Spotlight Roundup: Kabissa Members Are Making Great Use Of ICT

Every month, a Kabissa member shares their ICT (Information and Communication Technology) success stories with the whole Kabissa community in a Member Spotlight. These organizations are a diverse group, focused on issues ranging from girls’ education to anti-corruption advocacy to better eye care. But they all share one thing in common – they recognize that technology can save them time and money while increasing their visibility and reach. In case you missed a month, here are some of the innovative and effective ways your colleagues are using technology to improve their work!

• Using E-mail Effectively: Nearly every organization spotlighted pointed to the crucial role that e-mail plays in their every day work. It reduces communication costs, connects organizations with funders and partners around the world, and can be more reliable than local postal services. The Maasai Girls Education Fund is able to maintain two offices √¢‚Ǩ‚Äú one in the US and one in Kenya √¢‚Ǩ‚Äú thanks to the convenience and speed of e-mail communication. Staff members at LEAP Africa download their e-mails from one Internet connected computer and read them offline, reducing costs by minimizing time spent online.

• Running an effective e-Newsletter or e-Network: The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) sends out a weekly newsletter to over 10,000 subscribers. Meanwhile, Azur Developpement in the Republic of Congo moderates an e-mail discussion list of over 60 organizations and individuals concerned with HIV/AIDS in Francophone Africa.

• Maintaining a professional Web site: LEAP Africa credits their fundraising success to their Web site, noting that it √¢‚Ǩ≈ìprovides information about our organization and lends us credibility.√¢‚Ǩ¬ù They are also able to make application forms and publications available for download, allowing a wider audience to participate in their programs. ONA Network in Tanzania coordinates eye care camps, publicizes upcoming events, and communicates with volunteers worldwide through their Web site.

• Information Sharing: The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AfriMAP) shares good governance reporting tools and frameworks though its searchable online library, making them available immediately to civil society organizations in Africa. CAWD-Net has branched into video broadcasting, and visitors to their Web site can see participants in a community meeting sharing their thoughts.

• SMS (text-message) Campaigns: Both Media Rights Agenda and CLEEN Foundation in Nigeria have successfully used text-message campaigns to get their messages across to legislators. MRA shared one example from their Freedom of Information Campaign: √¢‚Ǩ≈ìUsing email and Internet resources, MRA mobilized and organized groups and individuals from around the country to pile pressure on legislators in Nigeria√¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s lower legislative chamber, the House of Representatives, by unleashing a sustained avalanche of text messages on them ahead of parliamentary debates on the [FOI] Bill. This resulted in the House passing the Bill in August 2004.√¢‚Ǩ¬ù

• Running an ICT Resource Center: ABC Kenya has developed an ICT Center targeted at school dropouts, training them on basic computer and Internet skills. √¢‚Ǩ≈ìAbout 6 months after beginning the project, all of the participants are able to communicate through e-mail and to search for any information they need on the Internet.√¢‚Ǩ¬ù

As you can see, many of your fellow Kabissa members are using technology to enhance their work in ways large and small. From sending an e-mail halfway around the world to recruiting volunteers online to training others in the use of the Internet, organizations can use technology to expand their reach and deepen their impact. Of course, these organizations do face resource, time, and capacity constraints – many cited lack of funds or equipment as significant impediments to integrating technology more fully into their programs. Nonetheless, it is clear from their stories that new technologies have made an impact. It is also clear that yours doesn’t have to be a technology focused organization to use technology well – as CAWDNet points out, ICT “is largely about people trying to find ways to work together effectively.”

Do you have a story to share? Write to us at editors@kabissa.org for more information about submitting a Member Spotlight.