Raphael Mushani - Malawi

Raphael is a first-born child in a family of six children. His stepmother, who runs a small business, is raising all of them.

After completing secondary school in Karonga, Raphael went and studied for a bachelor’s degree in engineering, majoring in mineral processing (BengME). Since graduating, he has worked as a Junior Mineral Engineer for FISD Limited Company and an intern for Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC).

Aeroplanes have fascinated Raphael since he was a child. As he grew older, he wanted to know how they are made and work. It is this curiosity that led him to study engineering. His dream as a young child was to be either an a pilot  or an aircraft engineer.

Raphael believes that technological innovations help to make life easy. This is why he got into ADDA. Through ADDA, he is learning how he can use drones to deliver essential medical equipment and products from larger hospitals to smaller hospitals in remote and hard-to- reach areas using drones.

“Blood samples, vaccines can be easily delivered using drones,” says Raphael.

With his background in mining, he is also learning how drones can be used in this sector. So far, he has learned that drones can be used to conduct surveys and safety procedures in mining.  He has also learned how to assemble, fly and use drone for data collection and interpretation. So far he has assembled the s500 drone.

Raphael adds that “the mining sector in Malawi is in its infancy and open to new ideas. I would like to use drones in the exploration, surveying and mapping of mineral landscapes, monitoring and inspection of open-pit mines and haulage road inspection. Using a drone to do these activities will be more efficient and effective than the current slow and time-consuming manual approach.”

Raphael also wants to use his skills in humanitarian work. He wants to use drones in disaster relief activities. He would like to  conduct needs assessment exercises and deliver medications, etc.