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  14. <description>Gadgets in Africa: Solving everyday problems with African ingenuity</description>
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  31. <title>AfriGadget.com relaunch</title>
  32. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2018/06/22/afrigadget-com-relaunch/</link>
  33. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2018/06/22/afrigadget-com-relaunch/#respond</comments>
  35. <dc:creator><![CDATA[JKE]]></dc:creator>
  36. <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2018 01:35:26 +0000</pubDate>
  37. <category><![CDATA[AfriGadget]]></category>
  38. <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
  39. <category><![CDATA[relaunch]]></category>
  40. <category><![CDATA[strategy]]></category>
  41. <category><![CDATA[website]]></category>
  42. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1740</guid>
  43.  
  44. <description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re back online with our old blog! What started in 2006 by Erik Hersman, founder/co-founder of Ushahidi.com, Brck.com and other ventures, was quickly turned into a group blog, which featured various authors from around the world. Our mission: To showcase innovative humans who come up with different solutions to problems in environments that lack industry &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2018/06/22/afrigadget-com-relaunch/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "AfriGadget.com relaunch"</span></a>]]></description>
  45. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;re back online with our old blog! What started in 2006 by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Hersman" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Erik Hersman</a>, founder/co-founder of <a href="https://www.ushahidi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ushahidi.com</a>, <a href="https://www.brck.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brck.com</a> and other ventures, was quickly turned into a group blog, which featured <a href="http://www.afrigadget.com/about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">various authors</a> from around the world. Our mission: To showcase innovative humans who come up with different solutions to problems in environments that lack industry norms, access to professional tools, a supply of the right materials or just anything that is not made in a factory.</p>
  46. <p>In Kenya, where most of our authors grew up or live in, this approach to problem solving is often called <em>&#8220;jua kali&#8221;</em>, as in <em>&#8220;working under the hot sun&#8221;</em>. Steve Daniels, former advisor at the now defunct Makeshift magazine, created a wonderful paper called &#8220;<a href="https://issuu.com/steveddaniels/docs/makingdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Making Do – Innovation in Kenya&#8217;s Informal Sector</a>&#8221; in 2010 on this innovative culture that we never really mentioned on this blog:</p>
  47. <p><a href="https://issuu.com/steveddaniels/docs/makingdo"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1859" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Making-Do-Innovation-in-Kenya-s-Informal-Economy-by-Steve-Daniels-Issuu-600x392.png" alt="making do" width="600" height="392" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Making-Do-Innovation-in-Kenya-s-Informal-Economy-by-Steve-Daniels-Issuu-600x392.png 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Making-Do-Innovation-in-Kenya-s-Informal-Economy-by-Steve-Daniels-Issuu-768x502.png 768w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Making-Do-Innovation-in-Kenya-s-Informal-Economy-by-Steve-Daniels-Issuu.png 885w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></a></p>
  48. <p>AfriGadget.com wouldn&#8217;t exist without this jua kali spirit, and it doesn&#8217;t matter if you <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jugaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">live in India and call it &#8220;<strong>jugaad</strong>&#8220;</a>, heard about <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/isolation-generation-master-inventors-cuba" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the DIY culture in Cuba</a> during the Castro years or experience all of this resourcefulness yourself when you live in an economy of scarcity and need to solve a problem. AfriGadget was and still is our answer to showcase that <strong>in a world of norms, patents, regional, financial and other restrictions, people are able to change objects and create something new out of them.</strong> It also is a testament to the maker culture that has always been around.</p>
  49. <h2>AfriGadgetimoja</h2>
  50. <p>Back in 2005, we quickly came up with the term &#8220;AfriGadget&#8221;, as gadget blogs were the latest trend back then and we wanted to show to the world that even on the African continent there are a lot of nice &#8220;gadgets&#8221; that spice up your life.</p>
  51. <p>Also, many of the innovations (!= inventions) aren&#8217;t an Africa-only thing. <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2007/06/21/the-knife-sharpening-bicycle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The knife-sharpening bicycle</a>, for example, one of our popular posts in 2007, talks about a bike that is also used to propell a grinding stone. This bike may be Made in China, the setup may be locally assembled, but is this really an &#8220;African&#8221; invention &#8211; as it is equally found in other parts of the world? We don&#8217;t know. And there are a lot of other cool things on the internet in 2018 that may not originate from Africa, but perfectly fit the AfriGadget frame.</p>
  52. <h2>Backups, Backups, Backups&#8230;</h2>
  53. <p>This site went offline in 2016 due to administrative and technical issues with the website host. Some data was lost, the last undeleted backup is from 2012. Yes, you should always keep your backups.</p>
  54. <p>We love this blog, the shared stories and often missed linking back to some older content on this blog, so we urgently needed to relaunch this site. We have meanwhile managed to redirect the domain to a new server and are now in the process of slowly recovering old content and will set up a new template. Which means that this website is <strong>still under construction</strong> and if things aren&#8217;t the way they should be or if something important is missing, then please <a href="http://www.afrigadget.com/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a> – thank you!</p>
  55. <h2>Our platforms</h2>
  56. <p>We are active on four different platforms: <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/afrigadget/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/afrigadget_com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, and on <a href="https://twitter.com/afrigadget" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter provide us with global audiences that don&#8217;t have to be directed to a single blog somewhere on the internet. Also, there used to be this service called <strong>zero.facebook.com</strong> which allowed users in certain countries <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_Zero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to access Facebook free of mobile data charges</a>. This in itself is already an interesting observation and a topic for AfriGadget (that someone else should write about &#8211; maybe you?), as user behaviour changes when services are free of charge vs. cost money. &#8220;A peculiar calling habit&#8221;, as the <a href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000072201/michael-joseph-was-spot-on-over-our-peculiar-habits" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">former CEO of a huge telecommunications provider in Kenya once called it</a>, is the result of such financial limits that have a huge<strong> impact on how people buy, use and recycle products</strong>. Likewise, our Facebook audience is different from the other audiences on this website or even Twitter.</p>
  57. <p>Talking about audiences, there was a popular TV show on Kenyan TV in 2017 that used our tagline, our logo and reported nice stories from Kenya. Unfortunately, we are in <strong>no way affiliated with the tv show</strong>, the producers never replied to our mails and on the other hand viewers kept on contacting us via Facebook, asking about the products that were showcased on the show. We&#8217;d love to help, but we just don&#8217;t know better. Sharing is caring. Some producers apparently don&#8217;t care. The show is great though and features some of our content that we wrote about in the past:</p>
  58. <p><iframe title="AFRIGADGET TEASER" width="840" height="473" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/99o_XquE5LQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
  59. <h2>Low Tech vs. High Tech</h2>
