Basanti Chaudhary (34) is a co-CEO of Namuna Sourya Urjah in western Nepal. With her business partner Laxmi Chaudhary she has helped sell more than 500 lights in her community, an incredible accomplishment considering the instability and unrest in her Kailali home. While most people closed up their businesses to avoid the dangerous political riots, Basanti persevered, bringing more solar to her community than ever before.
Since becoming a solar CEO with Empower Generation, Basanti has undergone what she describes as a transformation. Before joining our network she says she was too shy to even speak to people, much less to sell them anything. Now she has a nickname, “Solar Seller Basanti”, a thriving business, and growing reputation as a talented local business woman.
“I had the problem of communicating with people in authority positions, but now I can visit any area and communicate with anybody like a social leader. I can confidently interact with higher authority people, teachers, and other respected members of our community.”
Local Women Bringing Clean Energy to Nepal from Empower Generation on Vimeo.
Basanti is especially proud of providing lights that students can use to study after the sun goes down. “Some students who never had the chance to study before having a solar light are now able to,” she says. Speaking of studying, Basanti’s newfound self-confidence has inspired her to return to school after 19 years. We are so proud of Basanti’s efforts, bringing clean energy to her community, pursuing further education, and becoming a true role model for the aspiring business women of Nepal.
As we usher in 2016, let’s all do more than just wish for a brighter year. It’s a critical time in Nepal—please help us make a lasting difference. Please donate to Empower Generation this holiday season and give the gift of light, hope, and opportunity.
