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Thousands of South Africans join GovChat

Vernon Pillay

October 04, 2018 |

IOL Business Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa

GovChat is the world's first platform that connects citizens with politicians via WhatsApp. It allows citizens to rate public services and report issues, submit service requests, and donate to community organizations. Thousands of people registered and began using the platform within the first 72 hours.

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How to help homeless people – without feeding a habit

Stephen Moss

August 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Oxford

It's not uncommon for people to hesitate to give money to homeless because of an uncertainty of how the money will be spent. To address this, as well as an increasingly cashless society, an app known as Greater Change is being piloted in Oxford that "allows passersby to make donations via their phones using the QR code."

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Students are dropping out of college before even starting. Here's how educators are trying to stop the trend.

Nick Anderson

August 25, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

A Harvard study found that, in Boston, 10 to 20 percent of college-bound high school graduates weren't actually ending up enrolling in college. Researchers think they might have found a partial solution to what is known as the "melt trend" - in this approach, mentors send text messages throughout the summer reminding students of upcoming financial aid and registration deadlines and offering general encouragement.

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How having space — even small enough to hold a cellphone — is helping Chicago's homeless

Alison Bowen

August 01, 2018 |

Chicago Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Though homelessness is an entrenched and complex problem, small solutions can make a difference in the daily life of homeless individuals. Lockers for overnight cell phone storage in a homeless shelter in Chicago are significant: people can wake up with a sense of security, knowing their phones will be available to help find jobs or stay in touch with loved ones. This is part of the Chicago Youth Storage Initiative, which as since funded 755 storage unites at homeless shelters across Chicago.

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Check the Back Seat! Alerts Remind Drivers About Children

Ellen Byron

July 28, 2018 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Nissan and GM plan to make warning systems standard in many of their vehicles that alert drivers there are occupants in the back seat to address the persistent issue of children dying in hot cars. Other new products, apps and education efforts are underway as well to tackle this problem. These potential solutions represent a societal shift that seems to acknowledge this can happen even to the most conscientious parents.

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Somaliland Uses Phones to Help Improve Schools

Doreen Aijambo

July 16, 2018 |

Al-Fanar Media |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Somaliland

Similar to other countries in Africa, Somaliland is using technology to better education. There, an estimated 150,000 parents use a free-mobile messaging tool to communicate about school conditions with the government. The capital of Somaliland engages in “community scorecards,” a mobile survey of thousands of students and their parents regarding their schooling.

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Labor Organizers Look To Apps To Reach Wider Audiences

Teke Wiggin

July 13, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Organized labor unions in WalMart used an app called WorkIt to mobilize workers. The app answers common questions that concern things like paid leave, absences, wages, and legal rights. “Eight years later, OUR Walmart, the flagship project of Organization United for Respect, has claimed a number of victories, including substantially better corporate-wide pay and leave policies.” Key to that has been WorkIt. Now organizers are looking to expand the app to other companies.

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Conserve Energy on Summer's Hottest Days With a Text

Eben Bein

July 13, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Providence, Rhode Island

Shave The Peak is an online tool that helps people cut their emissions use by informing them of peak energy times during the hottest days in the summer. The tool started as a mass email and a text sent out to 100 environmentally concerned citizens before expanding. “For now, we have to educate and involve citizen advocates using short-term projects so we can eventually create long-term change.”

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Brazil's domestic workers get help with app

Ciara Long

July 12, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Brazil

Out of the 7 million domestic employees worldwide, 1 in every 7 are employed in Brazil.” A mobile app, Laudeline, is making it easier for them to be informed of their rights. Through the app domestic workers in Brazil can access salary and benefits calculators, rights explanations, and they can even locate the nearest union. “What they often lack is familiarity with the law,” she said. “A friend of mine has said to me for years, ‘You have to open the window to see the world.’ This app is a way to open that window.”

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Mobile Drivers' Licenses to Debut in Iowa This Year

Theo Douglas

July 01, 2018 |

Government Technology |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Iowa

Iowans will soon store their drivers’ licenses on their smartphones rather than in their wallets. The state is moving forward after a pilot project demonstrated the promise of going digital. Several more states are considering similar programs.

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