CavTV – TV over wi-fi in rural Mali

GeekCorps has a story about a Mali radio station that is using wifi to stream video content to TVs run on car batteries in the village of Bourem Inaly in Mali. What is particularly cool about this project is that the wi-fi antennae are all made locally by recycling local materials including cans. The only imported part is the audio/video receiver that is imported from Canada. The radio station currently has 15 subscriptions to the service that make it $45 a month.

For DIYer’s who may want to try this project, here is a copy of the project guide.

You can watch the video on the making of one the antennae here on YouTube

via GeekCorps

Ethiopian Ingenuity: Turning Mortar Shells Into Coffee Makers

There’s an interesting story on the BBC about an Ethiopian gentleman who is taking war’s leftovers and converting them into coffee machines.

He uses old mortar shells, which stand about one metre high, to make his coffee machines.

He cuts off the pointed ends, seals them and puts holes into the aluminium cylinder. The cylinder channels the water, coffee and milk.

Read the rest of the story

Making Coffee Machines from Old Mortar Shells

(hat tip Elizabeth)

Wheel Chair/Mobile Phone Booth

*Ruud Elmendoorp reports from Nairobi:

I need not add more to this, do watch the video, it speaks volumes. (Ruud speaks in Dutch with English subtitles, though some interaction between Ruud, Duncan and John is in English)

Nowadays in Nairobi, and lately also Kampala, people living with a handicap are converting their wheelchairs into mobile phone booths. Instead of begging they are now making a living.

Kudos to Duncan and John for reminding us that we can triumph over difficult circumstances with ingenuity.

A Make philosophy for Africa indeed.

*Thank you Ruud for providing the video and giving us permission to include it on this post. Ruud has been making documentaries around Africa for awhile. He is headed to southern Sudan, you can keep up with his reports by visiting his site

Afrigadget Accessories

These are a few accesories that exemplify Afrocentric craftsmanship, functional, beautiful and albeit quite cool, an intersection of technology and art…
Via Timbuktu Chronicles

USB case mod from Sao Tome e principe

USB case mod

It does not appear to be available for purchase at this time yet, but will be available in future. The portuguese site to check is here, ofcourse if i find out how to get this, i will update this entry.

From Kenya, via M

The Safari Pod.

lion safari pod

A carved Lion ipod stand crafted by Kenyan artisans.
There are 5 types of stands available for purchase, one for each of the ‘big five’ animals, including Giraffe, Hippo, Cheetah and elephant. The ‘big five’ is a popular touristy reference to the main attractions at the renowned Kenyan wildlife parks.