SOS SMS

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Feb 19: &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2009/02/022773.htm">Nelson Mandela Foundation received $85,863 from SMS competition
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Feb 18: &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://irevolution.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/digital-resistance-and-the-orange-revolution/">Digital Resistance and the Orange Revolution
Feb 18: &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://mobihealthnews.com/2009/02/aidsgovs-guide-to-using-text-message-reminders/">AIDS.gov’s guide to using text message reminders

file under:
Immigration, Law and Legal Assistance, migrant workers, OFW, sms helpline, Victim Support Services

operates in:
Philippines, Saudi Arabia

contact:

Center for Migrant Advocacy

http://www.pinoy-abroad.net/l

The SOS SMS system is a literal lifeline for thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a group comprised of about eight million Philippine citizens. In 2005, OFWs sent more than $10 billion to the Philippines in remittances, which represents about 13.5% of the country's GDP. About a third ofOFWs are unskilled workers. The SMS line allows Philippines to send a text message of distress to the Philippines, where it is then forwarded to a variety of migrant advocacy and government organizations. The helpline receives about five messages asking for assistance each day, about 60% of which come from Saudi Arabia.