MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name

Aao Application

One-line solution summary.

With AAO app, underprivileged children, women, transgender people and others from Delhi's slums can earn money/points through alternative education in topics that go unnoticed but are crucial for social development.

Elevator pitch

What is your solution?

Our solution enables poor slum dwellers to obtain basic education regardless of their socioeconomic status and it gives financial assistance to individuals who complete short learning modules utilising the Aao Application. The majority of slum residents lack sufficient basic education to support their growth and development.
Most poor people want money to make ends meet, so the importance of education is not a significant factor among them. Aao will play a major part in giving money while they learn in order to give them with a basic education. They will be encouraged to learn with the help of the Aao.
Aao is a basic Android application that contains fundamental courses for various age groups. The application is divided into three age groups, with material tailored to each group. The person completing each module in their respective age group will be required to attempt a baseline test to access the rewards. After each test, they will get credit/cash points that can be redeemed to purchase goods using digital payment methods. Women and girls will be held in higher regard and trans persons will be rewarded more. The lessons will be provided as video lectures in their native tongue

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

This is a photograph of a 12-year old girl selling lights in traffic at Rajendra Place, Delhi. Each delhite will see at least 10-15 children selling or performing dangerous tricks every day. Numerous transgender people and women also beg money for their needs in these traffics. This kept us thinking about why are these children not attending classes conducted by NGOs like Blue pen,Shanti sahyog etc. Because their immediate need is not education but money. Also, even though most of the students are attending regular classes they are not being learned about essential topics like child abuse, child labour, POCSO laws, hygiene etc. We think society together should get them into the habit of learning. Even if they are not interested to learn high-end STEM subjects, we should make sure that they are aware of the social changes that are happening around them

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

In a note filed before the Supreme court of India, It's been quoted that about 49% of the total population of Delhi lives in slum areas. These many people are living not knowing the risks and possibilities circling them. There are various sectors who are most affected, like household women, children, transgenders etc who mostly don't stand a chance to earn a respectable job.

So if we could show them a way to earn money and 'helpful' knowledge at the same time, we are sure they would take it. Because according to the survey conducted by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics,63 % of people (majority of them were women) were interested in learning new things to have a better life whereas 46.6% lacked any awareness about available training to boost their employability.

Two statistics also proved our strategy: Slum literacy rate has increased according to 2011 census report (77.7%). And also 63% of people in Delhi slums own a smartphone (Only 66% has toilets).

Altogether a mobile application suitable for various age and gender sectors which gan give money reward to learners would be able to uplift their social life.

Giving women, transgenders, and children more cash prizes forces other sectors of people to encourage them in their learning.

While we teach children about sexual abuse, Safety laws, Hygiene and nature protection, we can teach elders regarding the new methods of finances, job skills, Fundamental laws and punishments (mainly related to 'swacch bharath') etc. Gender studies can be started from the age of 12 years.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

As we are Delhi University undergraduate students, we were able to observe the lives of people living in Delhi's urban slums, and it has been discovered that they lack the fundamental education required for a standard of living. We've noticed that, On the streets of Delhi, small children selling small items and begging were typical sights, and some of them were performing risky circus acts. The funds they've amassed finally make their way into the family's budget. The Children and women on the streets were seen in filthy conditions and were completely clueless about personal hygiene. Even though children in slums stand a small chance of attending school, this was not the case of grown-up women and transgender people. The residents of these settlements should be aware of the basic educational requirements, but the sad reality is that they are unwilling to risk their money by exploring this aspect. As a result, AAO could be a viable application for giving vital education to these societies by offering cash incentives for learning.

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Improving learning opportunities and outcomes for learners across their lifetimes, from early childhood on (Learning)

Our solution's stage of development:

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?

We are doing intense research regarding our concept.We have talked with some of our classmates who have done Volunteering in various Child-care NGO of Delhi.We are planning to start this once we have a strong collaboration with any digital Payment service (Paytm, Google Pay etc)

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Delhi, India

Team Lead:

Sandra M.P