Chasing The Sun: A Solar Powered Adventure

Bringing Light & Learning to Tanzania: A Solar Suitcase Initiative

Hello, my name is Monika Okula, and I am a high school science teacher in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. I am leading a transformative educational and humanitarian project that connects STEM education, renewable energy, and global impact—and I need your support to bring it to life.

The Mission: Light for Learning

In our solar energy class, my students built five Solar Suitcases—portable, compact solar energy systems designed by We Share Solar, whose mission is “to equip teachers to educate and inspire the next generation of Solar Solutionaries with real-world impact.” These systems, equipped with solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, and LED lighting, provide safe and sustainable electricity to off-grid locations.

From July 24th through August 7th, my friend Samantha Van Zandt and I will be traveling to Tanzania for a little over two weeks to personally deliver these five Solar Suitcases to schools in the Maasai Village of Terrat. This initiative will bring much-needed power to students and educators, allowing them to study and teach in ways that were previously impossible.

This project builds on the inspiring work of We Share Solar (the education program of the organization We Care Solar) and the RUCOSUO Foundation, which has been electrifying rural Maasai schools since 2018. The first Solar Suitcase installation powered 7 out of 23 rural schools, changing the lives of countless students. But the work is not done. Many more schools and health centers still lack electricity, and we are committed to continuing this effort.

With your help, we will deliver five more Solar Suitcases to the Maasai Village, bringing reliable energy to schools that desperately need it.

️ Watch this short video from the first Solar Suitcase installation in Tanzania: https://vimeo.com/259022991

Why This Matters

This project is more than just delivering electricity—it’s about empowerment, education, and action.

For Tanzanian Students & Teachers – Electricity allows students to study after dark, enhances classroom learning, and provides educators with better teaching tools. Reliable energy brings hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.

For My Community & My Growth as an Educator – This journey will allow me to share knowledge with Tanzanian educators while also gaining valuable professional development. I plan to integrate this experience into my science curriculum, helping students understand global sustainability and humanitarian work in a meaningful way.

Expanding the Impact: Wildlife & Conservation Education

Beyond delivering the Solar Suitcases, I will also take part in an educational wildlife and conservation safari as part of my professional development. This experience will enrich my teaching with lessons on biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable practices—concepts I will integrate into my future curricula to inspire students to think globally. My goal is to help students understand how environmental science, renewable energy, and humanitarian work are all connected.

Joining me is Samantha Van Zandt, a friend who studies social work and art therapy in Seward, Alaska. She will gain valuable insights from this experience and bring her knowledge back to her own community, extending the reach of our journey beyond just Tanzania.

What We Need & How You Can Help

The Solar Suitcases have already been funded and built, but we need support for the final step: travel, lodging, and logistics to bring this project to life. We are seeking $10,000 to cover the cost for both participants.

Donate – Every contribution helps bring light and education to these communities.

Share – Spread the word with your network to help us reach our goal!

Connect – If you know of grants or organizations that could help, let us know!

How This Benefits Our Sponsors & Partners

All supporters will be recognized and acknowledged in our:

Promotional materials

Community outreach presentations

Media coverage and educational publications

This initiative is not just a trip—it’s a movement that inspires students, uplifts communities, and creates lasting change. To me, this project represents everything I believe in as an educator—the power of hands-on learning, the impact of sustainable solutions, and the incredible potential of young people to change the world.

With your support, we can bring light, learning, and opportunity to students in Tanzania while empowering the next generation of global changemakers.

✨ Thank you for believing in this mission! ✨