Solar study lights, built by students
Haiti · Brighten Haiti · December 2025
In their own words: students in Dumas, Haiti, on solar power
26 students at Institution Sainte Bernadette Soubirous de Dumas, a school in Dumas, Haiti served by Brighten Haiti, wrote essays in November and December 2025 about school before and after solar power. They were written for a Brighten Haiti essay contest and are shown here in English translation.
“The solar system is not just light, it's our hope for the future in Dumas.”Tamisade, NS2, Dumas, Haiti
“I used to hear other kids talk about how beautiful and bright their schools were.”Mitchcaila, 7th grade, Dumas, Haiti
“When it was hot, we had no electricity for the fans, so we had to make wind with notebook pages or hand fans.”Saintina, 8th grade, Dumas, Haiti
“A place without electricity is like a machine without an engine.”Milanda, 6th grade, Dumas, Haiti
“It's a complete change—we work better and more easily.”Hudson, 9th grade, Dumas, Haiti
“The classroom was dark, and when it got cloudy, we couldn't see well.”Djinaieka, 7th grade, Dumas, Haiti
Essays by students at Institution Sainte Bernadette Soubirous de Dumas, written for a Brighten Haiti essay contest (English translation).
The essays describe the same change Brighten Haiti brings to schools: dependable light and power where there was none. Flash Forward's 42 study lights for Brighten Haiti extend that change past the schoolyard: a student can study at home after dark.
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