Utete, TZ – ASM solar business brings electric light to rural homes – Sep 2023

ASM family is a member of the VICOBA Volunteer Families (VVF) who are volunteering their energy and time to assist KCM with organic vegetable production for feeding children and the needy groups in the community. The family began an entrepreneurship business selling and installing solar systems to off-grid families who need light in their homes.

ASM saved with the VICOBA and got an electrical training loan of 200,000 TZS with his VICOBA savings. He then engaged with Sun King company products, by finding customers and selling their solar system to the families based on installment agreements.

ASM says “the VVF VICOBA changed his family’s life history during every weekly VICOBA meeting’s discussion on savings share, loans, and families’ challenges and possible solution options. Also, the VICOBA made ASM to know other families and their challenges like electrical power for their families.

ASM decided to become the Sun King products agent by finding customers and installing systems to assist community families who are not connected to the national grid line outside of the village center. The company pays him 10,000 TZS per one system, his daily earning depends on marketing and installation efforts.

ASM could install more systems if he could get a bicycle for the transportation to assist accessing nearby villages. He would make more sales and income, for more savings and home improvements. His desire is to see the rural families having a source of light for their homes, which will assist their children’s education and performance.