Buy tickets now
An event powered by
Search
Close this search box.

Kenyan boy who made hand-washing machine awarded

A nine-year-old boy who helped to curb the spread of COVID-19, received a presidential award

 

“Makers gonna make”, and this extremely young maker made, indeed: a nine-year-old Kenyan boy made a wooden hand-washing machine to help curb the spread of coronavirus. He was recently awarded a presidential award for his invention.

“I now have two machines and I want to make more,” Stephen Wamukota – this is the boy’s name – said.

The machine is quite ingenious: it allows users to tip a bucket of water using a foot pedal to avoid touching surfaces to reduce infections. Stephen came up with the idea after learning on TV about ways to prevent catching the virus. Kenya has reported more than 2,000 cases of Covid-19 and 69 deaths.

Stephen and his family live in Mukwa village, in Bungoma country, western Kenyan, which has not reported a single case of the virus. His father, James Wamukota, however, worries that it could still come to his area.

How was the machine made?

“I had bought some pieces of wood to make a window frame, but I when I came back home after work one day I found that Stephen had made the machine,” Mr Wamukota told the BBC.

“The concept was his and I helped tighten the machine. I’m very proud,” he said. Mr Wamukota, who repairs electronic goods for a living, said that his son has always been keen to learn his trade. He posted his son’s invention on Facebook and was surprised how quickly it was shared, he said.

Stephen was among 68 Kenyans given the Presidential Order of Service, Uzalendo (Patriotic) Award on Monday. Stephen said that he wants to be an engineer when he grows up and the county governor has promised to give him a scholarship, Mr Wamukota said.

Take a look at the hand-washing machine yourself, here in this video by BBC

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition has been committed since eight editions to make innovation accessible and usable to all, with the aim of not leaving anyone behind. Its blog is always updated and full of opportunities and inspiration for makers, makers, startups, SMEs and all the curious ones who wish to enrich their knowledge and expand their business, in Italy and abroad.

Follow us, subscribe to our newsletter: we promise to let just the right content for you to reach your inbox

Promoted by
SUPPORTED BY
IN COLLABORATION WITH
with the support of
With the patronage of
in partnership with
Thanks to
in partnership with
Main Partner
Gold partner
Silver partner
Bronze partner
Cybersecurity Expert
Official Car
main media partner
media partner
MAIN MEDIA partner
press & digital
media partner
technical media partner
media partner
Technical media partner
PADEL TECHNICAL PARTNER
with the free patronage of

testimonials