Project SIMBA: Gateway to Cardano for 250k+ refugees and 80k students w/ University of Nairobi

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Sunny Basra

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Dr Simon Peters (University of Nairobi)

Mbarathi Kuga (Master Made Studios)

Leon Campbell (LCamz Studios)

Robert Kamanzi Simenya (Incoma Group)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

10

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Establish self-sustaining recording studios in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Uni. of Nairobi for talent to develop skills, foster collaboration, and immerse themselves in the digital economy of Cardano.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The nature of this initiative is intrinsically open source since its mission is to create an inclusive and collaborative environment. SIMBA is an acronym for Social Impact through Business Alliances. In this pilot project, we endeavour to build a physical location for recording studios and a Cardano Hub within a refugee camp and sponsor a 'sister' location at the University of Nairobi campus, respectively, which will be exclusively for the use of the talented and creative people who live, and study at those locations.

[METADATA] Horizons

Sustainability

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our comprehensive solution aims to address the challenges faced by aspiring artists in Kakuma and the broader Kenyan community by establishing professional recording studios, namely Kakuma Studios within the refugee camp, and twinning with another existing studio at the University of Nairobi (UoN).

Here are some facts about our partner, the Univerity of Nairobi;

• UoN is an illustrious institution and is the oldest and largest university in Kenya
• Currently rated the No.1 University in Kenya, (consistently in the TOP 5 Universities)
• The annual revenue is approximately 12,500,000,000 KES (~$95,000,000) per annum
• An average of 84,000 new students enlist to study at UoN every year
• The UoN has over 250,000 alumni

(Reference: uonbi.ac.ke)

Despite these impressive statistics, students have little to no access to education and training related to Blockchain and Web3, so Cardano appears a distant dream. With a real-world integration of Cardano into a leading educational institution, where we can directly connect courses with real-world applications to on-chain projects, our proposal is uniquely positioned to change this narrative completely.

The recognition of the lack of suitable equipment, education, and training options in the creative fields also drives the initiative. The lack of resources significantly hinders prosperity. The experiential and financial opportunities that can be gained from access to the Cardano community, ecosystem, and wider digital economy for the 250,000+ individuals in the Kakuma community, and the entire student population joining the university annually, are virtually non-existent.

Kakuma Studios, the world's first professional recording studio with a 'Cardano Hub' in a refugee camp, focuses on providing professional recording facilities to talented creatives in Kakuma Refugee Camp. The fully equipped studios will not only empower aspiring filmmakers and musicians but also promote artistic expression and preserve diverse cultures within the camp. Our approach uniquely integrates blockchain technology, leveraging Cardano's capabilities and community through the SoundRig platform. This ensures transparent and secure distribution and sales of film content, music, and more thus showcasing the Cardano community’s commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and social transformation.

The partnership with the (UoN) adds another dimension to our solution. This collaboration serves multiple purposes, including providing training and work experience for Kakuma artists and studio management. Through continuous mentorship, this program enables the acquisition of additional skills and experience needed to effectively manage the Kakuma studio, and skills for life after the camp. These people want to be free, and this proposal is an effective route to enabling that freedom, with the additional benefits of learning and attaining valuable skills and understanding the Cardano and wider Web3 environments. Simultaneously, it kick-starts a valuable collaboration between Kakuma and UoN, laying the foundation for a training program focused on student/artist collaboration.

This initiative enables Kakuma artists and UoN students to create and release content into pioneering digital economies through platforms such as our very own SoundRig, but also Artano, DEMU Protocol, DropSpot, JPG.Store, NEWM, and whatever evolves in the future. All content released via SoundRig (and others) on the Cardano Blockchain from both studios opens doors to a new market, stimulating alternative financial avenues for impoverished communities in Kenya.

We also wish to provide masterclasses and further education and training in more advanced blockchain protocols such as DeFi. These opportunities would otherwise be non-existent unless we make the effort to plan, manifest, and realise them. It’s a worthwhile challenge that provides a significant onboarding opportunity for Cardano. The impact of our comprehensive solution extends beyond the immediate benefits for artists, showcasing the potential of the Cardano collective to uplift marginalised communities and contribute to the growth and relevance of the Cardano ecosystem in unconventional areas of development.

