InspireLearn Learning Platform

Rural communities in Malawi are home to a population exceeding 16 million, with half of this demographic being comprised of young people who have limited access to youth friendly SRHR information. This is due to the scarcity of platforms specifically designed for adolescents to obtain age-appropriate information without compromising their privacy and dignity. The absence of such youth-friendly platforms inhibits young individuals from acquiring essential knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health in a confidential and supportive environment, thereby impeding their ability to make informed decisions and potentially exposing them to avoidable risks. It further removes their agency to take action, speak and help peers in such matters, thus discouraging meaningful and inclusive youth participation.

Our flagship product is the InspireLearn Platform, which is a comprehensive e-learning platform that is accessible offline and through simple mobile devices.The platform also utilizes basic phone-call technology to conduct live sessions and access pre-recorded short lessons using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology and telementoring, which is when an instructor uses phone calls, allowing a user to attend an active session remotely over the phone similar to Zoom teleconferencing without using the internet using a feature phone and by dialling a specific code to connect. Such sessions are also utilized as youth friendly spaces for adolescents to have transformative dialogues and access information regarding issues that affect them the most such as Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.  For instance, so many youth are not aware of how to ensure a complete physical, mental and social well being, appropriate reporting mechanisms when faced with sexual abuse and their rights. The platform addresses these by raising awareness about SRHR, giving a reporting platform for abuse and providing safe spaces for the youth through webinars.

The platform targets youth in marginalised communities who lack access to quality education and information who also do not have access to high end digital devices that may access the internet such as smartphones. As it stands Malawi’s internet penetration is at 20.2% making a majority of youth lacking access to the internet and the SRHR information they can access on it. With this platform being accessible offline, such youth in majority will get a chance to access information on the InspireLearn platform using basic digital resources such as basic phones and without the need of the internet. 

The team comprises young people who grew up in similar communities where internet access was a problem and witnessed the challenges of accessing quality education and comprehensive information on topics such as SRHR. With this, most of the members only knew of such important topics that shape most of their choices in young people's lives later when we got access to internet devices. Given these circumstances, the team would like to ensure other youth do not encounter the same challenge of lack of information access regardless of their internet connectivity, location and ability. 

Additionally, the team is currently running a pilot study of the platform at a rural area called Kamzimbi that is located in the outskirts of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. The team is constantly engaging the community including leaders, youths, educators and residents to fully engage them in the design and implementation of the platform. In the early engagements, the team conducted a baseline survey to the current state of technological and information access in the area and the root causes of challenges. It was found that inadequate structures/ infrastructure, gender inequalities and cultural beliefs were some of the driving factors for the challenges. Consequently, a meeting was held with various community members which included teachers, students, group village headman, parents and PTA representatives to discuss how best the platform would be implemented and the roles of each member . The developments from these meetings with those the platform intends to serve and the constant feedback they are giving as they test the platform throughout the pilot study will be used to modify the platform to suit their needs.      

Our solution, the InspireLearn Learning platform, currently serves a growing community of over 50 students across two distinct schools. Additionally, we have engaged 10 teachers in utilizing our platform to enhance the educational experience. These numbers highlight the positive impact our solution is making, fostering effective learning and teaching experiences in both school settings. As we continue to expand and improve our platform, we look forward to serving even more students and educators, further contributing to educational enrichment.

Our solution, the InspireLearn Platform, is truly innovative in several ways. It addresses the problem of limited access to quality education and information in a unique and significantly improved manner. By offering comprehensive e-learning that is accessible offline and through basic mobile devices, we overcome barriers to education in resource-constrained areas.

What sets us apart is our use of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology and telementoring, enabling live sessions and pre-recorded lessons accessible through a simple phone call. This approach is a game-changer, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity. It catalyzes broader positive impacts by democratizing education and making it accessible to a wider audience, leveling the playing field for underserved communities.

Our solution leverages the power of basic phone-call technology to provide interactive and engaging learning experiences. This innovation is revolutionary in changing the market by redefining how education is delivered, making it more inclusive and accessible.

Moreover, our platform goes beyond traditional education by using these phone-call sessions as youth-friendly spaces, where adolescents can engage in transformative dialogues and access information on critical topics like Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). This not only raises awareness but also provides a platform for reporting abuse and ensuring the well-being of young individuals. Our approach could potentially revolutionize how SRHR information is disseminated, helping countless youths lead healthier lives.

Year 1 goals: 

Reach 10,000 Underserved Young People  Across Malawi: Provide access to high-quality and age appropriate education as well as information to 10,000 underserved learners, with a focus on remote and disconnected communities, using our accessible e-learning platform.

Collaborate and partner with 50 schools across Malawi: Build and maintain a partnership with 50 schools in order to help with reaching young people.

