How solar energy is changing women's lives in rural Kenya

Reaching the sun, star closest to the earth, could be herculean.

But using it as a source of energy is double motivation for over 2,000 women in rural Kenya who are now part of a solar project that promotes this renewable source of energy.

This off-grid project by Greenlight Planet is keen on empowering women in order to achieve the fifth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of gender equality and boost the seventh one of affordable and clean energy.

Vaseria Ngare, one of the energy officers in Embu town, has seen her life morph into a beautiful story due to the project.

STRUGGLE

Vaseria previously struggled to fend for her three children.

She gave birth to her first born immediately after form four and since then, life was never easy.

She juggled all manner of menial jobs, none of which were edifying.

She tried to put up a business but its death was so premature that she buried the idea of being a business woman.

After the struggle, she finally found something that floats her boat.

Vaseria, the sole provider of her family, started off as a scout but thanks to her assiduous nature, her rising through ranks was non-negotiable.

“I have since recruited more than 30 scouts who have grown to be energy officers just like me."

SUCCESS

Vaseria is not only an energy officer but the best in her region.

She gratifies her regional business managers who always chip in whenever a challenge arises in her work.

“My motivation is my children. I encourage them since they gave up thinking hard work would not be of essence as I could not afford their school fees. Now I can."

The energy officer says her daughter might work in the solar energy industry in future.

Her son, whom she describes as outgoing and very talkative, could be the perfect candidate for a salesman position, she says.

PROJECT MANAGEABLE

Vaseria's colleague, Everline from Vihiga County, ditched a banana business for the same job.

Her bubbly demeanour when interacting with potential clients is so magnetic that even the busiest person would love to listen to her.

Everline realised a gap in the solar industry especially in the rural area.

She says that raising Sh9,000 for the project is not easy but that payments of Sh1,600 in daily installments of Sh50 makes the idea more welcoming.

“Most of the members of my community have shifted from using kerosene lamps to solar energy, and that makes them very happy,” she says.

Her plan is to buy land and build rental houses to add to the cows she currently owns.

“I want to educate my children. They should not struggle in selling bananas like me."

CORNERSTONES

The project helps women in the country improve the quality of their own lives and those of their families.

Greenlight Planet’s Business Development Director for Africa, Mr Patrick Muriuki, said, "After listening to our customer needs, we decided to offer women long-lasting solutions for home energy. Our lamps can serve for up to five years without malfunctioning,” says

He adds that the innovation helps customers enjoy convenient payment plans that involve a down payment and installments.

In its pursuit for women empowerment, the firm’s 5,800 sales agents include nearly 2,000 women whose commitment and hard work have seen them reach management value.

“Women are the cornerstones of any family, even for those with a responsible father-figure. When you empower a woman, she impacts the lives of family members directly and that boosts economic progress in the society," he said, adding they have been quick to adopt off-grid power solutions.

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

The company’s Senior Vice President, Mr Dhaval Radia, says the time is right for African women to look beyond their traditional revenue models and explore the solar enterprise.

“By expanding to rural consumer segments, with value-added services such as PayGo solar products for daily energy and infotainment, we aim to help African women achieve financial freedom,” says Mr Radia.

“People living in rural Africa still struggle to access electricity. It has not been easy creating awareness on the benefits of solar-powered homes with which children can study. We are still working hard to unchain the world’s 1.2 billion global off-grid villagers from the shackles of dim, dangerous kerosene lamps and unreliable electricity.”

HUGE RISKS

Research shows that women in houses that use kerosene lanterns are nine times more likely to contract tuberculosis than those in houses that use solar lighting.

Kerosene lanterns routinely tip over, causing catastrophic night-time house fires, most of which have been experienced in Kenya’s urban shanties.

One in 20 off-grid communities have experienced devastating kerosene fires, studies show.

Often. there aren’t enough daylight hours to allow children the study time necessary to succeed.

School dropout statistics suggest this issue disproportionately affects girls, who often carry significantly higher household obligations.