Dive Afrika Dive Afrika

In this podcast, we delve into the complex and widespread issue of racism. Drawing from our own experiences, we recount instances of direct and subtle forms of discrimination and their emotional and practical impact. We also examine the profound effects of racism on individuals' mental and physical well-being, as well as their ability to fully participate in society. We conclude by discussing various strategies for combatting racism, including education, policy, and actively speaking out against racist behavior. Our ultimate goal is to increase awareness and understanding of the pervasive issue of racism and to inspire listeners to take steps towards building a more inclusive and just society.

Key Points from the Podcast:


Racism can have a significant impact on an individual's self-confidence and lead to social isolation as a means of avoiding exposure to racism.
It can make adapting to a new culture more difficult.
It can impact an individual's motivation for living in a country.
Racism can take a toll on an individual's mental health.

Tips for Dealing with Racism:


Learning the language and trying to understand the cultural norms can help with integration.
Recognize that it's the other person's problem, not yours, and try to maintain a positive outlook.
Avoid overthinking comments or actions and recognize that they may not have been intended to be hurtful.
Speak out and use available channels to communicate your frustrations and join others in working towards change.
Focus on personal growth rather than trying to impress others.
Be bold and stand up for yourself to earn respect.


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In this podcast episode, the focus is on Maker communities in developing countries and the challenges they face. The discussion begins with Michael, who started a project to solve motorbike accidents and learned about innovation. He was invited to showcase his idea in Germany by Make, a digital innovation hub for local smart production in Africa. Michael is now a member of GiG, which brings innovators together. Tony, who has worked in the US Army's infectious disease lab for five years, shares his insights on advanced use cases in medical research.

The key takeaways from the conversation are having a risk-taking mindset and being persistent. The challenges facing makers in Africa are discussed, including the lack of clear information on patenting and ownership, limited access to research and development resources, and a lack of local funding or support systems for local innovators. International foundations and organizations, such as Make and Global Innovation Gathering, are working towards promoting African-grown innovative solutions. Maker Faire is also highlighted as one of the most significant events for showcasing products from around the world. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of supporting community makers in developing countries and creating a conducive environment for innovation to thrive.

The podcast mentioned several organizations and companies including Make, which can be found at https://makeafricaeu.org, GiG at https://globalinnovationgathering.org, and Maker Faire at https://makerfaire.com. Michael's LinkedIn profile is also shared for those interested in connecting with him to learn more, and it can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops.




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In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Michael Gathogo, an innovative maker who is currently working on a project to develop a manual and affordable washing machine for reusable sanitary towels. Michael's company, Ouispin, understands the importance of being able to clean reusable menstrual pads discreetly and efficiently, which is why they have developed a line of portable washing machines specifically designed for this purpose.

These machines are designed to be compact, easy to use, and perfect for women on the go. They are also eco-friendly, helping to reduce the amount of waste generated by disposable menstrual products. By using reusable pads and Ouispin's portable washing machines, women can make a positive impact on the environment while also saving money in the long run.

In this episode, Michael shares his insights on the importance of developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of women around the world. He also discusses the challenges of creating affordable and accessible products that can make a real difference in people's lives.

Through Ouispin, Michael is demonstrating the power of making and how it can be used to create sustainable solutions for communities in need. So join us as we explore the inspiring work of Michael and the impact of his work on women's health and the environment.

Below are the links where you can contribute to this cause or obtain further information by reaching out to Michael.


Get intouch with michael through LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops
Ouispin website https://ouispin.com




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Welcome to the "Innovator's Spotlight" podcast, where we explore the stories of makers and innovators who are using their skills to create positive change in the world. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Michael, an experienced maker who has worked on a wide range of projects in logistics, supply chain, water and sanitation, and more.

Starting off in the DIY scene, Michael has participated in hardware-based hackathons and even started the first wearable company in Africa to reduce motorcycle accidents. He has worked in Nigeria and has extensive experience in humanitarian innovations, logistics, and supply chain. In some cases, he has had to reverse engineer solutions to come up with spare parts when the original vendors were no longer available or had discontinued the product.

During our conversation, Michael will share his experiences working on the front lines of crisis situations, including his work in Ukraine and his efforts to find alternative fuel sources for displaced communities in Nigeria. He will also discuss his work with Field Ready, where he has manufactured spare parts for remote hospitals in Kenya and worked to find solutions to supply chain issues.