Finally, you must understand that this is a pilot project and the catalyst for a much greater vision. When we have proven this self-sustaining, circular economy of opportunity model, we plan to raise significant sponsorships, grants, and impact funding to replicate and execute this in every developing nation.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

https://youtu.be/53-Sf10sE38?si=5r8KP4UoYfS1635g

The positive impact of the Kakuma Studios and UoN project on the wider Cardano community is underscored by its comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges faced by aspiring creatives not only in Kakuma, but also in the broader Kenyan community, and by extension - the whole world. By establishing new professional recording studios — Kakuma Studios within the refugee camp and another at the esteemed University of Nairobi — the initiative recognises the impediments of a lack of education, equipment, training, and web3 access, hindering creativity and financial opportunities for over 250,000 individuals, and millions more in wider Kenya.

This initiative creates an impressive onboarding and educational opportunity for Cardano, with all content released via SoundRig and other excellent ecosystem projects (as mentioned earlier) on the Cardano Blockchain from both the Kakuma and UoN Studios; opening doors to a whole new market.

This stimulates alternative financial avenues for impoverished communities in Kenya, showcasing the potential of blockchain to uplift marginalised communities. The impact extends beyond immediate benefits for creatives, contributing to the growth and relevance of the Cardano ecosystem in unconventional areas of development in emerging markets in wider Africa. A huge catalyst for this would be the Kakuma community leading by example, showcasing how they can turn their talents into unique projects that create life-saving revenues by leveraging Cardano's blockchain technology. Our partnership with Edubis Wallet; the ingenious Cardano wallet delivered on Telegram is a key proponent to demonstrating the power that is at their disposal when they are all able to off-ramp their crypto payments seamlessly through Endubis into an existing and widely utilised mobile payments system such as MPesa.

In quantifiable terms, the project is expected to attract a significant number of users to the Cardano ecosystem, initially within the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the University of Nairobi student communities, and then throughout Kenya, and beyond. The establishment of these professional studios with accompanying ‘Cardano Centers’ creates a vibrant hub for film and music enthusiasts, fostering engaged communities that could inevitably result in a substantial increase in the adoption of the Cardano ecosystem.

In addition, as a direct result, we will be able to demonstrate true adoption through the number of Endubis wallets created in real-time. This surge in transactions and growing user base contributes to the overall strength of the Cardano ecosystem and reinforces Cardano's position as a leader in the blockchain industry for true, commercial adoption. The success of Kakuma Studios and the hub in UoN becomes a beacon of hope, illustrating the transformative power of technology and blockchain in bringing about positive change in the lives of marginalised communities. Notably, with a minimum of 250,000 people in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and approximately 84,000 new students every year at UoN just as a starting point, we anticipate exponential growth of the Cardano Community as we develop more studios and hubs in Africa, and beyond. 

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

We have a highly capable team in place, emphasizing trust and accountability in delivering the Kakuma Studios and UoN project. Senior Team members, Abedi Alain, Dr Mirriam Musonye (Chair, Dept. of Literature, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at UoN); and Robert Kamanzi Simenya possess deep connections to the Kakuma community and invaluable experiences in the music industry. Abedi Alain's background in social work ensures a holistic approach, addressing the community's needs, while Robert Kamanzi's success in music entrepreneurship and intimate history as a former resident offers a powerful, positive role model and source of much-needed inspiration.

Dr Musonye has done extensive academic research in Kakuma and is supporting us to ensure the Studios are integrated correctly into the community. The practical expertise in music production, studio management, and continual professional development for the artists will be provided by the Managing Director of Master Made Studios, Mbarathi Karuga, who also brings strategic insights into project management.

To ensure financial transparency and accountability, we have implemented a robust financial process. We will utilise the Endubis Wallet, a creation by our partner Nebiyu. This wallet, dedicated to the project, facilitates proper fund management, including off-ramping into local currency via an existing mobile payments system, MPesa. Detailed financial records, regular reports to stakeholders, and adherence to financial best practices and regulatory requirements further underscore our commitment to trust and accountability.

In validating the feasibility of our approach, we employ specific measures:

Successful establishment and operation of Kakuma Studios: We track progress in setting up infrastructure, acquiring equipment, and ensuring the studio's smooth operation. Meeting milestones within the proposed timeline and ensuring full functionality demonstrate the viability of our physical and operational plans.

Participation and engagement of refugee artists: We measure the level of engagement by monitoring the number and diversity of artists utilizing Kakuma Studios. Tracking the quantity and quality of music produced indicates the success of our approach in fostering creativity and engagement within the refugee community.

Economic empowerment of artists: Evaluation of economic impact involves monitoring artists' ability to generate income through music distribution and sales. This includes tracking earnings, improvements in living conditions, and potential collaborations and opportunities arising from their involvement with Kakuma Studios.

Global reach and recognition: Metrics such as online streaming, downloads, media coverage, and audience engagement assess the reach and impact of music produced at Kakuma Studios. These indicators help us gauge the success of promoting cultural diversity and enhancing global recognition for Cardano.