5 Year goals

Empower 1 Million Learners: Extend our e-learning platform's reach to empower 1 million learners, bridging educational gaps and promoting holistic well-being.

Expand to all continents: Have an operational base in each continet in order to reach learners in hard to reach and unfavourable conditions in thos continents. 

Diversify: Use the learning platform to be utilized for trainings and other capacity strengthening exercises that are not classroom restricted such as training farmers on sustainable farming.

TheInspireLearn Platform aims to make a meaningful impact on the problem of limited access to quality education and awareness on issues like Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), particularly among underserved youth in Malawi. Our theory of change is as follows:

How it works:

1. Access to Education: Our e-learning platform is designed to be accessible offline and via simple mobile devices, ensuring that even remote and disconnected communities can access high-quality education and information.

2. Transformative Dialogues: We utilize phone-call technology, similar to Zoom but without the internet, for interactive sessions. This allows adolescents to engage in transformative dialogues on crucial topics like SRHR, addressing their awareness gaps.

3. Reporting and Support: We provide a reporting platform for abuse cases, ensuring that young people can access support and appropriate reporting mechanisms.

Why it works:

• Awareness and Education: By providing underserved youth with access to education and information, we raise awareness about important topics like SRHR, helping them understand how to ensure physical, mental, and social well-being and their rights.

• Safe Spaces: The platform creates safe spaces through webinars, where adolescents can engage in dialogue and access support. This promotes a culture of openness and addresses issues like abuse.

5 full time staff

We have been working on the solution since February 2021

At InspireLearn, we are deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusivity in every aspect of our work. With more than 50% of our team comprising women, our leadership is a testament to our dedication to gender diversity. We believe in creating an environment that champions equal opportunities and fair representation for all.

Our team's goals for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity involve ongoing efforts to ensure our workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve. We actively recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and demographics. We have implemented inclusive hiring practices and policies to remove any biases, fostering a welcoming and inclusive workspace.

Additionally, in our product development, we prioritize inclusivity by designing features and content that cater to a broad range of learners, regardless of their backgrounds, abilities, or identities. We work with educators, students, and communities to ensure our solutions meet their specific needs and remain accessible to all.

Our business model centers on providing valuable educational and awareness services to underserved populations, particularly focusing on youth. The key elements of our business model are as follows:

Product/Service: We offer the InspireLearn Platform, a comprehensive e-learning solution that can be accessed offline and through basic mobile devices. This platform facilitates interactive sessions, live or pre-recorded, using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology and telementoring, creating transformative dialogues and youth-friendly spaces for discussions on important topics like Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

Customer Segments:

1. Underserved Youth: Our primary beneficiaries are young individuals, including those in remote and disconnected communities, who lack access to quality education and information on topics like SRHR.

Value Proposition:

• Accessible Education: We provide high-quality, age-appropriate education and awareness on SRHR, improving physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Safe Spaces: Our platform offers a safe environment for adolescents to engage in transformative dialogues and access support on sensitive issues.

Revenue Model:

• We utilize a subscription-based model, where users pay for access to the InspireLearn Platform and its features. This subscription model helps generate revenue to sustain and expand our services.

Why They Want/Need It:

• Underserved youth need accessible education to bridge educational gaps and gain essential knowledge, especially on SRHR.
• They want a safe and inclusive space for dialogues and support regarding issues that affect their well-being and rights.

How We Provide It:

• We offer the InspireLearn Platform through which users can subscribe to access our e-learning content, IVR-based sessions, and telementoring services.
• Our platform is designed to work on simple mobile devices, ensuring accessibility in areas with limited connectivity.

Our business model aligns revenue generation with our mission of providing valuable education and support to underserved youth, ultimately contributing to their well-being and empowerment.

Our plan for financial sustainability encompasses a multi-faceted approach that combines various revenue streams to fund our work. The key elements of our financial sustainability plan include:

1. Subscription Model: We will continue to rely on a subscription-based model to generate revenue. Users, including schools, parents, and individual learners, will pay a fee to access our InspireLearn Platform. This subscription model allows us to secure consistent income, which is crucial for maintaining and expanding our services.

2. Corporate Partnerships: We will explore partnerships with corporate organizations interested in supporting educational and youth-focused initiatives. These partnerships can provide financial support, in-kind contributions, and opportunities for co-branded initiatives.
   

3. Fee-for-Service Contracts: We will explore opportunities to enter into fee-for-service contracts with governments or educational institutions that want to leverage our e-learning platform and services. These contracts can provide a steady source of revenue while extending the reach of our platform to a broader audience.
   

4. Product and Content Sales: In addition to subscriptions, we may sell premium content or additional features to users who require specialized educational content or advanced services.