Kopernik

Kopernik delivers on Japan projects

Much of the global news coverage has moved on but the death toll from the recent disaster in Japan continues to rise each day and hundreds of thousands of people are living in temporary shelters without access to basic supplies.

Solar lanterns charging in the sun at the Ishinomaki temporary shelter for victims of the disaster

To date, Kopernik has funded six emergency projects that have delivered 2,348 solar lights (D-light S10) and 100 solar powered hearing aids (Solar Ears) to the tsunami-affected areas in Japan. One of Kopernik's partners, the secretariat for the support to the hearing impaired, has recently shared some feedback from hearing impaired recipients of the solar lights:

'Flashlights can only light up a small area, but with this solar light, an entire room can become bright. We used to point the flashlights to the hands when we spoke, but because the solar lights can be hung, they free up our hands, and so we can communicate with sign language easily’

It is very heartening to hear these comments and we hope that Kopernik projects continue to support the individuals and families in the worst hit areas of Japan as they begin to rebuild their lives.   

12-hour "Care-aoke" marathon raises money for Japan tsunami victims

Proud to currently call Tokyo home and caring very much about Japan, a group of friends came together to find a way to support Japan in the aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami. The idea of a karaoke marathon was raised and one week later this became a reality and Care-aoke hit the stage at Tokyo Karaoke bar ‘Fiesta’ on Friday, April 1, 2011.

The Care-aoke team

Over 180 people took part in this fundraising event and through a live streaming link the 12-hour singing session was also inflicted upon a number of others around the world. A large amount of money was raised online and on the night as well as through random cash donations, with 420,000 yen going to support Kopernik projects in Japan. The money raised was used to complete funding for the Solar Ear project and to support the ongoing distribution of solar lighting in the affected areas.
 
Thank you to all of the virtual and physical supporters for your generosity!

Meet me at the tech fair

The  program  ‘Strengthening Kopernik and Empowering Women Through Technology in Bojonegoro, East Java “ has entered a new phase which includes a series of mini technology fairs. The fairs, commencing on 13 April 2011 at Brabowon village, are intended to demonstrate life improving, appropriate technologies, including bio mass stoves and water purification devices (such as Tulip Siphon Filter and Clinka205).

The inventor of the cookstove demonstrating its use at the tech fair

 
For the first time potential users met with key actors from the program including ExxonMobil, Kopernik, Farabi (our local partner based in Bojonegoro) and tech providers. As each product was demonstrated by the tech provider, the enthusiastic participants asked questions and shared their feedback about the devices.

Think global, DIY local

Kopernik provides do-it-yourself (DIY) technology to people and communities in the developing world. Since the launch of our new website, Kopernik has built an online-platform to showcase DIY technologies ensuring the necessary construction methods and instructions are accessible to those in need.

The corn sheller in use

A short video has been produced to illustrate the importance of DIY technologies and highlight the impact they are already having on communities within the last mile. In Oecusse, the poorest district of Timor Leste, people are already following the step-by-step instructions provided to produce corn shellers and biomass briquettes.
 
DIY technology has tremendous potential to improve lives, not only does it leverage local capacity and utilise locally available resources but it creates employment.
 
Please click here to view the Kopernik video on DIY technology.

Sanjay Gandhi speaks at NYU’s first Social Innovation Symposium

Last month, Kopernik Advisor Sanjay Gandhi spoke at the First Annual New York University (NYU) Social Innovation Symposium. As part of a panel discussing how to make efficient and effective impact for "bottom of the pyramid" populations, Sanjay presented his experiences from his work with the United Nations, in the private sector and with Kopernik. Sanjay noted Kopernik is effective because it can overcome some of the business challenges facing technology innovating organizations in helping their products reach target audiences, while at the same time serving the "bottom of the pyramid" populations in acquiring life-changing products.

Sanjay Gandhi speaking at the NYU's Social Innovation Symposium.

Powering economic opportunity

Kopernik is partnering with Ashoka Changemakers and eBay Foundation on a new competition that invites innovative market-based solutions that create economic opportunity and generate employment to alleviate poverty for disadvantaged populations.  Visit Changemakers from now until June 15, 2011 to enter or nominate an individual, organization, or partnership that is creating tomorrow's job markets today.

Kopernik featured by NHK’s Asia 7 Days program

Mari Kogiso being interviewed by the host of Asia 7 Days

NHK World's Asia 7 days program wraps up the major issues across Asia and on April 11th, Kopernik and a number of its Timor-Leste projects were featured on the program. Mari Kogiso, Kopernik Advisor also commented on Kopernik's response to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Kopernik fellow opportunities: join the team!

There are currently a number of opportunities to get involved and join the Kopernik team. Kopernik is seeking individuals to fill a number of exciting fellow roles in the areas of PR and Communications, Research, Management support, Monitoring and Impact Assessment.   The positions are based in Timor-Leste, Indonesia and New York.
 
Applicants should have at least a Bachelor's degree and experience in developing countries is preferred. Please write to kopernik@thekopernik.org if interested or if you would like aadditional information.