James Samba of Sierra Electric tells his story on winning the 2023 Orange Social Venture Prize National Grand Prize
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I’m humbled and thrilled to share that Sierra Electric has emerged as the winner of the Orange Social Venture Prize National Grand Prize 2023. This achievement is not just a victory for our project; it’s a triumph for the vision of a cleaner, more sustainable Sierra Leone.
The genesis of Sierra Electric was rooted in a deeply personal story. Growing up in Sierra Leone, I witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by my uncle, Jeremiah, who was a wheelchair user. His lack of accessible transportation options not only limited his mobility but also exposed him to the dangers of the road. Tragically, the emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles contributed to his deteriorating health, eventually leading to his passing. This heart-wrenching experience ignited a spark within me to create a solution that could address these critical issues.
Sierra Electric’s journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: to revolutionize transportation in Sierra Leone through sustainable and inclusive electric vehicles. Our mission was clear – to provide affordable, eco-friendly transportation options that prioritize the well-being of our citizens and our environment. With this mission at our core, we embarked on a path of innovation and hard work.
Winning the Orange Social Venture Prize National Grand Prize is an affirmation that our efforts are making a meaningful impact. The recognition validates the countless hours spent refining our solution, conducting market research, and collaborating with passionate team members. But this victory is not just about us; it’s a testament to the collective dedication of everyone who believes in our vision. To our team, supporters, and partners and Orange Sierra Leone, I extend my deepest gratitude. This award is a shared success that wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you.
The impact of Sierra Electric extends beyond the award. With the prize comes a renewed sense of responsibility and an even greater drive to make a difference. Our project’s vision aligns perfectly with the pressing global need to reduce carbon emissions, combat air pollution, and ensure transportation accessibility for all. As we move forward, we are committed to translating this recognition into action and scaling our operations.
Our journey continues as we focus on expanding our retrofitting services and introducing the improved BYKA Electric Quadricycle, Version 2. This new version incorporates valuable lessons learned and feedback from our users, ensuring that we are delivering a product that meets their needs effectively.
The Orange Social Venture Prize has not only provided us with a platform to showcase our work but also inspired us to push the boundaries of innovation and impact. With the opportunity to compete on an international stage, we are excited to share our story with a wider audience and learn from fellow changemakers from around the world.
In conclusion, winning the 2023 Orange Social Venture Prize National Grand Prize is a milestone that encourages us to dream bigger and work harder. It signifies the potential of what can be achieved when determination meets purpose. Sierra Electric is not just a project; it’s a movement that aims to redefine transportation, improve lives, and protect our planet. With this recognition, we are more motivated than ever to drive change and create a brighter, greener future for Sierra Leone.
Hawanatu Sesay, tell her story on winning the 2023 Women’s prize of the Orange Social Venture Tech Queen Competition
My Name is Hawanatu Sesay am the founder of IOT Labs SL and the winner of the Orange Social Venture Price Tech Queen .I am so excited to announce that I have won the Orange Social Venture Prize Tech Queen for our IoT plant monitoring device! This award is a dream come true for me, and it is a validation of all the hard work that I have put into my project. Our device, called the “IOT Plant Monitoring Device,” uses sensors to monitor soil moisture, light levels, and temperature. This data is then sent to the cloud, where it can be used to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. This can help farmers save water, increase crop yields, and reduce pesticide use.
I developed the IOT Plant Monitoring Device in response to the challenges faced by farmers in my country, Sierra Leone. The country is a major producer of agricultural products, but it is also prone to droughts and floods. These weather events can damage crops and lead to food shortages. The IOT Plant Monitoring Device can help farmers to mitigate these risks by providing them with real-time data on their crops’ needs. I am also passionate about making the IOT Plant Monitoring Device affordable to small-scale farmers, who are the backbone of the agricultural sector in Sierra Leone.
Winning the Orange Social Venture Prize Tech Queen is a major milestone for me and the IOT Plant Monitoring Device project. The prize money will be used to scale up production of the device and to expand its reach to farmers in in Sierra Leone. I am also planning to develop new features for the IOT Plant Monitoring Device, which will farmer to do intensive monitoring of their farms .
I am so grateful to Orange for this award, and I am excited to continue working to make the IOT Plant Monitoring Device a reality. I believe that the IOT Plant Monitoring Device has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and to help farmers in Sierra Leone and around the world to grow more food and to make a better living.
I am excited to see what the future holds for our IOT plant monitoring device with the help of the support we have received from Orange Sierra Leone we’re confident that using our technology will help to improve food security and sustainability in Sierra Leone and developing countries. We are confident that our device will continue to make a positive impact on the world. We are committed to making it accessible to farmers around the globe, and we believe that it has the potential to revolutionize agriculture. I am excited to see what the future holds for our device, and I am proud to be a part of the team that is making it happen.
Thank you again to Orange for this incredible award! I am honoured to be a recipient of the Orange Social Venture Prize Tech Queen, and I am committed to using this award to make a difference in the world.
