Turning a good idea into a reality

Meadna, Idea Factory 10/2/2006

Eritrean youth in the UK are making effort to help in solving traffic-related problems in Eritrea. The high rate of traffic accidents in Eritrea has been a cause of enormous economic and social costs. The Eritrean traffic police report reflects the extent of the problem traffic accidents constitute. Between 2001 and 2004, 10,000 traffic accidents took place, resulting in 8500 cases of death and the financial and material losses were estimated at half billion Nakfa.

It is to be recalled the Ministry of Transport and Communication launched a major workshop to address this problem and made several recommendations for implementation. In order to take part on the ongoing effort that is being made to have a safer means of transport, the Eritrean youth in the UK are making a major effort to introduce The Hi-Viz Jacket in Eritrea. The Hi-Viz jacket cuts accidents dramatically by simply being visible. The idea was initiated by a young Eritrean, Yonathan okbamichael Haile and was received with great support by the Eritrean youth. It is reported that large amount of accidents that take place in Eritrea involve cyclists, who ride bikes in a dark on the roads. As cycling is one of the most important and widely used forms of transport in Eritrea, the introduction of Hi-Viz jacket could help in reducing traffic accidents.

Eritrean youth in the UK are now considering several ways to turn this idea into reality. One is to send the jackets to Eritrea by collecting from Eritreans and organisations. There has been a positive development on this approach as an organisation has expressed interest in helping out and several Eritrean individuals have also already started collecting the Hi-Viz jackets. The second idea that is being explored is to import the fabrics to Eritrea from China, where it is sold much cheaper than in the UK. The participation of Eritreans in other European countries and North America will be also crucial for the success of this project.

The Hi-Viz is a Jacket especially made so that it illuminates. It reflects light. In UK It is worn by any one and everyone who uses the road. The police wear it all the time. Cyclists and Motorbike riders wear it. It is compulsory at work place [Bus driver job, Police, Factory Workers, Cleaners, security officers, cyclists, Motor bike riders, Construction workers, Farmers] to wear Hi-Viz. The Hi-Viz being the collective name given to many versions and shades, It varies from the simple four lines jacket that you can be worn over your jacket, to a body warmer full colour jacket, to over alls with stripes of Hi –Viz lines around the leg and arms for mechanics, and so on. It cuts accidents dramatically, by simply being visible and following Health and Safety procedure. It is so important that companies are obliged to provide their staff with Free Hi-Viz jackets.

 According to a paper presented at the Haraverd centre for population and development studies on the occasion of the World Health Day 2004, each year, an estimated 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes and up to 50 million injured worldwide. Road traffic injuries are currently ranked 9th globally among the leading causes of disease burden, in terms of disability adjusted life years lost. In the year 2020, road traffic injuries are projected to become the 3rd largest cause of disabilities in the world.

To make this brilliant idea happen

Please send your comment to: webmaster@meadna.com 

Thank you very much!

Aster from Sweden

Hi, meadna team

My name is Ruta Tesfay from Toronto, Canada. Me and my friends are keen and ready to lend a hand to this superb idea. I believe together as one we can tackle this problem and make change.We are interested in joining the Eritrean youth in UK from Canada.

Rut

Thanks