The four-hour bus ride from Bajawa to Ruteng introduced Widi to Mama Vir.
A huge smile from Mama Vir, because she has finally found the d.light S20 she had been looking for.
Mini Tech Fair in Lakerembong village
The Indonesian island of Flores is famous for beautiful beaches, pristine green hills, and magnificent winding roads. However, when visiting ‘the last mile’, it’s not just the breathtaking views that make these remote places memorable – it is the people as well.
Embarking on a four-hour bus ride through spectacular scenery, it was tempting to plug in my headphones, pump up the music on my phone, and zone out as I enjoyed the view. But if I’d been plugged into my phone, I may just have missed out on making a new friend along the way.
IT STARTED WITH A SMILE
The bus driver drove slowly, looking for more passengers to fill up the empty seats. The bus driver drove slowly, so that he could greet people along the way, people whom he claimed to be his relatives’ relatives in a sprawling structure of extended family.
My neck was stiff from looking out the window. So, I turned my head to the other side, and glimpsed a lady smiling at me. I smiled back and we started talking. From cultural festivals to traditional recipes, we talked about a lot of things.
Her name was Mama Vir. She was travelling with her youngest son, Mario. It was very nice to talk to someone who knew the local area intimately. The loud sound of the bus engine failed to drown out the excitement of our conversation, although at some points we had to shout in order to hear each other.
A MARKETING OPPORTUNITY
The conversation turned towards Kopernik as Mama Vir began to ask about what I was doing in Flores. Without hesitation, I pulled out all the technology brochures from my bag and started introducing the d.light solar lanterns and other technologies which Kopernik distributes. She was really interested, especially in the d.light S20.
“I’VE SEEN THAT SOLAR LIGHT AT A RELATIVE’S HOUSE IN BAJAWA,” SHE SAID. “I WANTED TO HAVE ONE AS WELL, BUT THEY COULDN’T REMEMBER WHERE THEY BOUGHT IT.”
Of course, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. I told her about one of our Tech Kiosks in Ruteng, Maristella Tech, owned by Valentinus Arkian, who could sell her a solar light of her own.
HAPPY CUSTOMERS
The next day, I visited her house in Lakerembong, a coffee-growing village around 30 minutes’ drive from Ruteng. I went with Valentinus to deliver the d.light S20 Mama Vir had requested. Aware that other villagers might be interested in our technologies, we also brought a Prime cookstove, S300 solar light, and Nazava water filter to introduce the products through a Tech Fair.
The Prime cookstove attracted the greatest interest: most coffee farmers in the village still use firewood for cooking. They said the lightweight design of the cookstove would make it ideal for using in the coffee plantation during harvest season this coming May. They planned to pay for the technology through the layaway option.
BIG SMILES ALL AROUND
Who would’ve thought a friendly smile could turn into something so much bigger? Mama Vir finally found the solar light she had been looking for, Valentinus found new customers, and the coffee farmers now have access to simple, life-changing technologies.
CHATTING WITH FELLOW PASSENGERS ON A LONG BUS JOURNEY IS REALLY WORTHWHILE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. WHO KNOWS, IT COULD BE THE START OF A NEW FRIENDSHIP, OR EVEN A FUTURE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP!
