Sunny Money Tanzania: Douglas's story

Douglas Timatu is 36 years old. He's a sculptor and an aspiring script-writer. However, Douglas has another reason to feel happy with his life. He is making a good business for himself by selling Sunny Money products to his community.

Douglas first came across SolarAid by accident, when a friend told him about a seminar that was being held in his hometown of Bagamoyo. Douglas went along to the seminar as he'd always been interested in the use of solar energy for poverty alleviation in his community. Douglas and his family have struggled. He has been victim to much crime and personal loss as a result of severe poverty, so he was very interested to learn about how SolarAid might be able to help.

In the seminar Douglas was introduce to SolarAid's microsolar products. He saw how they worked and learned about their advantages over other lighting means. Douglas was so impressed and excited about the products that he came forward to the SolarAid representative and said he wanted to enter the local villages to sell the products and test the market.

"I found money to buy 20 units in the first instance. I borrowed from friends and family, then after I sold the first 10 products I was able to buy a bicycle. This enabled me to reach further villages and travel around at no cost. I was saving money on hiring bikes, motorbikes or dala dala (minibus) journeys. I then sold the remaining 10 products very quickly and was able to pay back the loan to my friends"

Douglas, with his newly-acquired bike, holding a Ravi solar light.

Douglas's optimism and ambition is clear:

"There is a big demand for these products. I have 21 prospective customers who want them and are currently saving up".

More about Douglas and his customers in my next update.