Geekcorps Mali’s LMI Blog

Cybertigi is revving up. Over the next two weeks we will begin to see the first tangible results from the past 2 months work. Renaud, as always, is making colossal stride in bering the kiosk elements together – always working closely with Frederick. Frederick has been active in getting many of the other side projects he and Geekcorps have been working on completed, including both his radio and lighting projects. Maimouna and I have been working on developing a training curriculum and interviewing a handful of candidates for the field liason intern position. I’ve been tracking down some of the last hardware needed and getting lots of paper work done. And Matt’s been working at all angles of the team to bring as much synchronicity to the separate elements as possible. The next two weeks are going to be action-packed to say the least.

Here are a few items we’ll be covering in the next week and a half to give you an idea of where we stand:

• Work with the mayor’s office in Faraba to install the first kiosk
• Acquire the solar system
• Install the kiosk, solar system, and other field equipment
• Make final decision on field liaison
• Begin interviews for local kiosk agent
• Formalize agreements with the CLIC and the mayors office
• Begin building the next site, Niagadina, including protocols and field visits
• Review all fiscal models
• Continue developing training curriculums for the field agent, local agent, and community at large.
• Prepare for the “lancement” (opening ceremony) for the kiosk – very important for the success of the kiosk and culturally appropriate
• Field test the last few items for this phase of the project
• Order the items needed for the next site and the phase following it
• More site visits and protocols at the sites to be used in the second phase, Kangaba, Narena, and Bancoumana
• Develop the Cybertigi.com site and the Bamako photo printing extension (including emailing photos and a delivery service)
• Update this blog

So that’s the short list. Yes, there are plenty more things to do, but the thing is, we have a great team of people here working to bring it all together. Progress is being made daily and we are all becoming very excited that the time for implementation is drawing nearer. As soon as the ball really starts rolling, lkely around the beginning of June, it won’t stop for some time and only pick up plenty more momentum. We can’t wait.