Family connections

So, i've been talking to my mom recently, and re-realized that i have relatives that i hardly know that have been doing work in Africa since i was a kid...

Here's the organization that my cousin Roxanne's husband Jimmy is currently working for http://www.watermissions.org/ These guys are relatively new to the disaster relief and development field, but are working in water and sanitation with their water filter system, and a few associated parts.

Water treatment and storage

another one for the file: Scandinavian water technologies http://www.scan-water.com/home.php

They make portable water treatment, storage and distribution systems.  the one that caught my eye, giant water beds (they call them pillow tanks), for storing potable water, one model for stationary storage, another to be loaded on a flatbed truck.

I've been looking at the pool in the back yard, and thinking that would be a cheap way to have a cistern/water storage tank... similar system could be used for irrigation water as well.

got there via this link

Canadian Play: The Monument

I was just reading the Sept. 2010 issue of readers digest, and found an article about a play written by Canadian Colleen Wagner, and how it is being performed in Rwanda, to help with the healing process there.  If the performing arts can help with the healing process by telling a powerful story, then that's a good thing.  The story sounds pretty harsh, but it connects with people that have lived through very difficult times.

Large maps

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make large maps from google map data... may be useful..

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1073912/google_maps_hack_how_to_save_large_maps/

Support systems...

Here's an article recently published in the ontario society for professional engineers news letter. (link) It talks about how important it is for the local system to be in place to support infrastructure development.  Things like management, construction standards, accounting systems must be in place for large infrastructure systems to work.  Even for relatively small systems, if the support structures are not there, the projects will eventually fail.  This means its not just the technology, its the people and how they relate, the responsibility and social structures that are as important as the tools....

Maker Faire Africa and MultiMachine

This one is very exciting... The guys involved in TEDAfrica and Ushahidi are organizing and event for people from Africa to get together and display their inventions and exchange ideas.

http://makerfaireafrica.com/

If you are in Nairobi this August 27 or 28, you might want to head over to the university and see what's going on.  I want to see pictures and stories when it's over...

another man to watch: Al Hammond

Working in rural india, but planning to scale much larger, Al Hammond is developing a way to make affordable medical care in remote areas.  Local staff trained to run equipment and tests, tele-connected to doctors in urban areas, they can provide doctors visits or diagnostic tests for $1.  The local clinics also provide clean water at a reasonable price $1.50 for a month's supply.

Fast company article

Youtube video describing and demonstrating how it works.