Student Volunteers Building Light Since 2024
Flash Forward Foundation is a student-run nonprofit in Bellevue, Washington. Our volunteers build solar study lights for students who have no electricity at home.
Mission
Our Mission : Flash Forward Foundation builds low-cost solar study lights so that students without electricity at home can keep studying after dark.
655 million people lived without electricity in 2024, according to Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2026. We do not claim to serve that many people. The figure is the context for why a small light is worth building. Student volunteers print and assemble each light, parts cost $5.17, and partner organizations that already know the students and families handle distribution.
History
Our History: Students Building Since 2024
Flash Forward began with the idea that studying should not end when the sun goes down.
2024: Founded by students Students founded Flash Forward Foundation and built the first solar study light prototype.
2025: A recognized public charity
The IRS recognized Flash Forward as a 501(c)(3) public charity, effective August 5, 2025. The determination letter and Publication 78 listing are posted on our nonprofit status page.
2026: Building for partners
Volunteers keep building lights for partner organizations in three countries:
- 42 lights have shipped to Brighten Haiti
- 15 lights are allocated to Loksadhana in India
- 15 lights are allocated to Malaika in the DR Congo
The partner, not Flash Forward, knows the students and households, so partners decide who receives each light.
Since 2024, Flash Forward has:
Built
72
solar study lights for three partners
Shipped
42
lights to Brighten Haiti
Parts cost
$5.17
for each light, built by volunteers
Our Approach
We keep the light simple, the cost low and the handover in the hands of partners who know the students.
Build
Student volunteers print the case, fit the panel, battery, charge board, LEDs and switch, and check that each light charges and turns on before it leaves the workshop.
Partner
Finished lights go to organizations in Haiti, India and the DR Congo that already work with students and families. The partner chooses who receives each light.
Give
One light is $5.17 in parts. Volunteers build for free, so a gift pays for the parts. Checkout and the emailed receipt are handled by Every.org.
Meet the Team Behind Our Work
Romir Chekuri
President
Sree Kokkonda
Vice President
Andy Zhang
Treasurer
Frequently asked questions
Have More Questions?
How long has Flash Forward been building lights?
Students founded Flash Forward in 2024 and built the first solar study light prototype that year. Volunteers have kept building since.
Where do the lights go?
42 lights have shipped to Brighten Haiti. 15 lights are allocated to Loksadhana in India and 15 to Malaika in the DR Congo; those 30 are not yet described as shipped.
Who builds the lights?
Student volunteers print and assemble every light without pay. The $5.17 per light covers parts only.
How can I support Flash Forward's work?
Donate online, explore ways to volunteer, or read more about our work