  60. <p>Whenever we presented AfriGadget to other audiences, we also talked about Ushahidi.com which enabled the iHub in Kenya, a coworking / innovation hub, and we also mentioned all <a href="http://www.afrilabs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the other hubs</a> that came up in the last few years. We talked about <strong>digital projects</strong> that are created in Africa but we never really mentioned them on this blog. <strong>AfriGadgets aren&#8217;t limited to low tech solutions</strong>. In fact, there are a lot of very smart things that happen in the digital sphere that could also be termed as AfriGadgets. And not only software tricks that are never published due to software patents or because only a few people understand the magic of programming code. We also talk about business ideas that work in African socities because they target the local user/consumer behaviour. All of those things are AfriGadgets to us. So whenever we mention AfriGadgets, we don&#8217;t limit this to some Made-in-Africa wire toy cars (which are great, also because they are the complete opposite to the ex-cathedra teaching still found in many schools, i.e. studying vs. being creative and doing something). <strong>AfriGadgets are local solutions to local problems.</strong> This site exists to show them to the world.</p>
  61. <p>Still, the low-tech approach is near and dear to us, and one of our favourite sites online is the <a href="https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Low-Tech Magazine</a> that features a reasonable approach to anything low-tech, has lots of detailed information and asks the right questions. Where we only scratch the surface and deliver the audience, the Low-Tech Magazine goes into detail.</p>
  62. <h2>You!</h2>
  63. <p>AfriGadget also exists because people from all over the world have in the past contributed interesting stories. We got <a href="https://boingboing.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">boingboing&#8217;ed</a>  a few times and always appreciated being part of a global community that understands the importance of documented innovations. AfriGadget has always been a group blog and we will gladly post your story as a guests blog post. There is a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/afrigadget/pool/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flickr group</a> that pools very interesting and original AfriGadget material. Some of the photos turn into stories, other are just interesting to watch or are tagged accordingly. There is so much material out there, and in the begining, many contributers wondered why we are sharing normal things that can be found in any African village. Well, to some people they may be normal, to others they are very strange. Which is why we want to encourage you sharing stories, photos, videos, and comments on everything AfriGadget. Just <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact us</a>!</p>
  64. <h3>eMail subscriptions</h3>
  65. <p>If you have previously subscribed to AfriGadget.com using an eMail subscription service such as Google&#8217;s Feedburner service, please note that we have lost login data to that service and can not provide any assistance to that and/or change anything about it. In case of doubt, please cancel your subscription and <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/feed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">use our RSS-feed instead</a>. Thank you!</p>
  66. ]]></content:encoded>
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  69. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  72. </item>
  73. <item>
  74. <title>The DIY Three-Wheeler</title>
  75. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2015/08/29/the-diy-three-wheeler/</link>
  76. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2015/08/29/the-diy-three-wheeler/#respond</comments>
  78. <dc:creator><![CDATA[JKE]]></dc:creator>
  79. <pubDate>Sat, 29 Aug 2015 03:15:06 +0000</pubDate>
  80. <category><![CDATA[Toys]]></category>
  81. <category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
  82. <category><![CDATA[cart]]></category>
  83. <category><![CDATA[gocart]]></category>
  84. <category><![CDATA[kids]]></category>
  85. <category><![CDATA[toy]]></category>
  86. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1753</guid>
  87.  
  88. <description><![CDATA[Kevin Becker recently moved to Kenya and built this great DIY three-wheeler for his son. “My son wants to be outside all of the time. This three-wheel cart allows him to pedal himself around like Fred Flintstone, or I can push him from behind with the handle. The larger wheels are good for the rough &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2015/08/29/the-diy-three-wheeler/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "The DIY Three-Wheeler"</span></a>]]></description>
  89. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Kevin Becker recently moved to Kenya and built this great DIY three-wheeler for his son.</p>
  90. <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1606 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11935091_10154214333853289_540469649481711385_n.jpg" alt="diy three wheeler" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11935091_10154214333853289_540469649481711385_n.jpg 960w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11935091_10154214333853289_540469649481711385_n-600x450.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11935091_10154214333853289_540469649481711385_n-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></p>
  91. <blockquote><p>“My son wants to be outside all of the time. This three-wheel cart allows him to pedal himself around like Fred Flintstone, or I can push him from behind with the handle. The larger wheels are good for the rough terrain on our farm. He can turn the front wheel to steer himself, or I can tilt the cart back so the front wheel is off the ground when I need to steer.”</p></blockquote>
  92. <p>The Three-Wheeler in action:</p>
  93. <div style="width: 320px;" class="wp-video"><!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('video');</script><![endif]-->
  94. <video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-1753-1" width="320" height="568" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/video-1440795606.mp4.mp4?_=1" /><a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/video-1440795606.mp4.mp4">https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/video-1440795606.mp4.mp4</a></video></div>
  95. <blockquote><p>“Except for the wood, I used parts that I had on hand which I brought with me from the U.S., but I’m sure everything could be found here in Kenya. The wheels came from golf club bag carts, but any spare wheels, around 10″ diameter, should work. The rear handle and front wheel support are made from 1″ PVC. The front handle is 3/4″ PVC.The seat is a piece of spongy foam used for padding your knees when doing yard work.”</p></blockquote>
  96. <h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1603 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11898519_10154214333163289_8171982269154789587_n.jpg" alt="diy three wheeler" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11898519_10154214333163289_8171982269154789587_n.jpg 960w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11898519_10154214333163289_8171982269154789587_n-600x450.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11898519_10154214333163289_8171982269154789587_n-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></h3>
  97. <h3>Parts list</h3>
  98. <p>1 – 5″ angle bracket<br />
  99. approx 10′ of 1″ PVC pipe<br />
  100. approx 2′ of 3/4″ PVC pipe<br />
  101. 4 – 1″ PVC T-joints<br />
  102. 2 – 1″ PVC 90° joints<br />
  103. 1 – 1″x3/4″x3/4″ PVC T-joint<br />
  104. 2 – 3/4″ PVC 45° joint<br />
  105. 2 – 3/4″ PVC end caps<br />
  106. 1 – foam pad<br />
  107. 4 – 1″ washers to attach the foam<br />
  108. 1 – 19″ 2×4 board<br />
  109. 1 – 21″ 2×4 board<br />
  110. 1 – 12″ 1×2 board<br />
  111. 2 – 16″ 1×2 boards<br />
  112. assorted screws and bolts as needed</p>
  113. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1609 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11937011_10154217606003289_874952145_n.jpg" alt="diy three wheeler" width="720" height="960" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11937011_10154217606003289_874952145_n.jpg 720w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11937011_10154217606003289_874952145_n-375x500.jpg 375w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></p>
  114. <p>Let’s see how long it will take until this is replicated in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ongata_Rongai" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ongata Rongai</a>!</p>
  115. ]]></content:encoded>
  117. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2015/08/29/the-diy-three-wheeler/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  118. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  120. <enclosure url="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/video-1440795606.mp4.mp4" length="1748463" type="video/mp4" />
  121.  
