Another New SAGA Feature!!
This section is going to promote "simple life-saving ideas" that most Canadians don't know about (I'd say probably around 95%). The ideas are practical, sustainable and
genius. Western science and technology are used to solve developing countries' problems - but they do so while using local resources and the local perspective.
Each week we will promote an idea that has already saved millions of lives or could save millions of lives. Please share this knowledge with others. (Nov 17)
Apr 27
Elephant Pepper
Background
To see an elephant up close is breathtaking (I know); but if you are an African farmer the situation can also be a major problem. Elephants raid food crops, grain stores, damage houses, and occasionally kill people.
Their presence can cause widespread fear and they compete with villagers for resources such as wild fruits and water. Farmers usually have to protect their crops at night, an activity that is dangerous, reduces productivity, and increases the risks of catching diseases such as malaria.
What's the LISA Idea? Elephants hate chili pepper. Thus string fences slathered with chili-infused grease and odors produced from burnt briquettes of chili and dung deter elephants away from crops. The excess chili also be sold at local and global markets.
See picture.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
Protects livelihood of rural farmers in Africa and Asia |
| 2) |
"Farmers have reduced crop loss by at least 90%" (National Geographic) |
| 3) |
Creates buffer zones between animal habitat and agricultural lands |
| 4) |
Simple method that irritates elephants rather than killing or injuring them |
| 5) |
Utilizes cheap, readily available resources |
| 6) |
Replaces methods with high capital costs like electric fences |
| 7) |
Co-developed with farmers in a community-based system = sustainability |
| 8) |
Pepper can last for two seasons if properly stored |
| 9) |
Chili peppers are cheap to grow and subsist in harsh environments |
| 10) |
Reduces farmer's risk of malaria; since farmers are not outside at night |
| 11) |
An income generating project since the
chili sauce is sold to other countries |
| 12) |
Chili Sauce is going to be sold in American zoos; so increases more awareness |
Sources
Main Elephant Pepper Website
Wildife Conservation Society
National Geographic News
Brief Next Billion Article
Jan 8
Q-Drum
Created By: Hans Hendrikse
Background Water is life. However billions are the world do not have the luxury of a kitchen tap and must get their daily requirement elsewhere. They spend many arduous hours carrying water in whatever container they can find - most often it is within these yellow plastic
containers that are cumbersome, dilapidated and very heavy.
What's the LISA Idea? Fetching water with a new type of plastic container - one which has a donut's hole in the middle and rolls on the ground. See picture.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
It is such a simple idea; but its effects can be felt in everyday life. |
| 2) |
It improves the lives of women and children; who do most of the water fetching. |
| 3) |
For children - a strenuous chore can now become a game. |
| 4) |
Children saving time in their day means that they now have more time for school. |
| 5) |
No maintenance - there are no removable or breakable handles or axles. |
| 6) |
If the rope breaks it can be easily replaced with another or by woven plants. |
| 7) |
Can be recycled for use with other liquids such as cooking oils and fruit juices. |
| 8) |
Durable: A Q-Drum lasted 7 million revolutions (12,000 kilometers) and provided a family with 120,000 L of water!! |
Sources
www.qdrum.co.za - official website
Rolex Awards for Enterprise
The Hidden Edge: South Africa's World Class Inventions
Jan 1:
Peer-to-Peer Philanthropy
Created By: Kiva.org
Background In recent years microfinance has emerged as a legitimate means of fighting poverty. Evidence of its success is
demonstrated by last year's Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to the Grameen Bank and its founder Dr. Yunus. By giving
entrepreneurs in developing countries small loans you give them opportunity.
What's the LISA Idea? A new twist to microfinance that allows you to get directly involved in choosing which person/business you support overseas. It gets rid of the middle-man and has been described as similar to eBay.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
Microfinance enables individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. |
| 2) |
Long-term sustainability since loans are paid back. Therefore can be re-invested! |
| 3) |
Peer-to-peer gives a personal face and story to massive statistics of poverty. |
| 4) |
An alternate for those seeking something other than child sponsorship programs. |
| 5) |
Extremely diverse since you can support any number of industries or trades. |
| 6) |
Extremely simple as all you need is a computer and a PayPal account. |
| 7) |
You get progress reports from your peer, so you build a personal connection that is different from the typical stereotypes surrounding developing countries. |
| 8) |
An egalitarian approach emerging in society that fosters global equality. |
Sources
www.kiva.org - official website
kiva blog
Wikipedia Article entry
Spotlight from PBS Frontline TV Program
Article from worldchanging.com
Dec 21:
Phase-Change Incubator
Created By: Amy Smith
Background Bacteria and micro-organisms kill millions of people every year due to inadequate public health and poor sanitation. (See some of the past LISA ideas for specific sources but a palpable example is what's now going on in East Africa.)
What's the LISA Idea? A low-cost, low-maintenance device that tests for microorganisms in water supplies without using electricity.
