tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47204123973963741052012-01-30T09:07:15.185ZA scrapbook for links and comments on anything that may relate to the <a href="http://www.veselproject.net/">VeSeL project</a> <a href="http://www.loband.org/loband/filter/com/blogspot/veselproject/%20/index.html">(loband)</a>josh_uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13147937887858947281noreply@blogger.comBlogger2411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-37154424188335641902010-03-17T22:08:00.002Z2010-03-17T22:11:06.291Z

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/weekinreview/14giridharadas.html?sudsredirect=trueUshahidi also represents a new frontier of innovation. Silicon Valley has been the reigning paradigm of innovation, with its universities, financiers, mentors, immigrants and robust patents. Ushahidi comes from another world, in which entrepreneurship is born of hardship and innovators focus on doing more with

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-14735968872753241762010-02-27T21:09:00.001Z2010-02-27T21:11:08.835Z

http://www.grndlab.com/Built solar system developed and installed in southern Kenya to provide power for the new Living with Lions research camp. (see 'work' link)

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-69838009508220210292010-02-23T21:47:00.001Z2010-02-23T21:49:25.651Z

http://solarvideokit.wordpress.com/

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-54086233334911792212009-11-26T20:02:00.001Z2009-11-26T20:04:12.305Z

Malawian teenager William Kamkwamba built a generator out of a bicycle and tractor fan. Now he's lauded by environmentalists. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-75723412972993483552009-11-20T08:31:00.001Z2009-11-20T08:32:59.067Z

In recent years the mobile phone has emerged as the main modern communications link for rural areas of Africa. From 2002 to 2007, the number of Kenyans using cellphones grew almost tenfold to reach about a third of the population, many of whom did not have land lines, according to the International Telecommunication Union. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-43783360078513282172009-09-20T12:05:00.000+01:002009-11-20T12:07:36.602Z

How can so many people be hungry when farmers produce enough food, at least in theory, to feed every person on the planet?The answers are complex and involve everything from American farm politics and African corruption to war, poverty, climate change and drought, which is now the single most common cause of food shortages on the planet. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-18622112775917319852009-08-27T12:09:00.001+01:002009-11-20T12:10:52.234Z

Mobile phones now easily outnumber fixed lines in many developing countries, spurring telecom providers to roll out mobile services tailored to these customers. One of the most striking examples is mobile banking in Africa, particularly after the success of mobile payment services like M-Pesa in Kenya, a country counting some 15 million handsets today compared with only 15,000 ten years ago. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-12721774038106695562009-08-20T14:18:00.000+01:002009-11-22T14:20:34.482Z

UC San Diego-based Playpower Project Receives $180K MacArthurDigital Media and Learning Grant. Details here

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-46058865467967075582009-07-25T12:36:00.001+01:002009-07-25T12:38:45.681+01:00

If anyone's into Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace prize winner "tree lady" from Africa, i just did a little side gig for WorldLearning editing and putting up a good interview their president got last time she was here in Brattleboro. She's a great talker, I didn't even need any edits (at least not on their budget) except the beginning and end!Interview on channel: http://www.youtube.com/

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-33815874969193922032009-07-25T12:33:00.001+01:002009-07-25T12:35:03.100+01:00

held in Maputo, Mozambique on 1-2 April 2009. This workshop was organized by the W3C Mobile Web for Social Development Interest Group, part of the EU FP7 project Digital World Forum. During the two day event, the 70+ participants held discussions regarding the potential of mobile technologies in the development sector. The key outcomes that are expanded in this document can be summarized here

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-14929127062774922592009-07-25T09:44:00.001+01:002009-07-25T09:47:10.945+01:00

Two Kenyan university students invent a device that allows bicycle riders to charge their mobile phones. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/world/africa/8166196.stm

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-58717865519333871872009-07-25T09:40:00.002+01:002009-07-25T09:43:37.886+01:00

