The WApp Solution (Widows App Project)

Among most vulnerable members of the society within our communities are widows. Neglected, abused, threatened and psychologically tortured, socially and economically challenged. With little or no hope of what their future holds, most of them are forced to survive on hand-outs.

The WApp Solution – Widows Application Solution - Widows App Project, seek to provide a solution by means of bringing together widows as a team, provide them with effective professional expertise inform of capacity building and a working platform for easy monitoring and evaluation of different widows community based projects.

The WApp Solution, Widows Application shall enable registration of widows as a group of ‘between’ five to fifteen (5-15) members and enrolment of different widow groups as a community based organization. The WApp Solution, will be supported by USSD, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a powerful tool for data collection that is universally accessible on any mobile phone.

• Technological Challenge – Lack of technological informative information among widows within our communities is the major hindrance to widows willingness towards development. The most awful scenario being lack of total internet coverage among marginalized and un-reached communities.      
• Illiteracy – Contributes to the highest percentage for lack of change in our societies is a major set-back among widows in our communities. on average 39 per cent of adult population is illiterate.
• Poor Agricultural and Farming Skills – Due to lack of technical knowledge and formal education among widows this has highly contributed to poor agricultural practices and farming methods. 
• Poor and/ lack of Micro-enterprise development and/ Management Skills among women in our society.
• Lack of Community Based Projects 
• Poor and/ lack of Community Networking – Widows have limited access  opportunities across the global and especially within our communities that can support them.
• Lack of Community Development Skills and/ Connectivity – No provision of community development skills to widows within our communities.
• Ignorance of Law  -  High level of ignorance of law on personal rights among widows.
• Poor and/ Lack of Widows Safety against Cultural Fundamentalism –
• Poor Marketing Skills among women in our communities, 

• Technological Solution – Providing technical technological training inform of capacity building through online products and services on the Widows App.
• Investment Opportunities –Promoting widows investment skills among group members through training and providing platforms that offer effective investment skills to small scale holder and low income earners like VSAL’s
• Networking – Linking widows from different geographical areas and promoting high level of networking among widow groups for accessing and provision of effective and efficient business transformational skills.
• Modern Agricultural Farming Techniques  - Providing training to widows on modern agricultural farming techniques, encouraging and facilitate the initiation of community based projects.
• Micro-enterprise development and/ Entrepreneurship Skills – Providing knowledgeable and informational programmes that promote micro-enterprise development and/ entrepreneurship skills.
• Market Research and Advertisement – Providing market research and advertising platform for widows products and service.
• Literacy - Provision of all forms of adult education for widow empowerment at the community levels.
• Widows Safety and Cultural Fundamentalism – Improvise mechanism to support widows at risk of violence.
• Community Based Projects - Empowerment of widows by initiating community based projects that are acceptable, affordable and sustainable aimed at improving the welfare of widows socially and economically.

The WApp Solution has one main objective - to promote economic and social welfare development of widows and greater resilience, vulnerable widows.

Key overall objective being;

 Increased community development projects for widows.

 Accelerated trade and collaboration nationally and across-borders

 Increased stability through linkages to legal, policy and social protection

The solution shall serve and impacting lives of;

- Widows  - Through investing and utilizing the available services on the Widows App that shall include;

o   Agricultural Services.

o   Investment Services.

o   Entrepreneurship Services

o   Widows Education Services

- Professionals and Youths – Through provision of hired services.

- Family Members and Extended Family Members to Widows

- Community at large

The WApp Solution addressing immediate needs of widows through;

• Accessing viable internet online services within remote communities with no internet coverage.
• Advertisement of agricultural produce.
• Provide learning platform to enhance widows entrepreneurship skills.
• Support online selling of agricultural produce and/ other group products.
• Provision of investment opportunities and services.    
• Provision of technical expertise in form of capacity building of widows through in-built information for widows on the App.
• Security surveillance for threatened widows within communities.
• Group access to financial and programme reporting skills. 

The WApp solution will contribute to creating awareness through provision of solution(s) to our marginalized communities as the team has identified key problems at the community level which include lack of technological support, illiteracy, poor agricultural and farming skills, lack of entrepreneurship skills, lack of resources at village level, poor and/ lack of community networking connectivity among community members.

 The suggested appropriate solutions thus linking into dimension of enabling small and new businesses, especially in untapped communities, to prosper and create good jobs through access to capital, networking and durable technological solutions.

The WApp solution is innovative and very unique solution on its own in the sense that is an instrument that will bring together widows from different cultures, communities, backgrounds, societies, and/ countries to one operational platform.

A working platform that simplifies digital features into ordinary configuration for enhancing and achieving desired results. Enhanced statistically as  the project aims to directly benefit over thousands and millions of widows across the global on single platform power-driven by both App services and USSD services capable of reaching different team members from different localities at the same time depending on group and/ individual requirements.

