Innovation: Africa

Innovation: Africa


Innovation: Africa
Founded 2008
Founder Sivan Borowich-Ya'ari
Type 501(c)(3)
Location
Area served
 East Africa
Services Solar panels, agricultural techniques, among others
Mission Bringing sustainable Israeli technologies to rural African villages
Website www.innoafrica.org

Innovation: Africa is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that brings Israeli innovation to African villages. Since its founding in 2008, they have completed over 60 solar and agricultural projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi, providing electricity and light to schools, clinics and water pumping systems in rural villages .[1] Over 450,000 people in East Africa have received Israeli technology through Innovation: Africa,[2] and over 250,000 children have received properly stored vaccinations for the first time thanks to their solar refrigerators.

Mission

Innovation: Africa defines its mission as saving African lives with Israeli innovation while supporting Israel's economy and image abroad.[3] According to its website, it allocates part of its donations toward supporting Israeli innovation and builds relationships with African ambassadors and members of the United Nations.[4]

Innovation: Africa works with Israeli companies because they offer cost-effective, innovative technologies in close proximity to East Africa. Outside grants and foundations support their operating costs, allowing 100% of individual donations to go directly towards project costs.

Leadership

Innovation: Africa was founded by Sivan Borowich Ya'ari in 2008.[5] Ya'ari received her bachelor's degree in Finance and interned for a time with Morgan Stanley.[6] While in her twenties and working with a denim manufacturer, she was sent to Africa on business and was moved by the sights of hunger and lack of clean water she saw there. Born in Israel and raised in Nice, France,[7] Ya'ari initially conceived of the idea as a master's student in International Energy Management and Policy at Columbia University and while working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).[8]

Projects

Project Sol is Innovation: Africa's first initiative and is geared toward providing solar electricity to African schools medical clinics.

Innovation: Africa's second initiative is Project Agro. Project Agro involves powering water pumps and applying Israeli agricultural practices such as drip irrigation to make agriculture possible in regions of drought.[8]

Innovation: Africa has installed solar panels at schools, medical clinics, and orphanages in villages throughout Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi. In early July 2012, the organization celebrated the completion of its 58th solar project in Africa, as well as bringing 250,000 people throughout Africa sustainable solutions to fulfill their basic needs. The solar panels bring electricity to communities which are located "far off the grid," allowing them to have refrigerators filled with vaccines, water pumps, and light bulbs.[9]

U.S. Programs

Innovation: Africa also offers a range of educational and social programming in the United States. They hold regular presentations about the challenges facing African development and the power of Israeli technologies to help.

United Nations Recognition

Innovation: Africa received special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2012. As such, Innovation: Africa will be able to participate in nearly all intergovernmental processes at the United Nations that deal with social and economic development. This recognition will also allow seven Innovation: Africa representatives to receive annual access passes to the UN premises, and to participate in all of ECOSOC's meetings as well as those of many other UN bodies.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sharon, Udasin (7 June 2012). "Jewish Heart for Africa finishes 58th solar project". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Jewish group provides Israeli technology to East Africa". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "JH: About us". Jewish Heart for Africa. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Israeli connection". Jewish Heart for Africa. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Waldoks, Ehud Zion (19 October 2008). "'Jewish Heart for Africa'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  6. ↑ Lan, Shlomit (17 June 2010). באנרגיות חיוביות. Globes (in Hebrew). Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  7. ↑ Cantor, Danielle. "Jewish HERoes: Sivan Borowich-Ya'ari". Jewish Woman Magazine. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "An Israeli heart shines its light in Africa". Israel21c. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Udasin, Sharon (August 5, 2012). "Jewish Heart for Africa receives UN recognition". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved August 5, 2012.

External links