Friday, May 15, 2009

Developing Technology for the "Developing World"

I had a interesting discussion with yet again my IT guru friend, Uche (u don become blog famous...lol!), a couple of weeks ago about the challenges involved in developing technology for the "3rd World". We were discussing about the issues he has to address in a web project he is currently working on!

While in developed countries the focus is on upgrades to existing technologies, individuals, businesses & organizations in developing countries have to establish systems to harness the power of technology!

Developing technology to be used in the developing world has its own challenges...3As & Ss come to mind....

- Availability

- Accessibility

- Affordability

- Simplicity

- Security

- Sustainability (designed in a way that allows for continuity, maintenance..i.e. people are self sufficient to trouble shoot and repair failed or faulty systems)

I think one of the technologies that was successful introduced in Africa which people cannot seem to live without is the "Mobile Phone" (so how is it called..mobile phone technology??lol). Africans can TALK, TALK & TALK....so Telecom companies are going to be making money for a very long time!!

MTN made an excellent decision to expand out of South Africa in the late '90s...and it paid off big time!When I left home in 1998 there were no cell phones (except for the mighty ones owned by a handful!!). It is almost 10 yrs since the introduction of this technology in Cameroon. MTN Group has been "reaping where it sowed" since it launched operations in Nigeria in 2001.

It started out as an exclusive service..SIM cards and phones were damn expensive....It slowly moved in the remote areas (who had reception only in specific spots in the villages!) and now it is relatively common place...The "Pay as you You" system is excellent since our society "cash" driven..If you cannot buy a recharge card to top up your "credit"..then you cannot make any calls...period!But people figured a way around this...and are now constant "peebeurs" or "flashers"....lol

Another company that understands how to market its products in the developing world is Nokia (which is truely "Connecting People"). Nokia caters for all:High, Medium & Low Tier, Simple vs. Complex, Stylish vs. Plain etc.....I love Nokia phones (simple ones!) any time any day!

The "Mobile Phone technology" is now available, accessible & has become relatively affordable! It is simple...easy to use.(from topping up your phone to following simple instructions in manuals). Security may not apply to this one..'cause people have become targets because of their "flashy" phones...I think it is sustainable...I am sure every "quartier" has a "Cell Phone Technician"...lol...We are just too smart!If one of these guys cannot figure out what is wrong with your phone..then it is time to get a new one...

One area which still needs a lot of work is Medical Devices..Infact the health care industry as a whole needs a total revamp in a lot of developing countries...Medical devices are a major contributor to the efficiency of this industry...
My sis wrote a very insightful paper for one of her Biomedical Engineering Undergrad Projects...on the Design & Development of Medical Devices for the developing world!The design criteria (and constraints) of devices need to consider the end user and environment.
How many Donated machines are now covered with dust because they cannot be used anymore.....Spares are too damn expensive & the expertise for maintenance is non-existent. I can go on

An article, "Medical Basics still needed in the Developing world" brings to light the following

- Making a shift towards medical care that is low cost but highly innovative

- Designing simple and robust systems

- The development of... "“point-of-care” diagnostic devices, such as a blood-testing system that goes “direct from finger to device. They must be high-throughput and low cost, for use at the point-of-care.”"

Another interesting article...."Making Diagnostics Affordable"


Last year, Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft to run his family's charitable foundation. This foundation has become the richest and most influential voice in Global Public Health!

Technologies combined can help to promote awareness. Read about Mhealth (Mobile Health Technology) here

Also Check out www.jopsa.org....Projects & Perspectives on Global Health!

There seems to be a lot focus on global public health....Slowly but surely something is happening!

OK...back to my IT gurus....lol
IT Entrepreneurs( like Uche & Mambe!!) designing systems for Africa constantly address issues....IT gurus..please shed some light into the problems you face......I can already think of a few..(check me too..with my technophobe self...lol!!)

- Web Pay Systems

- Security

- Speed (Internet speed for one...ehmmm...something to do with Bandwidth???)

OK..that was a long one!!

Let's see what the Technocrats have to say....lol

Have a nice weekend...

Y.M...IRepCamer

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

WAX & MISS FOLLOW ME's...."C'EST LA VIE".......

