For many children attending Betharbel Foundation's school at the IDP camp in Durumi, home is a single room shared with an entire family. There is no electricity, no desk lamp, no quiet corner for homework. When the sun sets, learning stops.
That changed when we introduced solar-powered school bags — backpacks equipped with small solar panels that charge during the school day and provide a reading light at night. For the first time, these children can study after dark. They can complete their homework, read stories, and prepare for the next day's lessons.
These solar bags are more than a tool — they're a symbol of possibility. When a child straps on a bag that harnesses the power of the sun, they carry with them a reminder that innovation and kindness can change lives. Parents have told us their children now spend more time reading at home. Teachers report improved performance across subjects.
The bags also provide light for the entire family. Mothers use them to cook dinner. Younger siblings huddle around them to play. What began as an educational aid has become a household resource, lighting up entire homes in the camp.
This is the power of thoughtful giving — a single innovation creating waves of impact that reach far beyond the classroom. We are grateful to our partners who made this possible and to the children who remind us every day why this work matters.