by Karen Rae Arnoco | Dec 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
Have you ever installed WhatsApp on an Android phone in the Democratic Republic of Congo (aka DRC)? That might seem like a weird question to many of our readers, but those in the DRC will understand. If you happen to be in the DRC right now, try it: pop a SIM card in...
by Karen Rae Arnoco | Jul 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Any one of us who owns a cell phone – or even a landline with a digital handset – knows what a “Missed Call” is. We see a notice on our phone saying we’ve missed a call, and we check to see who the caller was and call the person...
by Karen Rae Arnoco | Apr 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
On Tuesday, NetHope – a consortium of 43 leading international NGOs that focuses on improving ICT (information communication technology) to serve people in the developing world – hosted a webinar featuring our work with Mercy Corps aiding Typhoon Haiyan survivors. The...
by Karen Rae Arnoco | Mar 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
We were delighted when NetHope featured us on their blog. Now the NetHope Solutions Center is hosting a WEBINAR featuring engageSPARK’s work with MercyCorps! APRIL 21, 11:00 AM EST Click here for Webinar link & Details The webinar will highlight...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Mar 19, 2015 | Uncategorized
No matter what sector you are in, the Internet is impacting you and your communities. Even though the Internet is currently accessible to only about 40% of the world’s population, data is being collected, stored, distributed, and discussed online at an astronomical...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Mar 5, 2015 | Mobile phones
The Mobile World Congress is taking place this week, March 2-5, in Spain. Thousands (in 2014 it was 85,000) from around the world are meeting to talk and learn about industry trends, cutting edge technology, new gadget releases, and what’s going on in Mobile around...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Feb 19, 2015 | ICT, Technology
I know how you feel. I have worked at an enterprise software company in the US, and I have also worked at a nonprofit (NGO) in the Philippines. So I’ve seen firsthand just how different those universes are, as well as how different the utilization of technology can be...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Feb 5, 2015 | ICT, Mobile phones, Uncategorized, Voice
For an updated discussion, read this recent comparison between SMS and Voice for data gathering in Indonesia. We live and work in the Philippines, which has been dubbed the “Text messaging capital of the world.” So we are very familiar with the power of 160...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Jan 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
If you’re reading this, you’re one of the 40% of people in the world with access to the Internet. Humanitarian groups, online businesses, and tech loving individuals are all vying to bring the Internet to the 60% currently offline. But meanwhile, a conversation about...
by Lisa Kalenkiewicz | Dec 17, 2014 | Announcements, Disaster Relief
Barely one year after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated the Philippines, another Super Typhoon – named Hagupit but known in the Philippines as Ruby – was headed down the same path. The storm did slow down and was categorized as a category 3 typhoon, but it retained...
