Geekcorps Mali’s enduring success: Zirasun
25 mai 2006 in News by Ian Howard
In his final year of study at the University of Bamako, Moussa Keita wrote a paper that analyzed the failings of the wireless network at his university. Geekcorps, who was asked to help restore the network, recruited him upon graduation.After more than a year of training with some of the best wireless and open-source experts available, and after successfully installing wireless and other technologies in all corners of his native Mali, Geekcorps, management urged Moussa to begin his own business so that Geekcorps could outsource the many requests for his services.
Nearing its first full year of operation, Zirasun has developed an excellent reputation among its clients, which include Geekcorps, HKI, Africare, the University of Bamako, and the U.S. Peace Corps (for whom Zirasun just completed network installation at their main training center). With the addition of Cheick Oumar Bocoum, a Geekcorps-trained webmaster, Zirasun will add a web division to increase the level of quality services it offers its clients.Moussa feels that the role of Zirasun is to bring a new type of ICT vision to Mali. Moussa finds that most of his Malian competitors are “stagnant,” too often relying on the same packaged Microsoft solutions while not considering open-source solutions that he thinks may be more appropriate in Mali. Moussa considers his time at Geekcorps particularly important to Zirasun’s foundation because not only did he learn best practices from fellow geeks, ICT experts from around the world, but he appreciated the Geekcorps culture, and is trying to replicate aspects of it within Zirasun. He has learned, for example, that to stay at the top of one’s field, one is obliged to learn every day, to constantly search for better solutions. Moussa also feels a responsibility to pass on his technical expertise to others.While still a young enterprise, in its true startup stage, Zirasun has brought on three full-time paid interns. While he admits that this can cause extra financial stress at times, he is confident it is an investment that in the future will pay dividends.
juin 11th, 2006 at 21:28
Sounds great to me. I am happy to here that a Malian is doing something innovative in the IT industry here in Mali. I am an American IT worker who is living here now in Bamako with his family. I moved to Bamako about 7 months ago from the states. I am currently seeking MSAccess Database Development, Website Design or other IT work here in Bamako. I have 3 websites currently:
www.rootsyrecords.com
www.malicounafony.net
www.malidirect.com
Kind Regards,
Jeremy Chevrier
août 3rd, 2006 at 5:54
[…] Geekcorps: Wiring the World Finding price competitive and locally adaptable solutions is a constant dilemma for IT developers in emerging economies. Geekcorps is striving to meet those needs by teaching communities technological independence while promoting the business sector. Former Mali Geekcorps trainee Moussa Keita developed BottleNet, a do-it-yourself WiFi antenna which costs about 3 dollars to produce. Unlike expensive commercial alternatives, BottleNet is made from readily available materials, like cell phone chargers. Keita currently runs his own IT business, focusing on open-source solutions and intern training to pass on technical expertise. Over 3,500 technical experts are associated with Geekcorps; volunteers work on project sites for 4-6 months. PC World recently profiled the NGO in Geeks for a Good Cause. Sponsored by USAID, Geekcorps was created in 1999 by Ethan Zuckerman, who now blogs on media and technology, international development and Africa at My Heart’s in Accra. […]
septembre 12th, 2006 at 7:21
The message appended below regarding the BottleNet was sent to Wayan Vota at his request on August 18, 2006. This message should remove some confusion as to the history of the BottleNet which has been appearing within on-line postings and journals. Note that as part of his training, Moussa Keita assisted in the installation of the “improved” BottleNet that is referenced in this message as well as in the assembly of the first “production” BottleNet.
A brief history of the BottleNet - a Geekcorps Mali (GCM) product
The wirescreen and plastic water bottle based waveguide Wi-Fi antenna that was to become known as a BottleNet was invented by Johnny Brown on September 2, 2004. He designed this antenna during a flight from Seattle to Bamako, then soon after assembled and successfully tested the first prototype in a GCM laboratory. Johnny and Rian Aldridge assembled and tested an improved BottleNet design in a real world setting a couple of weeks later. By mid-October the two of them had installed the first working “production” BottleNet on the roof of the GCM offices. Contributing to the marketing, production and deployment of the BottleNet in 2004 were a number of additional GCM volunteers and staff including Laurent Cazalet, Ian Howard (GCM program coordinator), Moussa Keita, Cheick Sagara, Kim Smyth and Robin Taylor.
Additional information
Further information about the history, technology and economic rational for the BottleNet can be found in articles on the GCM website, such as
http://mali.geekcorps.org/2004/11/03/do-it-yourself-antennas/
http://mali.geekcorps.org/2005/11/07/how-to-make-a-bottlenet-antenna/
http://mali.geekcorps.org/2006/01/09/antenne-unidirectionnelle-dite-cantenna/
It is important to remember that the BottleNet was only one of the components developed at GCM to provide PC-based community radio stations throughout Mali that were connected by Wi-Fi to the Internet, with GCM volunteers also training the station personnel in the use and maintenance of this equipment.
octobre 1st, 2006 at 16:36
[…] To exemplify this approach a recent news article shows how Geekcorps encouraged a Malian graduate to form his own company to work alongside Geekcorps. […]
décembre 18th, 2006 at 0:15
I found your blog via tyler`s blog links..:)