Continuous monitoring and evaluation allow us to make necessary adjustments, ensuring the project's progress aligns with our goals. Our commitment to trust and accountability extends throughout the entire process, reinforcing the success of Kakuma Studios as a beacon of positive change in the lives of marginalized communities and contributing to the growth and relevance of the Cardano ecosystem.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1:

Months 1- 6:

1. Establish studio infrastructure with Abedi Kalambi Alain and Master Made Studios in Kakuma Refugee Camp.
2. Set up and launch the Kakuma Studios music NFT ('Eternal TUN3Z') project on https://soundrig.io/ProjectSimba to raise the 200,000 ADA to bridge the gap in funding.
3. Acquisition of quality studio equipment, and delivery to Kenya, with support of LCamz Studios.

Milestone 2:

Month 7: Studio Setup in UoN (~2 weeks) and Kakuma Refugee Camp (~2 weeks)

Milestone 3:

Months 8-9: Selection, recruitment, and training of studio staff before the launch. This includes professional training (virtual and in-person) within Kakuma Refugee Camp and UoN to ensure the team is ready to deliver the success of this comprehensive endeavour.

Milestone 4:

Month 10: ‘Soft’ launch of Kakuma and UoN Studios with artist engagement to ‘stress-test’ the studios’ capabilities and management.

Milestone 5:

Month 11: Official launch of both Studios with full engagement of refugee and student communities to begin production of music and film content and active cohesion with the Cardano ecosystem.

Final Milestone:

Month 12+ (Ongoing): Continuous impact evaluation, and reporting with support from the Sustainable ADA team to ensure we maximise learning and efficiency. 

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Sunny Basra: SoundRig CEO and Senior Project Manager. Also will be leading the implementation of education on cardano blockchain technology with support from the Cardano Foundation. (Profile)

Nebiyu: Founder of Endubis Wallet and Official Partner to Project: SIMBA will be responsible for the onboarding of new community members to the Cardano Blockchain through his Telegram-hosted Endubis Wallet. (Social)

Nathan Barkell: CEO & Co-Founder of Olympus Insights, Nate brings his revolutionary education platform to the heart of Kakuma Refugee Camp. His team will coordinate the facilitation and delivery of digital education in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and University of Nairobi students for extra-curricular studies. The inclusion of Olympus Insights completes the sustainability cycle of this project.

Abedi Kalambi Alain (Kenya): Project Coordinator, and the designated Studio Manager for 'Kakuma Studios'. He is also the lead researcher and author of the original Feasibility Report conducted in Kakuma Refugee Camp. (Profile)

Robert Kamanzi Simenya (US/Kenya): A former resident of Kakuma, and now a celebrated music entrepreneur! Therefore, he has requested to be our official Advisor and support with strategy and logistics in Kenya. (Profile)

Dr. Simon Otieno (Kenya): Professor in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at the University of Nairobi; Education & Training Partner (Profile). We also have the support of the Chair of the Department of Literature, Dr. Mirriam Musonye who has extensive experience and connections within the Kakuma Refugee Camp. (Profile)

LCamz Studio (UK): Leon Campbell is a professional music producer and sound engineer. With approximately 20 years of experience in the music industry and studio management, his expertise is exactly what's required to ensure the success of this project.

Mbarathi Karuga/Master Made Studios: Implementation of the music studios, training, and education. (Website). They will be commissioned with the task of traveling to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to:

• Install the music recording studio equipment
• provide training to the youth on how to operate the equipment, and produce music and video content.

EXTERNAL; Razali Samsudin/SustainableADA: Raz is an established and trusted member of the Cardano community, he needs no introductions. We believe that SustainableADA will expertly ensure that all our social impact endeavors are thoroughly investigated and documented.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The cost for the creation and launch of 'Kakuma Studios' will be ~$99,200 USD (currently ~288,000 ADA), and is divided into the following key cost areas:

1a. Kakuma Studio’s Infrastructure and Business Setup for Launch (w/ Master Made Studios)

Studio Building Rent: $1,800

Studio Renovation, Sound Proofing, Carpet/Decorating/Furnishing: $2,400

Business Registration Certificate & Travel to obtain: $115

Solar Electricity: $2,580

Studio Maintenance: $1,400

Business Permit: $185

Marketing Budget: $15,000

Kakuma Studios Website: $10,000

Website Maintenance: $800

10% Contingency: $3,248

Total Cost: $37,708

1b. Studio Equipment Acquisition and Installation (w/ Lcamz Studios)

