Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Kelvin Doe: A Teenage Electronic Genius From Sierra Leone


From the NY Daily News, "West African teen Kelvin Doe awes scientists with his knack for building tech from scrap: Doe, the Sierra Leone teen also known as DJ Focus, built a radio station from discarded parts and constructed a battery to help manage blackouts in his village – and now plans to build a windmill to produce electricity," by Michael Walsh, on 5 December 2012  -- A West African science prodigy inspired scientists from top tier U.S. universities by transforming trash into technological solutions to empower his community – and he is only 16.

Kelvin Doe, also known as DJ Focus, is a self-taught inventor from Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“He literally goes into trash cans, finds broken electronic parts from the garbage and makes stuff on his own,” said David Sengeh, the PhD student at MIT who organized Doe’s trip to the U.S. for his university’s "Visiting Practitioner's Program.”

Doe – the program’s youngest participant ever – was invited on the strength of a local FM radio station he created to address important local issues, reported ABC News.

Doe works with his MIT Media Lab mentor David Sengeh while visiting the U.S.

“If we have a radio station in my community, the people can be able to debate about issues affecting our community and Sierra Leone as a whole,” Doe explained.

Sengeh, also from Sierra Leone, is dedicated to fostering innovation among young people.

“Sierra Leone and many other African countries receive aid,” Sengeh said in a video for YouTube channel THNKR. “But it does not necessarily get us anywhere. We are not looking into the future. We are not designing our own future.”


Still a teen, Doe has been inventing electrical solutions for his community.

“The lights will come on once in a week, and the rest of the month, dark,” Doe said. “So, I made my own battery to power lights in people’s houses.”

Doe also plans to design a windmill to generate more electricity, he explained.

Clever and resourceful, Doe created a transistor radio, homemade batteries and studio generator with broken equipment he found in the trash.

During his time in the U.S., Doe had access to MIT’s resources and mentors. He even met with Harvard’s president.


“For Kelvin, his biggest challenge is going to be the scarcity of the materials and the information once he goes back,” Sengeh said.

Undeterred, Doe intends to share his knowledge and continue inventing for his community, according to THNKR.

“Whatever things I’ve learned here, I will share it with my friends, colleagues and loved ones,” Doe said.

The fundraiser Innovate Salone, which is run by a nonprofit Sengeh co founded, aims to raise $100,000 by the end of the year to sponsor Doe and other young innovators.

(source: NY Daily News)

38 comments:

  1. What's up everyone, it's my first go to see аt thіs ωeb ѕіte, аnd post іs aсtually fruitful
    in favor οf me, κeep uр posting
    such аrticles or revieωѕ.

    Also visit my ωeb-site: taxi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eh, this is nice but what has it got to do with slavery?

    ReplyDelete
  3. YouTube contains not only comic and humorous video tutorials but also it carries learning related videos.


    My website :: www.makanna.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your style is really unique compаreԁ to
    other folκs I have reaԁ stuff from. I appreciatе you for
    posting when уou've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just boоk
    mark this site. Tinnitus Remedies - Cure Tinnitus Safely

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful, what a blog it is! This webpage provides useful
    data to us, keep it up.

    Here is my site; hi.sourceheat.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You've done
    a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.



    Feel free to visit my weblog: chrome dumbbells and rack

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ехcеllent bеat !
    I would like to аppгentice while
    you amenԁ yοur sіte, how
    cаn i subscribe for a blog web site?
    The account helped me a aсceptable ԁeal.
    I hаԁ bеen a little bіt aсquaіntеԁ
    of this your bгoadcast offereԁ brіght cleaг сoncept please click the up coming article

    ReplyDelete
  8. This post offers clear idea for the new viewers of blogging,
    that truly how to do blogging.

    Visit my blog ... Provillus Ingredients

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
    A small number of my blog visitors have complained
    about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great
    in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?


    Also visit my website :: http://www.socialswager.com/index.php?do=/profile-24138/info/

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is very attention-grabbing, You are a very skilled blogger.

    I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in search of extra of your great post.
    Also, I've shared your web site in my social networks

    Feel free to visit my webpage ... http://bozooble.com/index.php?do=/profile-12906/info/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Someone necessarily lend a hand to make seriously posts I would state.

    That is the first time I frequented your
    website page and thus far? I surprised with the analysis
    you made to make this actual publish amazing. Fantastic task!


    My website Tod

    ReplyDelete
  12. My brother recommended I might like this web site.

    He was totally right. This post truly made my day.
    You cann't imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my site ... http://benberger.blog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this website. It's simple, yet effective.

