Didy Stephane Rio is the owner of the hairdressing salon and internet café, ‘La Balaine,’ located in the village of Ambohimena in Northern Madagascar. He has been undertaking this professional activity with passion for two years.
We took a moment to find out more about his experience of Powerpath…
Can you tell us about La Balaine?
The internet café and hair salon allows me to express my creativity. With it, I can offer various services to the inhabitants of the Ambohimena district, including music transfer, video clips and series, and mobile phone battery charging, as well as professional hairdressing services.
How was your electricity provision before joining with Nanoé?
Beforehand, I had to do with a very whimsical small electricity generator. The most difficult was electricity instability, which was putting my equipment at risk of damage. The engine’s deafening noise was disturbing the neighbours, and the economic cost was too high for fuel and maintenance. As soon as the tank was empty I often had to stop working which was preventing me from planning longer sessions with clients. I conduct electronic repair services and I also have some experience in nightlife as a barman and DJ. I like listening to music and play my PlayStation during my free time.
What pushed you to seek an alternative?
I decided to join the Nanoé electricity network to be able to benefit from a reliable and stable energy source. The real advantage is the consistency of the electricity; I know my computer and speakers are safe as I am paying a fair and predictable price. With our environment changing rapidly, I also feel the need to modernise the appliances and tools I work with, and to develop my competencies to stay up to date.
How do you hope you will benefit from participating in the project and its outcomes?
I see my involvement in this project as real leverage for progress. In the face of current innovation, we wish that the results trigger sustainable and qualitative transformation for our activity. We count on this project to simplify our ways of working and generating revenue, with a view to reinforce our autonomy and standards of living.
We wish to become genuine ambassadors of the project. Once the results are achieved, we aim to leverage our network to share the good practices that generated from this collaboration, in order to maximise the social and environmental impact of this initiative.