Solar Backpacks Help Kids Read

In Tanzania, a innovative company called Soma Bags is making a difference in children's education. They produce backpacks with built-in solar panels that charge a reading light while kids walk to and from school.

Many rural areas in Tanzania lack reliable electricity, forcing families to use expensive and dangerous kerosene lamps for light at night. These solar backpacks offer a safer and more affordable alternative. Children can now study after dark without the risks associated with kerosene lamps.

Innocent James, the founder of Soma Bags, started the company in 2019 after noticing that many children couldn't read at night due to lack of light. The bags are made from recycled cement bags, making them durable and eco-friendly. The company has grown rapidly, now employing 65 people and selling thousands of bags across Africa.