Monrovia – In improving local businesses in the country, Mercy Corps has started a three years initiative called “Light up Liberia” for the renewable energy businesses (solar retailers and clean cook stove vendors).
The initiative, which is being funded by the European Union, aims to increase access to modern, affordable, sustainable and scalable energy services for poor rural Liberians.
It was launched at the head office of Mercy Corp on 15th Street in Sinkor.
The “Light up Liberia” program also seeks to improve small renewable energy enterprise performance in the country as a means to achieve higher economic growth and employment, reduce poverty and meet social objectives.
During the launch of the project, Mercy Corps also donated a number of items, including megaphone, banners etc. to prepare several businesses in the country.
Speaking after receiving the donation, the owner of Jedi Green Energy, Rayston Gbelia, said the initiative is a great one because it will help them in creating awareness in about their businesses in their various communities.
Gbelia, who started his business with a cooking stove, from being a part of the initiative, he operates his business on solar energy.
“As a small business, we all need the help we can get. Mercy corps will not be on the street and in the community talking about our business so what they have given us is actually promoting our business,” he said.
“We have some challenges and with this donation, I think it is the help in the right direction. You see with this business card, the megaphone, especially the megaphone, it was something I never had before. So, with my guys on the field, I think it’s going to create the awareness for my business.”
Gbelia, who went through a vetting process by the rural renewable energy says because of his hard work, his company was named as one of the companies to benefit from the Mercy Corps initiative.