Dive Afrika
By Dive Afrika
Dive AfrikaMar 20, 2023
Conversations on Racism: From Personal Experiences to Collective Action
In this podcast, we delve into the complex and widespread issue of racism. Drawing from our own experiences, we recount instances of direct and subtle forms of discrimination and their emotional and practical impact. We also examine the profound effects of racism on individuals' mental and physical well-being, as well as their ability to fully participate in society. We conclude by discussing various strategies for combatting racism, including education, policy, and actively speaking out against racist behavior. Our ultimate goal is to increase awareness and understanding of the pervasive issue of racism and to inspire listeners to take steps towards building a more inclusive and just society.
Key Points from the Podcast:
- Racism can have a significant impact on an individual's self-confidence and lead to social isolation as a means of avoiding exposure to racism.
- It can make adapting to a new culture more difficult.
- It can impact an individual's motivation for living in a country.
- Racism can take a toll on an individual's mental health.
Tips for Dealing with Racism:
- Learning the language and trying to understand the cultural norms can help with integration.
- Recognize that it's the other person's problem, not yours, and try to maintain a positive outlook.
- Avoid overthinking comments or actions and recognize that they may not have been intended to be hurtful.
- Speak out and use available channels to communicate your frustrations and join others in working towards change.
- Focus on personal growth rather than trying to impress others.
- Be bold and stand up for yourself to earn respect.
Maker Community in Developing Countries: Overcoming Challenges and Driving Innovation
In this podcast episode, the focus is on Maker communities in developing countries and the challenges they face. The discussion begins with Michael, who started a project to solve motorbike accidents and learned about innovation. He was invited to showcase his idea in Germany by Make, a digital innovation hub for local smart production in Africa. Michael is now a member of GiG, which brings innovators together. Tony, who has worked in the US Army's infectious disease lab for five years, shares his insights on advanced use cases in medical research.
The key takeaways from the conversation are having a risk-taking mindset and being persistent. The challenges facing makers in Africa are discussed, including the lack of clear information on patenting and ownership, limited access to research and development resources, and a lack of local funding or support systems for local innovators. International foundations and organizations, such as Make and Global Innovation Gathering, are working towards promoting African-grown innovative solutions. Maker Faire is also highlighted as one of the most significant events for showcasing products from around the world. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of supporting community makers in developing countries and creating a conducive environment for innovation to thrive.
The podcast mentioned several organizations and companies including Make, which can be found at https://makeafricaeu.org, GiG at https://globalinnovationgathering.org, and Maker Faire at https://makerfaire.com. Michael's LinkedIn profile is also shared for those interested in connecting with him to learn more, and it can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops.
From Emergency Situations to Reusable Sanitary Towels. The Role of Makers in Times of Crisis
In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Michael Gathogo, an innovative maker who is currently working on a project to develop a manual and affordable washing machine for reusable sanitary towels. Michael's company, Ouispin, understands the importance of being able to clean reusable menstrual pads discreetly and efficiently, which is why they have developed a line of portable washing machines specifically designed for this purpose.
These machines are designed to be compact, easy to use, and perfect for women on the go. They are also eco-friendly, helping to reduce the amount of waste generated by disposable menstrual products. By using reusable pads and Ouispin's portable washing machines, women can make a positive impact on the environment while also saving money in the long run.
In this episode, Michael shares his insights on the importance of developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of women around the world. He also discusses the challenges of creating affordable and accessible products that can make a real difference in people's lives.
Through Ouispin, Michael is demonstrating the power of making and how it can be used to create sustainable solutions for communities in need. So join us as we explore the inspiring work of Michael and the impact of his work on women's health and the environment.
Below are the links where you can contribute to this cause or obtain further information by reaching out to Michael.
- Get intouch with michael through LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops
- Ouispin website https://ouispin.com
The Power of Making: Insights from Michael's Experience in Ukraine and Beyond
Welcome to the "Innovator's Spotlight" podcast, where we explore the stories of makers and innovators who are using their skills to create positive change in the world. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Michael, an experienced maker who has worked on a wide range of projects in logistics, supply chain, water and sanitation, and more.
Starting off in the DIY scene, Michael has participated in hardware-based hackathons and even started the first wearable company in Africa to reduce motorcycle accidents. He has worked in Nigeria and has extensive experience in humanitarian innovations, logistics, and supply chain. In some cases, he has had to reverse engineer solutions to come up with spare parts when the original vendors were no longer available or had discontinued the product.
During our conversation, Michael will share his experiences working on the front lines of crisis situations, including his work in Ukraine and his efforts to find alternative fuel sources for displaced communities in Nigeria. He will also discuss his work with Field Ready, where he has manufactured spare parts for remote hospitals in Kenya and worked to find solutions to supply chain issues.
Through Michael's insights and experiences, we hope to shed light on the power of making and how it can be used to create sustainable solutions for communities in need. So join us as we explore the power of making and the positive impact it can have on the world.
