INNOVATION AT WORK:

MOBILE INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT...

After months of dreaming and waiting in secret, "Pimp My Tuk Tuk" is becoming a reality! The idea came as I rode to and from the Likoni Ferry each day on my way to work. I don't like motorcycles, so I always choose to ride in the three wheel vehicles locals call "Tuk tuks". The more I rode in the vehicles the more potential I saw in using them to reach remote areas. Always trying to find a way to bring information to the people, I thought about that TV show on MTV, Pimp My Ride, and the technology they were able to put into normal cars. I continued to think about the situation and how I would be able to make the best use of the rugged tuk tuk and technology and Voila... An idea was born.

MOBILE INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT CENTERS

The idea is pretty simple and now that Trafford Trading of Nairobi has agreed to build a prototype, we could really have something innovative AND can bring in new levels of development in previously untouched communities.

Here in the Coast there are a number of tuk tuks that are used for public transportation. I use tuk tuks each day to get from my house at the end of Shelley Beach Road to the ferry. So at first I thought, I wouldn't have to pay these guys every day if I had my own tuk tuk. So I began to look at different models and come up with ideas of what I would do with a tuk tuk if I had one. My background is in Information and Communications Technologies for Sustainable Development so I began to think how a tuk tuk could become a mobile information empowerment center.

I went to various stores where they have tuk tuks and piki pikis to determine what model would be best and to begin to draw some plans so I could find others who could help with some of the more technical aspects. After much discussion, we decided that the Piaggo Delivery Van or another model with similar features would be best.

Structure

The Delivery van would work well as the metal contained on the back could be adapted to have windows for good circulation with grills to prevent robbery. Nicely done curtains would be inexpensive and give it a homey feel. The back portion of the cab will have custom built steel shelves with padding to contain equipment. There will be short plush benches on each side for the volunteers who will be traveling to the remote locations. Down the center there will be a small work bench big enough for two Acer Aspire One computers to be used while on the road.

Equipment

To provide power for the equipment, we want to install two 60 Watt solar panels to the roof of the cargo area complete with deep sea marine battery, charge controller and voltage regulator. This is our power on wheels.

An ultra low powered Inveneo computer will be built into the shelves and connected to the Safaricom broadband Internet where ever we travel. This is the main computer work station and will be connected to all peripheral hardware. Just inside the windows will be two speakers coming from the computer to broadcast outside the vehicle. Inside on the shelves will also be a HP All in one scanner, copier, printer, and, two Acer One Aspire computers running on Ubuntu 8.10, and a Sony digital camera.

Purpose?

The purpose of this project is to spread information for development through rural villages in Kenya. The Mobile Information Empowerment Center will bring computers and the Internet to locations with no infrastructure in a fun, innovative, and sustainable way. By using solar power to run our equipment we are spreading sustainable energy ideas and conserving precious natural resources. If we are able to successfully run all of our equipment the next step would be to find a way to power the tuk tuk though either solar or alternative forms of fuel such as vegetable oil.

Just imagine with me: A purple tuk tuk with a custom paint job being driven down roads that rarely see cars to small community groups who previously had no access to information due to lack of electricity and other infrastructure.

At each stop our team do a SWOT analysis with each community group to determine their current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and to ascertain their informational needs. Then our team climbs back into the Mobile Information Empowerment Center, we download the information the group requests print the information needed or create informational CDs, and then off we go to the next group.

In a month, we will return to the same location to determine how they have used the information given, make further recommendations, and provide more resources. With each visit the groups become more and more aware of the power and potential of ICTs and will want more training and services. We will then refer them to our main training location in Likoni for additional ICT training.

Now imagine that this project is done in collaboration with a number of different international volunteers. Volunteers from the UK, the US, and other countries are all interested in experiencing the seldom seen parts of Kenya.

While driving down the road on the way to our next stop, the team will select different messages to play for the community. Messages will pertain to human rights, health, and a variety of “public service” announcements of relevance in addition to uplifting positive music. Every head will turn. The purple VOA4SD tuk tuk with the information center will be talk of the village providing excellent word of mouth advertisement.

We still need more help with this project! We are looking for additonal sponsors and partners. If you or your organization is interested please email me at: crystal@voicesofafrica.org