helpline

SOS SMS: A Text Helpline for Philippine Workers

February 14, 2008 | CorinneRamey

file under:
helpline, migrant workers, OFW, sms

A single computer, hooked up to a modem in Bobby Soriano's house in the Philippines, receives a steady of stream of text messages begging for help. There have been messages from Philippine seamen, who, after being accused of the murder of a Korean captain, were forced to confess by Omani police. There was a Philippine domestic worker in Lebanon who was forced to flee to the mountains to escape Israeli bombings, and a message from twenty Philippine sailors who were evicted from their ship by police near Denmark. In each of these cases, a single SMS message with the keyword "SOS" was sent to a hotline in the Philippines, activating a network of nonprofits and government agencies to come to the workers' rescue.

Mobile for Good

file under:
Economic Development, helpline, kenya, Multi-Service Community Agency, sms

operates in:
Kenya

contact:
www.mobile4good.com

Mobile for Good (M4G) is a social franchise project designed to use mobile phone technology to help alleviate poverty and improve the lives of people in the developing world. It delivers vital health, employment and community content via SMS on mobile phones in order to inform and empower disadvantaged individuals and help bridge the ‘digital divide’ – the widening technology gulf which exists between rich and poor countries.

References / Past Projects

The Mobile for Good project has already been implemented in Kenya, where it has been instrumental in helping more than a hundred people to find jobs every week. The success of this pilot has driven plans to replicate the franchise in further countries across Africa and the rest of the developing world including Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Nepal. The team are currently looking for potential franchisees and investors. Please see the Get Involved section for further details.

Heroes Project

file under:
aids, Health and Medicine, helpline, sms

operates in:
India

contact:
http://www.heroesprojectindia.org

The Heroes Project has an SMS helpline that provides information and answers questions about HIV/AIDS.

References / Past Projects

Heroes Project is a national initiative launched in July 2004, by Richard Gere and Parmeshwar Godrej to work with media organisations and societal leaders in India. It seeks to develop co-ordinated campaigns to address the spread of HIV/AIDS, and reduce stigma and discrimination by educating the public and advocating for change in policies.