Jacklyne Wawira
Kenya, 16
She/Her
Project: EcoGlow
Jacklyne's family lit their home in rural Kenya with kerosene lamps. She studied under streetlights to see her books, and the fumes left her sister with a chronic respiratory illness. She co-founded EcoGlow to bring safe, affordable, clean power to households and schools without reliable electricity. Built from recycled plastic, EcoGlow is a complete solar energy system paired with an app that tracks energy use and environmental impact. Student chapters across the country run the community workshops, teaching residents about sustainable energy while developing young leaders. EcoGlow has powered 100+ households and schools in five Kenyan counties, cutting plastic waste, improving public health, and offsetting 0.8 tons of carbon dioxide a year. In April 2025, Jacklyne presented EcoGlow to Kenya's President, opening partnerships with local governments. She is now scaling nationwide, pairing accessible innovation with local leadership.