For more than a decade, Tilden-Coil has proudly supported Lights for Literacy, a program of The Bourke Family Foundation dedicated to expanding educational opportunities in underserved communities around the world. Through the distribution of solar-powered lights and solar energy systems across eight Sub-Saharan African nations, as well as Haiti and Honduras, the organization has helped thousands of students gain access to safe, reliable light for studying and learning.

In 2025, Lights for Literacy invited Tilden-Coil to participate in a special demonstration project: transforming shipping containers into fully functional village libraries. The goal was to create durable, sensible, sustainable, and inventive learning spaces that could be transported to remote communities in Africa, where access to educational resources is often limited.

Two shipping containers were delivered to our yard and transformed into inspiring learning environments. Each library was upgraded with interior lighting, power outlets, windows, metal stud walls, insulation, drywall, FRP wall finishes, folding desks, swinging privacy panels, and flooring. Designed to withstand challenging conditions while providing a safe and welcoming space for students, these libraries will be shipped overseas along with books and solar equipment for use in their destination communities.

This meaningful project would not have been possible without the generous support of our trade partners, Caston Inc. and Continental Flooring. Their donation of labor, materials, and time played a vital role in bringing these libraries to life. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and commitment to giving back.

We would also like to recognize Jordan Dennis and Sam Vazquez for their leadership, management, and volunteer efforts in guiding this project from concept to completion.

Together, these contributions are creating more than buildings; they are creating opportunities. By investing in education, hope, and access to knowledge, we are helping children learn, grow, and dream of a brighter future for generations to come.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to serve.

We Exist to Serve by Shaping Futures.