Malawian success: the story of Wezzie Mhango

I'd like to tell the story of Wezzie Mhango - Malawi's most successful franchisee so far this year.

In 2007 Wezzie was divorced, pregnant and with a child to care for; unanable to make a successful living working in Taifa Market trading cloths she tried her hand at selling fruit and vegetables. However with little support from her previous partner she grew increasingly concerned that her limited income would not support her new family.

Wezzie Mhango is SolarAid Malawi's most successful franchisee so far this year.

Wezzie's father introduced her to the Kavuzi Micro Solar Assembly and Sales group (an official SolarAid distributor) in 2008. Initially trained in assembly she raised enough money over the course of the year to care for not just one but two baby girls! She coped brilliantly with twin sisters and was able to provide access to all the care they needed.

Wezzie said: "Thanks to SolarAid, the money that I was paid after assembling panels saved the life of my children, I could easily take them to the hospital, buy better drugs from the pharmacies and buy milk which I used to feed them as it was very difficult for me to breast feed both of them at once due to health problems."

This year Wezzie has sold 22 products in Mtwalo and Embombeni areas of Mzimba District generating a net profit of MWK 51,700 (£218). Wezzie used to spend much of her income on kerosene, phone charging and batteries - with solar as a replacement she is not only saving money but developing her business skills as a microsolar franchisee.

Wezzie is eager to expand her business and generate more sales by the end of the year, she said: "This business is better than any other business I have ever been involved with. As of now I just want to be safely employed and independent. My goal now is to sell 100 products by the end of the summer."

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