Next-Gen Innovators In Action

November 20, 2025

Change for Children is proud to mentor a student team at the University of British Columbia this semester through an interdisciplinary humanitarian engineering course. Together with our partners at Mundo Posible, we guided students as they explored an off-grid education challenge in the boat-access-only community of Barra de Lámpara near Livingston, in the state of Izabal, Guatemala, where a local school has no electricity. Access to electricity would transform learning opportunities — powering a RACHEL offline learning server, charging student laptops, and providing lighting for classrooms. Beyond enabling digital resources, reliable electricity would extend study hours, support hands-on projects, and create a safer, more vibrant school environment, giving students the tools and time to thrive academically and develop skills that can strengthen their entire community.

The team is in the process of designing a practical solar system (sized to run the RACHEL, charge 20 Chromebooks, and provide essential lighting) and developing a community-centered installation plan that prioritizes local Q’eqchi’ leadership, hands-on training, and long-term sustainability. Their work will directly inform the school solar project we plan to implement in the new year — the first of several solar projects we plan to roll out in the coming year.  

It is deeply encouraging to see young people engage so thoughtfully with both the technical and social dimensions of development. Partnerships like this give us great hope for the next generation of problem-solvers tackling global challenges with creativity, respect, and care.

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