In Tanzania, Innocent James' company, Soma Bags, is providing a creative solution for children who lack electricity to study after dark. The company sells backpacks with solar panels that charge a reading light, allowing children in rural areas to read at night without relying on expensive and harmful kerosene lamps. James' idea started small, using discarded cement bags and solar panels, but it has grown into a successful, eco-friendly business that has sold 36,000 solar backpacks across Africa. Soma Bags now provides energy for reading and even powers devices like phones. The company has now expanded beyond Tanzania, with over 200 charities purchasing the bags for distribution in several African countries. James continues to support education through his business, even running mobile reading clubs for kids to access books and reading lights. His efforts have earned recognition from global organizations like the UNDP, and he’s helping shape a brighter future for children across Africa.
Image via CNN
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