“I want to bring light to my community”

Mussagy Ahemed Manuel, 29, ran a small printing business he inherited from his father. He printed CVs, school assignments, and documents for neighbours,  enough to scrape by, but never enough to feel secure.

Then a cyclone tore through Murreubue in Cabo Delgado. Roofs were ripped away, homes destroyed, and the community left in chaos.

“I felt helpless,” Mussagy recalls. “I wanted to do more than watch my town suffer. I wanted to be part of the rebuilding.”

That’s when he heard about the Young Africa solar and electrical installation training programme. He decided to join, hoping to gain skills that could help both his family and his community.

The training changed everything. Mussagy learned to install solar panels, fix electrical faults, and approach problems with confidence.

“Now, I get many house calls,” he says, smiling. “People trust me to fix their homes. It feels good to help my neighbours. Life skills training taught him about healthy relationships, personal safety, and making decisions with confidence. “I learned to respect myself and others,” Mussagy says.

 

Today, Mussagy walks through Murreubue carrying tools, greeting clients, and checking installations. Each home he lights up is a small victory and each repair builds trust and hope.

“My dream is to own the biggest solar company in my district,” he says. “I believe it’s possible.”

For Mussagy, it isn’t just about work or income. It’s about bringing light where it’s needed most, to the community that raised him.