MVUTO LIGHT

OVERVIEW

The conclusion of my undergraduate degree was dedicated to a year-long capstone project. This project began with an investigation into the lack of safe, reliable, and affordable lighting in the Maasai communities of Longido, Tanzania. Through research and on-site fieldwork, I observed that families often rely on wood fires for illumination - limiting nighttime study, daily tasks, and overall wellbeing. This led to the development of Mvuto Light, a sustainable gravity-powered system that produces real-time lighting without batteries or complex electronics. The design was refined through prototyping, community feedback, and collaboration with local partners to ensure it could be manufactured, assembled, and repaired using accessible materials.