  122. </item>
  123. <item>
  124. <title>A Tablet for Africa?</title>
  125. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/</link>
  126. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/#respond</comments>
  128. <dc:creator><![CDATA[AG-author]]></dc:creator>
  129. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 06:55:21 +0000</pubDate>
  130. <category><![CDATA[Books]]></category>
  131. <category><![CDATA[Innovator Series]]></category>
  132. <category><![CDATA[book]]></category>
  133. <category><![CDATA[Egypt]]></category>
  134. <category><![CDATA[Kickstarter]]></category>
  135. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1771</guid>
  136.  
  137. <description><![CDATA[Guest post by Jay Cousins: For many of you reading this, the title of this article might lead you to a vision of one laptop per child – or some other Silicon Valley vision of progress for Africa. The technology I wish to discuss is slower and simpler. Full disclosure: it’s my invention. The Betabook &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "A Tablet for Africa?"</span></a>]]></description>
  138. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Guest post by <a href="https://jaycousins.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jay Cousins</a>:</p>
  139. <p>For many of you reading this, the title of this article might lead you to a vision of <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21552202">one laptop per child</a> – or some other Silicon Valley vision of progress for Africa.</p>
  140. <p>The technology I wish to discuss is slower and simpler. Full disclosure: it’s my invention.</p>
  141. <p>The Betabook is a portable whiteboard, which can be used with a smartphone for archiving, content creation, and social media sharing.</p>
  142. <p>During my time in Egypt working with the <a href="http://icehubs.com/">icehubs</a> network, I tested the initial prototypes. Uses in this context included:</p>
  143. <ul>
  144. <li>Translation – through drawings (and the written text of others) I’ve been able to communicate with Deaf Egyptians in Aswan and others who cannot speak English.</li>
  145. <li>Improved communication – visual aids, allow for clearer communication of objectives or ideas</li>
  146. </ul>
  147. <figure id="attachment_1631" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1631" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1631 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-1_760px.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="1013" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-1_760px.jpg 760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-1_760px-375x500.jpg 375w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1631" class="wp-caption-text">Part’s list for Air Quality Kit – Preparing for a Hackidemia workshop in Alexandria – see previous post for outcomes.</figcaption></figure>
  148. <ul>
  149. <li>Note taking during field work, and archiving using my smartphone</li>
  150. <li>Annotation of photos as a form of resource documentation.</li>
  151. </ul>
  152. <figure id="attachment_1637" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1637" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1637 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-3_760px.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="570" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-3_760px.jpg 760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-3_760px-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1637" class="wp-caption-text">A visual model of the problems of land inheritance in Egypt, along with potential solution.</figcaption></figure>
  153. <ul>
  154. <li>Creating an illustrated children’s story with my wife (story by me, illustrations by Zeinab)</li>
  155. </ul>
  156. <figure id="attachment_1634" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1634" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1634" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-2_760px.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="555" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-2_760px.jpg 760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/photo-2_760px-600x438.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1634" class="wp-caption-text">I found the Betabook to be an invaluable tool, and something I could share and use freely with my peers. Asking collaborators to “draw it for me” allowed for clearer communication, and easy creation of new ideas.</figcaption></figure>
  157. <p>Three deaf brothers I used it with in Aswan liked it so much we decided to do a spontaneous workshop to show them how to make their own.</p>
  158.  
  159. <a href='https://www.afrigadget.com/magic4_760px/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/magic4_760px-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" /></a>
  160. <a href='https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/magicjh/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/magicjh-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" /></a>
  161. <a href='https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/magic5/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/magic5-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" /></a>
  162.  
  163. <figure id="attachment_1616" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1616" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1616" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_11_small.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="506" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_11_small.jpg 760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_11_small-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1616" class="wp-caption-text">Early prototype showing difference between readily available plastic and custom created.</figcaption></figure>
  164. <p>We used locally sourced plastic sheet – not as good as our custom material but enough for their needs.</p>
  165. <p>I hope that the project can also serve as inspiration, demonstrating that Technology need not always be digital. This project started in a bedroom with a pair of scissors, and developed in the open.</p>
  166. <figure id="attachment_1613" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1613" style="width: 760px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-1613" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_10_small.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="507" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_10_small.jpg 760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Betabook_10_small-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1613" class="wp-caption-text">An early prototype built from an old notebook, some plastic sheet and some tape using a pair of scissors.</figcaption></figure>
  167. <p>Since the end of my contract we have funded the product on <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kickstarter.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130864000&amp;usg=AFQjCNESLGk7iSml4hwyGQ3ufpqQr7PWoQ">Kickstarter</a>. I’m pleased to report it’s been enthusiastically received by the Egyptian Market.</p>
  168. <p>We recognise the current price of the Betabook makes it less accessible to all tiers of the African market. To address potential demand we are making our material available for people to produce their own. We are also encouraging group buying to reduce postage costs.</p>
  169. <p>For Hubs which already use new process models such as:</p>
  170. <ul>
  171. <li>Graphic Facilitation</li>
  172. <li>Open Space</li>
  173. <li>Hackathons</li>
  174. <li>Service Design Workshops</li>
  175. <li>Business Canvas Workshops</li>
  176. </ul>
  177. <p>The Betabook offers the opportunity to reduce long term material costs and generate additional income streams.</p>
  178. <p>There are lots of discussions about localised production within various hubs and organisations. We can see the potential of local micro-businesses to profit from producing their own versions of the Betabook. We’re interested to connect with communities who upcycle local waste. Collaboration with local artisans could also lead to unique product offerings.</p>
  179. <p>While its too early for us to get this network of producers up and running at this point, we are eager to gage the demand for this model. Please feel free to <a title="Betabook Africa" href="mailto:thatcousinsboy@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">get in touch</a> if you’d like to be one of the first to know when we are ready to take this conversation further.</p>
  180. ]]></content:encoded>
  182. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/12/22/a-tablet-for-africa/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  183. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  186. </item>
  187. <item>
  188. <title>SK8OPIA – Skate Ethiopia</title>
  189. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/24/sk8opia-skate-ethiopia/</link>
  190. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/24/sk8opia-skate-ethiopia/#comments</comments>
  192. <dc:creator><![CDATA[AG-author]]></dc:creator>
  193. <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2014 14:58:02 +0000</pubDate>
  194. <category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
  195. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1775</guid>
  196.  
  197. <description><![CDATA[These are great news from our Ethiopia-based partner iceaddis: a student recently designed a new wheel for skateboards that can be produced in Ethiopia – made and designed in Africa. Reinventing the wheel? Eh! Bauhaus product design student Daniel Scheidler presented his bachelor project on affordable and locally appropriate vehicles for individual transport in Ethiopia. Through &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/24/sk8opia-skate-ethiopia/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "SK8OPIA – Skate Ethiopia"</span></a>]]></description>
  198. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1650" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-01-1024x739.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="739" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-01-1024x739.jpg 1024w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-01-1024x739-600x433.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-01-1024x739-768x554.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></p>
  199. <p>These are great news from our Ethiopia-based partner <a href="http://www.iceaddis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.iceaddis.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130876000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFKS2PrO5aCA5DDHrVmZazBhTGvYg">iceaddis</a>: a student recently designed a new wheel for skateboards that can be produced in Ethiopia – made and designed in Africa. Reinventing the wheel? Eh!</p>
  200. <blockquote><p>Bauhaus product design student Daniel Scheidler presented his bachelor project on affordable and locally appropriate vehicles for individual transport in Ethiopia. Through extensive field research in Addis Ababa, Daniel concluded that new roads of good quality have been built across the city and the country, but owning a car is still far too costly for the great majority of the population, while the public transport system (buses &amp; taxis) on the other hand is overcrowded. Derived from personal experience in the <a href="http://www.iceaddis.com/2013/04/02/diy-skateboard-ramps-workshop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.iceaddis.com/2013/04/02/diy-skateboard-ramps-workshop/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130876000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHvgUM21aJ44PFOiCeFBotiZg1OOQ">skateboard scene</a>, Daniel’s proposed solution is a locally adapted type of skateboard, as a viable option for the daily transport needs of the urban masses.</p></blockquote>
  201. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1670" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-01.jpg" alt="" width="5760" height="4160" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-01.jpg 5760w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-01-600x433.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-01-768x555.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></p>
  202. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1671" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-05-1024x739.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="739" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-05-1024x739.jpg 1024w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-05-1024x739-600x433.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/wheel-05-1024x739-768x554.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></p>
  203. <blockquote><p>Of central importance to the concept is the wheel, which was especially designed for easy production with <strong>locally available materials</strong>. Up until now, any complete wheel on the Ethiopian market, be it for bicycles, wheelchairs or skateboards, has been an expensive import from abroad. Daniel’s prototype relies on a core out of spray foam insulation, cast with a reusable mold and supported by a fiberglass coating and leather or rubber from used tires. The wheel design is meant to be gradually enhanced and adapted through the iterative process of small-scale local manufacturing.</p></blockquote>
  204. <p>See it all in action here (@ 01:33):</p>
  205. <p><iframe loading="lazy" width="840" height="473" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VOBNvO_eD8Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
  206. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1654" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-04-1024x739.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="739" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-04-1024x739.jpg 1024w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-04-1024x739-600x433.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/SK8OPIA-04-1024x739-768x554.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></p>
  207. <p>(<a href="http://icebauhaus.com/sk8opia-affordable-individual-transport-in-ethiopia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://icebauhaus.com/sk8opia-affordable-individual-transport-in-ethiopia/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130876000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGsVPzu0J4Wnu2sbLKa57sOC8eY7g">via icebauhaus</a>, thx!)</p>
  208. ]]></content:encoded>
  210. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/24/sk8opia-skate-ethiopia/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  211. <slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
  214. </item>
  215. <item>
  216. <title>Maker Faire Africa comes to Jo’Burg</title>
  217. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/08/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/</link>
  218. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/08/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/#respond</comments>
  220. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Erik Hersman]]></dc:creator>
  221. <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:36:37 +0000</pubDate>
  222. <category><![CDATA[AfriGadget]]></category>
  223. <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
  224. <category><![CDATA[Competition]]></category>
  225. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1778</guid>
  226.  
  227. <description><![CDATA[Maker Faire Africa was first held in Ghana in 2009, then Kenya 2010, Egypt 2011, Nigeria 2012 and now in South Africa 2014. It’s been an amazing thing to be a part of, and the best is to be there and see the local ingenuity, the practical inventions that are made by some of the smartest &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/08/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Maker Faire Africa comes to Jo’Burg"</span></a>]]></description>
  228. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://makerfaireafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://makerfaireafrica.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130888000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGHLO0p-2dymVSBPUz3S-0saY8SHA">Maker Faire Africa</a> was first held in Ghana in 2009, then Kenya 2010, Egypt 2011, Nigeria 2012 and now in South Africa 2014. It’s been an amazing thing to be a part of, and the best is to be there and see the local ingenuity, the practical inventions that are made by some of the smartest and scrappiest people in Africa.</p>
  229. <p><a href="http://makerfaireafrica.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://makerfaireafrica.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130888000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGHLO0p-2dymVSBPUz3S-0saY8SHA"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter m_-6086971035614610036wp-image-1904 m_-6086971035614610036size-medium CToWUd" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fug2H_C7ZGyWpA4QYjf5nMkbR9KKB1tE5XZV0GopXrHo3w1fUwiaUxmhL3X0bwgIMp-T-YHDksCsxoTAUAHlLLjNC00xKc5txS2sgPNmYzd30CRD2L_A1VJWEgUp9YdaLbPmF1nAOYCuztnKwf9_fVQb=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/MFA2014-Announcement1-1024x725-600x424.jpg" alt="Maker Faire Africa 2014" width="600" height="424" /></a></p>
  230. <p>Makers from across Africa will join ZA Makers for 4-days of meet-ups, mash-ups, workshops, and seed-starting ideas for new collaborations in open innovation across the continent.</p>
  231. <p><strong>When:</strong> Sept 3-6, 2014<br />
  232. <strong>Where:</strong> WITS (University of the Witwatersrand), exact location TBD<br />
  233. <strong>Who:</strong> You + all the other Makers, just sign up</p>
  234. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter m_-6086971035614610036size-full m_-6086971035614610036wp-image-1905 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/0b4VtLPesLSUTVHrfZ5hnQ3DiBpZ_L3MuAeTESLHxHRbzMhbHd1IrbIi0I_oHzenCPVXhIrdW2xMCD4S8s945_vl6UAKKbz09Ri_JU2QmW_poX7FdBzf0GNgz5SKmykEUCnFrISTK2bESjH8TX3yVnTL444p=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/makerFaireAfrica-popup-makerspace-600x426.png" alt="Maker Faire Pop-Up Makerspace" width="600" height="426" /></p>
  235. <p>Maker Faire Africa 2014 will bring together over 5,000 attendees, along with featured inventors, world-class makers, self-made entrepreneurs &amp; workshop experts from South Africa, across the continent, and around the world, to manufacture real solutions for some of Africa’s most pressing challenges &amp; opportunities in the areas of agriculture, health, education, power, and more. Whether your interest lies in technology, engineering, science, humanities, design or fabrication, you’ll find the best grouping of enthusiastic hardware innovators at MFA 2014.</p>
  236. <p>At the heart of the Maker Faire Africa Community experience is our <strong>Pop-Up Maker Space</strong> – facilitated through a collaboration between local hackerspaces &amp; volunteers and visiting world-class makers. Open the full length of the faire, it caters to all ages, skill levels, and interests. Visitors can organize their own impromptu maker projects using available tools &amp; supplies, attend demonstrations such as 3D-Printing Indigenous Patterns, Light Up Your Gele, or Strawberry DNA Extraction, or participate in supervised workshops such as Learn to Solder, Solar Energy for Personal Power, Microelectronics 101 or AfriRobotics for Beginners.</p>
  237. <p>MFA is structured to encourage visitors to actively make, not just observe. We integrate students and professionals alongside informal inventors in a way not happening elsewhere across Africa.</p>
  238. <div id="m_-6086971035614610036attachment_1906" class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter m_-6086971035614610036size-full m_-6086971035614610036wp-image-1906 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/NOcvZiRIieGCbjNzFLns3xKabWyibSQY0AwXD3Y9ZQDZUzgNRcz0iA1GiUhR7clgTenqaIb5LsGw8CmzX7dC3oRMxPjszjxMQUM0eb1FRxWxdTmh6PeFUTf4CDTA22VD5Ym-huBEFpReFQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/girls-mfa-nigeria-2012-600x450.jpg" alt="Some school girl makers in Nigeria 2012" width="600" height="450" /></p>
  239. <p class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption-text">Some school girl makers in Nigeria 2012</p>
  240. </div>
  241. <div id="m_-6086971035614610036attachment_1908" class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter m_-6086971035614610036size-full m_-6086971035614610036wp-image-1908 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/aA2vToqj8uwA2eE1eO-kSFFwiIHVouLjO6XgOW7t4KjkWfiE5pmbZM73EZMRa-LX65OJ9zTvaZFRXfBrPhQcQxZKL5atSCeqKNalOEZmXK196XHO4YUdLOZ-b6rdRafFo5SsNVWdzgFW=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toys-mfa-nigeria-2012-600x450.jpg" alt="Handmade hydraulic toys at MFA 2012 in Nigeria" width="600" height="450" /></p>
  242. <p class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption-text">Handmade hydraulic toys at MFA 2012 in Nigeria</p>
  243. </div>
  244. <blockquote><p>“Solutions for Africa’s economic growth must emanate from Africa to be wholly understood and integrated. Maker Faire Africa has the potential to be the birth- place of African invention fundamental to the continent’s development… these are Africa’s unsung heroes, as it is their understanding of what is needed, rather than what is simply cool, that translates into the most valuable economic asset on the continent today.”<br />
  245. &#8211; Deo Onyango, GE Commercial Development Director for East Africa</p></blockquote>
  246. <div id="m_-6086971035614610036attachment_1909" class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-6086971035614610036aligncenter m_-6086971035614610036size-full m_-6086971035614610036wp-image-1909 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/gqSUDfpSY4iotSr4gKLhgdBCBW71UZvWeVp8sdkVOBLQ9fTTBO9UEou7Wg973xu2qfx-G424eF48kp8QHsruHfJHj5KTZCKXz6wB9q5uQV8c82PxEHp8XK2ewa8F7Ww8poCX9w=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mfa_glasses_2010-600x520.jpg" alt="Handmade Fashion Glasses - MFA Kenya 2010" width="600" height="520" /></p>
  247. <p class="m_-6086971035614610036wp-caption-text">Handmade Fashion Glasses – MFA Kenya 2010</p>
  248. </div>
  249. <p>(<a href="http://whiteafrican.com/2014/07/02/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://whiteafrican.com/2014/07/02/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958130889000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH96BQI_Ccl83IU9mGBuY8MFQhkLg">crosspost from Whiteafrican.com</a>)</p>
  250. ]]></content:encoded>
  252. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/07/08/maker-faire-africa-comes-to-joburg/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  253. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  256. </item>
  257. <item>
  258. <title>The Mukombe – Zimbabwe’s Tippy Tap</title>
  259. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/04/06/the-mukombe/</link>
  260. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/04/06/the-mukombe/#respond</comments>
  262. <dc:creator><![CDATA[JKE]]></dc:creator>
  263. <pubDate>Sun, 06 Apr 2014 05:53:59 +0000</pubDate>
  264. <category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category>
  265. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1768</guid>
  266.  