See William Kamkwamba in an acclaimed TED talk here. Visit the project web site.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com228tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-21313322664816371682009-07-18T10:33:00.001+01:002009-07-18T10:34:54.369+01:00

Across Africa, new technologies are being joined with local customs to strengthen the continent's infrastructure and economymore

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-2471929398419464502009-07-18T09:51:00.001+01:002009-07-18T09:53:00.690+01:00

To make information on improving agriculture accessible for small scale farmers Avallain E4D is refining the "Info Station". It consists of the XO hardware, better known as the "$100 laptop", enhanced with bandwidth-controlled mobile Internet access, solar energy power and a custom software set based on the Ubuntu OS.more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-87288113694629612632009-07-18T09:48:00.001+01:002009-07-18T09:49:57.975+01:00

The following text formed the base of Avallain's presentation at eLearnig Africa 2009)In the context of our so-far successful Organic Farming information system "Infonet-Biovision", we have reached the critical phase of ensuring effective dissemination to the target audience, small scale farmers in rural Kenya.more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-83419640001632628572009-06-22T14:01:00.001+01:002009-06-22T14:08:19.510+01:00

Kenya has abolished sales tax on computers and in last week’s budget ended the sales tax on new mobile phones. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-91932302393937022932009-06-18T14:55:00.002+01:002009-06-18T14:58:59.069+01:00

I just launched a project called Mobile Movement, a microfinancing website that connects young entrepreneurs in the slums of Nairobi with the rest of the world using mobile technology.We just launched and would love to get loads of people to log on. The youth in Nairobi are standing by their phones, and answer any and all questions! We also have a Facebook application if anyone is

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-47221847882297321722009-06-18T14:18:00.001+01:002009-06-18T14:20:18.100+01:00

Barrera-Osorio, F. & Linden, L. (2009), 'The use and misuse of computers in education : evidence from a randomized experiment in Colombia', World Bank Policy Research Working Paper (WPS4836)This paper presents the evaluation of the program Computers for Education. The program aims to integrate computers, donated by the private sector, into the teaching of language in public schools. The authors

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-44302957239607037402009-06-17T20:26:00.000+01:002009-06-17T20:28:08.608+01:00

a celebration of African ingenuity, innovation and invention, will take place August 14-16 at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in Ghana's capital, Accra. - This event is free to the general public - more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-21692920209044877282009-05-27T12:44:00.001+01:002009-05-27T12:45:25.607+01:00

Knowledge about the condition and trend of African soils is highly fragmented and dated. There is an urgent need for accurate, up-to-date and spatially referenced soil information to support agriculture in Africa. This coincides with developments in technologies that allow for accurate collection and prediction of soil properties. The Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) will develop a

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-76426772842769772192009-05-06T15:33:00.001+01:002009-05-06T15:36:06.375+01:00

NAIROBI, Apr 10 (IPS) - Mobile phones are being used to diagnose and treat crop diseases that cause massive losses to farmers, presenting an opportunity to increase yields as location-specific information about disease threats is made available. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-22725356652173680642009-05-06T14:20:00.001+01:002009-05-06T14:21:56.571+01:00

Manassas, VA (USA), April 2009 – EarthWalk Communications in partnership with the Academy for Educational Development, is extending opportunities for learning with computers in rural Senegal through the use of innovative solar-panel technologies. EcoSolar2 power solution is enabling schools to seamlessly integrate technology into their classrooms and communities regardless of the availability of

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-58157939410400726132009-05-05T13:56:00.001+01:002009-05-05T13:56:51.616+01:00

YouTube clip

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-26838895971882038202009-04-13T10:16:00.001+01:002009-04-13T10:18:27.088+01:00

Send a Cow runs sustainable agricultural programmes in nine countries in Africa to help small-scale farmers overcome poverty and malnutrition. We were founded in 1988 by a group of UK farmers who sent cows to families in post-conflict Uganda.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-33745618543829391072009-04-07T15:53:00.001+01:002009-04-07T16:04:21.270+01:00