Through Michael's insights and experiences, we hope to shed light on the power of making and how it can be used to create sustainable solutions for communities in need. So join us as we explore the power of making and the positive impact it can have on the world.

Podcast Key Learnings


A community-driven approach is crucial for gaining acceptance and support for innovative solutions.
Makers approach problems with a problem-centric mindset, focusing on finding practical solutions that address real-world needs.
The process of trying and testing various options and scenarios is key to developing effective solutions that can solve the problem at hand.
Breaking down big problems into smaller, quick fixes is a practical approach when resources are limited.
Good infrastructure and crisis intervention strategies are essential for effective problem-solving in crisis situations. Michael's experience working in Ukraine demonstrates that effective innovation is easier to achieve in certain contexts than in others.
Teamwork is essential for successful interventions. Collaboration among makers with diverse skills and backgrounds can lead to more innovative solutions.
As a maker, being willing to try, fail, and learn from mistakes is essential to achieving great results.
Michael's work in Ukraine involved developing solutions such as warm shelters, instant food items, heating solutions before winter, and community solutions for kids, demonstrating the practical impact of makers in crisis situations.

Here are the links to find additional details about Michael's work, including a link to his social media profile if you would like to contact him for more information.


Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops

Articles 


https://blogs.lavanguardia.com/planeta-solidario/tag/nigeria/ 


https://www.kachwanya.com/2014/10/14/kenyas-startup-pitches-first-ever-german-african-ict-start-fair/


https://twitter.com/afromusing/status/847388918186037249 


https://displacementunit.msf.es/content/emergency-water-pump-kit 


https://kitt.nl/led-smart-jacket-redt-mensenlevens-in-kenia/ 
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/business/2014/10/01/spc-african-start-up-clad-light-limited.cnn


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To overcome challenges faced by students in accessing online learning resources due to slow internet speeds, lack of infrastructure, and other obstacles, wilearn for Life has developed an innovative solution - wiLearn's moLLi case - a server in a box with various devices powered by solar and built-in batteries to enable access to learning materials without internet connection. In this podcast, Victor will share with us how this solution is set up, implemented and used as a followup for the previous eposide: Connecting the Unconnected: How EdTech is Transforming Education in Underserved Areas

Key Learnings


wiLearn's moLLi case is a server in a box with various devices like tablets, server, projector and is powered by solar and an inbuilt batteries to ensure it works in location without both internet and electricity. 


The best approach in this kind of context is mobile first, offline and offgrid. That means there are no dependencies on electricity or internet. 


Learning needs assessment is key to ensure providing relevant content to the beneficiaries. 


EdTech tools can also be used for other purposes like training communities on various topics like agriculture, beekeeping etc. 



Some of the challenges that Victor and team are facing implementing this tool include: 


Global supply logistics for the hardware being used to build the kit 


Context related issues like Security, Access and mobility


Funding and limited resources 


Maintenance of devices and issues related to misuse of equipment by the beneficiaries



Here are the links where you can either contribute to this cause or find more details by contacting Victor


wilearn for Life https://wilearn.org/ 


Access Hub Africa https://accesshub-africa.com/ 


LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/malombe/ 




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In this podcast episode, we will be discussing the use of educational technology, or "edtech", in areas with limited internet connectivity. Our focus will be on how edtech is being utilized to bridge the digital divide and provide access to quality education in remote and underserved regions of the world.

Our guest speaker, Victor Malombe, will share his journey of developing an offline solution that functions in low-connectivity environments. In a future episode, we will delve into the specifics of his solution and its implementation in Kenya, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe. 

Key Learning from the Podcast:


Investing in offline solutions can bridge the digital divide and contribute to achieving SDG 4 of quality education for all


Education is a shared responsibility involving governments, schools, teachers, parents, and private actors


Adaptive Content plays a crucial role in determining the quality of education technology


Africa has the lowest number of internet connections, with only 40% of the continent having access stable internet connecting according to UNICEF 2017


In some cases, Refugee camps may have more advanced technology compared to local communities due to access provided by many charity organizations involved in supporting them


Working with the community is key to ensuring acceptance of new initiatives, but some communities may be wary due to past negative experiences


Ventures into this space require patience, persistence, caring, and empathy


Edtech is transforming education for students in remote and underserved regions of the world



Here are the links where you can either contribute to this cause or find more details by contacting Victor


wilearn for Life https://wilearn.org/ 


Access Hub Africa https://accesshub-africa.com/ 


LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/malombe/ 




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