poverty and cell phones?
The above document was created and released by USAID and can be accessed here --> http://50.usaid.gov/infographic-mobile-phones-tackling-poverty/
How is it powered?
A mobile phone charging station in Rwanda powered by cow dung. Individuals living in areas without access to electricity often walk miles to a nearby city to pay for a charging station to charge their mobile phone. Small charging stations like the one pictures above have begun to spring up in rural areas. This particular one is in Rwanda and is powered by cow dung.
*Fact: The organization that helped set up these stations calculated that with the dung of two cows in a day, a Rwandan can charge their phone, cook and light their home for a day.
The below image is of a Tanzanian pedal powered charging stations called a ReadySet. Not only do these stations provide regions without access to electricity with a means of charging their cell phones, but also provide a living for individuals. A station like this costs roughly $200 and can earn the owner $40 to $50 a month.
*Fact: The organization that helped set up these stations calculated that with the dung of two cows in a day, a Rwandan can charge their phone, cook and light their home for a day.
The below image is of a Tanzanian pedal powered charging stations called a ReadySet. Not only do these stations provide regions without access to electricity with a means of charging their cell phones, but also provide a living for individuals. A station like this costs roughly $200 and can earn the owner $40 to $50 a month.
Citations:
Houttuin, Saskia. RNW, "Charging your phone with cow dung." Last modified June 30, 2012. Accessed December 17, 2013. http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/charging-your-phone-cow-dung.
Gifford, Jonathan. pv magazine, "Solar phone charging launched in Tanzania." Last modified February 19, 2013. Accessed December 18, 2013. http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/solar--phone-charging-launched-in-tanzania_100010263/.
Houttuin, Saskia. RNW, "Charging your phone with cow dung." Last modified June 30, 2012. Accessed December 17, 2013. http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/charging-your-phone-cow-dung.
Gifford, Jonathan. pv magazine, "Solar phone charging launched in Tanzania." Last modified February 19, 2013. Accessed December 18, 2013. http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/solar--phone-charging-launched-in-tanzania_100010263/.