  267. <description><![CDATA[Dr. Peter Morgan, winner of the 2013 Stockholm Water Prize and resident of Zimbabwe, recently shared the design of The Mukombe on the forum of the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance. The Mukombe is a hand washing device – a “tippy tap” as it is commonly known within the Water, Sanitation &#38; Hygiene (WASH) scene – as &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/04/06/the-mukombe/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "The Mukombe – Zimbabwe’s Tippy Tap"</span></a>]]></description>
  268. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1682" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf3a.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="608" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf3a.jpg 810w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf3a-600x450.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf3a-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></p>
  269. <p>Dr. Peter Morgan, winner of the <a href="http://www.siwi.org/prizes/stockholmwaterprize/laureates/2013-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2013 Stockholm Water Prize</a> and resident of Zimbabwe, recently shared the design of <a href="http://forum.susana.org/forum/categories/23-hand-washing/8110-the-mukombe-zimbabwes-first-tippy-tap-handwashing-device-a-description-of-its-value-and-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mukombe</a> on the forum of the <a href="http://www.susana.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Sanitation Alliance</a>. The Mukombe is a hand washing device – a “tippy tap” as it is commonly known within the Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene (WASH) scene – as it just requires a little tip to provide the user with just enough water to wash the hands. In water-arid areas, such a simple device can be essential to hygiene.</p>
  270. <figure id="attachment_1676" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1676" style="width: 536px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1676 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf.jpg" alt="" width="536" height="402" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1676" class="wp-caption-text">Naturally occuring Mukombe</figcaption></figure>
  271. <p>“(The Mukombe) was first conceived by Dr Jim Watt when he worked in Zimbabwe as a Salvation Army doctor in Chiweshe in the late 1970′s. (…) This vegetable had a hard shell and could be used as a gourd or calabash for carrying water and other commodities. It is commonly grown in the fields. <strong>The great innovation was to turn this common plant into a hand washing device.</strong> (…) Many years ago I made a fibre glass replica of this remarkably simple and elegant device. Many if not most natural plants did not have the right shape. Using the fibre glass replica with its idealised shape, Prodorite in Harare have been able to mass produce the product. The mukombe holds about 2 litres of water and can provide enough water in a single filling to give about 35 hand washes.”</p>
  272. <figure id="attachment_1679" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1679" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1679 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf2_.jpg" alt="" width="660" height="477" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf2_.jpg 660w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf2_-600x434.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1679" class="wp-caption-text">How the Mukombe works (drawings by Jim Watt)</figcaption></figure>
  273. <p>“Modifications are made to the naturally occurring Mukombe. An opening is made in the top and a cork or plug is placed at the end of the neck as shown above, with a small opening for water to drain. Holes are drilled into the top of the mukombe and a string passed through. The mukombe is suspended by the string so that it lies at a special angle. The mukombe is filled with water and then tipped up so that some water passes up the neck. When the mukombe comes to its resting position again, some water is left at the end of the neck and slowly drains out. It is this water which is used to wash the hands. The flow stops automatically when the small reservoir in the neck runs out.” (<a href="http://forum.susana.org/media/kunena/attachments/52/TheMukombe.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">source</a>)</p>
  274. <figure id="attachment_1685" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1685" style="width: 651px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1685 size-full" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf4_.jpg" alt="" width="651" height="515" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf4_.jpg 651w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/forum.susana.org-media-kunena-attachments-52-TheMukombe.pdf4_-600x475.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1685" class="wp-caption-text">Use at a school</figcaption></figure>
  275. <p>The beauty of the Makombe over <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tippy+tap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other tippy taps</a> is that the design is based on a naturally grown product and that it only uses a very little amount of water. Plus: you can hang it anywhere, there is no need for an advanced construction. Clearly another winner in the “it’s cheap, it works, it wins”-category.</p>
  276. <p>Avid readers may remember Dr. Morgan as the inventor of the <a href="http://www.afrigadget.com/2007/08/28/the-vip-an-invention-from-zimbabwe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blair Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) Latrine</a>, which has meanwhile been adapted as the national standard by the government of Zimbabe.</p>
  277. ]]></content:encoded>
  279. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/04/06/the-mukombe/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  280. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  283. </item>
  284. <item>
  285. <title>You are what you breathe</title>
  286. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/01/27/you-are-what-you-breathe/</link>
  287. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/01/27/you-are-what-you-breathe/#respond</comments>
  289. <dc:creator><![CDATA[AG-author]]></dc:creator>
  290. <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2014 12:04:34 +0000</pubDate>
  291. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  292. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1780</guid>
  293.  
  294. <description><![CDATA[When was the last time you noticed the air you are breathing ? Do you know how it affects you and your health? Egypt leads the list of the most polluted cities in the world, in terms of particulate matter. Moreover, according to the latest report by the WHO, every Cairo resident’s daily share of &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/01/27/you-are-what-you-breathe/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "You are what you breathe"</span></a>]]></description>
  295. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When was the last time you noticed the air you are breathing ? Do you know how it affects you and your health?</p>
  296. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-8920723922936939696aligncenter m_-8920723922936939696size-full m_-8920723922936939696wp-image-1863 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/oSfYy5hwh323KGdDvhDJ9xavnZft0vcxaE5XXDZzUXWgnDo6UnxZ6EcI3VGws9wvT3p3dDAq3ix9n7WzcpDWW65jif35e2TpnEsDXmEeTHHrXussDLgdpBAfYpDR=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/air-polutionEgypt.jpg" alt="air pollution Egypt" width="800" height="533" /></p>
  297. <p>Egypt leads the list of the most polluted cities in the world, in terms of particulate matter. Moreover, according to the latest report by the WHO, every Cairo resident’s daily share of air pollution is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.</p>
  298. <p>This motivated the makers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/icealexhackerspace" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/icealexhackerspace&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958131709000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHTcJtRECKa8KdRcoCKVF7u7-8Hbw">icealex hub</a> in Alexandria Egypt to work on solving this global problem.</p>
  299. <p>Their solution: Build an air quality monitoring kit</p>
  300. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-8920723922936939696aligncenter m_-8920723922936939696size-full m_-8920723922936939696wp-image-1864 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ICA383UEgXRlfbCqMINJ85-9uAbCw1XYg41UJxH-ULYdLvZee5KDqjzxz0KK9jl-yLmLnG7puSlMvMyVaNfQDj6uIIM1Vadl50YZgr9kpNooRJ0r=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DSC_7022.jpg" alt="afrimakers air pollution kit" width="960" height="638" /></p>
