In Africa alone, one million mobile phones are being added every week. The mobile phone is mostly being used as a person-to-person communication tool and that’s why the Dutch NGO Text to Change came up with the idea to use it as an educational tool on health. When TTC started in 2007 there were no case studies or proofs of concept on text message-based health education programs. TTC started a pilot in Uganda with the help of mobile phone experts, infectious diseases professionals and software developers; and has now expanded its program for a variety of clients and additional countries.
Text to Change (TTC) combines the need for innovative health education with the growth in use of mobile phones. Supported by African mobile providers, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FC Barcelona and other partners, Text to Change uses SMS to challenge mobile phone users on their health knowledge, refer them to HIV testing sites and gather sex and age data from participants which can be analyzed alongside the location of caller. Text to Change works location-based and is able to involve 20% of the local population in its quizzes. Data analysis show that 60% of respondents have basic knowledge on health with an average age of 19, and 45% female participation. Participants of these free multiple choice quizzes maintain their anonymity. They can win mobile phone minutes and soccer shirts as an incentive for participating. If a participant sends in a correct or wrong answer, he or she will receive a confirmation or correction SMS.
Text to Change (TTC) developed software in Uganda to be installed on a FreeBSD server directly connected to the sms connection of a mobile operator. TTC can log on remotely to that server to setup its text message programs. TTC the acquires a zero rated short code, negotiates connections to as many providers as possible and makes the text message services free of charge.
Text to Change controls the software and hardware and conducts programs for organisations like:
-UN-ECOSOC
-WHO
-USAID
-Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-Family Health International
-The Aids Information Center
-ZAIN
-Kinyara Sugar, Uganda
-Kasese Cobalt Company, Uganda
Text to Change HIV/AIDS SMS Locations
In Africa alone, one million mobile phones are being added every week. The mobile phone is mostly being used as a person-to-person communication tool and that’s why the Dutch NGO Text to Change came up with the idea to use it as an educational tool on health. When TTC started in 2007 there were no case studies or proofs of concept on text message-based health education programs. TTC started a pilot in Uganda with the help of mobile phone experts, infectious diseases professionals and software developers; and has now expanded its program for a variety of clients and additional countries.
Text to Change (TTC) combines the need for innovative health education with the growth in use of mobile phones. Supported by African mobile providers, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FC Barcelona and other partners, Text to Change uses SMS to challenge mobile phone users on their health knowledge, refer them to HIV testing sites and gather sex and age data from participants which can be analyzed alongside the location of caller. Text to Change works location-based and is able to involve 20% of the local population in its quizzes. Data analysis show that 60% of respondents have basic knowledge on health with an average age of 19, and 45% female participation. Participants of these free multiple choice quizzes maintain their anonymity. They can win mobile phone minutes and soccer shirts as an incentive for participating. If a participant sends in a correct or wrong answer, he or she will receive a confirmation or correction SMS.
Text to Change (TTC) developed software in Uganda to be installed on a FreeBSD server directly connected to the sms connection of a mobile operator. TTC can log on remotely to that server to setup its text message programs. TTC the acquires a zero rated short code, negotiates connections to as many providers as possible and makes the text message services free of charge.
Text to Change controls the software and hardware and conducts programs for organisations like:
-UN-ECOSOC
-WHO
-USAID
-Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
-Family Health International
-The Aids Information Center
-ZAIN
-Kinyara Sugar, Uganda
-Kasese Cobalt Company, Uganda
Fundación IRFA "Instituto Radiofónico Fe y AlegrÃa"
* Original text in Spanish and translated into English by Google translator. We apologize for the translation.
Write the Foundation IRFA "Radiophonic Institute of Fe y AlegrÃa" in Bolivia, we are a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to educating youth and adults in the poorest sectors of Bolivia, we are working more than 35 years by providing educational radio program "El Maestro en Casa", our beneficiaries are farmers and indigenous people.
Texttochange.org congratulate for such innovative projects in health, using mobile technology using SMS. After reading the information posted by you, we are confident that this technology could be used in adult education in Bolivia to complement and enhance the skills of our students, especially the rural population now have mobile phones, for that why consult them if there is a possibility that Texttochange can advise, provide information to detail the project, we also know that have used Free software technology platform, we can guide them to beg to get the software and technical characteristics of it.
If you like we can send you more information about our work, that you notice that our intentions are for social use.
Thank you very much,
Juan Jose Vargas SaldÃas
Planning and Projects
IRFA FOUNDATION
City: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
Dir: C. Saucedo Mariano Sevilla No. 20
Email: juanjose.saldias @ irfabolivia.org
Web: www.irfabolivia.org
Skype: juanjose.saldias
Tel: (591-3) 3-531817
Fax: (591-3) 3-532257
Cel: (591-3) 763-26111
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