The WApp Solution innovative measures has a platform with designed programmes for proficient community development that incubate several candid services for improving widows welfare globally  including;

I. Agritech Service: Supporting advanced farming techniques for widows. 

II.Educational Services: For equipping widows with effectual tutorial materials.

 III. E-commerce Services: Equipping widows with both adverting and marketing hub.

 IV. Entrepreneurship Services: Center to training entrepreneurs, advancing widows entrepreneurship skills in current demanding developing digital world.

V. Investment Services: Provide widow groups with platform for evaluating viable available investment opportunities.

 VI. Micro-credit facility Services: Providing widows with bargaining power for seeking credit facilities.

VII. Health System Services: Widows health sustainability services and/ management systems.

VIII. Product Service Delivery: Support widows on developing adequate required skills for facilitating timely delivery of services and products across-boarders.

IX. Partnership Services: Building partnership across borders.    

WApp Solution is technologically powered by

i.          Developed Android and iOS Mobile App – Software that allows one to perform specific task. Published app in the App Store that allow end users access to information on smart phone and/ on a computer. Supported by Xcode which is the macOS-only software program, called an IDE, that is used to design, develop and publish iOS apps. The Xcode IDE includes Swift, a code editor, Interface Builder, a debugger, documentation, version control and tools used to publish an app in the App Store.

WApp Solution shall be powered by Xcode window that shall be published in app store.

ii.        USSD - Unstructured Supplementary Service Data which is a service that allows mobile phone users to interact with a remote application from their device in real time. Has predefined session that is started once a user dials to facilitate the transfer of information between application and the user. USSD is a powerful tool for data collection because it is universally accessible on any mobile phone. The session-based nature of USSD services also make them better suited for structured surveys as compared to SMS. USSD is a scalable service as it does not require an internet connection and is supported by both feature and smartphones. WApp Solution shall be powered by Dedicated USSD which is a three digit code for example *703# that is used solely by one user for service required.

WApp Solution evidence that the technology works

A.      Mobile Applications provision: Shall provide Instant Online and Offline access to applications on smart phones. 

1.        Agritech Service: For effective training of widows in agriculture

i.           - Frigoken - Farmer Management Application

ii.         - KLMC - Kenya Livestock Marketing Council - Livestock Price and Other Analytics Application

2.        E-commerce services:

i.           - Imax cameras - An Ecommerce Application

3.        Educational services:

i.           - ODEL App - Support e-learning education system

4.        Health Empowerment services:

i.           – DoctoronDemand – An App that lets one see a doctor for a video consultation, get a doctors prescription or just let their questions answered.

B.       Mobile USSD Services: Shall provide instant online and offline access with or without mobile smart phones. 

1.        Safaricom services (Kenya) - *225# - For accessing Mobigrow services for any adult with mobile phone and subscriber to safaricom limited (Mobile phone service provider)

The WApp Solution is compatible to any mobile network globally.  

It’s frustrating to witness, feel the impact and/ be part of the suffering of widows across the global due to rate at which widows population across the global is highly increasing, deepening the level of poverty when little or no appropriate measures address the challenge. Besides, the digital divide remains a gendered one considering that most of the 3.9 billion people who are offline are in rural areas, poorer, less educated and tend to be women and girls, widows being the most affected.

UN Social Protection Floor initiative advocates for universal access to basic services and social transfers of cash or goods to ensure income and food security. WApp Solution targets to empowering widows  for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development but limited access to facilities like education, entrepreneurship skills and health care are among the many challenges they face.

 WApp Solution determined to;

1.        Bring together - Build system that can bring together like minded people as a team

2.        Address - Seek redness for addressing challenges facing widows and finally

3.        Find solution - Find durable and lasting solution to challenges identified. Thus ensuring that widows from marginalized and un-reached communities are capable of accessing information and implementing life changing project at affordable, minimal and/  no extra technology expense.

Currently, there are 210 widows operating under Numbula Buchiro Women Organization (14 widow groups with average of 15 members per group), a community based organization in Busia County, Kenya. The WApp solution targets to pilot the project with 375 widows (25 groups with average of 15 members per group). The WApp solution is expected to serve between 1,000 – 5,000 widows within one year on launching the App and between 25,000 – 75,000 widows within five years.

The expected projection is likely to surpass the number because with enrolment technology, existing groups shall be able to enroll new groups to a maximum of three groups thus increasing the number of members and/ groups depending on projected percentage increase of between 3-5% on the use of technology and the rate at which the organization shall be able to absorb new groups for effective monitoring and evaluation of undertaken projects.  

Expected increase at 3%

We are a team of four (4) supporting widows on designing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of widows programmes. Working closely with two (2) technical IT lead consultants for Android and iOS Mobile App development and USSD set-up.