EpiSurveyor is a free, open source tool enabling anyone to very easily create a handheld data entry form, collect data on a mobile device, and then transfer the data back to a desktop or laptop for analysis -- without expensive consultants.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-86787174370458030532009-04-03T14:38:00.001+01:002009-04-03T14:40:51.280+01:00

https://glsn.com/an Application Infrastructure Provider (AIP) supporting remote communities with access to digital libraries for offline use.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-69784749383191081462009-03-31T08:34:00.000+01:002009-05-08T08:36:26.223+01:00

As of today, detailed maps of many Kenyan towns including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru are accessible through any web browser through http://maps.google.co.ke/ or through Google Maps for mobile on data enabled handsets. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-82359599038750259912009-03-07T14:20:00.001Z2009-03-07T14:23:01.575Z

In Kenya, about 70 per cent of the handsets come from Chungking Mansions. Mathews leans across the table to check the figure with a rangy Kenyan in his mid-20s sitting down to a curry. "It's more," says the trader. "In Kenya, it's more like 80 per cent of phones come through Chungking Mansions." more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-43026831331852813472009-02-26T10:41:00.002Z2009-02-26T10:43:58.314Z

Royal Horticultural Society Campaign for School GardeningPlant Scientists Investigate: lessons and activities for schools and gardens

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-42600250026934066022009-02-17T09:44:00.001Z2009-02-17T09:47:26.680Z

Africa Gathering will be on Saturday 25th April 2009 at theClore Management Centre, Birkbeck College, Torrington Square, London. WC1 7HX United Kingdom."Africa Gathering is a day for thinkers, supporters, sponsors, doers, geeks, dreamers - and everybody else to come and share, promote, highlight, progress and evolve issues related to ICT, social networking and technology in Africa..."

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-45925057364923730392009-02-07T13:50:00.000Z2009-02-07T13:52:24.191Z

'Africa has new trading partners. It doesn’t have to grovel to the west' more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-16715810782157427102009-02-03T14:42:00.001Z2009-02-03T15:02:42.425Z

In recent years the mobile phone has emerged as the main modern communications link for rural areas of Africa. From 2002 to 2007, the number of Kenyans using cellphones grew almost tenfold to reach about a third of the population... more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-77326651492179788532009-01-04T10:58:00.001Z2009-01-04T10:59:19.538Z

The latest technology is enabling villagers to bypass middlemen and find out the prices their crops will command. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-5928254057398458702008-12-29T19:54:00.002Z2008-12-29T19:56:35.958Z

Institute of Education connections.Article in IoE Life magazine about International Development unit, Summer 2008.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-45479439937034779212008-12-09T13:23:00.002Z2008-12-09T13:26:49.221Z

Article about Dabba, which uses re-programmed wifi hubs, cheap wifi handsets, and pay-as-you-go cards.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-63299287306189442682008-12-09T11:43:00.001Z2008-12-09T11:44:28.572Z

Vodafone Group Plc, the world's largest mobile phone group by revenue, launched a mobile money transfer pilot scheme between Britain and Kenya, aiming to increase its role in the growing industry and potentially boost customer loyalty.more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-68686914675370117132008-12-09T11:33:00.001Z2008-12-09T11:36:48.700Z

Under the partnership with international nonprofit Unitus, the foundation will lend financial support to Jamii Bora Trust, a microfinance institution in Kenya.Jamii Bora Trust will use the funding to extend its reach into small farming communities and develop new microfinance products for rural farmers, according to Whole Foods Planet.more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-1335742504907665742008-11-23T17:47:00.000Z2008-11-23T17:48:36.190Z

Efforts to improve agriculture in Kenya often miss the mark by targeting men instead of women. One woman spent 20 years organizing female farmers to share investments and training. Now men are joining too, and the women's work is paying off.more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-90181790340972931862008-11-19T14:16:00.002Z2008-11-19T14:18:38.030Z