    A lot of times it's challenging to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say that you've done a excellent
    job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very
    quick for me on Safari. Superb Blog!

    My webpage :: Mariano

    ReplyDelete
  14. wonderful issues altogether, you simply received a new reader.
    What would you recommend about your submit that you simply made some days
    in the past? Any positive?

    Look into my site :: briggshemorrhoids.blog.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm curious to find out what blog platform you're using?

    I'm having some minor security issues with my latest blog and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?

    Stop by my blog; Provillus Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  16. Touche. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing work.


    My web blog; http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847150
    My web page: Reagan

    ReplyDelete
  17. I blog often and I seriously thank you for your content.

    Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book
    mark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week.

    I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

    Here is my website: Buy Provillus

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
    I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Thank you!

    Also visit my blog; http://articles-submit.net/Provillus-Evaluations-Related-Articles.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. Admiring the dedication you put into your website and in depth information
    you present. It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same old rehashed material.
    Excellent read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm including your
    RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Here is my site Provillus

    ReplyDelete
  20. Heya i'm for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It really useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to provide something again and aid others such as you aided me.

    my web-site - http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847150

    ReplyDelete
  21. Asking questions are really fastidious thing if you are not
    understanding anything fully, however this article offers pleasant understanding yet.


    Look at my webpage http://hoidtreatment.webs.com/apps/blog/show/3537977-scalp-med

    ReplyDelete
  22. Respiratory diseases: Marijuana can cause damage to the respiratory organs
    and other parts of the body. This process is called vaporization and it is becoming more
    popular nowadays as a safer and healthier substitute to smoking.
    Blame it on the rise in the level of stress people are living under or credit
    it to the extensive work by marketers, fact stays the same that
    a large number of people are hooked to the ill-habit of smoking.


    Review my homepage Vaporizer

    ReplyDelete
  23. There is certainly a lot to find out about this subject. I love all the points you have made.


    Feel free to surf to my site http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847150

    ReplyDelete
  24. wonderful issues altogether, you simply
    gained a new reader. What may you recommend about your post that you just
    made a few days in the past? Any sure?

    Take a look at my web site: http://www.mixthepeople.com/blogs/2735/2921/try-provillus-for-females

    ReplyDelete
  25. Excellent way of explaining, and nice piece of
    writing to obtain information regarding my presentation topic,
    which i am going to present in college.

    Here is my homepage; Benberger.Blog.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. If some one needs expert view about blogging afterward i propose him/her to
    go to see this weblog, Keep up the fastidious work.


    my page; http://benberger.blog.com/2013/02/07/profollica-review-should-study-before-use/
    Also see my page - Chante

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable familiarity on the topic of unpredicted emotions.


    Also visit my webpage - Www.Gather.Com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I
    to find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot.
    I am hoping to offer something again and aid others such as
    you helped me.

    Also visit my blog - http://friendlydiary.com/blog/view/40041/the-shocking-naked-truth-about-hair-loss-treatments

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's great that you are getting ideas from this post as well as from our argument made here.

    my blog ... coloncleanserreviews.typepad.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I know this wеbsite giνes quality deρending
    contеnt and additional stuff, is there any other website which prοvides suсh
    thіngs in quality? freepressrelease24.com
    Also see my page - freepressrelease24.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. For hottest information you have to visit world wide web and on the web I found this web site as a
    finest web site for latest updates.

    Feel free to surf to my web site ... hair loss
    my page :: hair loss

    ReplyDelete
  32. I've been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am glad to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I so much surely will make sure to don?t overlook this site and provides it a look regularly.

    Also visit my blog: http://Www.Gourmetgastronomer.com/twitter/index.php/ahpmargue

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS.
    I don't know the reason why I cannot join it. Is there anybody having the same RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!

    Here is my weblog ... http://freearticlesitesonline.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  34. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
    amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little
    bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept

    My blog post provillus or procerin

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's genuinely very complex in this active life to listen news on Television, thus I just use world wide web for that purpose, and obtain the most recent information.

    Stop by my weblog ... make money online

    ReplyDelete
  36. I don't even understand how I finished up right here, however I believed this submit was good. I do not understand who you're however certainly you are going
    to a famous blogger when you are not already. Cheers!

    Visit my website :: übersetzung polnisch deutsch text

    ReplyDelete
  37. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.
    used measurement equipment

    ReplyDelete
  38. you know where joe is



    no


















    Joemama lol

    ReplyDelete

HOME

HOME
Click here to return to the US Slave Home Page