The team;

Michael Gerry Agundah as a team leader, has experience of over 10 years in humanitarian field.  As an Operation Analyst, CPA Finalist, has working experience with over seven International Non-governmental Organizations including UNHCR with working experience of database software – PROGRESS, accurately and confidentially handling data for persons of concern to UNHCR. Has served in finance and grants management with Save The Children UK, Mercy Corps – Kenya Programme, Solidarity Islamic France, EGPAF, SUNY/ AHADI Kenya, IIRR, BGRRF

Mrs. Francisca Oguba supporting the team as a Community Development Coordinator. Madam Francisca is the Chairperson of all widow groups operating under Nambula Buchiro Women Organization, a Community Based Organization in Busia County - Kenya. Francisca is a trained teacher by profession with over 25 years working experience; holds undergraduate degree in Education, additional training and certificates in Gender Equality, HIV/ Aids guiding and counseling.

 Collins Lotuk leads the team as Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor with a strong monitoring and evaluation acumen. Experienced Research, Evaluation and Learning Advisor with demonstrated experience working in humanitarian and development for over 10 years in Africa. Advanced Analytical & Computational professional with MSc, BSc Statistics and MSc Geographic Information Systems. Statistical Applications proficiency in R, SPSS, STATA, CSPro, Epi-info, ENA for Nutrition & Food Security Assessment Methodologies, SAS, Spatial Analysis Packages: ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, GRASS GIS.

Anne Muthoni leads the team as a Community Development Specialist. Ms. Ann is a compassionate and caring psychologist, passionate about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals.

We’re supporting Nambula Buchiro Women Group – a widows community based organization in Busia County – Kenya. The CBO has 210 widows (14 sub groups with average of 15 members per group) 

The CBO solely works with group of widows and has not partnered with any other organization.

We assist widow sub groups that comprise of Nambula Buchiro Women Group in designing viable livelihood programmes, supporting them with provision of technical expertise inform of capacity building and regularly involved in monitoring the progress of programme performance.

As a team we’re focused to ensuring goal setting, defining and establishing strong internal control systems for the organization. Establishing community inter-link working schedules, group evaluation support team and outreach supervision team for supporting new groups.

As a team, we’re determined to developing viable business models for every group of widows depending on activities the group shall be involved, with the locality and/ country legal requirements. 

Our financial sustainability is at initial stage seeking long term partnership with donors supporting women in marginalized and un-reached communities for sustainable development as widowhood is likely to force women out of family structures entirely, leaving them particularly vulnerable to multi-dimensional poverty, loneliness and isolation.

The WApp Solution is applying to solve for;

i.          Establishing Long-term Partners

The solve challenge is a great network of resources, opportunity for establishing long-term partners and with visibility for accessing potential funders for widows project in marginalized and un reached communities. Accessing partners capable of supporting and providing technical support to WApp solution.

ii.        Fund raising visibility

The solve challenge provides excellent opportunity for fund raising visibility, access to experienced fund raising team.

As a team we are seeking opportunities that can help us; 

A. Raise funds for developing, implementing and maintaining the WApp Solution

B. Get operational partner(s) to support us maintain strong operational network.

C. Opportunities that will spur us in managing a strong committed team

D. Support our team in implementing viable widows programmes in marginalized and un-reached communities.

Suggested Programmes include;

i.          Banana tissue projects

ii.        High Yield – Groundnuts Farming

iii.      VSAL community investment programme

iv.      Soya Bean Farming

v.        Poultry Farming

vi.      Goat Farming

vii.    Fish trading

viii.  Saloon Services

ix.  Cash crop trading

x.  Outside Catering Services

xii.    Cloth trading especially for children, youths and women

xiii.  Real estate management services

xiv.  Office maintenance and cleaning services.

xvi.  Waste Product Management

xvii. Security surveillance for widows

xviii. Widows knowledge management support

• Widows Community Domestic Financing Kits
• Advanced Disabled Widows Kit
• Improving Widows Primary Care Networks

We are looking forward to partnering  - UN Women, Unifem, Loomba Foundation, ADWB among others

Because the Elevate Prize Foundation focuses on  empowering and celebrating inspiring people around the world who can spark movements, mobilize people, catalyze positive and transformational change

The WApp Solution shall use the award in supporting widows in marginalized and un-reached communities around the world in responding to emerging pandemics and health issues.

Because Innovation for women prize is highly introspective into innovative technology that improve quality of life for women and girls globally and WApp Solution is seeking to implement the technology that will supports technology-focused projects for improving widows life globally, advancing the needs of women  - widows in particular With little or no hope of what their future holds, most of them who are forced to survive on hand-outs, some taking up odd jobs that hardly sustain their neglected families, not forgetting vulnerable widow groups (esp. child widows ‘silence and unheard’, neglected and displaced widows) and finally for promoting a world where women’s voices can be celebrated especially for widows.

