By Mark Kawalya
Jamila Mayanja, a Ugandan social entrepreneur, is transforming the lives of young girls. Through her organization, the Smart Girls Foundation, she produces an innovative solar-powered backpack that is dual purpose. It has a charging lamp for night time study and provides a discreet way to carry feminine hygiene products to school.
Mayanja’s solution tackles both practical and social barriers to girls’ education. The Smart Bag, equipped with a solar panel, charges a portable LED lamp, eliminating the reliance on harmful and costly kerosene lamps commonly used by children in rural areas for evening studies. This innovative approach ensures that girls can continue their education even after dark which improves their learning outcomes.
Made from recycled plastic, the backpacks promote sustainability by reducing waste. The bags are also durable and waterproof, protecting menstrual supplies from the elements. This promotes environmental conservation and provides a practical solution to a common problem faced by many young girls in rural Uganda.
By enabling girls to study after dark, it has improved their academic performance and attendance, even during menstruation.
This initiative is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. It empowers young women to become community leaders. Being able to study at night better prepares girls for exams enabling them to stay in school. This sets them up for better job opportunities and a improves their quality of life in the long term.
Mayanja’s efforts have gained international recognition. The Smart Bag project has received backing from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The project has also partnered with notable figures like actress Lupita Nyong’o. These collaborations have expanded the initiative’s reach, benefiting thousands of girls in rural Uganda and beyond. This international support has also helped to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls in developing countries.
It also highlights the strides made by innovative solutions like the Smart Bag.
The solar-powered backpack exemplifies how innovation and social entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change. By addressing the unique challenges faced by girls in developing regions, Mayanja and her team are enhancing educational outcomes for girls.
