Ambessa Play develops educational STEM kits that spark creativity and confidence in young makers. The name Ambessa means “lion” in Eritrean and Ethiopian languages, and is used as an encouraging cheer meaning brave, strong or well done. That spirit powers the organisation’s one‑for‑one model: for every kit purchased, a displaced child out of school receives one for free.
For its debut product, a build‑it‑yourself flashlight, Ambessa Play partnered with Pentagram industrial designer Jon Marshall to design a kit that is as purposeful as it is playful. The compact, battery‑free torch runs on a dynamo system: one to two minutes of winding charges a capacitor that powers the LED for around 15 minutes, turning kinetic energy into instant illumination. Using a capacitor instead of a conventional battery keeps the device sleek in profile and avoids safety and disposal concerns linked to batteries such as leakage.
With just 10 components and 16 clear build steps, the kit transforms abstract lessons in electricity and motion into a hands‑on, tactile experience. A clip‑on handle allows rapid initial charging, while a front dial lets children keep the light topped up with a simple twist. Carefully considered details from colour‑coded, bespoke cable connectors to an extra winding handle make assembly intuitive, rewarding and memorable for small hands.
The team worked closely with Ambessa Play founder Sara Berkai and partner charities including Refugee Council and Care4Calais, co‑designing the flashlight with displaced children in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Hungary, France and the UK. Their feedback refined the final flat, pocket‑sized form, which can slip into a bag, be worn on a lanyard as a wearable light, or stand upright as a lantern for reading and study.
Launched through Kickstarter, Ambessa Play’s DIY Flashlight extends accessible, screen‑free learning opportunities to children everywhere, while delivering a vital source of light to those growing up off‑grid.
