At Maison Béthanie NGO in Lomé, electricity is more than a basic service. It helps caregivers protect children, care for babies at night, and provide a safe place for learning.
The centre supports 92 vulnerable children, including more than 20 babies. But frequent power outages make daily life difficult. When the electricity goes out, bedrooms and corridors become dark, fans stop working, children cannot study, and caregivers must rely on phones or small flashlights.
For Constant, This Need Is Personal
RefugeRoot co-founder Constant Sossoulo lived without electricity for approximately 20 years.
He remembers studying with limited light and organizing daily life around darkness. Those years taught him that electricity is not only about comfort. For a child, it can mean more time to study, greater safety at night, and the freedom to continue learning after sunset.
Today, when Constant sees the children of Maison Béthanie facing similar challenges, he sees a part of his own story. But he also sees an opportunity to give these children access to something he grew up without.
“I lived without electricity for nearly 20 years. I know how darkness can limit a child’s ability to learn. We now have an opportunity to give the children of Maison Béthanie the light, safety and hope every child deserves.”
— Constant Sossoulo, Co-founder of RefugeRoot
When the Power Goes Out
Power outages affect almost every part of daily life at Maison Béthanie.
Caregivers need light to look after babies during the night. Children need ventilation during hot evenings. Students need a safe place to read and complete their schoolwork. The Keys of Hope music program also needs a functional environment where lessons can continue without being interrupted by darkness.
For a home caring for so many children, reliable electricity is not a luxury. It is part of providing safety, dignity and consistent care
A Sustainable Alternative Source of Electricity
Maison Béthanie urgently needs a reliable alternative electricity system, ideally combining solar panels, batteries and an inverter.
The first priority would be to provide power for essential lighting, the babies’ care areas, security lights, fans, communication equipment, classrooms and the spaces used for educational and music activities.
RefugeRoot Foundation of Canada is seeking donors, renewable-energy companies, technical experts and community partners who can help assess, supply or finance this system.
Help Us Keep the Lights On
For Constant, this project represents something simple but powerful: giving children access to the light he grew up without.
Together, we can help Maison Béthanie remain safe, active and full of hope—even when the national power supply goes out.
Your contribution, technical expertise, equipment donation or connection to a renewable-energy partner could help turn this urgent need into a lasting solution.