Sale of PhotoVoice PhotographsLondon International Development Centre, 36 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PDThursday 4 December 20085pm-with wine and nibblesYou are invited to attend a sale of photographs by UK NGO, PhotoVoice currently exhibited at LIDC. Representatives from PhotoVoice will explain more about how their award-winning international charity (www.photovoice.org) empowers some of the

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-607467615386886062008-11-10T10:45:00.001Z2008-11-10T10:47:25.844Z

The U.N.'s World Food Program will spend $1 billion buying food for the hungry this year, up $230 million from 2007.Now the organization is trying to reach beyond simply handing out sacks of Western grain to help feed emaciated children. It wants to stimulate farmers to produce more — and replace those shipments from U.S. and other agribusinesses — by providing a reliable market for their local

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-40128457933810960872008-11-08T11:09:00.001Z2008-11-08T11:12:55.855Z

In collaboration with Gates Foundation and IDE, IDEO created a Human Centered Design toolkit. This resource was created to help organizations working with smallholder farmers better understand the needs of the farmers and design appropriate tools, technologies, programs, or services for and with them.Please feel free to download the toolkit and share your comments about it here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-24172018010937294472008-10-13T08:39:00.002+01:002008-10-13T10:24:56.745+01:00

Elephants in Kenya are sending text messages to warn wildlife rangers that they are heading for the crops of neighbouring villages. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-74327382789800058182008-09-21T22:16:00.000+01:002008-09-21T22:17:18.753+01:00

The unlikely story of Kibera's first "organic" farm - its only farm of any scale - has its roots in the chaos that gripped Kenya at the start of the year. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-23067277879252276642008-09-12T07:48:00.002+01:002008-09-12T07:58:47.677+01:00

Kenya’s third mobile operator, Econet Wireless Kenya is preparing to make its test run later this month as it seeks to beat the November deadline to launch its service. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-75119202738696316202008-09-07T13:57:00.000+01:002008-09-10T13:59:40.007+01:00

Big horticultural farmers are accused of diverting river water for irrigation. details

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-71553768637899332212008-09-06T14:13:00.000+01:002008-09-10T14:14:07.687+01:00

Scientists agreed that snow in Kenya, a humid, tropical country with an amazing diversity of fauna and flora is clear evidence of a climate change. details

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-26579419738469887292008-09-06T11:34:00.002+01:002008-09-06T11:36:35.742+01:00

Destruction of the woodland by rampant illegal settlement, logging and charcoal burning threatens severe damage to Kenya's economy with an impact on energy, tourism, agriculture and water supply to cities and industry. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-57055396340475473952008-08-01T10:15:00.000+01:002009-08-01T10:31:58.093+01:00

To read about how the kwa mukonza self-help group built a sand dam and a demonstration shamba follow the linkhttp://www.excellentdevelopment.com/news_detail.php?id=98

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-50212230810566264532008-07-13T08:58:00.000+01:002008-07-13T08:59:35.494+01:00

African Agriculture is the first of several Africa-related websites to be launched in early 2007 by Africa News Network. Each of them will deal with a particular theme of African development or economic activity. Trade, renewable energy and environmental issues in Africa are just three examples of planned website themes. Links will be made available to these other thematic websites as they

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-76899010495748696092008-07-05T10:32:00.000+01:002009-08-01T10:33:53.258+01:00

Google is well known for snatching up top-level talent, this holds true in Kenya as well. ICT groundbreaker Joe Mucheru heads up the Kenya office, and he’s surrounded by a team of smart young technologists. I had the chance to meet Isis Nyong’o (Strategic Parter Development Manager) while getting ready for Barcamp Nairobi, and then Chris Kiagiri (Tech Lead) and Mark de Blois (Geographic

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-12088921172591003972008-06-18T14:23:00.001+01:002008-06-18T14:24:47.300+01:00

