Autumn Newsletter 2014

Aid for Trade on Facebook

Aid for Trade is now on Facebook. Please click on this link to get all our latest news and updates and add your own comments.

https://www.facebook.com/aidfortrade

Message added 9.10.2014

Internet Reach Increasing into Developing Countries

The Internet has expanded globally by nearly 380% since 2000 and it is reported that 25% of the world's population now has Internet access. More information

Business in a Box Micro consignment

Supplying specially developed affordable essential products via missions and charities to the poorest communities is proving successful in some African countries and reports. Reports suggest that the market potential is massive. More
 
Aid for Trade is exploring a market test of a ‘business in a box’ concept, comprising fifteen selected low cost essential goods, to be supplied into very communities in collaboration with partners in Mozambique.

Basic Utility Vehicle Assembly and Sales

"Improving the lives of the world’s poor by providing simple, low-cost vehicles to facilitate community transformation”.Our partners are typically entrepreneurs in Africa or ministries that are looking to provide valuable transportation to help share the gospel, deliver vital services, and help create employment. A simple cost effective transportation solution throughout Africa could not only change but save millions of lives ...bridging the gap between vitals services and people in need.

More information: Website

Sanitary pad franchise creates jobs & improves lives

SHE (website) has been set up to provide African women and girls with affordable sanitary pads. Its first franchise launched in wanda earlier this year, with women manufacturing and distributing the low-cost products

Ecofaebricks from Cow Dung

Made with 75% cow dung, Ecofaebricks are  claimed to be  20% lighter and 20% stronger than  ordinary bricks.

Click here for more information.

Improving hygiene and reducing disease risks

The PeePoo bag is being developed in Sweden for use where there are no toilets. The bags are biodegradable and impregnated with chemicals, claimed to compost faeces and urine safely for fertilizer use in about 6 weeks.

This could be a significant help for very poor communities and the price may be low enough for sustainable use.

More information here

Business planning and information

Cobweb provides on line access access to business planning and offers for sale at about £6 each, fact sheets on start up of 650 small business opportunities, some of which Aid for Trade have purchased. A quite useful free weekly newsletter on small businesses, albeit UK based, is available click here

Free Seeds

Seedsavers (click here) have a hand book and number of videos on their website showing how seed can be saved from crops for planting next year.

Candles from Waste Oil!

Located above a cafe, Tokyo candle makers Filt have their raw  material within easy reach: used cooking oil, which they filter, colour and scent before pouring it into jars found in glass recycling bins.

If this interests you, do please let us know.

Fast Road and Pavement Repair

Readymac have developed a small scale system for repair of potholes and damaged pavements with a special filling, mixed in a mobile machine. The repairs set hard in just 10 minutes. A smaller machine is being developed with an expected cost of about £7,500.

Media Innovations in Rural Africa

Inflatable portable movie screens

Outdoor movie shows offer a potential small business opportunity and could be used in outreach education and health promotion programmes. Inflatable screens are being used

More information

Small Scale Equipment designed for Africa

Kickstart produce and sell low cost, manually operated water pumps, soil/cement block presses and a cold press for vegetable oil extraction

Internet Cafe in a Shipping Container

Computer Aid has created its second cyber cafe in a shipping container, bringing internet connectivity where ever it's needed.