Solar Chaser Toy Uses Sun to Play (for Cats!)

      Even little things in life can spark a joy in a cat's life, especially those laser toys or even a piece of string, but consider this new toy powered by the sun to let the cat have some fun. Known as the Solar Chaser, this device is essentially a cat toy on a wand that happens to stick on the window with suction cups. When it absorbs enough light, the toy, with an accompaniment of a string attached, will be able to  move, encouraging the cat to chase it.
      If you may want some time to relax, this Solar Chaser only costs $40 (solarchasers.com). Hey, it may come in handy sometimes when you want to sit back and relax in peace while the cat enjoys its new toy.

Helping Slums in Africa have Better Lifestyles!

     In America, where freedom and an opportunity to live a better life is guaranteed, many American lives may take for granted what we are accustomed to having: electricity. In Sub-Saharan African urban areas, 589 million people are living without access to a public electric facility as well as dwelling in slums. That's where the iShack comes in!

This is the iShack, which was developed by the University of Stellenbosch, where they were able to fund this experimental project using a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was developed to shelter families from the extreme temperatures in Africa as well as provide them with reliable power to sustain their lifestyles.

       This particular iShack is currently occupied by Plaatje, a domestic worker employed only once a week, and her three children. It is completely equipped with a photovoltaic panel, providing them with enough electricity to power three lights, a mobile phone charger and an outdoor motion spotlight. 

The structure of the iShack was carefully designed in that windows were placed strategically to provide them with better air circulation and sunlight heating as the roof was sloped to harvest rainwater during winter months. 

Upon living in the iShack, Plaatje and her three children claims that her lifestyle has improved drastically from where she used to dwell in, which was a cold, damp shack with a leaky roof and no electricity. Not bad of a transition for a family struggling as well as many others in Africa.