Equip 15 new energy entrepreneurs in rural Namibia

Happy New Year, friends and supporters!

As I reflect on some of our accomplishments this year, it becomes so clear to me that we wouldn't be able to do any of the work we do without you! Thank you for your unwavering support, for helping to make this year so amazing and for your commitment to bringing light to unelectrified places.

Since our last report, more exciting things have happened and we are closing the year out having made some amazing progress. First, we are very thrilled to announce that the first batch of divi-enabled Sun King Pro 2 lamps will be making its way to Namibia any day now, allowing us to begin pay-as-you-go sales of our most popular product. This new innovation will help us get lamps and cell phone chargers to the most remote communities in Namibia and will allow our entrepreneurs to greatly expand their reach and to help spread the gift of light. We have also grown our network of entrepreneurs to include over 60 individuals in eight regions. This incredible network has the potential to reach over 80% of the rural population in the country. Our Regional Sales Mangers and Senior Regional Sales Managers continue to do an amazing job of increasing awareness of the importance of renewable energy and of informing shopkeepers of the value that can come from carrying higher quality solar products, like those offered by Elephant Energy. This year, Elephant Energy has impacted over 30,000 individuals and we hope to impact even more in 2015! 

We recently heard a story about Linekenla, who purchased a light from Elephant Energy and is now able to complete household chores long after the sun goes down. He and his brothers use the light to cook and to do dishes after dark. Their family used to rely on paraffin wax candles for indoor lighting, but they had to stop using the candles because the fumes were so bad. Now that they have a Sun King Pro 2, they can cook, wash dishes and study safely in their home.

We also learned that one of our Regional Sales Managers was unable to take customer photos in December because the majority of her entrepreneurs are making sales in the most rural corners of Namibia and it's hard for her to collect stories and photos after the sales! While we would love to be able to share photos from these communities, I think it's important to think about the fact that we don't have these stories because of the extreme situations these families are living in...And yet, our entrepreneurs are able to reach them and to help them create safer, cleaner, more efficient homes.

We have bold wishes and dreams in 2015, but I'm confident that with your help, we will accomplish all we set out to accomplish! We know you have so many choices each time you make a gift and we are so grateful that you have chosen Elephant Energy as one of your gifts in 2014. We hope you will consider sharing our information with a friend, colleague or family member during this giving season; and we hope you will re-pledge your support for Elephant Energy in 2015.

Wishing you and your family the best in 2015.
With light,

Julia Alvarez
Executive Director