Faster Channels of Communication: A Radio and SMS Initiative in NE Kenya
Infoasaid has recently shared some news about an initiative with Save the Children in Wajir, Kenya, which is using FrontlineSMS to communicate with field workers and community representatives. Meanwhile, the radio is being used to share information about health, education and food security. The objective of Infoasaid – a consortium of Internews and the BBC World Service... Read More
FrontlineSMS introduced to youth group in Kenya
The FrontlineSMS team is always keen to engage with those using FrontlineSMS for social change projects across the world. It is really valuable for us to hear user’s stories, and find out the advantages and challenges of using our software in action. This summer, Tufts University student and FrontlineSMS intern Emily Wyner visited Nairobi, with support from Groupshot and the... Read More
Interoperable Technologies in International Development: Access to FrontlineSMS
By Ashley Mannes FrontlineSMS was recently included in an academic paper, written by Ashley Mannes, of Georgetown University, USA, and titled ‘Interoperable Technologies in International Development: Access to FrontlineSMS.’ In the below guest post, Ashley introduces the main themes of her paper and what compelled her to write about FrontlineSMS: FrontlineSMS in use / Image:... Read More
Tanzanian farmers report improved yields via SMS
Farmer trainer using FrontlineForms to collect data in the field / Image: Technoserve Tanzania “Nearly 90 percent of Tanzania’s residents live in rural areas, work primarily in the agricultural sector, and lack access to information, technology and markets,” Technoserve state on their website. Technoserve is an organisation which focuses its work in Tanzania on supporting... Read More
UN uses FrontlineSMS to help manage aid response in East Africa
By Lisa LaRochelle, FrontlineSMS Project Assistant FrontlineSMS is being used for social change in many different ways across the world. Common use case examples include election monitoring, provision of health information, and agricultural support – these kinds of use cases have direct positive impact on people’s lives. Yet here at FrontlineSMS we have seen increasing numbers... Read More
Combating food insecurity in Northern Kenya
infoasaid is a consortium of Internews and the BBC World Service Trust. The objective is to improve how aid agencies communicate with disaster-affected communities – the focus is on providing humanitarian information. The emphasis is on the need to deliver information, as aid itself, through the most appropriate channels. In this guest blog post first published on their... Read More
Emerging Explorer project makes Buckminster Fuller finalists
FrontlineSMS has been selected as one of only four Finalists in the Buckminster Fuller Challenge, the prestigious annual design science competition. Named “Socially-Responsible Design’s Highest Award” by Metropolis Magazine, the Challenge awards $100,000 to support the development and implementation of a whole systems-based solution that has significant potential to solve... Read More
“Farming Out” Agricultural Advice Through Radio and SMS
This post is the latest in the FrontlineSMS Mobile Message series with National Geographic. To read a summary of the Mobile Message series click here. Amy O’Donnell, Project Manager, FrontlineSMS:Radio John plans a radio show. He connects a mobile to his computer and uses FrontlineSMS to send and manage text messages (Photo: J Cheburet) The Organic Farmer, a Kenyan magazine... Read More
Announcing the “Mobile Message”
Over the past year or so, it’s become increasingly clear to us that we need to take the “mobile message” out of its technology silo and make it more available – and accessible – to a wider audience. This was the thinking behind our regular series on PC World, and is the thinking behind a new series we’re launching today in collaboration with National... Read More
SMS inspiration: A view from the Central Independent States
Moldcell and Orange - the two main Moldovan networks I’m beginning this week in the small landlocked eastern European country of Moldova, talking to representatives of IREX-supported organisations running telecentres and internet access points across the region. We just had a short session on FrontlineSMS, explaining how it works, and starting to come up with ideas for how... Read More