The WApp solution will use the prize in contributing to community economic development as observed by UN Women that;

• Women economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality. Widows economic empowerment include their ability to participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the household at community level to international institutions.
• Empowering women in the economy highly closes on gender gaps in the world of work which are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5, to achieve gender equality and Goal 1 on ending poverty, Goal 2 on food security, Goal 3 on ensuring health, Goal 8 on promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all, Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal 10 on reducing inequalities.
• Promoting the Economy. When more women work, economies will grow. Widows economic empowerment shall boosts productivity, increases economic diversification and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes.
• Increasing women educational attainment that contributes to women economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth. Educating widows, up skilling and re-skilling over the life course – especially to keep pace with rapid technological and digital transformations affecting jobs are critical for widows health and wellbeing, as well as their income-generation opportunities and participation in the formal labour market.

The WApp solution do qualify for the Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion because is focused to advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees, and among the among the most vulnerable members of the society within our communities are widows who are refugees. Totally Neglected, abused, threatened and psychologically tortured, socially and economically challenged.

The WApp Solution will use the prize in advancing skill of widows who are refugees through by;

· Providing technical and business skills for young refugee widows to enhance their employment and entrepreneurship capacity enhanced.

·  Linking widows especially refuges and/ internally displaced widows to access to business incubatory services (finance, entrepreneurial skills training and mentoring, advisory - and technical assistance for diversified businesses), with particular focus to widow groups and youths supported

. Technical support to enhanced commercial production and productivity of the productive sectors in community areas around refugees camps and/ homes for internally displaced people with focus to widow groups. 

The WApp Solution qualifies for the People’s Prize, which celebrates and crowdfunds innovative achievements for the UN Sustainable Development Goals because the WApp Solution is focused to 

- Empowering widows in the economy that highly closes on gender gaps in the world of work which is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

- Increasing widows educational attainment that contributes to women

economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth.

The WApp Solution will use the prize in addressing immediate needs of widows who are primary beneficiaries through;

• Accessing viable internet online services within remote communities with no internet coverage.
• Advertisement of agricultural produce and/ other group services e.g. outside catering services.
• Provide learning platform to enhance widows entrepreneurship skills.
• Support online selling of agricultural produce and/ other group products.
• Provision of investment opportunities and services to widows and/ groups.
• Provision of technical expertise in form of capacity building of widows through in-built information for widows on the App.
• Provision of group health savings to widows and/ groups including family members.
• Access to counseling and guiding services and/ psychiatrist support to young widows. 
• Security surveillance for threatened widows within communities and/ group of widows in the society.
• Provision of Advocacy Services – Provide platform for addressing widows rights, safeguarding and reporting widows safety concern(s).
• Group access to financial and programme reporting skills. 

The WApp Solution do qualify for the future planet capital pfize because the WApp Solution is geared toward significantly impact ilves of millions of widows across the global

The WApp Solution will use the prize in impacting the lives of widows in the most poorest communities and/ countries through

§  Exchange of ideas, good practices, mutual learning among widows and/ groups.

§  Design, implementation and facilitation of access to specialized support services for widows

§  Disseminating information on violence against widow’s rights.

Key areas of concern the team will focus on for supporting identified community in in impacting lives of widows in marginalized and un-reached communities include;

• Digital literacy;
• Enhance modern farming techniques applicable in identified vulnerable and un-reached community.
• Managing extended family relationships in context business and/ work management
• Micro-credit finance – Promote and advocate for widows credit facilities that will support business growth contributing to creation of more job opportunities within the identified communities.
• Promote job creation awareness among women by training widows on job creation networking skills and building confidence among widow groups.
• Assist widow groups in establishing small and new business, train them on sustainability, growth and expansion into medium and/ big businesses creating vast good opportunities through support on access of capital and business networking.

• Equip widows with technological and digital literacy especially on use of Internet and mobile phone for achieving durable skills needed for keeping them in highly evolving business fraternity. 
• Equip widows with technological and digital literacy as well as durable operational skills needed for them to keep pace with the current changing and competitive jobs.

o   Equip widows with technological and digital literacy as well as the durable skills needed to stay apace with the changing job market creating perennial opportunities for all.

• Financial literacy/entrepreneurship

o   Train widows on basic financial skills for unlocking their business potential skills

o   Train widows on effective entrepreneurship skills.

o   Provide technical expertise to widows inform of capacity building on investment.

• Through capacity building of widow groups in identified areas
• Through provision of affordable farming equipments to support groups
• Through regular assessment and review of on-going farming techniques

·         Enable small and new businesses, especially in untapped communities, to prosper and create good jobs through access to capital, networks, and technology;