[kictanet] A Crisis can create innovation. Don't waste it.

[Paul Kukubo]

Great example simple ideas. Applicable here.

>From Huffingtonpost.com

New York: In the wake of the confiscation of gasoline generators by the
NYPD, the people of Occupy Wall Street have turned to a new source of power.
Within 48 hours of losing their electricity, members of the Sustainability
Working Group drove to Occupy Boston to collaborate on the design of
bicycle-powered generators.
The bikes charge batteries that can run for 100 hours, powering the
lighting, cell phones, and laptops of protestors.

But there is a downside to charging each battery. "It can take up to two
hours of uninterrupted pedaling to reach 12.5 volts," said Ben Tevelow, an
electrician from Brooklyn. He decided to join the project and put his
skills to use when he heard about it in General Assembly.
Isabelle Garbani, an artist who came to donate socks and other comfort
items for the protest, pedaled tirelessly for 20 minutes before she was
relieved by another participant.

The Sustainability Working Group, which includes members from MIT Media
Lab, Pedal Power, and Time's Up!, has already received donations of
bicycles and other basic parts. They are currently seeking funding from the
Finance Working Group and the general public in order to buy expensive
electrical equipment that will allow them to build more generators. These
will be placed around Liberty Square for the groups that need them the
most: three bikes will go to the Media tent, to power all the communication
around the protest, and others will go to Legal, Press, Finance, and the
Library.

Across the park, a projection screen rises above the Library, depicting
scenes from classic horror films. The protestors, who have been occupying
the park for over a month, are preparing for a Halloween movie night. The
projectionist fusses with her equipment, blissfully unaware of the team
toiling to power the camp just steps away. "We need this too," she says.

-- 
Paul Kukubo
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board
PO Box 27150 - 00100
Nairobi, Kenya

12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street

Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960
Fax: +254 20 2211962
website: www.ict.go.ke
local content project: www.tandaa.co.ke, www.facebook.com/tandaakenya
twitter:@tandaaKENYA
BPO Project: www. doitinkenya.co.ke
Digital Villages Project: www.pasha.co.ke


personal contacts
_______________

Cell: + 254 717 180001


skype: kukubopaul
googletalk: pkukubo
personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke
personal twitter: @pkukubo


____________________
Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub

Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT,
through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth
for socio economic enrichment
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