Podcast Key Learnings
- A community-driven approach is crucial for gaining acceptance and support for innovative solutions.
- Makers approach problems with a problem-centric mindset, focusing on finding practical solutions that address real-world needs.
- The process of trying and testing various options and scenarios is key to developing effective solutions that can solve the problem at hand.
- Breaking down big problems into smaller, quick fixes is a practical approach when resources are limited.
- Good infrastructure and crisis intervention strategies are essential for effective problem-solving in crisis situations. Michael's experience working in Ukraine demonstrates that effective innovation is easier to achieve in certain contexts than in others.
- Teamwork is essential for successful interventions. Collaboration among makers with diverse skills and backgrounds can lead to more innovative solutions.
- As a maker, being willing to try, fail, and learn from mistakes is essential to achieving great results.
- Michael's work in Ukraine involved developing solutions such as warm shelters, instant food items, heating solutions before winter, and community solutions for kids, demonstrating the practical impact of makers in crisis situations.
Here are the links to find additional details about Michael's work, including a link to his social media profile if you would like to contact him for more information.
Articles
Offline and Out of Reach: EdTech's Answer to Low-Connectivity Learning
To overcome challenges faced by students in accessing online learning resources due to slow internet speeds, lack of infrastructure, and other obstacles, wilearn for Life has developed an innovative solution - wiLearn's moLLi case - a server in a box with various devices powered by solar and built-in batteries to enable access to learning materials without internet connection. In this podcast, Victor will share with us how this solution is set up, implemented and used as a followup for the previous eposide: Connecting the Unconnected: How EdTech is Transforming Education in Underserved Areas
Key Learnings
wiLearn's moLLi case is a server in a box with various devices like tablets, server, projector and is powered by solar and an inbuilt batteries to ensure it works in location without both internet and electricity.
The best approach in this kind of context is mobile first, offline and offgrid. That means there are no dependencies on electricity or internet.
Learning needs assessment is key to ensure providing relevant content to the beneficiaries.
EdTech tools can also be used for other purposes like training communities on various topics like agriculture, beekeeping etc.
Some of the challenges that Victor and team are facing implementing this tool include:
Global supply logistics for the hardware being used to build the kit
Context related issues like Security, Access and mobility
Funding and limited resources
Maintenance of devices and issues related to misuse of equipment by the beneficiaries
Here are the links where you can either contribute to this cause or find more details by contacting Victor
wilearn for Life https://wilearn.org/
Access Hub Africa https://accesshub-africa.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/malombe/
Connecting the Unconnected: How EdTech is Transforming Education in Underserved Areas
In this podcast episode, we will be discussing the use of educational technology, or "edtech", in areas with limited internet connectivity. Our focus will be on how edtech is being utilized to bridge the digital divide and provide access to quality education in remote and underserved regions of the world.
Our guest speaker, Victor Malombe, will share his journey of developing an offline solution that functions in low-connectivity environments. In a future episode, we will delve into the specifics of his solution and its implementation in Kenya, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Key Learning from the Podcast:
Investing in offline solutions can bridge the digital divide and contribute to achieving SDG 4 of quality education for all
Education is a shared responsibility involving governments, schools, teachers, parents, and private actors
Adaptive Content plays a crucial role in determining the quality of education technology
Africa has the lowest number of internet connections, with only 40% of the continent having access stable internet connecting according to UNICEF 2017
In some cases, Refugee camps may have more advanced technology compared to local communities due to access provided by many charity organizations involved in supporting them
Working with the community is key to ensuring acceptance of new initiatives, but some communities may be wary due to past negative experiences
Ventures into this space require patience, persistence, caring, and empathy
Edtech is transforming education for students in remote and underserved regions of the world
Here are the links where you can either contribute to this cause or find more details by contacting Victor
wilearn for Life https://wilearn.org/
Access Hub Africa https://accesshub-africa.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/malombe/
Diving into AI generated Art, What we think about this technology
In this episode, We discuss and share our views regarding AI-generated art, going into detail by answering the following questions:
- What is AI-Generated Art, and how does it work?
- Are AI-generated images considered ART?
- What are the benefits of AI-Generated Art?
- What are the ownership and copyright concerns/risks around AI-generated Art?
- How to deal with biasness and diversity concerns about these technologies
Today's Podcast banner has been generated using DALL-E 2 and this shows you how powerful these tools are getting. Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.
NOTES:
For anyone who wants to try some of the discussed examples of AI image-generation tools, here are the links:
Proprietary.
Open Source
Blockchain 101: Everything You Need To Know About Blockchain, Smart contracts, and More
In this special bonus episode, Tony covers all your basic questions about Blockchain. What is Bitcoin? What is Ethereum? What is a smart contract? Share this episode with friends, family, and anyone who is new to the Blockchain space and wants to understand what it’s all about.
Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.
