Geekcorps Mali

In November 2003, IESC Geekcorps began the Communications in development program to give community radio stations throughout Mali access to the Internet to research and to obtain and share radio programming. In January 2006, Geekcorps expanded its role in Mali to bring affordable and adapted solutions to rural areas currently ill-serviced by ICT, to reduce the technology inequity between rural Mali and urban Mali - to serve the "last mile".

In the Last Mile Initiative, Geekcorps' staff and volunteers spend a substantial portion of their time in rural Mali, introducing, installing, and training on technologies that afford greater access to information. In the process, Geekcorps Mali has become an idea incubator, focused on finding and adapting solutions that work in Mali and then teaching public, private, and NGO partners how to implement the solutions developed by Geekcorps.

The program has successfully created models for sharing Internet using locally-made wireless antennas, BottleNet, implemented web-based solutions for radio stations, created low-cost internet systems for rural radio stations and is working to create small enterprises to support these technologies.

French-speaking volunteers with experience in WiFi, community radio, networking, open source software (especially Linux), and end-user training, are welcome to register with Geekcorps for the opportunity to join this cutting-edge program

Recent posts in the Mali category:

Please Welcome Olivier Alais to Geekcorps Mali!

13th September 2007 in People, News, Mali, Featured by Wayan Vota

It’s with great please that we announce the new Geekcorps Mali Program Manager, Olivier Alais. Olivier comes to Geekcorps after working in Burkina Faso deploying computer labs with the French Embassy there. As a Parisian, he’s bringing a true French flair to Geekcorps Mali.

Olivier is also brining Geekcorps Mali into a new program area. For the next year, he will build on GCM’s success in improving rural radio stations by developing five new radio stations in Mali’s far north. These stations will bring innovative and sustainable information and communication technologies to underserved areas previously excluded from Mali’s active social and political systems.

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Papou Coulibaly: An Entrepreneur Adapting the Cybertigi Approach

21st June 2007 in Success stories, News, Mali, Featured by Wayan Vota

Papou Coulibaly is young boutique owner in Ouélessébougou. Previously, Geekcorps partnered with Papou to create a Cybertigi - an Internet access point for the local community via a wireless link to a Community Information & Learning Center (CLIC).

The Cybertigi proved to be a very successful experiment, becoming popular with first time Internet users who found Papou’s mini-cyber both affordable and accessible. Unfortunately, after several months of Cybertigi operation the CLIC lost its Internet connection and Papou returned his equipment back to the CLIC.

Undeterred, Papou Coulibaly saw the potential for offering offline ICT services in Ouélessébougou and went about creating a unconnected cyber café at his boutique. Using the Geekcorps’ Cybertigi design, Papou acquired three computers, a laser printer, scanner, digital camera, photo printer, a Bluetooth adapter, speakers and a headset, even building a permanent metal shelter for his cyber café boutique.

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Making R-BGAN Satellite Internet Connectivity Affordable in Mali

11th June 2007 in News, Mali, Featured by Wayan Vota

The high cost of rural Internet connectivity in Africa is a major challenge. In nearly every case, the only option is to use a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) to access the Internet via satellite. The subscription costs are $300 a month on average - prohibitively expensive for rural African communities.

Since early 2006, IESC Geekcorps has pioneered the use of INMARSAT Regional Broadband Global Area Network (R-BGAN) satellite modem as an affordable alternative to a VSAT connection.

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We’re Hiring! IESC/Geekcorps Mali Program Manager

3rd May 2007 in News, Experts needed, Mali, Featured by Geekcorps

Geekcorps is currently seeking a passionate, experienced, and motivated technology expert and advocate to manage Geekcorps Mali projects and volunteers, and assist in developing new projects and expanding Geekcorps into new technologies and countries.

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Geekcorps Director Speaking at ICT@Grassroots Panel Today

25th April 2007 in News, Mali by Geekcorps

Geekcorps Director Wayan Vota will be one of three speakers featured at the ICT@Grassroots Panel today at the Peace Corps headquarters in Washington D.C. The purpose of the event is to discuss a variety of projects and programs aimed specifically at reducing the costs of access to computers and communications technologies for clients in developing countries. Mr. Vota will discuss Geekcorps’ activities in providing low-cost computing solutions for developing countries and will specifically highlight Geekcorps activities in Mali.

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