When thinking about invention, technology and social change, we cannot go past William Kamkwamba, a Malawian boy who invented a windmill even though he never completed school due to his family’s financial constraint.

The Will
I believe that every successful social innovation begins with a will to change the world – a dream so big no one around you don’t think its possible.

William has always been fascinated by electricity, and after having to stop school, with no knowledge to read a book, let alone understand the theories, he relied on his determination to study the books he borrowed from the library. From his little understanding, he let his instinct and the pictures in the books guide him to build a windmill that will change his family, and his community’s life forever.

New Invention from Old Inventions
He scrambled through the junks and found some scraped metals, tractor parts and a bicycle frame. Using his limited knowledge, he built the first windmill in his village.

His invention, albeit an old invention in many developed countries was a milestone for people in his village, because it means, for the first time, they are able to power electrical appliances, charge mobile phones and pump clean drinking water for free – necessities to many in the first world countries, but a luxury to them.

More than Electricity
Being able to power other electrical appliances mean the family can be connected to the outside world via technologies such as mobile phones. However, the invention has enabled more than just connection to other parts of the world. It was an invention that has enabled them to access technology they have never been able to before, in a sustainable, affordable and green way. The value lies in the large-scale of social change the invention brought to the community.

The next step for them is to replicate his model for every house in the village and hopefully having access to clean water and electricity, these people can generate their own income and understand the power of innovation.

no comments

Read more...

Thinking Internet Beyond a Web of Connected Computers
About thirteen years ago, youth suicide in Australia was one of the highest in developed countries. At this time, there was something known as the “internet” coming, and Jack Heath, at that time a speech writer for then Prime Minister Paul Keating, was in a meeting with Microsoft and heard about it and knew there was more to internet than just a web of connected computers.

After his own experience with his cousin’s suicide and acknowledging that youth suicide was and still is the leading cause of death amongst young people, and mental health issues remain a stigma and public health concern that has not received much public attention, Jack set out to do something about it.

So with an idea in mind and a trust in technology, Jack sets out what he wanted to do – come up with a website that to reduce the escalating youth suicide rate.

Balance Between Evidence-Based and Innovation
I am one of the lucky few who can testify that meeting Jack and having a coffee with him is an inspiring event.

Jack was smart, right from the start – he knew that there needs to be a balance between evidence-based and being innovative, and a leader in the field. He set up the Inspire Foundation, a non-profit that utilises information communication technology to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people. It runs two programs – ActNow and Reach Out.

Reach Out became the first online program that addresses youth suicide and is probably one of the first that uses a youth advisory board to ensure that the program remains relevant for young people.

Reach Out also came out with the first, award-winning serious game, Reach Out Central, that combines gaming and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help young people develop skills for life.

Recognising Internet as a Setting
Recognising the internet as a setting where young people converge, exchange ideas, develop resources and have conversation, and acknowledging the potential of young people, Inspire made a move towards user generated content, inviting young people in the organisation’s work in social change.

Inspire's Program Model

ActNow raises the awareness of social issues and connects young people with opportunities in their community, and develop resources to help young people take action they are interested in.

Between the Lines is a community for young people aged 18 – 25 that enables them to make informed decisions and reduce problematic drug & alcohol use.

Inspire has since grown to America and Ireland. Inspire has also launched a Teacher’s Network, providing resources to help teachers use Reach Out in their classroom and Reach Out Pro, providing access and advice for health care professionals on a range of technologies and online resources that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of psychosocial support and mental health care provided to young people.

Inspire’s Success
Inspire’s main factor of success is recognising the potential of technology. We are at the Intelligent or some say, Connected Age where we are more connected than ever before. Technology is becoming smaller, cheaper, more mobile and easier to access. It has help us to reach even the hardest to reach communities, the challenge is now to think outside the box and combining the knowledge of community development and technology to address social needs.

Ashoka: Innovators for the Public are hosting Tech 4 Society, a conference exploring technology, invention and social change, in Hyderabad, India, in February 2009. Find out more about the conference here. This blog post is an entry in their competition to find the official blogger to travel to and cover the event.

no comments

Read more...