Dive Afrika

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.

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.

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

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.

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

In this episode, We discuss and share our views regarding AI-generated art, going into detail by answering the following questions:

Today's Podcast banner has been generated using DALL-E 2 and this shows you how powerful these tools are getting. Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at  info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.

NOTES:

For anyone who wants to try some of the discussed examples of AI image-generation tools, here are the links:

Proprietary.

In this special bonus episode, Tony covers all your basic questions about Blockchain. What is Bitcoin? What is Ethereum? What is a smart contract? Share this episode with friends, family, and anyone who is new to the Blockchain space and wants to understand what it’s all about.

Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at  info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.

NOTES:

For anyone who wants to start their journey in Blockchain and related programming here are the links recommended by Tony:

Many people have asked me what blockchain is, what crypto is, how to get started in Blockchain, and many other questions. So we have invited Tony Kipkemboi - Ethereum, Web3.0, Data enthusiast - who will be breaking it down Blockchain and share some insights for those looking to get started in this space. He will also share his journey and how he got started with Blockchain and insights and options to help total beginners break into this field and start a career.

Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at  info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.

NOTES:

For anyone who wants to start their journey in Blockchain and related programming here are the links recommended by Tony:

Being a data engineer can be both challenging and rewarding. But it’s not always easy to break into this part of the tech field. In this podcast, Tony Kipkemboi will take us through how he managed to advance his career from the Medical field to programming and eventually to Data Engineering. He will help us answer some of the hard questions in this field like: 

Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at  info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.

NOTES: 

For anyone who wants to start their journey in Data engineering and python programming here are the links recommended by Tony:

Connect with Tony on Social Media

In this podcast, Tony Kipkemboi will share his experience of switching to a career in Technology.  Currently, he works as a Data Engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton after working with the US Army for over 5 years as a Medical Lab technician. Press play to listen and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at  info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika. 

For anyone who wants to start their journey in Data science and python programming here are the links from recommended by Tony: 

Connect with Tony on Social Media