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Category: Development

Category: Development

Development

Pwani Edtech Summit 2025

At the Pwani EdTech Summit 2025, I.O.Me254 brought innovation to the forefront – demonstrating the value of creating contextual teaching and learning aids using locally available tools and creativity. The session also addressed how powerful collaboration has been in supporting innovators to get more ideas that meet unique local needs. From 3D-printed learning aids to locally made water filters crafted from wood in Lamu, our presentation highlighted solutions that serve learners at all levels including children with learning disabilities.  The labs continue to be a stepping stone towards facilitating the realization of a more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful educational experience for all learners. Whether it’s supporting children with disabilities or enhancing learning for early learners, our mission across I.O.Me001 in Mombasa and I.O.Me005 in Lamu remains rooted in community driven impact. The Summit was a reminder that when education meets innovation, and when technology is guided by empathy, the possibilities for positive change are endless.

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Development

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

Celebrating International Women’s Day! Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress! During this year’s International Women’s Day, I.O.Me254 brought together voices, stories, and sisterhood under the global theme: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. Across our spaces, the day was filled with powerful conversations that stirred reflection, sparked new ideas, and reminded us of the strength in community.  There was laughter, connection, and a shared energy that could only come from women showing up for one another.What truly stood out was the collective intention to build and grow together. At both I.O.Me001 in Mombasa and I.O.Me005 in Lamu, participants forged new networks and fresh collaborations began to take root. International Women’s Day 2025 was a reminder that investing in women means investing in sustainable change. Progress moves faster when we move together.

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Development

Innovation Talks – Innovation and Humanitarian Response

During a powerful session hosted at I.O.Me001 Social Innovation Centre in Mombasa, Professor Bailey Briscoe Jones of the University of Texas – Austin shared insights that challenged and inspired. With his background in Humanitarian Product Development as well as his collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies(IFRC), Prof. Jones spoke about what it truly means to innovate for impact. Prof. Jones emphasized that effective solutions in humanitarian contexts must scale down – not up – to meet individual human needs. Big ideas, he reminded us, only matter if they make life better for families and communities on the ground. At the heart of his talk was a strong call for Human-Centered Design (HCD) – a philosophy that puts real people, not just theoretical models, at the center of the creative process. He outlined five key principles for effective humanitarian innovation: Direct engagement with those affected Securing community acceptance Developing quickly Testing and iterating Implementation   For both I.O.Me 001 in Mombasa and I.O.Me 005 in Lamu, this session served as a timely reminder that our work must remain grounded in lived experience if it is to create lasting, meaningful change.

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Development

Innovation Visit – Kakuma Refugee Camp

Earlier this May 2025, I.O.Me254 organized a needs assessment tour joined by students from Kenya and the University of Texas – Austin, on a meaningful 5-day visit to Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei settlement in Turkana County.  Together with humanitarian workers, youth, and local entrepreneurs, they interacted with community members within the camp, listening and learning. From damaged water infrastructure to salty boreholes and rising wastewater, it became clear just how much residents are working with limited resources.  But even in the middle of these challenges, there was a great sense of resilience, determination, creativity and hope. Now, those conversations and insights are helping shape new ideas back at our hubs in Mombasa (I.O.Me001) and Lamu (I.O.Me005) and the University of Texas in Austin.  Teams are exploring simple, community-led solutions for clean water and sanitation, better ways to manage waste, and tech skills programs that include youth and women in displaced settings. Innovation doesn’t have to be big or complicated – it just has to be thoughtful, useful, accessible and built together with the people it’s meant for. 

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Development

KEFRI Exhibition 2025

At Lamu, I.O.Me005, under the Kenya Red Cross Society Lamu Branch, recently participated in a vibrant exhibition hosted by KEFRI — one that brought our innovation lab’s work into the spotlight. From youth-led solutions to community-driven prototypes, we proudly showcased how technology and creativity are transforming lives in Lamu.  The event drew a diverse group of stakeholders including NYS, Kenya Prisons, NRT, Save Lamu, Action Life, Wetlands International, Cooperative Bank, and a host of students and fellow innovators. The exhibition looked past what we’ve built – it relayed the story behind why we build. Each product displayed carried a story of purpose and potential, designed with and for the youth of Lamu. With every conversation sparked and connection made, it became clear that innovation thrives when the community is involved. As I.O.Me005 continues to grow, this event affirmed that we’re not only building tools – we’re building futures.

