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Kiwanja, FrontlineSMS, & DevelopingRadioPartners

Bill Siemering sent the following message:

"I'm the president of Developing Radio Partners, started in 2003 as a U.S. based nonprofit dedicated to improving the flow of information to those who need it most, folks living in developing countries where radio is the most important medium. We are also working with the latest SMS text messaging to strengthen community engagement for community radio stations."

From their website:

"Developing Radio Partners, (DRP), is committed to building vibrant, participatory communities internationally, through the development of financially and editorially independent media services with a focus on community radio. Country by country we build the capacity of individual radio stations, associations and programming networks by working alongside station managers, their staff and their communities to achieve local development goals that enrich peoples' lives."

Developing Radio Partners collaborates with another great organization named FrontlineSMS, which allows you to text message with large groups of people from anywhere there is a mobile signal. For more on FrontlineSMS, watch their YouTube video:

Several case studies of their work are offered here.

For example, Josh Nesbit talks about his project on the project blog site:

"Using a donated laptop, 100 recycled cell phones, and a copy of FrontlineSMS, I set up an SMS-based communications network for a rural hospital and its Community Health Workers (CHWs). The network allows the hospital to respond to requests for emergency medical care, track patients, record HIV and TB drug adherence, stay updated on patient status, mobilize remote communities for outreach testing, provide instant drug dosage/usage information, and connect HIV/AIDS support group members."

The project is part of FrontlineSMS Medic. FrontlineSMS Medic uses text messages to save lives by enabling health workers around the world to coordinate. The technology enables health workers to use this medium to send medical records, map health services in real-time, and/or help isolated communities stay connected.

Kiwanja.net is a central hub in this network of SMS activity. Since 2003, kiwanja.net has been helping empower local, national and international non-profit organisations to make better use of information and communications technology in their work. Specialising in the application of mobile technology, it provides a wide range of ICT-related services drawing on over 25 years experience of its founder, Ken Banks.

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