Sivan Ya'ari, Founder and President, Innovation: Africa
Improving the world
Transforming quality of life in Africa through technology developed in Israel
Home
Born: Israel
Raised: Nice, France
Money
Following work for a multinational clothing company and then as a mortgage banker, joined the United Nations Development Program and developed groundwork for Innovation: Africa. Contributions first came in from individuals and families sponsoring their own projects. Ya'ari's first grant came from the Natan Fund at the end of 2008. Bar- and bat mitzvah projects have since become a major source of income, many synagogues have organized group giving opportunities, and foundations now support Innovation: Africa's operating costs.
Innovation: Africa
Innovation: Africa is a non-profit organization that brings Israeli innovation to African villages. Founded in 2008, Innovation Africa has provided light, clean water, food, and proper medical care to more than 700,000 people in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal. In its 7 years of operation, Innovation: Africa's 96 projects have included the installation of Israeli solar panels to power African schools, clinics, and water pumping systems and the use of innovative Israeli agricultural practices like drip irrigation to make agriculture possible in regions of drought.
Company Website: www.innoafrica.org