Farhia, a 17 year-old Somali refugee

Farhia's impassioned words came after receiving one of Lifeline Energy’s solar and wind-up lights. She added that for the first time she would be able to study at night or even in the early morning before the sun rises. She had no source of light whatsoever.

Describing the light as a “weapon” for graduating from secondary school and learning English, Farhia said the light is her way out.

Farhia’s story is far too common in the Dadaab camps. The light will give her extra time for studying, even in the morning. Farhia feels confident that she can eventually become first in her class, beating out the boys. She added that boys don't have as much work as girls, so they get time to study.

Farhia’s story is far too common in the Dadaab camps. The light will give her extra time for studying, even in the morning. Farhia feels confident that she can eventually become first in her class, beating out the boys. She added that boys don't have as much work as girls, so they get time to study.

Farhia was one of dozens of Somali secondary school girls in Dadaab who received a solar and wind-up light last February. Lifeline Energy CEO Kristine Pearson travelled to Dadaab for the distribution and to meet with women listening group leaders who had received radios over the previous three years.

After dark there are limited lighting options, let alone for girls to study. Kerosene costs two to three times more in the camps than the rest of Kenya, making it unaffordable for most families. Poor quality batteries for flashlights are also expensive and tend to be the preserve of men since security is their responsibility.

According to the latest figures by the UN, roughly 400,000 people currently live in Dadaab – the world’s largest refugee camps - a number that is growing due to the East Africa crisis. Amongst the total refugee population, approximately 114,000 are children at the age of 5 to 13, and only 38% are enrolled in school. From that figure only one in four primary school girls continue through to the secondary level.

The lights also provide a way to help warn against nighttime threats, such as robbery and poisonous insects.

Donate a light to a secondary school girl today!