NOTES:
For anyone who wants to start their journey in Blockchain and related programming here are the links recommended by Tony:
Connect with Tony on Social Media
Blockchain 101: Breaking into Blockchain! How I built my career in blockchain
Many people have asked me what blockchain is, what crypto is, how to get started in Blockchain, and many other questions. So we have invited Tony Kipkemboi - Ethereum, Web3.0, Data enthusiast - who will be breaking it down Blockchain and share some insights for those looking to get started in this space. He will also share his journey and how he got started with Blockchain and insights and options to help total beginners break into this field and start a career.
Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.
NOTES:
For anyone who wants to start their journey in Blockchain and related programming here are the links recommended by Tony:
- https://thegraph.com/en/
- https://ethereum.org/en/learn/
- https://www.developerdao.com/
- https://web3africa.news/
Connect with Tony on Social Media
Breaking into Data Engineering by Tony
Being a data engineer can be both challenging and rewarding. But it’s not always easy to break into this part of the tech field. In this podcast, Tony Kipkemboi will take us through how he managed to advance his career from the Medical field to programming and eventually to Data Engineering. He will help us answer some of the hard questions in this field like:
- What’s the Difference Between a Data Engineer and a Data Scientist?
- How do you go from college student to data engineer?
- Is prior IT background required to be able to start a career in Data engineering?
- What is the career path for Data engineering and How does one become a data engineer?
- What skills do data engineers have?
- What do data engineers do on a day-to-day basis?
Press play to listen to this episode and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.
NOTES:
For anyone who wants to start their journey in Data engineering and python programming here are the links recommended by Tony:
- https://www.codecademy.com
- https://dalianaliu.com
- https://www.datacamp.com
Connect with Tony on Social Media
Transitioning into tech: What’s it like to switch to a career in tech
In this podcast, Tony Kipkemboi will share his experience of switching to a career in Technology. Currently, he works as a Data Engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton after working with the US Army for over 5 years as a Medical Lab technician. Press play to listen and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika.
For anyone who wants to start their journey in Data science and python programming here are the links from recommended by Tony:
- https://www.codecademy.com
- https://dalianaliu.com
- https://www.datacamp.com
- https://youtube.com/user/Tonyfavs1
Connect with Tony on Social Media
Episode 8: My journey to become a nurse at the National Health Service (NHS) - Part 2
This is a continuation of Episode 7. In this podcast, Diana explains in detail how her working experience with NHS has been for the last 9 months and some of the lessons she has learned working as a foreigner in the United Kingdom. Press play to listen to her story and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika
Episode 7: My journey to become a nurse at the National Health Service (NHS) - Part 1
In this podcast, Diana reflects on her journey to becoming a nurse working with the NHS - United Kingdom. Diana studied Nursing in Kenya and she soon realized that the working conditions for nurses in Kenya were not reasonable nor motivating. She started her journey to find opportunities abroad and her first target was Australia, She later realized that the UK was a better option in terms of Visa processing and fewer immigration uncertainties. Press play to listen to her story and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika
Episode 6: My Journey to America by Tony - Part 2 (Social and Professional Life)
This is a continuation of Episode 5 and in this segment, Tony will be sharing his experience working with the US and why he decided to change his career.
Moving to the US, Tony went through various changes in his career, From working with the US Army to learning programming, and now he is a Data engineer in a completely different field than he had early thought.
Want to know what motivated him to make this change? Press play to listen and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.org or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika
Episode 5: My Journey to America by Tony - Part 1 (Backstory)
On this podcast, Tony Kipkemboi will be sharing his story, of how he moved from Kenya to the United States 12 years ago for further studies and how he navigated his way to securing jobs in some of the leading government institutions (US ARMY) and corporate companies. Tony currently works as a Data Engineer at Booz Allen Hamilton, a consulting company that consults for the government military, and intelligence agencies. The moral lesson from Tony's story is that "your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep going. Tough situations build strong people in the end". Press play to listen and remember to subscribe and leave any comments below or contact us at info@diveafrika.studio or follow us on Instagram @diveafrika
Episode 4: If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy
In this episode, Mercy Chebet will be sharing her story, How she started as a Masters student to working for a big tech company - Tiktok in Dublin, Ireland. Mercy is a professional in policy with high expertise in community guidelines enforcement and content moderation, currently working as Quality Analyst at Tiktok. Click play to listen to her story
Episode 3: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
This is a continuation of our last episode. Hillary is going to share his story, how he moved from Budapest where he was studying to Berlin Germany where he is currently living and working. This is such an incredible story and we know some of you can relate to it and it shows how hard work and dedication leads to a successful life, and dedication and commitment to the desired outcome, a goal you just can’t shake, is what life is all about.
Episode 2: Building my Finance career in Europe
In this episode Hillary Bett, a professional in finance, accounting, auditing, and actuarial topics will be sharing his story, How he started as an actuarial science student in Kenya to becoming one of the best Finance specialists working with BASF Germany. Hillary studied Masters of Science (MSC), Finance in Central European University - Budapest and his master thesis was on FinTech “FinTech the Influential Drive to the Future”. He worked with some companies in Hungary but later moved to Germany where is now working with BASF. Click play to listen to his story
