Equip 15 new energy entrepreneurs in rural Namibia

Over the past three months Elephant Energy has been able to provide 5 new Energy Entrepreneurs with 10 solar light and cellphone charging products from Barefoot Power and Greenlight Planet, due to the generous donations through GlobalGiving. The funding has also contributed to a radio advertisement campaign targeting rural communities, as well as provided training in solar technology and rural marketing to our Energy Entrepreneurs. By understanding the benefits of solar products such as safety, economic opportunity, and education, the entrepreneurs have been able to pass this information on to their customers and sell many of their products. Several of these entrepreneurs have already exhausted their supply and have managed to save enough to order more stock in an effort to earn a sustainable income through this project.

In addition to the sales agents who are earning an income from selling solar products, we have begun to see the positive impact that these solar products are having on the individuals, families and communities that purchase them. Here are a few stories of how donations through GlobalGiving have improved the livelihoods of rural Namibians.

Magaro Namene is a teacher at a rural school outside of Omuthiya. There is no electricity near the village so students at the school could not study after dark and the teachers at the school had been using the principal’s car to charge two cellphones per day. Magaro bought two Greenlight Planet Sun King Pros, which are solar lights and cellphone chargers, from one of our Energy Entrepreneurs and now the students can study at night and she can charge all of the teachers’ phones.

Mbweko, from Mavanze village, bought a Barefoot Power Firefly Light & Cell Phone Charger for his wife to take care of their newborn baby and she uses it every night. Mbweko is already saving to buy a second light to use around their home and says he is very grateful that this product reached his village.

Meme Sylvia was selling traditional dresses at the Eenhana Trade Fair when the power went out. She used the Greenlight Planet Sun King Pro that she recently purchased from one of our Energy Entrepreneurs to stay open and continue to make sales while other businesses closed. Many of the other business owners and customers at the trade fair saw the benefits of the solar light and are eager to purchase lights of their own.

After witnessing the positive impact that these simple and affordable solar products can have on families, communities, income generating activities and livelihoods, there is no doubt that the donations received through GlobalGiving have already had an enormous impression on many lives, and will continue to improve lives for years to come. Thanks from Elephant Energy on behalf of everyone who has benefited from your donation, through your donations we will continue to work on improving lives by providing access to alternative energy sources.