Where would we be without light when night falls? It is hard to imagine all of the constraints during the long hours of darkness before the sun rises again — no work, no study and no recreation.
But this is the reality for people in many nations. Chikako Fujita wants to change that by selling solar lanterns in one of these countries, Afghanistan, to create a healthier and more prosperous future for its citizens.
Fujita has been stationed in Kabul since November 2011, marketing solar lanterns through a strategy that targets the so-called bottom of the pyramid — the poorest socioeconomic group — in the war-torn country not only to help those in need but also to build a sustainable business network. In a country like Afghanistan, which relies heavily on foreign aid and donations, that is easier said than done.