By Julia Alvarez | Executive Director
Nearly 70% of Namibia's population is considered rural. Further, nearly 30% of the population lives below the international poverty line–a problem that disproportionately impacts rural communities. The entrepreneurs that you support are lifting themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty. In the last few months, Elephant Energy's Regional Sales Managers have welcomed, trained and supported several new Sales Agents, who are helping to introduce new products in Namibia, and to continue to reach the most rural customers with innovative and life-changing solar products.
Dominic, one of our Regional Sales Managers in Namibia, recently told us a story about one of his customers. Fernando is from Angola but lives in Katima, where Dominic also lives. He bought a Sun King Pro 2 because there is no electricity where he lives, and he has been using it for light and to charge his cell phone. Fernando was telling Dominic that the December rain was heavy and his community flooded. During the flood, the "bubble fish" (catfish) performed mulungu–meaning they moved to small puddles of water while the rainfall was heavy–and Fernando was able to use his new light to catch fish in the small areas of left over water from flood. He caught 15 bubble fish in one night with his new light! Now, Fernando can feed his family and has extra fish left to share with the community.
Theo, one of our Senior Regional Sales Managers, shared a story with us about a 9th grade student who bought a light from him using some of the money he gets from the government of Namibia. John told Theo that he uses his Sun King Pro 2 to charge peoples cell phones and he is able to make about N$20 a month.
Your support of our programs is instrumental in our quest to increase access to these small-scale–yet life-changing–solar products.
On behalf of our five Regional Sales Managers and our nearly 50 Sales Agents, we thank you for your commitment to change and sustainable community development in Namibia. Please share this update, or other information about our work, with people you know who might be interested in our approach to global poverty reduction.
Without you, we wouldn't be able to continue providing life-enhancing products to people throughout Namibia, while providing jobs to those living in the most extreme economic conditions. Thank you.
In light,
Julia Alvarez
Executive Director
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