Sally sat quietly on the edge of her bed, the soft sound of her children playing outside barely audible through the thin walls of their small home. It had been nearly a year since her husband passed away, leaving her alone to raise their three children. The days had blurred together, each filled with the same struggles: fetching water, preparing meals over a small fire, and doing her best to ensure her children stayed in school.

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But as the sun set each evening, a wave of helplessness washed over her. Without electricity, their home was plunged into darkness. The children, eager to learn, couldn’t study once the sun went down. Amara, 12, and Tunde, 10, would sit by the fading light of a candle, trying to make out the words in their textbooks, while little Aisha, just 6, would curl up beside her mother, too young to understand why life had become so difficult.

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Adding to their struggle, the house didn’t have a proper toilet. The lack of sanitation wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was dangerous, especially for the children. Every time they had to relieve themselves, they’d have to go outside, often in the middle of the night, to find a secluded spot. Sally worried constantly about their safety.

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One evening, as the candle’s flame flickered and dimmed, Amara set her book aside and sighed. “Mama,” she said, her voice full of frustration, “how can I study if I can’t even see?” Sally’s heart sank. She wanted to give her children everything—a better life, a brighter future—but she didn’t have the means. She had heard about an organization called Children for Life, known for helping families in need. With a spark of hope, Sally decided to approach them.

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The following week, Sally gathered her courage and visited the local Children for Life office. She explained her situation, her voice filled with both desperation and hope. She told them about the lack of electricity, the children’s struggles to study, and the absence of a toilet in their home.

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The staff at Children for Life listened intently. We asked her questions, taking note of every detail, and reassured her that we would assess her situation. A few days later, we visited her home, walking through the small yard and peeking into the dark rooms that lacked any source of light once the sun set.​  After reviewing her case, we determined that Sally’s family was eligible for assistance. Sally could hardly believe it when we told her we would install a solar system to provide electricity and build a proper toilet for her family.

 

In the days that followed, workers arrived with tools and equipment. Sally watched with a mixture of awe and gratitude as they mounted solar panels on the roof. When they connected the system, the lights inside the house flickered on for the first time. Her children’s eyes widened with excitement, and Tunde immediately grabbed his sketchbook, sitting under the bright light to draw. Amara smiled as she returned to her books, no longer struggling to read in the dark.

But the most life-changing addition was the toilet. A small, simple structure that brought a sense of dignity and relief. Sally no longer had to worry about her children going outside at night, and they all felt a new sense of security and comfort in their own home.

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One evening, as the family gathered under the warm glow of their solar-powered lights, Sally looked around at her children. They were smiling, studying, and playing—finally enjoying their evenings without worry. Sally felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Children for Life. They had not only given her family light and a toilet, but they had also given them hope and the opportunity for a better future. With her children’s futures looking a little brighter, Sally felt that they would be able to make it through the challenges ahead, even without her husband.