The Power of Making: Insights from Michael's Experience in Ukraine and Beyond

Welcome to the "Innovator's Spotlight" podcast, where we explore the stories of makers and innovators who are using their skills to create positive change in the world. In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Michael, an experienced maker who has worked on a wide range of projects in logistics, supply chain, water and sanitation, and more.

Starting off in the DIY scene, Michael has participated in hardware-based hackathons and even started the first wearable company in Africa to reduce motorcycle accidents. He has worked in Nigeria and has extensive experience in humanitarian innovations, logistics, and supply chain. In some cases, he has had to reverse engineer solutions to come up with spare parts when the original vendors were no longer available or had discontinued the product.

During our conversation, Michael will share his experiences working on the front lines of crisis situations, including his work in Ukraine and his efforts to find alternative fuel sources for displaced communities in Nigeria. He will also discuss his work with Field Ready, where he has manufactured spare parts for remote hospitals in Kenya and worked to find solutions to supply chain issues.

Through Michael's insights and experiences, we hope to shed light on the power of making and how it can be used to create sustainable solutions for communities in need. So join us as we explore the power of making and the positive impact it can have on the world.

Podcast Key Learnings

• A community-driven approach is crucial for gaining acceptance and support for innovative solutions.
• Makers approach problems with a problem-centric mindset, focusing on finding practical solutions that address real-world needs.
• The process of trying and testing various options and scenarios is key to developing effective solutions that can solve the problem at hand.
• Breaking down big problems into smaller, quick fixes is a practical approach when resources are limited.
• Good infrastructure and crisis intervention strategies are essential for effective problem-solving in crisis situations. Michael's experience working in Ukraine demonstrates that effective innovation is easier to achieve in certain contexts than in others.
• Teamwork is essential for successful interventions. Collaboration among makers with diverse skills and backgrounds can lead to more innovative solutions.
• As a maker, being willing to try, fail, and learn from mistakes is essential to achieving great results.
• Michael's work in Ukraine involved developing solutions such as warm shelters, instant food items, heating solutions before winter, and community solutions for kids, demonstrating the practical impact of makers in crisis situations.

Here are the links to find additional details about Michael's work, including a link to his social media profile if you would like to contact him for more information.

• Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpops

Articles

• https://blogs.lavanguardia.com/planeta-solidario/tag/nigeria/

• https://www.kachwanya.com/2014/10/14/kenyas-startup-pitches-first-ever-german-african-ict-start-fair/

• https://twitter.com/afromusing/status/847388918186037249

• https://displacementunit.msf.es/content/emergency-water-pump-kit

• https://kitt.nl/led-smart-jacket-redt-mensenlevens-in-kenia/
• https://edition.cnn.com/videos/business/2014/10/01/spc-african-start-up-clad-light-limited.cnn