FrontlineSMS
Mobile is a leapfroging technology in developing countries and many now have access to tools via mobile services. These tools enable more that just 1-to-1 communication and support such complex transactions as microfinancing, healthcare and community action.
Recently I posted Mobile technologies for social causes in developing countries. Here’s a combined summary with a couple more mobile technologies that I have come across recently.
MOBILE ACTION PLATFORMS
1. FrontlineSMS
“A lack of communication can be a major barrier for grassroots non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in developing countries. FrontlineSMS is the first text messaging system created exclusively with this problem in mind. By leveraging basic tools already available to most NGOs — computers and mobile phones — FrontlineSMS enables instantaneous two-way communication on a large scale. It’s easy to implement, simple to operate, and best of all, the software is free.”
2. Mobile Commons
“The Mobile Commons platform makes it easy to launch interactive mobile campaigns in minutes. Campaigns are flexible. You can quickly make single purpose programs to do things like collect people’s email addresses at live events or you can build richer interactive experiences by combining phone calls or pushing messages to the web. Our features all work together to give you the power to create better experiences which drive higher response rates, get people’s attention, and fundraise more effectively.”
3. Ushahidi
“Ushahidi, which means “testimony” in Swahili, is a platform that crowdsources crisis information. Allowing anyone to submit crisis information through text messaging using a mobile phone, email or web – and map them.”
4. Google SMS in Africa
“Google SMS to serve needs of poor in Uganda: Today [June 29, 2009] is a big day for the Google Africa team for several reasons. We’re announcing an exciting partnership between MTN Uganda, the Grameen Foundation and Google, and the launch of Google SMS in Uganda. This launch makes available the first suite of applications resulting from an endeavor initiated by Grameen Foundation, called “AppLab” (Application Laboratory), which began over a year ago. AppLab is designed to develop mobile applications that serve the needs of poor and other vulnerable individuals and communities, most of whom have limited access to information and communications technology.”
MOBILE MICROFINANCING
5. MobileMovement
“Mobile Movement has partnered with the United Nations agency UN-HABITAT and Environmental Youth Alliance – a Canadian non-profit organization – for our first initiative in Nairobi, Kenya. All of the 15 youth groups have been chosen by UN-HABITAT as part of the “Urban Entrepreneurship Program”. You can microfinance a project, be a mentor or start a business partnership through our network.”
6. Credit SMS
“CreditSMS converges SMS-aggregating software and mobile commerce systems to provide an efficient and accessible platform for MFIs to deliver and track loans via Short Message Service (SMS). Since CreditSMS utilizes the GSM telephone network, implementing MFIs need neither an Internet connection nor a permanent office to conduct business. Further, MFIs that utilize alternative power sources such as solar panels will be able to operate ‘off the grid’ and thus gain a comparative advantage in rural and underserved areas.”
MOBILE HEALTHCARE
7. FrontlineSMS:Medic
“In the developing world, lack of infrastructure prevents health workers from delivering efficient healthcare to rural areas. As health workers travel from clinics to reach isolated patients, they are often as disconnected from central clinics as the patients they are trying to serve. The mission of FrontlineSMS:Medic is to advance healthcare networks in the developing world by building and distributing innovative, appropriate mobile technologies. The centerpiece of our system is FrontlineSMS, a free, open-source software platform that enables large-scale, two-way text messaging using only a laptop, a GSM modem, and cell phones. We are also developing several applications for the FrontlineSMS platform that will enable better patient management, electronic medical records via the cell phone, cheap mobile diagnostics, and mapping of health services.”
8. Project Masiluleke
“Project Masiluleke (which means “lend a helping hand” in Zulu) is using mobile technology to tackle the worst HIV epidemic in the world in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, where infection rates are over 40%. [frog design] is envisioning a solution that uses mobile technology in three crucial ways: 1) to encourage usage of low-cost diagnostic tools; 2) to walk patients through the testing process; and 3) to guide them into care should they need it, and encourage healthy preventative behaviors even if they don’t.”
MOBILE ACTION SUPPORT
9. MobileActive.org
“MobileActive.org is a community of people and organizations using mobile phones for social impact. We are committed to increasing the effectiveness of NGOs around the world who recognize that the 4.5 billion mobile phones provide unprecedented opportunities for organizing, communications, and service and information delivery.”
10. Hopephones.org
“Every cell phone given to community health workers connects distant patients to a medical clinic. A $10 cell phone will give 50 families access to emergency medical care, health information, transport services, and clinic resources. When your old phone is received by the recycling center, it is given a value. We’ll use this value to purchase appropriate, usable cell phones for community health workers at the medical clinics. The average donated phone in the US will allow us to purchase 2-3 cell phones for clinics.”
OTHER RELATED ARTICLES
Bicyclists in Kenya Charge Their Phones by Pedaling
“Two Kenyan students have invented a device that allows bicycle riders to charge their phones as they pedal. Deemed a “dynamo-powered smart charger”, the device should make it more economical for the 17.5 million Kenyans who use mobile phones to charge them. Even more impressive, the environmentally-friendly phone charger was originally built from scraps retrieved from a junkyard.”
