Bringing the community together with the power of the sun (and a little help from Hollywood)

We parked the Solar Roller in the heart of Makunga village to set up SolarAid Kenya's third solar cinema film showing. This has become something of a community event in the North Bungoma district. And judging by the huge crowd that had gathered in eager anticipation, word had got around.

Miguel sits in the Solar Roller watching the crowd gather for the solar cinema, Makunga.

As Miguel, Hudson, Moses and Brad set up the system (comprising a simple white sheet for the screen, a projector and speakers) SolarAid volunteer Charlotte and I entertained a fast-growing crowd of excitable children with a selection of solar-powered toys. Our young audience looked on in amazement as the toys started moving with exposure to direct sunlight.

Children play with the solar-powered helicopter. Makunga Village.

Why Solar Cinema?
The purpose of the solar cinema is two-fold. Firstly, to offer the community a tangible demonstration of solar energy in action; helping generate an interest in solar as a solution to rural Kenya's energy needs. The entire spectacle is, after all, powered by the sun - with 120W panels on the roof charging up the 4V's worth of batteries in the back that power the projector and laptop. So, as the Solar Roller rolls down the dusty, sun-drenched roads of Kenya it is literally harnessing the sun's rays.

Secondly, the solar cinema brings the community together, offering a social event where young and old alike can meet and share something unique. The delight here at Makunga was clear. Situated in a particularly poor region of North Bungoma the cinema seemed to offer light relief to what, for many, was likely another day of challenges.

Moses Mutai, one of SolarAid's star Sunny Money franchisees and resident of Makunga, told me: "It's so great to see everyone enjoying this experience together. It doesn't take a lot here to see the sense of community". And the crowd was certainly receptive. Many had never seen moving image before, let alone a Hollywood blockbuster.

Watching the action on the screen. Photo © Chris Harris/ The Times.

Sunny Money Moses
As the crowd settled down, transfixed by the action unfolding on the screen, I chatted to Moses about being a Sunny Money franchisee. Last year, Moses sold 150 microsolar products. His strategy is to visit churches and schools within his area, offering demonstrations, in the hope that his audiences will then tell even more friends and family about the amazing solar lights.

Moses is friendly and very charismatic, so selling the products suits him well.
"I like meeting new people and telling them about the products, seeing their interest. I explain that these products can change their lives."
He's also a good marketer. The large crowd at the solar cinema was mainly due to his spreading the word and the adverts he posted up around the community:

Moses is clearly very satisfied with being a Sunny Money franchisee. He takes great pride in bringing light to his community and offering people a practical solution to a problem he knows about only too well. Before being a franchisee, Moses relied on his farming for income. Now he is a lot more comfortable financially:

"Life has improved so much for me and my family. I want to help other people in Kenya improve their lives too!"