Kopernik has hit a milestone in its ongoing project “Agents of Technology: Agents of Change” with PEKKA, an Indonesian nonprofit that empowers women heads of household. The milestone? Kopernik takes the backseat as women take the lead!
This project provides participating women with training and a range of life-improving technology (such as bio mass fuel-efficient cook-stoves, solar lights and water purifiers) on consignment. The women become technology agents and sell the products to their communities. Once they make a sale, they earn a commission, repay Kopernik for the cost of the products and replenish their inventory. Kopernik then purchases additional technology for the group and provides on consignment again.
On his most recent assignment, Field Officer Iman noted something fantastic. In the past, Iman was the one to train women on how to use the technologies; but, recently, he has since passed over the reins to PEKKA leaders so now women are training other women on using these life-changing technologies.
The response has been extremely positive: According to one PEKKA member, "It is useful for us to share within our group the benefits and the knowledge of the technologies. I have attended a training before and by delivering a training to other women makes me know more about the technologies and realize that these technologies could make our lives better”.
We couldn’t be happier.
Read Iman's blog post on women training women here.
While we are normally not ones to brag, we shall make an exception to proclaim that we have quite the eye for talent. This month Kopernik bid farewell to two very talented team members: Project Officer Cindy Nawilis and Fellow Olga Permanyer. And, because we place considerable care in assessing and documenting impact, we created a blog dedicated to Cindy and Olga’s considerable impact at Kopernik.
Read our blog here.
The NComputing X550 Desktop Virtualization Kit supplies the technology needed to use one PC to its maximum capacity. One kit allows for up to six users on the same PC, while two kits allow for up to 11 users on one PC!
With this technology each user has their own virtual workspace, including their own applications, settings, files and preferences. This technology allows the user to not only save on the expense of purchasing computers for each individual, it also saves users up to 75 percent on computer hardware and support costs. The product itself is only a few ounces and uses one watt of energy, reducing e-waste and protecting the environment.
Donate towards the distribution of this technology to a resource and training center in Kenya.
Greg Tao, founder of OttoClave, shares his story behind OttoClave, a simple sterilzation tool for the developing world, with Kopernik.
Tao started OttoClave on the principal that it’s a fundamental right to have access to a basic standard of care, no matter where you were born, or how much money your parents have. Working with medical device manufacturers in the U.S.A., Tao was frustrated that the overwhelming emphasis was on profits. Increasingly expensive and complex devices were created using marginal patient benefits as a means to the end of driving sales. While on the other end of the spectrum, engineers focusing on health solutions for the bottom of the pyramid usually address very real, but niche needs. They create interesting solutions, but the products and services often fail to generate traction outside of the pilot communities. Tao wanted to use his skills to produce something that could benefit a lot of people in a tangible way and that would have a lasting impact. Instrument sterilization was a perfect case for this. Even though it’s a debilitating issue, it was virtually absent from the global health dialogue. An effective solution could have great potential to scale and achieve wide-ranging impact.
Click here to read the rest of Tao's story on what inspired him to innovate for the health of the developing world.
The stagnation of markets in developed countries, such as the United States, countries of the European Union and Japan, has caused many corporations to rethink growth strategies—leading them to emerging economies of the developing world.
Kopernik hosted a forum in Japan, on October 5, to discuss how corporations and nonprofits like Kopernik can partner to facilitate the distribution of products to rural markets in developing countries.
The forum featured a panel of speakers, including industry experts Professor Seiichiro Yonekura of Hitotsubashi Univserity, Ms. Yumi Narushima of Benesse Corporation, Mr. Akihiko of Ninesigma Japan and Kopernik’s own Toshihiro Nakamura. Panelists shared concrete examples of the benefits to corporate and nonprofit collaborations, offering insight into how these two sectors can best work together.
The event gave rise to new ideas and understanding of the power of corporate and nonprofit collaborations. The panel also acted as a platform for Kopernik to showcase its advisory services for companies entering emerging markets to the more than 100 attendees, consisting mostly of Japanese business professionals and about 30 university students.
Kopernik looks forward to fostering these new relationships and cultivating new in its quest to distribute technologies to residents of the "last mile".
Kopernik launches a new, easily downloadable catalogue listing the latest innovative technologies available to its nonprofit partners. Curious? You don't have to be. Click here.
Watch as Kopernik brightens the lives of residents in Oecusse. A new film by Lusse Cloutier.
A Kopernik fellowship provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurial individuals of the highest caliber and potential to work with our partner NGOs and assist with the implementation and monitoring of projects disseminating appropriate technology. We are currently seeking a fellow for Western Kenya and Oecusse, Timor-Leste to assist the implementation of two projects that address the lighting needs of rural families and schools as well as the burden of water transportation in the community.
Please contact us at kopernik@kopernik.info for more information.
In the past, we've had supporters organize parties and events to fundraise and promote Kopernik. If you are interested in doing the same, click here for more info. If you have other ideas about spreading the word about the projects, we'd also love to hear from you!
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Read more about the reach and impact of our projects on our blog Kopernik in Action.
Stay abreast with advancements in the fields of appropriate technology and international development, one article synopsis at a time, with K-lab Weekly.
Sign up to give a small gift each month and we'll put it towards the project closest to completion. By joining our Tipping Point Campaign and donating $25 each month, you can make sure projects are fully funded and out the door quickly--the easiest and most effective way to improve lives through technology.
This month your donation will support the distribution of Take a Load Off.
$365 will enable us to support a community computer learning center with X550 Desktop Virtualization Kit in this proposal in the ICT field:
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