Seeing the Forest AND the Trees

The Question Box is a brilliant project put together by Open Mind, a US-based non-profit, to provide web information access to those who do not have any internet connection. It works by employing an intercom system and an operator. Someone in a remote area where a Question Box is deployed can request information in their spoken language over the intercom. The operator, who also speaks English, performs a web search for the information and relays it back using the intercom system.

The Question Box has been deployed in India, and has also been powered by solar panels! Now Open Mind plans on deploying for the first time in Africa, specifically in Uganda. In order to avoid down time, they are asking for the donation of a laptop computer, or the money to purchase a laptop. They need it by Tuesday, March 17th, which is St. Patrick’s Day. I found out about this by following the Twitter-verse about the South by Southwest 2009 conference panel entitled ‘Appfrica: How Web Applications Are Helping Emerging Markets Grow.’ On that panel were Rose Shuman, Founder of Open Mind (Question Box) and Jon Gosier, Director of Appfrica and CTO of Open Mind. Rose indicated that they want to get a laptop to Uganda by March 17th in order to avoid down time for the Ugandan deployment.

Won’t you join me in a challenge to get a laptop for the Question Box project? I’m donating to the organization but they will need more money than I can give to get a laptop computer. Please consider dedicating your St. Patrick’s Day to helping people in Uganda who do not have internet access by going here and donating.