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ThinkSocial Awards: KIWANJA & Ken Banks "Providing mobile-technology-related services to non-profit organizations in developing countries"
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Name: Kiwanja & Frontline SMS
Nominated category: Individual & Organization
URL: http://kiwanja.net
Area: Non-profit, Service, Technology
About:
Texting will change the world, if Kiwanja.net has anything to do with it.
With the intention to help any and all non-profit organizations interested in mobile technologies no matter their size or budget Kiwanja.net provides ICT-related services to non-profits in 40-plus countries.
Description
Kiwanja.net provides free consultancy, workshops and general advice, as well as access to the technology through its FrontlineSMS and nGOmobile initiatives, with a focus on developing countries and emphasis on low-cost, sustainable solutions.
NGOmobile, for example, is a competition that pushes grassroots NGOs in developing countries to come up with ways that text-messaging and other mobile device functions can help with their work. FrontlineSMS, a software which allows you to text mass amounts of people at once, has probably won Kiwanja the most attention, not to mention awards.
FrontlineSMS/Kiwanja.net was named as one of the three “Equality” laureates for the Tech Awards Laureates this year; and a student-run project, FrontlineSMS:Medic, which adapts the software for rural health services in developing countries, swept the N2Y4 NetSquared awards in California in June.
Kiwanja.net and founder Ken Banks a tech specialist and anthropologist who has spent the past 16 years living in Africa also participate in talks at international workshops and events on mobile-related topics. At IDEO, Amnesty International and Net Tuesday, Banks has spoken on topics including the role of anthropology in the social mobile space and the use of mobile phones in international conservation and development efforts. Kiwanja’s paid consultancy gigs subsidize the non-profit work.
In terms of getting involved, with Kiwanja, you can do a little or a lot. Those interested in supporting Kiwanja can do anything from donate money (no direct way yet, so one must email for more info); to help with research on projects or use their legal, business or accounting skills so Kiwanja can find ways to run more efficiently; or simply join Kiwanja’s social network groups.
The Basics
WHO: Kiwanja.net
WHAT: Kiwanja.net enables non-profits to use mobile technologies toward social good.
WHERE: Primarily Africa, but all-over the world with a focus on developing countries.
HOW to get involved: Kiwanja.net encourages interested folks to contribute photos and links to the web site, volunteer, join the Facebook groups for its different initiatives, and follow them on Twitter. Donation of time, skills and money are also options.
What other people are saying:
Guardian (UK) piece on FrontlineSMS
Public Radio International piece on FrontlineSMS
What do you think?
- Comment on this entry and tell us what you think. Who else should we be highlighting in this category?
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Learn more about ThinkSocial Awards here.
Thanks for your support and participation.
Posted in: Individual, Mobile, Non-profit, Peace Conflict & Democracy, awards, organization | Tagged: Amnesty, anthropology, equality, ICT, IDEO, tech