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Development

Plastics and Face-Masks into Products

Who knew a plastic shredder and a plastic injection molding machine could turn into the ultimate sustainability sidekicks? Recently, makers jumped into action, learning how these magic contraptions transform discarded plastic into reusable materials. They got hands-on, learned the ropes, and, of course, nailed the safety rules like professionals. To add some warm spices into the mix, on Valentines Day we had our youth members creating personalized upcycled gifts out of Manila paper, cardboard boxes and plastic bottles. This exercise was more than a rapid making of presents; it was about demonstrating that true love lies in the thought and effort put into a gift. We got kids into the mix, from Hindi Drama Club, to make sturdy boards out of expired face-masks from the Coronavirus pandemic era. In demonstrating that creativity isn’t confined to the stage but rather it can be a powerful tool for real-world change, they transformed what was a symbol of the past pandemic into a beacon of sustainable innovation. The youth reminded each other that the most meaningful expressions of affection are often born from the heart, fueled by a spark of creativity and a willingness to see potential in the readily available materials around us.

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Development

Basic Electronics and Arduino

Basic Electronics and Arduino We recently hosted an intro session on basic electronics and Arduino equipment, where learners were abuzz with programming and circuit design. Forget just reading about it—this was all about getting in there and bringing those ideas to life, with a side of fun and creativity. Instead of only talking theory, the group got to work with real tools like Arduino boards, breadboards, and all sorts of components. They learned how to build circuits, code micro-controllers, and make cool gadgets blink, buzz, and light up. As the workshop progressed, they shifted gears to tackle circuit design software, exploring tools like KiCAD, Altium, and Eagle. Watching their faces electrified – pun intended – when they navigated binary computation was definitely the highlight—and yes, there were plenty of “oops” moments, but that’s all part of the fun and learning process! We’re all about mixing hands-on learning with a little bit of excitement. This workshop was about sparking that “I can do this!” feeling. And who knows? Maybe one of these students will be the one to create the next big thing, all starting with a simple blinking LED.

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Development

Plastic Waste Recycling Project in Lamu

Climate and environmental crisis are a priority in the strategy 2030 of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. It incorporates climate risk management – including adaptation and mitigation, operations, and advocacy instruments, and applying better environmental management approaches to addressing harmful and vulnerable conditions.   It is estimated that 92% of plastic waste is mismanaged in Kenya. This is mainly because there are no collection services in rural areas (Paruta et al. 2020). This leads to leakage into terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Paruta et al. 2020). An estimated 37,000 tons of plastic leak into the ocean every year and 67% of that leakage comes from urban centers (Paruta et al. 2020).  Most plastic waste ends up in rivers, oceans, beaches, and farmlands, impacting the marine life, tourism, fishery, and agriculture that contributes more than 70% of the economy of a coastal town like Lamu and its surroundings.   I.O.Me005 in partnership with the IFRC, is implementing a project that focuses on raising awareness and building capacity to more of the youth in Lamu, enabling them to identify opportunities within the plastic waste management value chain to improve efforts towards waste management within the county. The CBF project aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability in plastic collection and recycling initiatives, contributing to a greener economy. This initiative recognizes the crucial role of environmental activists, plastic recyclers and the general public in fostering positive change.  Through the IOMe005 innovation lab in Lamu, KRCS will conduct this pilot project designed to promote conversations on plastic waste management through capacity building of the youths and volunteers in Lamu, working with them to recycle and identify value addition opportunities for plastic waste management. A series of events and activities were designed to engage key stakeholders, gather insights, share knowledge, and collaboratively develop strategies for the project’s successful implementation. Community cleanups will be done to promote community responsibility and behavioral change enlightening the community with relevant information about plastic waste pollution. This will also include online social media sensitization campaigns as well as door-to-door awareness sessions on proper disposal techniques and the harmful negative effects plastic pollution has on the natural ecosystem.