Camers "IN THE INDUSTRY" are doing great !Two wonderful artists featured on " THE INDUSTRY" series (Episode I & II respectively) have released .."C'est La Vie"..If you are paysan (as in correct one...lol!) you should know this song (by Henry Dikongue). This rendition is just off the hook..

Why?

Talented Artists.... Nde Ndifonka aka Wax straight out of Jo'burg & Miss Follow me, Debra Debs rep'ing in London!

I love the beats..the production is point

Their voices compliment each other... Talent day outside oh my people!

The back up "singers" come in at the right time and sound really good!

Lyrics... are "too mad"..." A little dose of your breath, a child is born..."...."Blow them away, Kiss away, the tears of yesterday, it's so bright, it's Ok, Just like a brand new day..."
After listening a couple of times..you just have to sing....

Infact this is just a "tight" collabo ! The Camers-Rep-ing in SA & UK...a "Wax-MissFollow me " experience!

I hope we start having more collaborations "IN THE INDUSTRY"......

So what Music Genre is this? It seems like a mix......Ok..I don't know what to write..'cause I am not a guru on this..lol! So??

Enjoy.......It is definitely one for the replay... "C'est La vie, C'est La vie"..

So are you feeling this song or what?






















































































Download "C'est La Vie" ...Sorry I cannot post the song!I don't know how to!..Ok. something new I need to learn in my Blogging 202 class!!

Enjoy the rest the week...C'est La Vie..... Try to enjoy life....no matter how stressful it gets!!

Y.M..IRepCamer

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

"HOW I WEAR AFRICAN"......SHOW OFF YOUR AFRICAN STYLE!!

African Vibes Magazine successfully launched the "I WEAR AFRICAN" Campaign...with a wonderful event. "How I Wear African" is Phase II.... to show off your African Style!!

You can join the campaign by sending the following information by email to iwearafrican@africanvibes.com
  • Your Name

  • Your Occupation

  • Your Country of Origin

  • Your State/Country of Residence

  • Description of your African Style (60 words or less)

  • A high resolution professional picture showing off your African Style

  • Name of Photographer

  • Name of Designer of your outfit if available

Or online on www.africanvibes.com...


Become a fan of "I WEAR AFRICAN" on FaceBook and check it out for updates!!

Who has featured soo far?


Images,Courtesy of African Vibes Magazine.

OK people, showcase your African style by joining the campaign...Please spread the word!!

Y.M....IRepCamer




Friday, May 8, 2009

IT'S "PUSH MEENOSH" ..........UPDATES!!

Yes people, updates on "Push Meenosh".......It is getting exciting on the campaign trail!!

You can request to hear her music on BBC 1Xtra by sending a text message to "88111" with the following content:
"Play Chamukuana and/or Givin it up by Menoosha" (cost: 10p-15p from Uk mobiles) Cite your name and town, if possible.

For non-Uk residents, send the same content to the following email address:
1xtra@bbc.co.uk


Request "Givin it up" on Venture Radio by emailing any of the Venture Radio Presenters







Thanks for all the support on the campaign so far... It's "Push Meenosh" all the way!!

Have a nice weekend.

Y.M......IRepCamer

CONTEMPORARY ART.......

I love ART...I couldn't resist & just had to share...Two words come to mind: CREATIVE & ORIGINAL....

"Florence Béal-Nénakwé: a Cameroonian painter. Florence Béal-Nénakwé. She’s the one it is about. Everything is original in her; her personality, her language, her spirit and, of course, her painting. Yes, her painting....."

Her Style is BOLD and very rich in COLOUR.....Enjoy!!!


Painter & Roger Milla!!

For more, check out www.beal-nenakwe.com/

Have a nice weekend....

Y.M.....IRepCamer

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

"DANCING IS AN AFRICAN GENE"..........

"Dancing is an African Gene"...Lol...Dancing.... is in our blood...It is an integral part of our cultures!!I am yet to meet an African who cannot dance.If you do..hmmm...please,....(lol....random thoughts!)

This group of ladies have taken African dance to another level..."Les Belles D'afrique" (The Beauties of Africa) is a "..Contemporary African dance organized comprised of seven remarkable women from varying African backgrounds..."...Representing Cameroon,Ghana, Kenya,Nigeria & Uganda!!!

The two-time (2005 & 2008) winners of the "African Dance Explosion" (A dance competition)have showcased their wonderful dance moves on different occasions in the Washington DC/MD/VA area.

