EmpowerNet: Bridging Education, Curation, and Community Impact Offline

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Nzolantima Swasisa

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co proposers and Additional applicants

N/A

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

6

[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)

Deploy our customized offline WiFi servers "Box Lokole Numerique" in local Cardano clubs and educational institutions to curate and disseminate Cardano Ecosystem relevant content.

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

Yes

[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.”

We are part of open source Community and we share codes with Internet-In-A-Box organization; Internet-in-a-Box · GitHub

[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 GNU General Public License (GNU GPL)

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution.

The technological development in Sub-Saharan African countries is influenced by a complex interplay of various factors. While it's important to recognize the diversity across different countries in the region, there are some common challenges that many Sub-Saharan African countries face in terms of technological development. These challenges include:

1. Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure, including reliable electricity, transportation, and communication networks, can hinder the adoption and implementation of technology.
2. Access to Education: Limited access to quality education, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, can result in a shortage of skilled professionals needed for technological innovation.
3. Economic Factors: Many countries in the region face economic challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment. Limited resources may be allocated to technology-related projects and research.
4. Digital Divide: Unequal access to information and communication technologies (ICT) contributes to a digital divide, with urban areas generally having better access than rural areas.
5. Lack of Technology Infrastructure: Limited availability of advanced technology infrastructure, including data centers and cloud services, can hinder the adoption of digital solutions.

SOLUTION:

The primary purpose of the Box Lokole Numeique is to minimize the amount of data that is required to be transferred over an available internet connection which thereby reduces cost of bandwidth on users and allows them to combine monetary resources to achieve better economies of scale when purchasing bandwidth.

The users will need devices that can run a web browser to connect to Lokole server and run locally hosted webmail and web apps which are actually offline, so all server or database calls are free. Regularly the Lokole will call the cloud to sync mail files, database changes or web app source code updates using a compressed and encrypted SSH tunnel with appropriate authentication.

When Lokole device is turned on either by its internal battery pack or external power, it creates a WIFI network which expands to 30 meters radian. Using any WIFI capable device, such as iPad, smart phone, laptop user connects to Box Lokole Numerique network. Once connected, user opens web browser and type box.lan on the address bar. When user presses enter, the home page displays on the screen the menu of the contents in the box, such as titles of the educational materials. For the purposed of this project, the main contents will be Cardano Ecosystem information and education.

Therefore, Cardano Catalyst Ecosystem has a lot of educational videos, audio and digital documents which most of the African population cannot access due to lack of internet impairments, as mentioned here above.

We plan to build 100 Box Lokole Numeriques, loaded with Cardano ecosystem information, educational, seminars, conferences digital materials, which will be available to the Cardano Catalyst club across Africa to acquire.

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

Offline WiFi Server Technology: Our proprietary WiFi server operates without the need for constant internet connectivity, providing a reliable and sustainable solution for Cardano communities with limited access. The internal battery ensures continuous operation even in areas with unreliable power sources.

Anticipated Impact: We anticipate that the EmpowerNet project will revolutionize Cardano ecosystem education, content access, and community engagement in areas with limited internet connectivity. The utilization of our offline WiFi servers will empower communities to drive their own development initiatives.

[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?

I am an African. Born and raised there and experienced life there.

I have implemented several technology projects. In fact I was funded by Cardano Catalyst Fund7 to implement which was completed in timely manner. I am also funded in Fund 10 and it is progressing very well.

We are a very strong team, Group of Open Source developers, software engineers, coders and electronic technicians using Python, Microsoft Azure, Flask, GitHub, & RPi with full of knowledge, committed to manage and deliver a project with high levels of accountability.

Proof:

We were funded in Cardano Fund7 round, we completed and deliver successfully the output of our project within the proposed time line. Check it here Lokole Education Centre in DR Congo (ideascale.com)

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

• Month 1: Hardware Purchase and Preparation
• Order hardware components (Raspberry pi, enclosure, SD cards, batteries, etc.).
• Verify that all hardware components are compatible.
• Set up a secure storage area for hardware.
• Start preparing the workspace for the Box Lokole Numeriques assembly.

• Month 2: Continue Hardware Purchase and Preparation
• Order hardware components (Raspberry pi, enclosure, SD cards, batteries, etc.).
• Verify that all hardware components are compatible.
• Set up a secure storage area for hardware.
• Start preparing the workspace for the Box Lokole Numeriques assembly.

• Month 3: Box Lokole Numeriques Assembly and Software Setup
• Assemble the Box Lokole Numerique
• Install necessary hardware components, Raspberry boards, enclosers, labels etc.
• Install the Rasp iOS operating system on each Box Lokole Numerique.
• Install SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) software for managing the Box Lokole Numerique infrastructure.
• Conduct initial hardware and software tests to identify and resolve any issues.

At this point we will provide videos of the Box Lokole Numeriques devices assembly process and their completed assembled pictures. We will post this on our Facebook page(7) Facebook, Youtube channel

, https://www.tiktok.com/@nzolaswasand Cardano Community Zoom meetings

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMUywE8JCVOe7u98OZk3dIw

• Month 4: Content Creation
• Start collecting educational and informational content related to Cardano.
• Collect videos, podcasts, documents, and other materials.
• Organize the content into categories or modules for easy access.