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KRCS and Airbus Foundation IOMe
Development

KRCS and Airbus Foundation Projects Transforming Communities in Nairobi and Mombasa Counties

ICHA’s Innovation team had the pleasure of hosting the Airbus Foundation Response Coordinator, Ms. Sophie, in Nairobi and Mombasa Counties, where they took her to visit different project implementation sites. This visit aimed to showcase the progress and impact of various projects and to strategize on the partnership engagement.  In Nairobi, the team visited three schools that had the Plasma water units installed; St. Catherine Primary, Nairobi South Primary, and Gatoto Primary. During the visit, the headteachers of the schools gave their timely feedback on their experiences using the water purification systems and gave some recommendations on how the project could be sustainable moving forward. The WASH department and Plasma Waters technician were also present during the visit, providing technical support and addressing any issues that arose.  In Mombasa County, Ms. Sophie was updated on the Airbus Foundation Discovery Space (AFDS) project and the Mombasa county branch projects focusing on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), such as the URCBP project. The teams discussed overall partnership engagements, geared towards environmental conservation and capacity building within specific thematic areas such as Knowledge Management, Blue, and Green Economies.  During the URCBP site visit, the project team and the Community Disaster Management Committee had further discussions on how to rehabilitate and enhance overall mangrove conservation and restoration efforts. The mangroves play a crucial role in coastal protection, and their conservation and restoration are critical for the well-being of communities living in the area.  The partnership between KRCS and Airbus Foundation has had a huge impact, with several projects being implemented to address various challenges facing communities in Nairobi and Mombasa counties. The Plasma Water units in schools have provided clean and safe drinking water to school-going children, reducing waterborne diseases. The Airbus Foundation Discovery Space has provided a platform for students to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), contributing to the development of future leaders and innovators. The DRR projects in Mombasa County have enhanced the resilience of communities to disasters, reducing the impact of disasters on their livelihoods.  Moving forward, the partnership between KRCS and Airbus Foundation will focus on sustainability and capacity building within specific thematic areas such as Knowledge Management, Blue, and Green Economies. This approach will ensure that projects are implemented sustainably, enhancing the well-being of communities while protecting the environment. 

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Empowering WOmen Digital StoryTelling IOMe
Development

Empowering Women Through Digital Literacy Programs

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, acknowledges the critical role of digital literacy in advancing economic growth and development while championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education for women and girls.   In line with this theme, the Kenya Red Cross Innovation Unit has implemented a series of programs to promote technical, professional, and digital literacy training that specifically impacts women. These programs aim to empower women with the digital skills necessary to take advantage of digital opportunities and, in turn, grow their businesses and impact their communities positively.     One of the programs involved training over 50 women in digital marketing, website development, and Google business account management, facilitated by Ajira Digital trainers from Mombasa, Tana River, and Nairobi Counties. The focus of the program was to equip the women with digital skills that would help them increase their online presence, attract more customers, and ultimately grow their businesses.   The second program involved training 15 women on hardware repair and maintenance, facilitated by N-tech Solutions from Mombasa. This program aimed to provide women with the skills necessary to repair and maintain computers, which is crucial in running businesses in the digital age.   The third program facilitated by Tech-Kidz Africa involved training 11 women in coding skills applicable to the humanitarian sector. The program aimed to equip the women with coding skills that would enhance their employability and enable them to contribute to the humanitarian sector.   Lastly, the Kenya Red Cross Innovation Unit partnered with the UCRBP program in Mombasa and Nairobi Counties to train 20 women in mapping and how to access a geographical location in the event of a disaster assessment, utilizing an open-source app. The program aimed to enhance the women’s knowledge and skills in responding to emergencies, thereby increasing their preparedness and effectiveness in crises.   All these programs were designed to be practical and hands-on, with a focus on equipping women with the necessary skills to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. By empowering women with digital skills, the Innovation Unit is not only improving their lives but also those of their families and communities. The acquired digital skills will enable these women to leverage opportunities presented by the digital age, leading to economic growth and development in their respective communities.   Digital literacy is an essential aspect of economic growth and development, and it is crucial to equip women and girls with the necessary skills to take advantage of digital opportunities.    

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