Microsoft has sponsored ICT and entrepreneurship training for 1,093 Kenyan women from six settlements under its Unlimited Potential program. Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-80792790725999385142008-06-17T12:37:00.004+01:002008-06-17T12:44:08.216+01:00

When: Saturday, June 21Time: 10am - 5pm (of course, this goes later, and I would stick around for any evening fun and conversation...)Where: Jacaranda Hotel -"Barcamp Nairobi '08 is an unconference made up of of technical professionals, Internet enthusiasts, bloggers, designers and other clever people in the Nairobi area who wish to share and learn in an open environment.Attendees don't just

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-37346234543987448582008-06-02T16:47:00.003+01:002008-06-02T16:52:46.044+01:00

Includes template for partnerships, on open source model, drawn up by lawyer and anthropologist. Intended for nontraditional legal or commercial agreements.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-85462706548839471242008-05-28T09:32:00.004+01:002008-05-28T09:42:23.807+01:00

The United Nations International Development Organisation (Unido) is calling on communities without access to electricity to submit renewable energy production proposals for funding. Details here.Unido has also created 'energy kiosks,' one of which is on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, though there have been some problems with vandalism. Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-55583260967027064272008-05-25T10:10:00.003+01:002008-05-26T14:31:42.844+01:00

Goes both ways: In London you can receive air quality info by SMS. Or sensors embedded in mobiles can detect and send radiation or pollen levels. "Grassroots citizen science" work by Eric Paulos in Ghana attached sensors to taxi drivers' phones in Ghana to measure pollution levels. Details here.See also Urban sensing: Out of the woods: "Services such as Google Earth have driven to nearly zero the

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-28986793609970574242008-05-17T19:32:00.000+01:002008-09-21T19:34:22.280+01:00

A research team at UC Berkeley is developing a technology that will enable anyone, anywhere in the world, to diagnose malaria with just a cell phone and a special microscope. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-63595211079373176832008-04-28T13:25:00.002+01:002008-04-28T13:27:32.529+01:00

Portable teaching tool using solar and wind for powering local experiments. Details here

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-32198059483367477132008-04-27T15:26:00.001+01:002008-04-27T15:29:29.232+01:00

Stockholm (SE), July 2007 - Ericsson announced at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in Geneva (05-06 July) that it is collaborating with Stanford University to explore the innovative use of mobile technologies in distance eLearning. Ericsson will work with Stanford University's International Outreach Program to bring distance learning to countries in Africa. The program offers students on

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-74140049122121601412008-04-15T17:22:00.000+01:002008-09-21T17:26:04.499+01:00

"How organic agriculture and localised food (and energy) systems can potentially compensate for all greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities and free us from fossil fuels"Int'l report compiled by geneticist and int'l group of scientists and agriculturalists, it is optimistic in asserting that existing proven, practical techniques can solve many problems. This report and the recent UN one

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-83502120451725645892008-04-15T17:18:00.001+01:002008-09-21T17:20:47.884+01:00

The IAASTD World Agricultural Report documents that around 2.6 billion people worldwide depend on agriculture for survival. The great majority of the poorest people live in rural areas and are predominantly farmers. “The fact that in the past, less and less has been done for small farmers in developing countries, is fatal”, says Dr. Herren, “we must promote training, access to information, small

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-3889196391649038882008-03-30T15:27:00.001+01:002008-03-30T15:28:49.590+01:00

Energy: A combination of flexible solar cells and low-energy lighting provides a way to bring electric light to isolated communitiesstory

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-19178611299833004072008-03-21T15:45:00.002Z2008-03-21T15:48:42.766Z

A young inventor is hoping to tap the unbounded energy of children in a playground to power schools in Africa.story

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-33290122768241250522008-03-13T14:52:00.000Z2009-08-16T14:54:42.109+01:00

Communications in the remote Australian outback are getting a boost following the development of a system that links the internet to amateur radio technology. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-65702617006184505282008-03-07T21:19:00.000Z2009-06-25T21:22:01.001+01:00

Report on first 'skunkworks' meeting hosted by Google in Nairobi including some information on Google's work to map Kenya, work with Safaricom etc...http://bankelele.blogspot.com/2008/03/skunkworks-nairobi-march-4.html

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-73696056504735535802008-02-27T20:55:00.000Z2009-06-24T21:01:32.607+01:00

An example of Indian Agricultural Extension videos being shared through you tube.http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4F4A07BBA95EAA98http://www.e-agriculture.org is a "global initiative to enhance sustainable agricultural development and food security by improving the use of information, communication, and associated technologies in the sector."

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-40487039065763681412008-02-20T10:17:00.002Z2008-02-20T10:20:02.929Z

"EpiSurveyor is a free, open source tool enabling anyone to very easily create a handheld data entry form, collect data on a mobile device, and then transfer the data back to a desktop or laptop for analysis -- without expensive consultants, software subscriptions, or long-term contracts.Coming soon: EpiSurveyor running on Windows Mobile, Symbian phones (and other Java-enabled devices)."

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-47270163012811460792008-02-16T14:49:00.000Z2009-08-16T14:52:30.002+01:00

A virtual desktop aimed at users who access the web via cybercafes is attracting interest from organisations set up to bridge the digital divide more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-24135855289298485842008-01-18T22:44:00.000Z2008-01-18T22:49:52.636Z

Some options for sending money direct to a phone in Kenya available at:http://www.kikwe.comhttp://www.mamamikes.comhttp://http://www.sambazanow.comCould be a way of doing direct person-to-person business?

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-31766885309940691412008-01-01T21:09:00.000Z2008-09-10T13:57:23.109+01:00

Mobile Planet provided up-to-the-minute results by text message.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-62174247871719615862007-12-31T12:40:00.000Z2007-12-31T12:42:02.161Z

Example of pests Kenya farmers face

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-60652110074728232772007-12-15T11:05:00.006Z2007-12-15T11:45:04.894Z

BGCI was founded in 1987 to link botanic gardens as a co-operating global network for effective plant conservation. It now links over 2500 institutions in over 120 countries, all working together to preserve and promote plant diversity for people and the planet.It includes several gardens in Africa including Kenya, and links to the African Botanic Gardens NetworkJulia Willison is head of

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-10122285091035936992007-12-15T10:42:00.000Z2007-12-15T10:50:59.015Z

The mission of AfricanClimate@Home is to develop more accurate climate models of specific regions in Africa. This will serve as a basis for understanding how the climate will change in the future so that measures designed to alleviate the adverse effects of climate change can be implemented. World Community Grid's tremendous computing power will be used to understand and reduce the uncertainty

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-10664494832920275432007-12-12T21:36:00.000Z2007-12-12T21:39:02.408Z

Mobile phone maker, Nokia, Monday announced the opening of four care service centres in Nairobi to offer after-sales support to its customers. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-69443674823727126962007-12-07T12:20:00.000Z2007-12-07T12:22:53.774Z

Gates Foundation funds jobs for women scientists, details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-17604878835014081142007-11-29T23:47:00.000Z2007-11-29T23:54:50.730Z

"NABUUR links you directly with people around the world who need your assistance now. All you need is a computer, a little free time, and the desire to make a difference."Local communities tell people what they need and online volunteers dedicate time to trying to help them achieve their aims. There are a number of projects in Kenya and some of them are related to water issues.It is not clear

josh_unoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-24888377527781133362007-11-29T14:41:00.000Z2007-11-29T14:43:11.334Z

This DFID-funded project is exploring potential applications of ICTs for poor and marginalised people, linking to existing Reflect groups in Uganda, Burundi and India.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-22772853977478385572007-11-22T12:25:00.000Z2007-11-22T12:31:50.179Z

A map of Web 2.0 in Africa from White African

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-29112499819333924772007-11-15T22:00:00.000Z2007-11-15T22:03:29.334Z