• we have held regular meetings on zoom during the Africa meeting town halls.
• We have an organized collection of a total of 400 Gigabyte of Cardano educational digital contents, from (2410) Input Output - YouTube (each Cardano Catalysts communities will be able to have this content customized to their needs). 
• We have held regular meetings to reach out to the Catalyst Cardano Communities during the Africa Town Hall meetups.

• Videos and pictures of the Box Lokole Numeriques devices configured and running Cardano video content.
• Documents detailing the content of the collection.
• Report detailing the result of our outreaching efforts with number of meetings held, number of interested communities, number of participants for each meeting.

• Month 5: Community Outreach and Request for Box Lokole Numerique
• Reach out to Cardano Catalyst communities and stakeholders to explain the use and operation of the Box Lokole Numerique.
• Opened time for Cardano communities to request or order their free copy of the Box Lokole 
• Opened Customization needs of the Box Lokole Numerique to the Cardano communities for those who want modifications to fit their needs.

• Month 6: Deployment and Testing
• Loaded Cardano contents onto the Box Lokole Numeriques.
• Customized the Box Lokole Numeriques for the specific needs of each Cardano Catalyst community.
• Shipped Box Lokole Numeriques to the Cardano community clubs for free.
• Conducted user training for the communities on how to access and use the educational content.
• Continuously monitor the Box Lokole Numeriques for any issues and provide technical support as needed.
• Project Closeout Report link
• Project Closeout video link

Completed number of 25 Box Lokole Numeriques are on the shelves, being packaged and shipped on the first ordered first served to the Cardano's clubs who would have ordered them.

This operation will be in the Project Closeout Report and Video Closeout Report.

At this point we will provide videos and pictures of training sessions of the Box Lokole

Numeriques operations and shipment documents through our Facebook page (8) Facebook

Facebook, Youtube channel (2404) ASCODERU - YouTube , Tiktok nzolantimaswasisa (@nzolaswas) | TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@nzolaswas and Cardano Community Zoom meetings.

A link to Project Closeout Report and Project Clouseout videos will be provided.

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

Nzolantima Swasisa (Nzola) , and I was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Because of my passion for technology, at a young age I started taking electronics communications courses. Since then, I built an entire academic and working career in the field. For 19 years I worked for the Christian organization Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in 6 different countries; DRC, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. Now employed by the Canadian National Defense Department.

While working at MAF, I became aware of the lack of telecommunication infrastructures in rural communities and I begun to refurbish old radio communications to help establish new communication systems.

In the late 90’s, I started implementing a radio email system which consisted of sending emails via radio waves. When cell phones then became popular in Africa, I decided to build an offline mobile email server. (26) Nzola Swasisa | LinkedIn (20+) Facebook

Laura Barluzzi is a self-taught developer and passionate advocate for positive change and justice with a MSc in International Development. Laura has dedicated 10 years of her life supporting local and international NGOs. Before supporting Ascoderu, she is a Software Engineer at AdBlock. (26) Laura Barluzzi | LinkedIn

Clemens Wolff is a full-stack software developer who spent much of his life in Togo, Mali and Zambia and is now based in Miami-Fort Lauderdale Arear, USA. He honed his software chops working on large-scale projects at Amazon, Microsoft, at Noom Inc. and on open-source projects such as the sharing platform yunity. Clemens now drives the development of all technical aspects of Ascoderu's projects. (26) Clemens Wolff | LinkedIn

Shaun Bathgate is a Senior Software Engineer at Atreides Caseri Inc.

Full-stack software engineer with experience in product development and automation technologies. (26) Shaun Bathgate | LinkedIn

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

Each Lokole box costs $ 633.86 x 100 units = $ 63,386 ~ ADA 150,000

Details:

MATERIALS COST: 

1- Raspberrypi 4, 8GB ----------- $ 200

2 - Li - Polymer Battery Hat ------40

3 - Raspberypi power supply ----- 20

4 - Raspberrypi Case ------------- 50

5 - Raspberrypi SD card 512 GB -- 89

6 - Logo Sticker ------------------ 10

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Materials --------------------- $ 409

Production/Manufacturing costs $ 57.86

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Total Product + Manufacturing cost $400.86

50% Markup $233

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Single Lokole Digital Box Sales Price $633.86 ~ ADA 1497.04

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

The representation value for money of our project for the Cardano ecosystem will be positive and explosive like bush fire.

How?:

Just think about this; not being connected to internet in today's world means, missing out life's important learning experience. Can you imagine more than 40% of the African populations is not connected to the internet. Yet, Cardano's main communications and activities are digital. This makes Cardano ecosystem adoption very difficult?

This is the reason of our project, Box Lokole Numerique to bridge digital divide. Box Lokole Numerique is capable and ready made to bring Cardano digital ecosystem to all Africans, even those without internet or electricity at a very affordable and sustainable way.

Can you imagine the amount of value the Box Lokole Numerique will bring to Cardano ecosystem???

I hove to you have the answer...Thanks you!

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agrees to Fund Rules and also that data in the submission form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept