29-Jun-10 3:00 PM CST

Kopernik: bringing the future to the world’s developing communities

Ever wanted to change the world? Ewa Wojkowska, Australian co-founder of New York-based Kopernik (www.thekopernik.org) is bringing innovative technologies to developing communities in East Timor, Africa and elsewhere.

Kopernik, founded this year, is an online store of innovative technologies designed for the developing world or the ‘base of the pyramid’ (BOP). It is also a portal for donations to bring these technologies to the communities and projects that need them.
The organization confronts the head-on the problem that most communities in need of life-changing technologies don’t always have the means to purchase them, and the individuals, governments, and local NGOs can’t always afford to pay for/provide them.

Kopernik allows you to be a part of funding the most progressive technologies to help change lives in developing countries. The organization connects innovative technologies, poor communities & individual donors to help facilitate the transfer of these technologies to the communities that need them. The goal is to accelerate development through ‘leapfrogging’ or skipping inferior, less-efficient technologies and practices and moving directly to more advanced ones. See Kopernik’s video of how it works here.

For instance, items such as the Life Straw (a $6.50 water filtration device), Firefly (a LED lamp which can be charged with AC power or via a solar panel), and Self Adjustable Glasses (allowing the recipient to correct their own vision without the need for trained optometrists and a prescription), can be incredibly valuable if introduced to remote, impoverished communities.

Kopernik’s flagship project is to light up East Timor’s Oecusse district, where the population does not have access to a regular power source and must rely on expensive, dirty kerosene. To do this, Kopernik hopes to raise US$400,000 to provide two solar lights to every household in the district.

Donations as little as $10 can make a difference*. Here’s what you can do:

· You browse the proposals submitted by technology seekers (local organizations representing communities in developing countries) and choose one where you want to make a difference.

· You, your friends and colleagues can donate to raise enough funds to make the project a reality. Kopernik facilitates the shipment of the products to the local community.

· The technology seeker reports on how the technology is being used, allowing transparency and accountability for all donors.

You can help make a difference. Browse Kopernik proposals today.

The organization is also seeking partnerships with professional organizations to help extend its reach and number of projects. Contact us to participate at kopernik@thekopernik.org

*Kopernik is currently undergoing the approval process to achieve 501(c3) status that will allow donations to be tax-deductible.