Kenneth Mbene, a lecturer at the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon, and a PhD student in soil science at the University of Buea (also in Cameroon) is engaging in timely research on West African volcanic soils and their mineralogical content, with vast ramifications for food security in the region.
However, his already-collected soil samples are sitting idle because no laboratory in the country can conduct the vast majority of phosphorus fixation and other mineral tests he requires for his thesis. In addition, the cost of sending the samples abroad is prohibitively expensive for a man of his modest means, working as the first PhD student in soil science at a woefully underfunded chemistry laboratory (which lacks basic items such as pipettes and centrifuge tubes).
We have six days left to help him out. Here is the link: www.kickstarter.com
Moreover, 50-60% of the funds will be used to purchase and import a number of materials, such as a pH/electroconductivity meter and calibration buffers, to assist Ken and other students at the University of Buea conduct a number of the analyses themselves. The rest will be put towards the costs of sending his samples abroad for testing, most likely to an affordable Kenyan or Indian laboratory.
There are few people and projects as deserving as this one, as trite as that sounds. Ken and I are grateful for any support or sharing of this Kickstarter link.
Contact:
Kevin Amirehsani
www.kickstarter.com
