Please describe your proposed solution

Proposed Solution

This project builds on the existing offline content server we built and successfully tested with the Cardano community with a minimal upgrade. The server can hold gigabytes of video contents and allows users to access it via local Wi-Fi networks without needing internet access. The proposed funding will be used for the following:

• Server uprade: Assembly and deploy offline video content servers to several remote locations in Africa.
• Content selection and Curation: resource educational video content that focuses on Cardano, blockchain technology, decentralized finance, general education and other relevant topics.
• Collaboration with Local Partners: Partner with local organizations, schools, and educators to customize the curriculum and ensure its relevance to local needs.
• Maintenance and Support: Provide technical support, training, and ongoing maintenance to ensure the sustainability of the deployed servers.

Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Project Impact

1. Education and Empowerment: This project will empower thousands of individuals with knowledge about blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and Cardano's potential as a decentralized financial platform.
2. Bridging the Digital Divide: The offline servers will overcome the internet access barrier, providing educational opportunities in areas where traditional online content is inaccessible.
3. Increase Cardano Adoption: By educating individuals in underserved regions about the benefits and use of Cardano, we will accelerate its adoption across Africa.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

We are a very strong team, Group of Open Source developers, software engineers, coders and electronic technicians using Python, Microsoft Azure, Flask, GitHub, & RPi with full of knowledge, committed to manage and deliver a project with high levels of accountability.

Proof:

We were funded in Cardano Fund7 "Lokole Education Centre in DR Congo (ideascale.com)" and Fund10 "BOX LOKOLE NUMERIQUE, a powerful device to promote and accelerate Cardano/ADA adoption in Africa where there is or no internet. (ideascale.com)" rounds, we completed and delivered successfully the output of our project within the proposed time line.

What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Timeline:

Month 1: Hardware and content upgrades:

• Purchase of 10 internal power charger + batteries.
• install a library of educational video content about Cardano and blockchain technology, include traditional school materials.
• Assembly, debug and testing.
• Create the video report 1 and post on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Milestone 2: Month 2: Preparation and travel to Kinshasa:

• Work with local institutions, educators, and Cardano community members to customize the educational material and ensure cultural relevance.
• Room and board + local transport arrangements in Kinshasa.
• Visa, travel medicine and flights booking.
• Create the video report 2 and post on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok

Milestone 3: Week 3: Implementation and Final report

• Installation of the 10 Box Lokole Numeriques
• Training of 10 and plus local administrators on Box Lokole operations and management.
• Monitoring and final testing before departure.
• Create the Final Video Report and post on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.

Milestone 5: n/a

Final Milestone: n/a

Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Nzolantima Swasisa (Nzola) , and I was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Because of my passion for technology, at a young age I started taking electronics communications courses. Since then, I built an entire academic and working career in the field. For 19 years I worked for the Christian organization Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in 6 different countries; DRC, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. Now employed by the Canadian National Defense Department.

While working at MAF, I became aware of the lack of telecommunication infrastructures in rural communities and I begun to refurbish old radio communications to help establish new communication systems.

In the late 90’s, I started implementing a radio email system which consisted of sending emails via radio waves. When cell phones then became popular in Africa, I decided to build an offline mobile email server. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nzola-swasisa-11806534/

Laura Barluzzi is a self-taught developer and passionate advocate for positive change and justice with a MSc in International Development. Laura has dedicated 10 years of her life supporting local and international NGOs. Before supporting Ascoderu, she is a Software Engineer at AdBlock. https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-barluzzi/

Clemens Wolff is a full-stack software developer who spent much of his life in Togo, Mali and Zambia and is now based in Miami-Fort Lauderdale Arear, USA. He honed his software chops working on large-scale projects at Amazon, Microsoft, at Noom Inc. and on open-source projects such as the sharing platform yunity. Clemens now drives the development of all technical aspects of Ascoderu's projects. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemens-wolff/

Shaun Bathgate is a Senior Software Engineer at Atreides Caseri Inc.

Full-stack software engineer with experience in product development and automation technologies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-bathgate/

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Budget Breakdown:

Item Description Cost (USD)

1. Flight Costs Round trip (Victoria, Canada - Kinshasa)–––– $2500
2. Visa and Travel Medicine ––––––––––––––––––– $ 550
3. Room and Board Accommodation and meals for 14 days –– $1400
4. Local Transport Travel within Kinshasa for site visits ––––– $ 300
5. Hardware Costs Components (storage, RAM, power units) –– $2950
6. Tools and Supplies Tools for installation and testing ——— $ 500
7. Contingency Miscellaneous/unexpected expenses (10%) —– $ 820

Total Budget ——————————————————— $9020

We are part of open source Community and we share codes with Internet-In-A-Box organization; Internet-in-a-Box · GitHub

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Conclusion

This project represents a unique opportunity for Cardano to directly impact education in Africa through blockchain technology. By leveraging offline video content servers, we can break down barriers to information and promote the adoption of Cardano in communities that need it most. With the Cardano community's support, we can create a sustainable, long-lasting solution for blockchain education in Africa, aligned with Cardano’s mission to provide equitable access to technology.