Studio Recording Equipment (Camera, green screen, PC, mixers, microphones, studio monitors, acoustic treatment, etc.): $10,100

Tech Hub (Computers, workspaces): $4000

Studio Infrastructure, delivery/logistics, and Setup: ~$14,000

10% Contingency: ~$2,810

Total Cost: ~$30,910

1c. Recruitment and Training of Studio Staff (Kakuma Refugee Camp)

Studio Manager Salary: $3,600 per annum

x2 Assistant Studio Manager Salary: $3,000 per annum (each)

x3 Security Guards Salary: $3,600 per annum (each)

Videographer + Video Editor: $2,400 per annum (each)

Studio Cleaner Salary: $1,800 per annum

Total Cost: $27,000 per annum

2. Impact Evaluation and Reporting (for Sustainable ADA)

3a. Evaluation and Reporting Costs: $2,000 USD

3b. Financial Reporting and Audits: $1,500 USD

Total Cost: $3,500

Grand Total: ~$99,118 (~287,862 ADA)

Using ADA's value over the past months we assume a price of ~0.34 for ADA according to Coingecko.com (as of 8th Oct '24). As the maximum we are allowed in this category of Fund 13 is 100,000 ADA, we have a shortfall of almost 200,000 ADA.

We plan to bridge this by launching an ambitious music NFT project ('Eternal TUN3Z') on https://soundrig.io/ProjectSimba. This project will contain exclusive content about the project and allow the community to support the endeavour directly. By minting 10,000 NFTs priced at 20 ADA each, we anticipate 200,000 ADA in sales to fill the gap comfortably. This is why we require an additional 2 months for the project, thus taking a full 12 months to complete.

Note: The costs are a combination of fixed costs and annual (1st year costs). The subsequent years will be financed by revenue generated from the studios, sales of music NFTs, and industry sponsors.

The budget breakdown includes the costs associated with each milestone and other necessary elements for successful project implementation. It covers the physical infrastructure, equipment acquisition, staffing, launch events, artist engagement, music production and distribution, impact evaluation, reporting, publicity/marketing/promotion, project management, documentation, and reporting back to the community.

The project team will diligently manage the funds provided and ensure transparency and accountability in all financial matters. Any excess funding beyond the requested amount will be used to enhance the project's impact, support additional activities, or serve as contingency funds if necessary.

Please note that the budget breakdown provided is an estimate and is subject to change based on actual costs, market conditions, and any unforeseen circumstances. The project team will carefully monitor expenses and make adjustments as needed to maximize the value for money and ensure efficient resource utilization.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways.

A. Firstly, the costs are justified by the significant positive impact and value that the project will bring to the Cardano ecosystem. By establishing Kakuma Studios in partnership with UoN and Olympus Insights, we are creating a pioneering (nationwide) ecosystem for talented creatives to express themselves, promote cultural diversity, and generate economic opportunities in the Cardano ecosystem from within the refugee camp (250k+ persons) and student population (80k persons enrolled annually). We are creating a creative and academic onramp for refugees, and students of the UoN, and this is just the beginning. This is what TRUE Cardano adoption looks like.

B. The costs have been carefully assessed and allocated to ensure optimal utilisation of resources while delivering the desired outcomes. The budget breakdown takes into account the specific needs of the entire project, including infrastructure setup, equipment acquisition, staffing, artist engagement, music production and distribution, impact evaluation, and more.

C. Staff salaries were determined in alignment with national average industry standards, and considering the local context of the refugee camp and the UoN staff wage guidelines. This represents alignment with the original vision of Cardano to "bank the unbanked" in the developing nations that need this technology the most.

D. Furthermore, the costs have been determined based on a combination of factors. In the case of infrastructure and equipment, market research and price comparisons were conducted to ensure competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards. Our focus is to maximise cost value to the Cardano community, whilst establishing the technological infrastructure for continued, sustainable growth for a potential population of 22.71M people who use the internet in Kenya. (https://datareportal.com/)

The project aligns with Cardano's mission of empowering individuals, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Additionally, the project represents additional value for money by leveraging partnerships such as with the University of Nairobi and Sustainable ADA, to provide unique and original opportunities for empirical, academic research where there were none before, allowing for data collection, impact assessment, and reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability in measuring the project's outcomes.

Overall, the costs associated with the project are disproportionate to the benefits and impact it aims to achieve. The careful allocation of resources, adherence to industry standards, and focus on delivering meaningful outcomes demonstrate incredible value for money and are a testament to how much can be achieved with a relatively conservative budget to mutually benefit the people of Kakuma, Kenya, and the Cardano ecosystem.