Love for family and country was at the root of Mike Bellot’s efforts to develop a solar powered back pack that provided lighting for readers. Its illuminating function was spawned by the death of Bellot’s cousin who perished after a candle providing his only source of light by which to study caused a house fire. Knowing that electricity is available to less than 40% of Haiti’s population, Bellot—who was in Taiwan studying for a master’s degree when his cousin died—directed his attention to designing the Solo backpack.
Launched in 2018, the innovative backpack has been lighting the way for many in Haiti as a source of safe, no-cost, portable energy. To learn more about the creative efforts of a young Black entrepreneur who turned tragedy into triumph, click here.