'Only 4% of Africans have access to the internet. They pay the most in the world, around $250-300 a month, for the slowest connection speeds.''Interfaces are being written in a number of African languages, but even the clearest instructions in Wolof or Yoruba as to how to use Windows presume a fair degree of literacy.'from The Economist.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-78661235801699116712007-11-14T21:03:00.000Z2007-11-14T21:07:19.110Z

'Booming stock markets, bustling city centres, huge reserves of natural resources and soaring economic growth. Welcome to the new Africa. ''Some of the best value companies are in Kenya, where Nairobi is a fast-growing business hub for East Africa.'Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-34158254546410655042007-11-14T10:52:00.000Z2007-11-14T10:54:09.136Z

Empower the youth of Mukuru Kwa Njenga, an informal slum settlement of 250,000, to connect with other youth and create positive change in their community by building a technology media lab and library. Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-35538625356237124872007-11-10T21:46:00.000Z2007-11-12T21:19:50.932Z

Few Africans in rural areas have access to electricity. Connecting them to national grids will be slow and expensive. Yet Lilliputian windmills, water mills, solar panels and biomass furnaces could have a big collective impact. The cost of lighting a shack takes 10% of income in the poorest households and the kerosene lamps are highly polluting. In response, the World Bank has rolled out “

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-29953719488777114012007-11-10T19:18:00.003Z2008-05-27T11:34:02.299+01:00

Global commodity prices have been rising to record highs, and some predict the beginning of a 20-year bull market driven by increasing world popularion, the changing diets of developed countries, and demand for biofuels. This according to the Financial Times.High prices are also driven by shortages in supply, according to the Economist. 'After recent glitches to wheat supplies in North America

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-940232023702311382007-11-10T08:51:00.000Z2007-12-20T11:04:26.530Z

Guardian series on development project in agricultural African village, includes information about dry land farming [video | article], good examples of dissemination/stories, and a comprehensive plan. Also good examples of maps.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-53386023466724093942007-11-10T00:29:00.000Z2007-11-10T00:31:36.249Z

Bicycle + DC motor + inverter. Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-68202515237837622102007-10-22T09:04:00.000+01:002007-10-22T09:46:36.377+01:00

Teachers Talking Kenya is a project that brings together a group of rural school teachers in the Kangundo district to use the internet and learn on Friday evenings. The initial project was enabled by CAWD (virtual campus CAWDNET) and the Commonwealth of Learning.For more see the Teachers Talking Blog

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-51580842167693814582007-10-14T20:46:00.000+01:002007-10-14T20:52:38.643+01:00

...claims to provide near=broadband speed internet access anywhere in the world in a small device, for one time fee of £180. On-board GPS. Well reviewed (in Financial Times.) Downsides: No audio or video, some usability problems. The price includes 20 hours/month in UK only; abroad costs aditional £6/mo., though this is expected to go down. Details here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-89602543317655465282007-10-14T20:36:00.000+01:002007-10-14T20:40:02.773+01:00

Journalism training is booming in the developing world. David Okwemba of Kenya's The Nation newspaper also helps train journalists. For community-generated podcasts (esp. in Kambu for the radio station) we have envisioned community members conducting interviews and making stories. Economist story here.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-52503350682391146532007-10-08T09:25:00.000+01:002007-10-08T09:44:16.909+01:00

Safaricom Bamba Net (GPRS modem 3G?) - 700 mb a month for 2000 KSh - Set-up and cost of modem 6000 KSh(1 pound = +/- 135 KSh see exchange rate )

josh_unoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-74832140307792296622007-10-07T11:06:00.000+01:002007-10-07T11:08:36.862+01:00

Mobile phones, currently closed and self limited, will rival broadband computers. When based on Open standards, they will deliver ubiquitous computing and vanish.Ubiquitous computing means more than computing wherever you wander: It means knowing the locale, weaving seamlessly into the local fabric, and vanishing.OpenMoko is an open source, Linux-based mobile phone software platform. Read more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-51002023289658246972007-09-24T13:20:00.000+01:002007-09-24T13:28:13.972+01:00

