OMOLANKE 2
OVERVIEW
“Something rightly done, no matter how small is noble” Rolls Royce
A project looking into how we can internally grow Sierra Leone`s economy with low investment cost, and simple efficient design. Like my other projects, this aims to improve Sierra leonean lives and economy from its lowest root point by using what they have mastered. The Omolanke is a traditional way of carrying goods in Sierra Leone. By becoming thoroughly proficient in something one can move forward, using the acquired knowledge to spark off innovation. Many of you may think that redesigning the Omolanle is not innovation, rather a step backward but if you read the story below you may change your mind. Innovation appears in the strangest forms, why not in the Omolanke 2?
Ongoing Debate & Commentry http://mysalone.com/can-the-omolanke-generate-economic-growth-in-sierra-leone/
THE STORY
Don’t laugh but in 2008 I attempted to drive an Omolanke in Sander St, Freetown. I was rubbish because I did not have the skill to control it and someone driving whilst on a mobile phone crashed into my Omolanke. The guys in the car that crashed into me gravely insulted me partly as they probably believed they were better than any Omolanke driver because Omolankes are usually pulled by the lowest socio-economic group in Sierra Leone.
I came back from the experience totally fired up with inspiration thinking that the inventor of the Omolankeh deserves a design award. The Omolanke has solved certain flaws found in the single wheeled-barrow that we commonly use on building sites all over the world. Moreover, with some enhancement, the Omolanke can fulfil roles internationally.
Imagine an all-new Omolanke. Imagine if we can make the loading area lower to the ground so goods don’t have to be lifted high onto it. Imagine if we can accurately design it towards the skills of local window frame welders. With good design, it can be made considerably lighter and stronger structurally which would make the unit easier to pull. Furthermore imagine installing low friction tyres, which would substantially reduce the energy needed to pull it.
NOW
Let us think of Sierra Leone today as France, Britain and Germany was in 1945 countries who’s economy and infrastructure had been devastated and neglected by World War Two.
France for example had been invaded and colonised for five years by Germany. It took very simple designs such as the simple Citroen 2cv, which didn’t need much imported into France in order to produce it. It was designed for and to be built by the French population majority of whom were peasants. In the following forty years, they marketed and sold over 9 million worldwide; what a boost this must have been for their economy in terms of commerce and employment.
Back to the Omolanke, imagine if we can attach a tow hitch to the front to make it into a competent robust and stable trailer. With relatively low initial investment cost needed and the low labour cost available in Sierra Leone, not only can we improve the lives of our Omolanke drivers, but the low cost of our Omolankes will make it highly competitive in the trailer market worldwide. Good design styling cues can make it into one of the most desirable trailers in the world.
If in Sierra Leone we aim to build 1,000,000 units to be sold internationally over a 10-year period, this equates to 275 Omolankes a day. If it takes 2 guys to build 1 Omolanke per day, this provides 150 jobs in Omolanke construction.
Looking at servicing the Omolanke constructors and think how many people would be needed to produce the daily cookery (meals) per day? How many Poda-Podas (buses) would be needed per day? How many truck drivers would need to bring in metal to the site and ferry finished Omolankes to the port?
Above all how many more parents will be able to educate their children and how many more tailors would be needed to make uniforms. How many more teachers would be needed?
Studying design together with talented professionals around the world, we learned how and why some nations have become stronger and others failed. We came to a conclusion that Western countries have grown to their awesome height because of simple internal investments and great efforts.
15 million Model –T sold by the American, Henry Ford
21, million Beetles produced by VW, Germany
9 million 2cv & 2cv variant vehicles produced by Citroen, France
5 million British Mini Produced
3.8 Million Fiat 500 produced by Fiat, Italy
1 million Omolanke Sierra Leone
Ongoing Debate & Commentry http://mysalone.com/can-the-omolanke-generate-economic-growth-in-sierra-leone/