In Rwigi, a remote village located in Kiruhura district – south western Uganda, building a business requires more than effort. It demands resilience, patience, and determination. In a place where access to electricity is not part of everyday life, many entrepreneurs struggle to sustain their dreams. For Mr. Norman, however, giving up was never an option.
Before his current success, Friday Norman a 24year old male operated a small phone charging business and a salon. Both relied on a rechargeable battery, which he had to transport daily to a charging center only to operate for 3 hours before needing a recharge. This meant high operational costs, time lost in transit, and unreliable services to his customers.
Because of these challenges, businesses could only serve a few customers at a time. When the battery ran out, business stopped. Many customers had to leave without charging their phones, causing frustration and limiting his income and growth.
Despite these challenges, Norman remained determined to improve his livelihood and serve his community better.
Everything changed when he was introduced to a solar solution from FRES Solar.
With access to reliable and consistent power, his phone charging and salon business immediately transformed. He was able to charge more phones at once, operate throughout the day, and serve more customers without interruption. This increased his daily income and built trust within the community.
Recognizing the opportunity to do more due to access to reliable power, Norman gained the confidence to expand his business. He started a laundry and dry-cleaning service something that had previously been impossible due to unreliable power.
For the first time, his machines ran without interruption, he could confidently serve every customer and meet all their expectations.
Today, Norman runs multiple income streams successfully. His shop is active throughout the day, customers return with trust, and his income is steady and dependable.
“I no longer fear losing customers,” he says. “Now I know I can serve them.”
Beyond financial improvement, the transformation in Norman’s life is deeply personal. He now works with confidence instead of doubt, pride instead of frustration, and hope instead of uncertainty.
Norman’s journey shows that access to reliable solar energy is not just about powering businesses it is about enabling growth, unlocking new opportunities, and transforming lives.
At FRES Solar, stories like Norman’s remind us that when small businesses are empowered, entire communities grow.
