People are fascinating. For me, so much of any experience is the people you meet along the way. I have always lived by the Ulyssess quote “ I am a part of all that I have met”. Why? Because making a connection with someone whether a stranger or a close friend means that person made an impact in some way whether it is small or significant. Well, the Solar Sisters I met in Uganda made an impact that was life changing. I truly feel so honored that Solar Sisters will forever be a part of me. These women taught me the depth of love, meaning of respect, and power of perseverance.
Here is the journey that led me to these incredible women
I never thought I would be returning to the great African continent so soon. I spent 5 months studying abroad in South Africa and felt a deep connection to the people, breath taking landscape, and the surge of energy for change and progression that surrounded me. So when I heard about the Global Social Benefit Fellowship I was so intrigued with the opportunity to work with a social enterprise in a developing country. I am a Marketing major and Environmental Studies minor with a passion for social justice and developing countries so it appealed to all of my interest. Yes it seemed intense, but I liked the idea of learning about social entrepreneurship, applying what I learned in the field, and creating a valuable deliverable from my experience. Needless to say, it beat any traditional business internship that I was considering by miles (9360 miles by plane to be exact). Receiving the Global Social Benefit Fellowship to work with Solar Sister, Angaza Design, and Kiva in Uganda was such an honor and I never could of imagined all that I would learn along the way.
Learning the language of Social Entrpreneurship
After a quarter of in depth research on social entrepreneurship and the social enterprises we would we working with I felt equipped and ready to start work in Uganda. I had never felt so challenged to think about the pressing problems marginalized people in the world face and especially in the context of developing countries. It was fascinating to learn about all the creative innovative solutions social entrepreneurs develop to help solve these issues. My team and I extensively researched and wrote about the social enterprises we were working with. Solar Sister eradicates energy poverty by empowering women with economic opportunity to sell solar powered lights to communities who don’t have access to electricity. But in the field I would learn: the extent solar benefits children, how Solar Sisters spend their income, how the harvest season affects Solar Sisters sales income, and the strong will and determination that Solar Sisters have to better the lives of their families. Living and working with the Solar Sisters would bring on a whole new understanding and meaning to the coined terms “energy poverty”, “last mile distribution”, and “women empowerment”.
Experiencing the beauty and pain of a developing country
Stimulated, overwhelmed, excited, and perplexed by my surroundings in a foreign country across the world. I was on my first extended overnight trip with Solar Sister to Northern Uganda. We were warmly greeted by the most exceptional Solar Sister RC (regional coordinator) of Gulu, Jayne Opitto. She was so energetic and enthusiastic to introduce us to as many Solar Sisters and customers as we could fit in our 3 day visit. The Solar Sisters we met in Gulu stood out from other groups we had met in rural villages outside of Kampala. These women were young , highly educated, and most had other jobs besides being a Solar Sister. The first group of 7 women we visited made me take a step back and think more deeply about the lives that these women lead outside of being a Solar Sister. They were all part of the Amani group and Simprosa was the founder of the group. I learned that day that all these women had been abducted as soldiers or sex slaves during the brutal rebel milita. Simprosa had fled to Kenya and came back to dedicate her life to help uplift these women to find a safe place to work and heal from their traumatic experiences. Simprosa started a tailor business where the women could make products made of Uganda fabric and sell them in local markets as a source on income. And now they will have the opportunity to be Solar Sisters in their communities and earn additional income from selling solar lights.
Gulu Team
Interview Time. A view into the world of a Solar Sister
We broke out in groups to interview each woman. I sat next to Simprosa who translated for me since they spoke very little English. I remember thinking about their answers for each routine question I asked on the survey. She was a mom, there was no father in the picture, school fees were the greatest expense, and she is so blessed to be a Solar Sister. These woman were so fragile yet so strong at the same time. Most have many kids, earn all the household income, and have to save all the money for their children’s school fees. Yet even with little income these women new what they valued, and saw hope for a better future. As I interacted with them as a guest it was amazing to see the power of all the Solar Sisters together and the network they had created to provide opportunity and support for each other. This is what empowerment means. These women are the human capital of the organization which is so important in scaling up, reaching more people, and carrying out the mission of Solar Sister.
Moments that never leave you
A defining moment in my memory on the many Solar Sister interviews was a side trip we made to a Solar Sister who couldn’t make the monthly training meeting because her son was sick. After we arrived to her village she greeted us and took us to her own mud hut where her son was resting. Jayne the RC, asked if she could see her son to wish him well. The curtain of the mud hut was left open when Jayne went into see her son so I got a glance at her son lying on the ground. This painstaking image will never leave my memory. I had never seen someone look so sick , feeble, and desperate for medical attention. It was a disease, could have been malaria, but he had been there for months and was suffering immensely. I saw the direct effect that the lack of resources and health access in these communities has on people’s ability to survive. Betty his mom and Solar Sister owns a bakery and is the provider for her household of 8. She does whatever it takes to provide for her family and children. She uses the Kiran solar lantern to collect white ants at nighttime and then sells them in jars for a profit. I was so amazed at the frugal innovation and creative solutions people come up with to make ends meet. Solar not only was providing light but was a generating a source of income. We all take energy for granite. To address these pressing issues you have to understand the market which means understanding the people you are trying to help.
Each of these women had their own story and their own values that kept them driven and proud to be a Solar Sister. Talking directly with the Solar Sisters face to face and hearing how their children use solar light for homework at night and the passion behind their work was inspiring and eye opening. A solar lantern seems so simple but I can testify it is brining people light in places of complete darkness. The idea make so much sense but the execution of setting up a network to distribute these lights to far rural areas takes time, energy, patience, travel, and a deep understanding of the people, culture, and infrastructure limitations in Uganda. But the impact of solar is incredibly beneficial and improves the quality of life for people in so many aspects; reduces health risks, provides light for reading, creates income, and is used to improve business.
Lasting Impact
These women believe in the power of solar and there is no way I could understand the scope of the problem of “energy poverty” without directly hearing from people themselves who live in darkness. Solar Sister as an organization helps to solve energy poverty that uses innovative creative solutions that make sense to the people of Uganda. Solar Sisters are proud of their work. Solar Sisters are hopeful. Solar Sisters are determined. Solar Sisters are strong. Solar Sisters have beautiful souls. I want to always stand for the values of a Solar Sister and choose work I am passionate about, think about others, work hard, and persevere through any obstacle, and stay true to myself and my beliefs. Uganda was an experience that will continue to shape my direction and goals in the future.Working for Solar Sister gave me a greater understanding of love of working with diverse groups of people and understanding the complexities of running a business in a developed country.
