 2025, at her home which sits beside the roadside, where motorbikes pass and goats wander. The environment is calm, as is Ethel, composed, thoughtful, and articulate.
The financial impact of solar lighting remains clear: “The difference I have noticed since I started using solar lights has been in my finances. The solar lights are enabling us to save money and manage our finances better.” She recalls how disposable batteries once drained household income and contrasts that with today’s savings and home charging.
From being the only woman CSR she now works alongside other women. “I was the only woman CSR at in 2021. I joined because I feel there’s nothing that can limit me from performing such kind of work. My soul is very happy that more women have joined… so that people out there can know that women are hardworking, even in the village.”
Ethel Bottomani installing a solar home system. SolarAid/Kondwani Jere
Her career has progressed. No longer a CSR, she now serves as a Coordinator for Clean Cook Stoves with SunnyMoney, a role earned through dedication and a competitive interview process.
She educates communities on environmental protection and deforestation, explaining how clean cookstoves reduce firewood use and protect nature. She has observed changing rainfall patterns and declining soil fertility, linking these challenges to tree loss. Ethel’s technical confidence has also grown. She learned wiring skills during her CSR work and now earns additional income providing wiring services. Through partnerships with a Savings and Credit Co-operative, she expanded her tailoring business.
Reflecting on her experience, she encourages other women: “they should know that they are able to do any job that can be done by a man.”
She shares stories that illustrate the social impact of solar lighting. One mother reported her child passed exams after studying at night under solar light. Others now aspire to power televisions and ensure every room has lighting. Community safety has improved as well: “Before the coming of solar lights , we used to experience a lot of thieves coming but now, we don’t.”
Ethel’s tailoring business continues to thrive, supported by solar lighting that allows her to sew late into the evening. She takes pride in contributing financially to her household and reducing dependence on her husband.
Ethel Bottomani’s journey with SolarAid began in 2021 as the only woman Customer Service Representative (CSR) in Kasakula. Ethel’s determination changed perceptions – inspiring other women to join her. Today, she is not only a CSR supporting households with solar products but also coordinates clean cooking stove initiatives. With solar light, she saves money once spent on batteries and charging phones, and she uses those savings to invest in her tailoring and farming. Photo: SolarAid/Kondwani Jere
Reflecting on the broader transformation, she observes that solar lights are now visible throughout Kasakula, showing development and self-sufficiency.
Looking ahead, Ethel hopes remain rooted in opportunity for her community: “everyone will have lighting in this village and everyone will be happy because of this.”
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