This is a classic example of BEAUTY,BRAINS & "STEPS" combined!!

Presenting the belles of Les Belles D'Afrique.....

Yvonne Akumu (Kenya)
Biologist

Ariane Kouamou (Cameroon)
Engineering Graduate

Chigozie Ajagba (Nigeria)
IT consultant

Enyonam Blege (Ghana)
Law Student

Andong Nkobena (Cameroon)
Pre-Med Student

Chinyere Nwaneri (Nigeria)
Medical Student

Lorraine Beraho (Uganda/Rwanda)
Medical Student

For more please check them out @ www.lbdafrique.com

Les Belles D'Afrique @ "I WEAR AFRICAN", April 18th 2009!

Ten Thumbs up to the Belles....You guys totally rock...Keep flying your flags high!

Y.M......IRepCamer

Saturday, May 2, 2009

IT'S A LOVE AFFAIR (CLUB NIGHT).....CAMER STYLE!!


A CAMEROON LOVE AFFAIR (CLUB NIGHT)

EVENT: LAUNCH PARTY--- CAMEROON INDEPENDENCE DAY

DATE: MAY 16th 2009 (10:00 PM - 3:00 AM)

VENUE: KIMOS, 184 STOKE NEWINGTON HIGH STREET, LONDON. N16 7JD








Yeah.....It's a "LOVE AFFAIR" Camer Style! The brain child of Emmanuel Bicharri aka Essence, the events are aimed at raising the profile of Cameroonians in the UK, promoting upcoming artists & other creative talent...."IN THE INDUSTRY".

"Although it is aimed at attracting Cameroonians, it goes without saying that....it welcomes everyone to have a "CAMEROON LOVE AFFAIR"......"

ARTISTS OF THE NIGHT

FUSE MC (GRIME & HIP HOP)
Robinson Ayuk aka Fuse Mc is a young musical phenomenon and an up and coming 16 year old artist from East London.
www.myspace.com/fusemcuk

ESSENCE (HIP HOP & R&B)
The man behind it all..Essence
www.myspace.com/essenceonlinemusic

JPS ENTERTAINMENT
(HIP HOP)
"Combining their artistic skills, Henry “Cally P” Edet, Victor “Jay-Vic” Johnson and Valentine “Baby Africa” Ashu represent the emerging dynamic trio that make up London based African hip hop group JPS a.k.a Just Plain Sick."
www.justplainsick.com

HAZELLE
(R&B)
" Hazelle is an independent Singer, producer and Songwriter with influences from Pop, RnB, Soul and Dance. Hazelle began her music career at the age on 11 in Malawi performing for various events such as ‘Miss Malawi’ functions"....."
www.myspace.com/LBXHAZELLE

VALENTINE
www.myspace.com/VALENTINEFANS

GUSTAV & DOPE BOYS ENT.

FASHOW SHOW BY

ASILI---- is "Promoting African through Fashionable Clothing"
"Clothes for Conversation"

"Asili is an innovative and unique company that aims to promote Africa in a positive light through the produce of trendy and fashionable clothing...."
"The brand aims to bring out the creativity, strength and unity of Africa through this medium. Asili means ‘origin’ in Swahili, one of the most commonly spoken languages in Africa."
www.asili.co.uk

BOT i LAM
"Original African Wear", designed by Xaverie Bakemhe and Lola Adeshigbin.
"......This is the beginning of our contribution to Africa, so as to help towards its development. It begins in Cameroon, with an aim to go to other countries across the continent....."
www.botilam.com
MILLIONAIRE INDUSTRY CLOTHING Designed by Edward Kennedy
www.millionaireindustry.com


SPECIAL GUESTS

SARINA LEAH (Neo-Soul)...Courtesy of Ubiquity records
www.myspace.com/SARINALEAHLOVE

NICKITA "UK BLACK ROSE" (Model/Presenter)
www.myspace.com/nickita_tia

SAM MORA
Founder of "Mora Moda" model agency based in Manchester,will be scouting potential models on the night for up coming projects and ventures.
www.mora-moda.com

For more..Check out the Event Page on Facebook

You know how Camers do...We run things!!If you are in the UK, keep May 16th open.....It's a "full package" night and bound to be loads of fun.!!

Kamer 4 Life......

Y.M....IRepCamer

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