  301. <p>The kit uses Arduino, gas, humidity and temperature sensors, RGB LEDs and an LCD screen to detect and measure air pollution. The Afrimakers team wishes to understand and map pollutants in their local environment and identify main pollution sources and best strategies of individual protection.</p>
  302. <p>The idea was inspired by the Air Quality Egg project, which is based on Arduino, allowing anybody on the world to monitor CO2 and NO2 levels around his house, and share the results online, to be compared with the rest of the world records.</p>
  303. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-8920723922936939696aligncenter m_-8920723922936939696size-full m_-8920723922936939696wp-image-1861 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/YT-b95MBidbvooUmV3Res773cO0CiTv7KRP66-Ve6IS0vEThzXg0rp30nsWAJRE6QmKVznQivSDzSaM8mdD5s2Xn79aTuFxtQlva-fcagvrlpNoxSsVeIAlOIcv4-gwYBipnWm7utZfpCmdiHgY7UAIr=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/afrigadget-air-quality-monitoring-kit.jpeg" alt="afrigadget-air-quality-monitoring-kit" width="960" height="640" /></p>
  304. <p>What distinguishes the prototype designed by the Afrimakers team from the AirQuality Egg’s, is the reduced cost and the outreach to local schools, communities of makers and learning centers for children. The same components of the kit can be used for many other projects which also reduces the investment for schools.</p>
  305. <p>The team has a detailed documentation for this project and aims to create several learning modules for this project that could be used in schools and video tutorials.</p>
  306. <p>This week, the project developers are visiting the makers in Nairobi and organizing a series of workshops in collaboration with Fablab Nairobi and <a href="http://www.ihub.co.ke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ihub.co.ke/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958131710000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGMETrVRAkvmgUnPoISQeNCg_Yq3Q">iHub</a> in order to improve their prototype and reflect about how it can be locally-driven.</p>
  307. <p>If you would like to build your own air pollution monitor you can follow the <a href="http://makehub-milestone.rhcloud.com/#/project/8630094" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://makehub-milestone.rhcloud.com/%23/project/8630094&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958131710000&amp;usg=AFQjCNERTGqqSeBz1vy_ELz49qUgNGmMBg">instructions</a> made by the icealex team. In case you don’t have access to the same sensors or materials we encourage you to “fork” their project <a href="http://makehub-milestone.rhcloud.com/#/project/8630094" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://makehub-milestone.rhcloud.com/%23/project/8630094&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958131710000&amp;usg=AFQjCNERTGqqSeBz1vy_ELz49qUgNGmMBg">here</a> and and adapt it to your local resources.</p>
  308. <p>A main goal of the team and their project is to encourage makers and local communities to dream, make and share meaningful projects that are solving big problems and are extremely affordable.</p>
  309. <p>-:¦:- -:¦:–:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-:¦:- -:¦:–:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-</p>
  310. <p><a href="http://www.hackidemia.com/afrimakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.hackidemia.com/afrimakers&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1543958131710000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH1tICdYgr4bat1RkWGVgwMgFh6Nw">Afrimakers</a> is an initiative to empower African makers to develop sustainable projects and provide solution for local challenges by training more than 100 mentors in 10 African countries on running science &amp; tech workshops for private and public schools students.</p>
  311. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="m_-8920723922936939696aligncenter m_-8920723922936939696size-full m_-8920723922936939696wp-image-1865 CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/kOGnVvl53y6yUGWx1Mox2Aa4Cz_2izCYFhnZGMpyoLkRUQ4VQWdA88cafF9j5gf2HQlXHB6tVJGItn5ktoNz_GRyReV0K9RTC_pfwA91JLaOJG3UdoXsaN8fdBrtmpxiNA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/afrigadget-afrimakers.png" alt="afrigadget-afrimakers" width="800" height="383" /></p>
  312. ]]></content:encoded>
  314. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2014/01/27/you-are-what-you-breathe/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  315. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  318. </item>
  319. <item>
  320. <title>A Urine Powered Generator</title>
  321. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator/</link>
  322. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator/#respond</comments>
  324. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Erik Hersman]]></dc:creator>
  325. <pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:14:25 +0000</pubDate>
  326. <category><![CDATA[Competition]]></category>
  327. <category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
  328. <category><![CDATA[Maker Faire Africa]]></category>
  329. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1782</guid>
  330.  
  331. <description><![CDATA[Possibly one of the more unexpected products at Maker Faire Africa this year in Lagos is a urine powered generator, created by four girls. The girls are Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15). 1 Liter of urine gives you 6 hours of electricity. The system works like this: &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "A Urine Powered Generator"</span></a>]]></description>
  332. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1783" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/8161674482_6afa443513_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/8161674482_6afa443513_c.jpg 800w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/8161674482_6afa443513_c-600x450.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/8161674482_6afa443513_c-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></p>
  333. <p>Possibly one of the more unexpected products at Maker Faire Africa this year in Lagos is a urine powered generator, created by four girls. The girls are Duro-Aina Adebola (14), Akindele Abiola (14), Faleke Oluwatoyin (14) and Bello Eniola (15).</p>
  334. <p>1 Liter of urine gives you 6 hours of electricity.</p>
  335. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-1784 size-medium" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_4498-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_4498-600x450.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_4498-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_4498-1200x900.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></p>
  336. <p>The system works like this:</p>
  337. <ul>
  338. <li>Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which separates out the hydrogen.</li>
  339. <li>The hydrogen goes into a water filter for purification, which then gets pushed into the gas cylinder.</li>
  340. <li>The gas cylinder pushes hydrogen into a cylinder of liquid borax, which is used to remove the moisture from the hydrogen gas.</li>
  341. <li>This purified hydrogen gas is pushed into the generator.</li>
  342. </ul>
  343. <p>Along the whole way there are one-way valves for security, but let’s be honest that this is something of an explosive device…</p>
  344. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1785" src="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/IMG_4499-550x412.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></p>
  345. ]]></content:encoded>
  347. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  348. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  351. </item>
  352. <item>
  353. <title>Blade-less wind turbine blows fresh air into power generation</title>
  354. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/21/blade-less-wind-turbine-blows-fresh-air-into-power-generation/</link>
  355. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/21/blade-less-wind-turbine-blows-fresh-air-into-power-generation/#comments</comments>
  357. <dc:creator><![CDATA[AG-author]]></dc:creator>
  358. <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:46:57 +0000</pubDate>
  359. <category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
  360. <category><![CDATA[turbine]]></category>
  361. <category><![CDATA[wind]]></category>
  362. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1589</guid>
  363.  
