Did you know that Google was originally called BackRub? That Nissan was originally called Datsun? Or that Indonesia was originally called the Dutch East Indies?
Following in the footsteps of some great moments in renaming, we are very happy to announce that our Wartek technology store is now called (drumroll, please): Tech Kiosk!
Tech Kiosk Logo
If you read the blog post from last year, “What the heck is a Wartek?”, you will remember that Wartek sold a range of Kopernik’s simple, innovative technologies from our office in Ubud, on the Indonesian island of Bali. The proceeds from these...
Two d.lights come in very handy when my flat tyre needs to be repaired
There is no question that d.light solar lights are highly coveted by the rural people of Oecusse, Timor-Leste, in particular (but not only) those that lie out of reach of the power grid, which currently extends no more than a few kilometres beyond the township of Pante Macassar.
This week, I interviewed 20 beneficiaries of the Kopernik solar light initiative. Without exception they rated the lamps as 'very effective' and 'the best' (efectivo tebes and diak liu) on a scale of five categories ranging from the aforementioned 'very effective' through to, at the other end of the spectrum, '...
I am on the ferry, in a cabin, on the way to Pante Macassar in the exclave district of Oecusse, Timor-Leste. Kopernik has entrusted me to assess the impact of the Light Up Oecusse project, which distributes solar lamps to rural people who live beyond the reach of the power grid and are otherwise reliant on other forms of lighting including kerosene lanterns, torches, candles and even the burning of salvaged rubber or plastic washed up on the beaches.
I was surprised to learn that I was going to Oecusse. Why did Kopernik choose me for this fellowship? It’s not so much that I lack...
Talking to youth about science, culture and technology is always exciting. If there is one thing I've learned while piloting Kopernik's international education efforts it is that kids are excited by learning and sharing what they know... and they know a lot.
“What is this?” I asked while showing a group of San Francisco’s youth a d.light S2 solar lantern.
A d.light S2 solar lantern
“That’s a solar panel,” one student chimed in.
“Can I have it?” another added.
“It is a solar panel, a small one, and it’s main function is to serve as a desk lamp for students in the developing world who...
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