Gender inclusion is an EcoZoom priority. Today, we feature one of our female entrepreneurs in honor of International Women’s Day. Meet Scolastica, a 34-year-old independent sales agent of EcoZoom energy-saving products. Scolastica is a mother of two and lives in Embakasi, Nairobi.

Scolastica became a “zoomer” in Fall 2013. Previously, she was a cereal vendor, a job which was physically demanding and time consuming. When her 7-month old son mysteriously fell ill, she needed something that would allow her more flexibility to take him to his many doctors’ appointments. Enter EcoZoom. As a sales agent, Scolastica can speak from experience about the benefits of the Zoom Jet charcoal stove. She personally uses the Jet at home, and has seen fuel savings of 66%. With those savings and the money she earns as an independent entrepreneur, she was able to purchase a microwave and rely less on her husband for expenses. Additionally, Scolastica suffers from asthma, which was aggravated from cooking out in the cold on a stove that wasn’t clean-burning. Despite owning a gas cooker, she prefers using the Jet in order to produce the sought-after traditional flavor of cooking with charcoal. Scolastica loves the freedom and confidence that comes from successful sales. She is gradually building her business by relentlessly pursuing her goals and talking to everyone she knows about the stoves. Thanks Scolastica for sharing your story with us and Happy International Women’s Day! -Photo credit and story assistance from Wangui Mungai.