Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has over the years been involved in technology development and transfer. In this regard, the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT) has won several local and international awards; in recognition of innovative technologies aimed at addressing the needs of rural and peri-urban population. Therefore the vision of KIST senior management is not only to maintain the achievements but to continuously undertake research and development activities that address the challenges of the society.
Amongst recent research and development initiatives is partnership between KIST and cooperative of local potters to develop water filters. The objective of the partnership is twofold. One is to adapt the colloidal silver ceramic water filter technology, and two, to transfer the knowledge to local potters and communities. Through this partnership, ceramic water filters shall be produced locally. As part of the initiative, a demonstration factory for colloidal silver ceramic water filter shall be built at Kacyiru Sector, Gasabo District.
The impact of this initiative is obvious: to reduce considerably the spread of water borne diseases and mortality rate among Rwandan population. Further, the technology transfer to the rural population will enable Rwanda to meet vision 2020, EDPRS and MDGs health targets.
Film Production: Debra Brosseuk
Cooperative Project between Potters Without Borders, KIST (Kigali Institute of Science and
Technology, UNICEF, and the KACYIRU Pottery Cooperative.
An American in Yemen has become one of the few global manufacturers of affordable and deceptively simple ceramic water filters that could play a vital role in bringing safe drinking water to millions of people. Using technology that originated in Latin America, he sold 20,000 filters last year at $25 apiece, and hopes to expand his operations this year.
Khadija al-Zafeni walks two kilometers to collect water from a rain-fed cistern three times a day. “My children were constantly sick because of the water.
Khadija al-Zafeni walks two kilometers to collect water from a rain-fed cistern three times a day. “My children were constantly sick because of the water. Each of them was stricken with severe diarrhea every month. It would reach the point to which they would be skinny and frail and sleep all day. For a mother, it’s hard to watch your children suffer like that.” This is the daily condition for the staggering 44 percent of Yemenis who currently live without access to clean drinking water, one of life’s most basic necessities, but also the one most easily taken for granted. However, Khadija is gratefully using the past tense, for, thanks to Richard Boni’s colloidal silver filters, her family has now been granted the right to drink water free of disease. As the Silver Filter Company expands, this could be the reality for the rest of Yemen’s rural and urban poor.