It uses small balls containing a chemical compound that, when heated and then kept insulated, will stay at 37°C for 24 hours.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
Allows bacterial cultures to be tested without the need for expensive labs |
| 2) |
Useful for developing countries and remote rural regions |
| 3) |
Allows one to figure out what drugs to treat a disease |
| 4) |
At $200 USD (only price I could find) it's not very expensive since it's reusable |
| 5) |
Allows for science and technology to grow in Africa (big smiles from Alex) |
| 6) |
Early detection and early response to disease **very important** |
Sources
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-change_incubator
MIT news office
Dec 8:
Pot-in-pot Refrigerator
Created By: Mohammed Bah Abba
Background Over 1.5 billion people on the planet lack access to basic
electricity. Therefore access modern appliances like the refrigerator is
non-existent, and food spoils very quickly and is the susceptible to many diseases.
What's the LISA Idea? A very large clay pot with a smaller clay pot inside and a lid. The smaller pot is still capable of holding 25 lbs of food. The space between the two pots is filled with damp sand that must be watered twice a day.
Based on the simple principle of physics: The water contained in the sand evaporates towards the outer surface of the larger pot where the drier outside air is circulating. By virtue of the laws of thermodynamics, the evaporation process automatically causes a drop in temperature of several degrees, cooling the inner container, destroying harmful microorganisms and preserving the perishable foods inside.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
'Shelf-life' is vastly increased (ie Eggplant stays fresh for 27 days instead of 3) |
| 2) |
Many other fruits, vegetables and perishables last much longer than normal |
| 3) |
Less food is wasted and can be eaten, stored or sold |
| 4) |
Increases sales opportunities for the farmer/producer |
| 5) |
Increases supply of fruits and vegetables in the marketplace for the consumer |
| 6) |
Since the food is of higher quality there is more vitamins and nutrients |
| 7) |
Less rotting food = less flies attracted = less diseases like dysentery |
| 8) |
Can protect sorghum & millet (two common grains) from fungus contamination |
| 9) |
Improved local economy = improved education and health care services |
| 10) |
People helping themselves instead of charity = long-term sustainability |
| 11) |
Girls don't have to spend their day at the market and instead can go to school |
Sources
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot-in-pot_refrigerator
The Rolex Awards for
Excellence
Science in Africa
Nov 29:
Oral Rehydration Therapy
Created By: World Health Organization
Background
Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) is a simple, cheap and effective treatment for diarrhea-related dehydration. For many decades this was the leading cause of child mortality but since ORT's implementation it has fallen to number two. The annual number of deaths attributable to
diarrhea among children aged under 5 years fell from the estimated 4.6 million in 1980 to about 1.5 million today!!
What's the LISA Idea? A solution of sugar and salt that is delivered orally to sick kids. If left untreated the small children are unable to cope with the excess loss of bodily fluids that is associated with diarrhea but with increased
rehydration and continued feeding the body is able to regain control of water and electrolyte balance.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
So cheap that it works in places without many resources. |
| 2) |
So simple that anyone on the planet can use it. |
| 3) |
Replaced complicated intravenous methods of treatment |
| 4) |
Can be modified using certain juices and mashed bananas |
| 5) |
Works against cholera (>1 million cases in 2005, WHO) |
| 6) |
Works against rotavirus (> 800 000 cases in 2005, WHO) |
| 7) |
Works against most other acute watery diarrhea diseases (>1.1 million DEATHS every year in children under five) |
*Note: Oral rehydration does not stop diarrhea, but keeps the body hydrated and healthy until the diarrhea passes. Also just drinking water does not work since your large intestine is usually secreting water instead of absorbing it and because you have replace lost electrolytes.
Sources
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy
WHO 2000: Reducing deaths from diarrhoea through ORT [pdf]
WHO: Map of Under Five Mortality Rate [image]
WHO: Graph of Under Five Mortality Rate [image]
Nov 17:
Malian Peanut Sheller
Created By: The Full Belly Project
Background 500 million people are dependent upon peanuts as a primary source of protein. They live in
over 100 countries; but particularly in equatorial regions and Africa. The major limiting factor for growing peanuts has always been the time- and labor-intensive process of hand-shelling peanuts, a job usually relegated to women and children. On average an individual can manually shell 1.5 kg per hour.
What's the LISA Idea? Build an affordable, hand-powered peanut shelling machine.
Why it's Amazing?
| 1) |
Peanuts can now be shelled at a rate of 50 kg per hour. |
| 2) |
Saves much time and greatly relieves burden from women and children |
| 3) |
Cost to build a machine is <$50 US. Only requires concrete and few metal parts |
| 4) |
Maintenance is nearly zero. Lifespan is estimated at twenty years. |
| 5) |
A fiberglass mould can build an indefinite number of machines (Cost $500 US) |
| 6) |
Can be modified to shell other nuts |
| 7) |
Higher quality nutrition is added to diet (ie. protein versus just starches) |
| 8) |
Peanuts can be eaten, made into flour, peanut butter and peanut oil |
| 9) |
Soil conservation (peanuts nitrify soil, while its complex roots prevents erosion) |
| 10) |
Peanut hay, the upper portion of the peanut plant, can be fed to livestock |
| 11) |
Increase in cash crops (peanuts themselves can be sold, but nitrification increases growth of other crops like maize and cotton) |
| 12) |
Improved local economy = improved education and health care services |
| 13) |
People helping themselves instead of charity = long-term sustainability |
Sources
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Belly_Project
www.fullbellyproject.org
Full Belly Project video
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