Lack of access to information is a particularly acute  problem in Mali. The vast, multi-lingual, relatively poor, and disproportionately illiter- ate nation cannot rely on newspapers or television to spread information. Radios are the medium of choice — they are relatively affordable, run on batteries instead of electricity, and don’t require users to be literate. In 2005 USAID Mali and partners like Geekcorps made special efforts to bring radio to the rural north, where nomadic populations remain largely isolated and are often marginalized from community, political participation, etc.

One of Geekcorps’ partner radio stations was Radio Beeray, a private radio established by Africare in Bourem Inaly, a village in the remote northern region of Mali. Bourem Inaly is only accessible by boat after a 30-minute drive from Timbuktu, which itself is two days’ drive from the capital in a good SUV. Public transportation takes days longer.

IESC Geekcorps staff and volunteers designed the Desert PC to  withstand a high heat, high dust, low electricity environment. It is the first rugged PC custom built from available parts to survive the harsh desert environment of northern Mali and provide affordable Internet access.

While the individual technologies used to build it are not new, the configuration, location, and application are new and unique. The system has empowered the isolated Bourem Inaly community by providing them with access to new information and communications tools.

The Desert PC Communication System has brought tangible results to Bourem Inaly:

• The staff of Radio Beeray has access to quality information via the Internet, and as a result, the entire community gets better information from the community radio. 

• The increased efficiency of the solar power system resulted in more electricity, which increased radio transmission and lighting usage by two to four hours per day.

• Because the staff no longer has to travel to cyber cafés to send email, etc., Radio Beeray was able to reduce monthly operating costs by nearly US$100. With these savings the station could afford to hire a new staff member. 

• Radio Beeray is able to afford independent maintenance of the system.

Based on the Desert PC’s success throughout the pilot, it was proposed for future rural area Internet access, including all remote Africare sites, and to sites in Niger.