For the past couple of weeks I’ve been reading the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. It traces the travels, travails, and triumphs of Dr. Paul Farmer, the founder of Partners in Health (PIH). PIH has been at the forefront of the Haitian earthquake coverage. For decades, Farmer has been plugging away in Haiti, Peru, Roxbury, MA, and Moscow, advocating for the use of innovative methods and technologies to fight infectious disease. His tireless work is awe-inspiring. The man never quits.
I’ve still got another 100 pages to go so I’ll hold off on the book review. Reading it every morning and every evening on my commute, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to put technology in the hands of people around the world who are living in poverty. Technology transforms communities; we’ve seen examples of this phenomenon all over the world. The trouble is that they’re priced out of the market. It’s been bothering me because this conundrum represents a real injustice in the world. People should be able to get what they need to survive and thrive, and too often our world just doesn’t work that way.
And then I found a little bright spot a few days ago through Kopernik. In 4 steps, we can contribute toward the goal of putting technologies into the hands of the people who need them most around the globe. From solar-powered hearing aids to rollable water containers to self-adjustable lenses, the innovative products featured on Kopernik are providing help and hope that’s been a long time coming.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: You browse the proposals submitted by technology seekers and choose one to donate towards.
Step 2: Once sufficient funds have been raised, Kopernik transfers the cost of product and shipping to the technology provider.
Step 3: The technology provider ships the products to the technology seekers.
Step 4: The technology seeker reports on how the technology is being used. Reports and updates are posted on Kopernik.
No money to contribute? You can still play a part by volunteering. Interested in exploring a career social tech? Kopernik is currently looking for interns. Want to read about their success in beta? Click here and get inspired. Together, we can transform communities around the world thanks to Kopernik.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 