Students in Rural Areas Lack Access to Basic Educational Infrastructure Like a Basic School Bag, a Writing Desk and a Light Source to Study. 

Millions of students worldwide have to sit on the floor in odd postures for a continuous stretch of six-eight hours, which results in back pain, bad eyesight and inability to concentrate and study.

Nine in 10 students face posture related problems at their very early age. Electricity is a major problem in rural areas. 1.3 billion people around the world still live without access to electricity. After dark most of the students study in kerosene and other fuel based lights that release significant quantities of CO2, which have been cited as a cause of everything from cancer to behavioral deficits.

Prayas’ Product designer Saurabh Bag has intelligently designed school bag ‘YELO’ made up of recyclable plastic which is a perfect low-cost durable solution as a school bag used by children, it not only helps children carry their books and study material safely (irrespective of the weather conditions) but also transforms into a school desk with a single fold technique. The desk offers an angle of 30-35 degrees for students to write and read, thus ensuring they maintain an ergonomic posture while studying.

YELO comes with a solar LED lamp with rechargeable battery in a solar kit, can be charged through solar energy as well as supports AC charging that lasts up to eight hours.

The innovative YELO bag has not only been appreciated at the state level but has also been awarded for the innovation nationally by The Department of Science & Technology of India. The bag in itself speaks a lot. Not limited nationally, the product has made its place globally too and is receiving great response from countries in Africa.

“To date we have facilitated more than 2,000 rural students nationally with help of NGO’s from different parts of India. We are looking for more collaboration with government organisations, NGO’s, corporate and other social organisations worldwide so that we can reach every single student,” says Manish Mathur, Managing Director of Prayas Innovation.

Better “World for ALL” is what YELO stands for.

Prayas Innovation is an international social enterprise that addresses the challenges faced by society in areas of energy, education and health. The company aims to improve the quality of life of people in third world countries thus forming a healthier, safer and more civilized society.

With a vision to deliver and implement need based, low cost innovative products, every day Prayas attempts to improve the quality of life through intelligent design.

The multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers and people with expertise in diverse walks of life is led by advisors and mentors who have worked with companies like Phillips and professors from renowned universities.