By Neil Sachs
We donated to Solar Sister because they embody the principles and practices of a Kindling gift recipient--sustainability, doing a lot with a little, inovative efforts, humanitarianism. With a focus in Uganda, Solar Sister aims to lift women--and their families--out of poverty through economic empowerment. By giving strength to women in impoverished communities, we help the entire community.
From the Solar Sister website:
"Solar Sister eradicates energy poverty by empowering women with economic opportunity. We combine the breakthrough potential of solar technology with a deliberately woman-centered direct sales network to bring light, hope and opportunity to even the most remote communities in rural Africa.
"The most important step to ending poverty is to create employment and income opportunities. Solar Sister does just that by empowering women with economic opportunity. Using an Avon-style distribution system, Solar Sister creates vital access to clean energy technology by building and extending the supply chain through women’s rural networks. Solar Sister provides the women with a ‘business in a bag’, a start-up kit of inventory, training and marketing support. The women become their own bosses, creating sustainable businesses. The women use their natural networks of family, friends and neighbors to provide the most effective distribution channel to rural and hard-to-reach customers.
"Leveraging the power of the market place, a one time investment in a Solar Sister Entrepreneur creates a chain reaction of social impact as the Solar Sister Entrepreneur turns over her inventory again and again. Solar lamps replace the toxic kerosene lanterns and solar cell phone chargers provide connectivity in even the most energy poor communities.
"Access to clean energy technology enhances education, improves health and safety and provides economic opportunity. Through economic opportunity and the transforming benefits of solar technology, women are able to lift themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty."
