“A single light can spark savings, ignite dreams, and brighten the path to prosperity.” ~ Victoria Nyanjura on the partnership between St. Bakhita Vocational Training Center and Watts of Love.
Founded by Nancy Economou with a mission to “raise people out of the darkness of poverty”, Watts of Love works with communities around the world to provide solar lighting, financial literacy training and economic empowerment. However, Nancy and her team go a step further than simply distributing lights. By developing a scalable “Lighthouse” model, and equipping local leaders to distribute lights and teach financial literacy, Watts of Love gives families the tools, knowledge and skills they need to create lasting change for themselves.
“The solar light is simply the starting point”, says Nancy, “It creates an opportunity for families to focus on financial literacy, income generation, health, and goal setting. We measure success not by the number of lights distributed but by the lives that are transformed over time.”
Nancy and her team believe in the power of education and the importance of long-term partnership when it comes to creating lasting impact. “Real transformation doesn't happen because someone receives a gift”, she says, “It happens when people have the knowledge, resources, and support to create lasting change. The solar light removes a daily financial burden by replacing expensive kerosene or batteries while our education helps families invest those savings into income-generating activities, education, nutrition, or other priorities.”
This philosophy made St. Bakhita Vocational Training Center in Kalongo, Uganda a natural partner.
In October 2025, Nancy and the Watts of Love team traveled to Northern Uganda to work with St. Bakhita leadership and establish a Lighthouse training team in Kalongo. “We [Watts of Love and St. Bakhita] share a belief that lasting transformation happens by investing in people, not just providing resources”, says Nancy on the partnership. She saw a unique opportunity to amalgamate Watts of Love’s focus on economic empowerment with St. Bakhita’s commitment to entrepreneurship and vocational education, amplifying each other’s impact. Nancy and her team were able to distribute 300 lights to the community, serving as the first installment of an eventual 5,000 lights to come.
“For many, the lights symbolized a new beginning, a chance to save, invest, and build a brighter future”, says Victoria Nyanjura, Head of School at St. Bakhita, “The program combined access to light with simplified financial literacy training and practical business ideas. Beneficiaries quickly grasped these concepts and began applying them to improve their livelihoods. The lights not only illuminated homes and huts but also shone on the path to economic progress, aligning with St. Bakhita’s goal of improving the economic prosperity of Agago people. By equipping young girls and breastfeeding mothers with skills and providing Watts of Love Light to the broader communities, the program strengthens households and foster community development.”
Nancy was particularly struck by the strong community surrounding St. Bakhita, and the investment each local member had made in the success of the students. “One of the most meaningful parts of working with Saint Bakhita was partnering with Victoria Nyanjura to train a team of local trainers that included teachers, cooks, and security staff at the school,” she says, “Many of the women we trained had strong, trusted relationships with the students and were personally committed to Saint Bakhita's mission of empowering young women. By equipping these local leaders, we knew the impact of our work would extend far beyond our time in Kalongo as they continue investing in the lives of the girls and their community every day.”
The immediate value alignment between St. Bakhita and Watts for Love made for an especially impactful partnership, one that mutually enriched each organization. “Together, we've been able to support families in ways that extend far beyond providing solar lights.”