Fortune Joshua is 12 years old and studies at Springfield International Academy an underserved school in Aba, Nigeria. She spoke to us about the experience that has reshaped her ambitions for the future: Sparkwise Initiative. When she joined the school business two years ago, she had different plans for her career.

“Before, I wanted to be a lawyer,” she explains. “But through this training, I now want to be a solar engineer.”

Sparkwise Initiative is a student-led school business that collects discarded plastic and electronic waste and transforms them into practical products such as solar lanterns, solar-powered fans and rechargeable torches. By repurposing waste materials, students create affordable clean energy solutions for their school and surrounding communities.

In their local area, many households have limited or unreliable access to electricity. For some families, this means children struggle to complete homework after dark. Through Sparkwise, students are not only learning technical skills - they are helping to address a real need.

“What made me join the business is because they bring clean energy to villages and students.”

Through structured, hands-on training from her STEM teacher and CleanTech Innovator, Ebenezer Anyadiegwu - winner of the School Enterprise Challenge Global Most Inspiring Educator Award 2024¹ - Fortune learned how to build fans, lanterns and torch lights. What makes this learning powerful is that it does not stay in the classroom. The products she helps build are sold and used in real homes, meaning she sees the direct value of her work in the community.

Learning beyond the classroom

Fortune currently serves as Secretary of the business, a role she earned through her “active participation.” She records meeting minutes and helps organise discussions, strengthening her sense of responsibility, organisation and confidence.

But her favourite part of Sparkwise is clear: - "Training, acquiring and producing clean solar light for students and villages".

Like any real enterprise, Sparkwise presents challenges. Collecting discarded plastic can be difficult, and products sometimes need repairing before they function properly. In those moments, the team works together. “We collaborate,” Fortune explains.

These experiences have strengthened her problem-solving skills and resilience. She has already applied her learning beyond school, repairing her own fan at home and sharing her knowledge of solar energy and recycling with her friends and family.

Before Sparkwise, Fortune says there was little to no access to clean energy in her area. Now, she sees herself as part of the solution.

"I would like to be an innovator in solar technology to bring clean energy to every home."

The technical skills she has gained - alongside business experience and leadership - have expanded what she believes is possible. "The knowledge I gain from the training will help me in any business and my future ambition of being a solar engineer."

At just 12 years old, Fortune is not only dreaming about change, she is also learning how to build it.

¹ The Most Inspiring Educator Award is presented annually as part of the School Enterprise Challenge Global Awards. In 2024, 2,227 teachers worldwide participated in the programme, making this a highly competitive international recognition. This year’s celebration event will take place in April 2026.