Village Solar

28/05/2026

And here is the best 6 mins 03 seconds you will spend today, seeing the work and impact of Village Solar in Rural Malawi!

Women are at the heart of this transformation, proving that when women have access to clean energy, families, businesses, and communities thrive.

Huge credit to Practical Action for the fantastic video and Global Distributors Collective (GDC) for supporting and amplifying the work being done to expand clean energy access.

Shoutout as well to May Joy Namulembwa, Steve Kubate, and Lameck Ododo for capturing the voices and stories from rural Malawian communities whose lives are being transformed through clean energy access.

Check it out below: 👇

https://youtu.be/MetgUAAACxM

This video spotlights GDC member Village Solar, operating in Malawi...

22/04/2026

How do we continue to learn and learn the best? Where does our learning come from?

One way is through the experiences we step into, the people we meet, and the ideas we exchange along the way.

These past few days, from Lusaka, Zambia at African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) General Assembly to Nairobi, Kenya for the Global Distributors Collective (GDC) Member Learning and Collaborative Event, have been a reminder of how powerful shared learning can be. Being in these spaces, listening, contributing, and staying open to learning from others has brought new perspective and growth for us.

What a privilege it has been to be part of these conversations, surrounded by so many inspiring people!

A big thank you to AWEC and the GDC for the support and for making these opportunities possible.

Our learning and growth continues.

📸 Our Co-founder Susanna Simango joined both events.

18/04/2026

D-Prize is offering up to $20,000 in funding to support new entrepreneurs working to reduce extreme poverty. They explore a wide range of proven interventions that have the potential to reach millions of people.

Send in your 2-page concept note by June 7, 2026, and you could be selected to receive seed funding to bring your idea to life through a pilot!

👉 Take part here: www.d-prize.org

The D-Prize Global Competition is now open.

If you’ve ever wanted to build something that tackles extreme poverty, this is your moment.

Winning teams receive up to $20,000 to launch a new venture, whether an NGO, charity, or for-profit, focused on scaling proven solutions in areas like health, agriculture, livelihoods, and more. This is about executing what already works, at scale.

Who should apply? You’re a strong fit if you:

Are ambitious and ready to build.
Want to launch (and grow) a venture with real impact.
Can commit to going full-time if your pilot succeeds.

Deadline: June 7, 2026

Explore the interventions and apply: www.d-prize.org

10/04/2026

BIG NEWS! We have been named a 2026 Purpose Earth grant winner!

Thank you Purpose Earth Global for supporting our work in rural Malawi to create jobs and build lasting livelihoods for women, and expand access to clean, affordable solar energy products in off-grid communities. This work is especially important, as access to reliable electricity remains limited, and clean energy solutions such as solar lamps can significantly improve household wellbeing, education, and small business productivity.

24/03/2026

All Good Ventures is awarding early-stage social entrepreneurs up to NZD $20,000. If you are building a business that generates revenue and social impact, this is your chance!

Apply by 31 March 2026 and you could be one of the selected founders to receive seed funding and a full year of support to launch and grow your venture.

ONE WEEK to get your application in!

If you're new here, we’re looking for early-stage founders building social enterprise businesses that generate revenue to improve the lives of people facing serious hardship.

Successful applicants to our year-long programme get a full year of support, including:

- Seed funding of NZD $5,000–$20,000
- One year of dedicated 1:1 business mentoring
- Practical support including access to expert advice, skilled volunteers, and startup resources

No cost. Just real support to help you build a venture that changes marginalised lives.

🗓️ Applications close 31 March
🌍 Open globally

Check eligibility criteria and apply: www.allgood.ventures/apply

20/03/2026

19/03/2026

Heavy rains and flooding have hit Malawi.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs has officially confirmed that over the last four days, persistent heavy rains and flooding have claimed 13 lives and affected 9,598 households across the country.

At Village Solar, we are sharing this information to help keep our communities informed and safe. Reports indicate significant displacement and loss of property across 16 affected councils, particularly in Zomba, Machinga, and Chikwawa.

Please take note of these critical safety points:

1. Do not attempt to cross swollen rivers. Several lives have been lost while trying to cross fast-flowing water.

2. Evacuate if necessary. 12 camps are already active. If you are in a low-lying area, follow local authorities’ guidance and move to higher ground immediately.

3. Maintain communication. In times of crisis, a charged mobile device is a vital lifeline. Ensure your solar devices are positioned to capture available light so you can stay connected to emergency services and loved ones.

We continue to monitor updates from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and encourage everyone to remain alert.

Stay safe and look out for one another. Our thoughts are with the affected families and communities.

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

In many parts of Africa, including Malawi, women still work twice as hard just to be seen, heard, and taken seriously. When so much energy is spent fighting for a seat at the table, women often miss out on the actual opportunities to grow and lead.

We want to give a massive shout-out to our co-founder, Susanna Simango. As an AWEC Alumna and Community Champion, Susanna is leading by example to change this reality. She shows us what it truly means to , which is the belief that when we share knowledge and give generously, opportunities for everyone especially women multiply.

In celebration of Women’s Month, Susanna has committed to reach and train 150 women entrepreneurs this year. The focus of her training sessions is to help them move beyond just "getting by" to mastering business growth and increasing sales. A key part of her approach is Root Cause Analysis. This is a powerful tool that can be applied to fix the problems holding a business back instead of just treating the symptoms.

If you would like to learn more or connect with Susanna for advice, or explore opportunities to collaborate, please drop us a message.

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