BANDERA, Malawi — Nancy Economou is a kind, affable, middle-aged, single mother of five boys from the Chicago suburbs.

Why it matters: Her life is a leadership lesson on how ordinary people can do extraordinary things with entrepreneurial ambition and thinking.

So Economou created Watts of Love to bring safe, free, individual solar lights to tens of thousands of women, so they can work or learn at night.

Each light is a small square, fully modified for the realities of living in a remote village.

How it works: One side is the light. On the other is a sun-soaking solar panel for recharging.

It's wild to visit people who received lights months ago, and hear them tell their success stories.

I brought my two sons here to witness Nancy’s work, and help deliver and explain the lights. A lesson in leadership unfolded too — full of tips for all of us.

The big picture: The best part of the trip was watching how people light up when someone cares enough to simply show up — and show interest. A good life lesson is tucked in there.

Watch a video ... Go deeper: Why Watts of Love chose light.