  364. <description><![CDATA[A guest post by Kahenya, Founder of Simple Community The name William Kamkwamba might not sound familiar to many, but he is one of the most significant technology game changers in Africa. He did not design the most glamorous device on the planet, and neither was his creation unique. However, it was extremely significant. Using just a &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/21/blade-less-wind-turbine-blows-fresh-air-into-power-generation/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Blade-less wind turbine blows fresh air into power generation"</span></a>]]></description>
  365. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>A guest post by Kahenya, Founder of <a href="http://simple.co.ke/" target="_blank">Simple Community</a></em></p>
  366. <p>The name <a href="http://www.afrigadget.com/2006/12/18/homemade-windmill-in-malawi/" target="_blank">William Kamkwamba</a> might not sound familiar to many, but he is one of the most significant technology game changers in Africa. He did not design the most glamorous device on the planet, and neither was his creation unique. However, it was extremely significant.</p>
  367. <p>Using just a book, Kamkwamba, now 25, designed and built a windmill that generated electricity and pumped water in his home village in Malawi. This was significant because he proved that it was possible to build things with instant grassroots impact that did not require a business plan, a website, a marketing strategy, a funding strategy or even a glamorous launch. He gained instant fame.</p>
  368. <p>Kamkwamba managed to ensure that he could meet his immediate power needs using tree branches and scrap material. He was able to generate electricity and pump water using pure green energy. That was a decade ago.</p>
  369. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1590" title="Saphonian-Bladeless-Wind-Converter" src="http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Saphonian-Bladeless-Wind-Converter.png" alt="" width="560" height="311" /></p>
  370. <p>Enter the future and a decade later, we have the Saphonian Blade-less wind turbines – another African design, this time from Tunisia. It focuses on clean energy.</p>
  371. <p>The inventing company, <a href="http://www.saphonenergy.com/" target="_blank">Saphon Energy</a>, led by Mr Anis Aouini, understood that older generation turbines, built in Europe, had some fundamental flaws that no-one had resolved.</p>
  372. <p>For one, they generated a lot of noise and vibration. There is the unmistakable whirring, and if you live next to one, unless it is not in motion, you could have sleepless nights before getting used to the sound.  They also unwittingly kill a lot of birds. Unaware birds collide with the blades and get killed.</p>
  373. <p>Not the Saphonian. It has a sail shaped body, similar in concept to sails on a boat or dhow, which makes it bladeless. The unit does not have the famous rotating blades common with older generation turbines and windmills. Even better, the advantages are not limited to aesthetics or providing environment friendly energy. The Saphonian eliminates inefficiencies usually created by moving parts in a windmill.</p>
  374. <p>The lack of blades and other rotating gears means that there is very little aerodynamic energy, and this results in improved power generation. It also reduces mechanical losses. Thus, the Saphonian has been found to be about 2.3 times more significantly efficient than conventional turbines and windmills. It also means that due to the hydraulic system, the Saphonian is able to store energy, which enables it to supply a steady flow of power, provided there is wind flowing or there is energy stored in the system.</p>
  375. <p><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iafIm61PtHk" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe></p>
  376. <p>In ordinary systems, whatever is generated has to be consumed instantly. National power grids usually supply the exact amount required. This means that when demand exceeds supply, there will be some places without power. On the other hand, excess energy, not being stored, would go to waste.</p>
  377. <p>The storage capability of the Saphonian is therefore significant. Further, the equipment is cheaper to produce than conventional systems. It costs 45 per cent less to develop and deploy a Saphonian Blade-less turbine. With customisations, that cost could be further reduced.</p>
  378. <p>Saphon Energy has tested a 300–500 Watt system as a prototype. It has performed better than was anticipated. The company is now focused on developing a second generation prototype that in many instances, will improve on the hydro-mechanical performance of the first generation unit.</p>
  379. <p>What will matter for this development and its growth is how many national electricity providers deploying wind infrastructure decide to use this more cost effective technology. The Saphonian has proved that Africa can actually improve on previously available technologies that were not as efficient as they could have been.</p>
  380. <p>For William Kamkwamba, this would be a climax to his dream, that affordable energy solutions developed in Africa could actually compete with foreign platforms and even outperform them.</p>
  381. <p>As Africa struggles to meet electricity needs for a growing population, it is necessary for the continent to develop its own home solutions suited for the environment and the pocket. Convenient and relevant innovations such as the Saphonian stand a good chance.</p>
  382. <p>It is no wonder therefore that the Saphonian has won its parent company the KPMG innovation Grant for 2012.</p>
  383. <p style="text-align: center;">
  384. ]]></content:encoded>
  386. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/21/blade-less-wind-turbine-blows-fresh-air-into-power-generation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  387. <slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
  390. </item>
  391. <item>
  392. <title>Bulb 2.0 and Maker Faire Africa 2012</title>
  393. <link>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/10/bulb-2-0-and-maker-faire-africa-2012/</link>
  394. <comments>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/10/bulb-2-0-and-maker-faire-africa-2012/#comments</comments>
  396. <dc:creator><![CDATA[JKE]]></dc:creator>
  397. <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:07:34 +0000</pubDate>
  398. <category><![CDATA[Maker Faire Africa]]></category>
  399. <category><![CDATA[Recycle & Reuse]]></category>
  400. <category><![CDATA[Facebook]]></category>
  401. <category><![CDATA[kenya]]></category>
  402. <category><![CDATA[lamp]]></category>
  403. <category><![CDATA[light]]></category>
  404. <category><![CDATA[MFA]]></category>
  405. <category><![CDATA[nigeria]]></category>
  406. <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.afrigadget.com/?p=1582</guid>
  407.  
  408. <description><![CDATA[For the price of Kshs. 30 /= (EUR 0.27 or USD 0.35) you&#8217;ll manage to pick up this kerosine lamp from a kiosk in Kibera, Kenya: Certainly a great visual update to the famous tin can paraffin lamp which sells for a slightly higher price and requires additional soldering. Kerosine (or paraffin) lamps are the &#8230; <a href="https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/10/bulb-2-0-and-maker-faire-africa-2012/" class="more-link">Continue reading<span class="screen-reader-text"> "Bulb 2.0 and Maker Faire Africa 2012"</span></a>]]></description>
  409. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For the price of Kshs. 30 /= (EUR 0.27 or USD 0.35) you&#8217;ll manage to pick up this kerosine lamp from a kiosk in Kibera, Kenya:<br />
  410. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1583" title="Kibera lamp" src="http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Kibera-lamp.jpg" alt="Kibera lamp" width="600" height="447" /></p>
  411. <p>Certainly a great visual update to the famous <a href="http://www.afrigadget.com/2008/12/10/paraffin-lamps-and-the-informal-recycling-industry/" target="_blank">tin can paraffin lamp</a> which sells for a slightly higher price and requires additional soldering. Kerosine (or paraffin) lamps are the alternative to modern solar LED lights, and also to the (otherwise great) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t28NY67OPIE" target="_blank">daylight indoor illumination</a> via filled water bottles (invented by Alfredo Mozer in Brazil in 2002).</p>
  412. <p>Thx, <a href="http://pics.lockerz.com/s/242832048" target="_blank">Majala</a>!</p>
  413. <p><em>In other news:</em> <strong>Maker Faire Africa</strong> is coming up again. Yay!</p>
  414. <p><a href="http://makerfaireafrica.com/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1586" title="MFA-2012" src="http://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MFA-full-color-900px_final1-600x424.jpg" alt="MFA-2012" width="600" height="424" srcset="https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MFA-full-color-900px_final1-600x424.jpg 600w, https://www.afrigadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MFA-full-color-900px_final1.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></a></p>
  415. <p><a href="http://makerfaireafrica.com/" target="_blank">Maker Faire Africa</a> on <strong>November 5th and 6th</strong> 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria.  If <strong>you are a maker</strong>, please consider registering with their website. Further info will be available soon.</p>
  416. <p>Oh, and if you&#8217;re on <strong>Facebook</strong>, please check out our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/afrigadget" target="_blank">recently relaunched page</a>. All are welcome! <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f642.png" alt="🙂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></p>
  417. ]]></content:encoded>
  419. <wfw:commentRss>https://www.afrigadget.com/2012/09/10/bulb-2-0-and-maker-faire-africa-2012/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  420. <slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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