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In rural Tanzania, where many households do not have electricity, a startup is transforming how children study after dark. Soma Bags is providing a simple yet revolutionary solution: solar-powered backpacks made from repurposed cement bags.
Tanzania’s Soma Bags are revolutionizing education in rural areas of the country. The startup collects discarded cement bags from construction sites and streets and upcycles the material into study backpacks.
Each bag is equipped with a small solar panel on the back, which charges during the day as students walk to and from school. By evening, the stored energy powers a built-in LED reading light, allowing children to study at home without relying on non-eco conscious kerosene lamps or struggling with candlelight.
For many students in the country’s rural communities, limited access to electricity disrupts their education. Soma Bags continues to bridge the gap by offering innovative and eco-friendly alternatives. The startup not only supports children’s education but also tackles waste management by repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution.
The company’s mission is not just to provide school bags but to empower children to reach their full potential in education. ‘We believe no child should have to struggle to read at night due to lack of electricity,’ says 33-year-old James.
‘Our company aims to create a future where every student has equal access to learning, even when you are from the village.’
