Access to electricity in rural areas is a major problem in many developing countries, including South Africa. According to a 2019 report by the World Bank, more than 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, or about 60% of the population, do not have access to electricity. Load shedding, which is the planned rolling blackouts implemented by the power utility, Eskom, to avoid a total system blackout, exacerbates the problem by leaving households without electricity for hours at a time.

The lack of access to electricity and load shedding have a significant impact on children's education, particularly those in rural areas. Without electricity, children are unable to study in the evenings, leading to a decline in academic performance. In addition, they often rely on candles, paraffin stoves, or other dangerous sources of light, which can cause fires or accidents, resulting in injuries or even deaths.

One solution to this problem is to provide solar lights to children in rural areas. Solar lights are a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional sources of light and can provide light even during load shedding. These lights come in various forms, including portable solar lighting systems, solar ceiling lights, and solar lamps.

Portable solar lighting systems, such as the Smart Home Portable Loadshedding Solar Lighting System, can be used to provide light to multiple rooms and can be charged using solar panels during the day. Solar ceiling lights, such as the Ecom LED Solar Ceiling Light 6 Pack, are a more permanent solution and can be installed in classrooms or homes. Solar lamps, such as the LED Solar Ceiling Lamp, can be used by individual students for studying or reading.

Providing solar lights to children in rural areas can have a significant impact on their education and well-being. It can help them to study in the evenings and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries associated with traditional sources of light. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders can work together to provide solar lights to rural communities, ensuring that children have access to safe and sustainable sources of light.