Liz reported on an interesting talk at DSA presenting work Practical Action are doing with cheap MP3 players in an Animal Health Programme.  They are using Pencil Technologies low-cost MP3 player and bluetooth social software.  Practical Action have previously done interesting work with podcasts to support rural communities in Peru.Another MP3/4 player of interest but rather too expensive is the

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-57152144552476945222007-09-24T12:50:00.000+01:002007-09-24T13:19:54.703+01:00

A competition to win a complete kit to run NGO SMS campaigns. "nGOmobile is a text message-based competition aimed exclusively and unashamedly at grassroots non-profit organisations working for positive social and environmental change throughout the developing world. Behind the scenes, these unsung heroes of the NGO community battle against the daily realities of life in a developing country,

josh_unoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-13079348998791034372007-09-20T20:09:00.000+01:002008-09-13T20:11:01.254+01:00

The battle to protect Kenyan suppliers of organic produce in their biggest market is heating up with the UK government and UN agency ITC throwing their weight behind developing world growers. more

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-7886352945165923932007-09-19T20:12:00.000+01:002008-09-13T20:13:31.863+01:00

When one thinks about Microfinance Banking, it is vital that the players (in this case the owners of the MF Banks) are not absorbed in get-rich-quick schemes, but in developing people and their current pecuniary grade. Opinion piece

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-60320511264737424512007-09-18T14:49:00.000+01:002007-09-18T14:51:40.222+01:00

In Sierra Leone, devices like TVs or PCs are out of reach for most of the people. However, an old functional radio can be found in almost every home. With “Culture Radio”, Shelter for Africa intends to reach everyone interested in getting a basic school education.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-78194345074228093162007-09-18T14:46:00.000+01:002007-09-18T14:48:10.336+01:00

The Computing Station is an ultra-low-power, affordable and fully functional desktop computer designed for use in rural locations such as schools, clinics, field offices, community centers and Internet cafes.

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-53226741867680599952007-09-18T13:47:00.000+01:002007-09-18T13:50:27.825+01:00

Workshop in Conjunction with the Ninth International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp 2007)

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-19627991404754434512007-09-01T14:53:00.000+01:002007-09-01T15:03:12.478+01:00

Technology is altering humanitarian work and now 'the first people on the ground are often computer geeks'. Donors can track shipments, workers on the ground can coordinate with each other, messages can be more easily sent to communities.This has implications for non-emergency aid. 'The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation draws vast detailed maps showing who is vulnerable to food shortages (

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-21555189649068191012007-08-29T23:40:00.000+01:002007-08-29T23:43:01.016+01:00

A soil moisture sensor in each plant sends information to an Arduino board which then passes the information to a ZigBee network. An XPort is used to send data via PHP to a mySQL database and to Asterisk, which drives the phone calls.The code on the chip averages the data and makes decisions about when a phone call request should be sent. There are set thresholds, unique to each plant, for

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-76608133415029046512007-08-28T15:13:00.000+01:002007-08-28T15:17:13.483+01:00

"The India Water Portal is an open, inclusive, web-based platform for sharing water management knowledge amongst practitioners and the general public."It includes multimedia training clips, video stories, case study, etc... to assist in training and sharing of knowledge about water management.

josh_unoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4720412397396374105.post-57072249927892488752007-08-18T02:41:00.000+01:002007-08-18T02:50:21.195+01:00

Called (or competing with) 4G technology or wireless broadband, it could theoretically provide up to 50km (31mi.) range, 70Mbps (shared)/268Mbps (peak); in practice it will probably provide only 2 to 4 Mbps. The first products certified in Jan. 2006; backed by Intel, Nokia, Motorola and others.Service has already been rolled out in some US cities; 100 cities are expected to be covered next year

Kevin Walkernoreply@blogger.com0