Selected
Digital Inclusion

Hello World

Solar-powered internet hubs for unconnected communities

Team Leader
Ned Morgan
We partner with communities to build solar powered, Wi-Fi enabled education Hubs.

Solution Pitch

The Problem

Digital access is made impossible by expensive tariffs, the absence of devices, and a lack of understanding. These structural factors construct a paywall around the internet that is impossible to cross for many of the world's marginalized and underserved populations, denying them the opportunity to access education and remote services.

The Solution

Hello World partners with communities to build Hello Hubs—solar-powered, Wi-Fi-enabled computer kiosks, each fitted with eight tablet screens and offers Wi-Fi connectivity to anyone with their own device. The community can access the internet via the devices in the hub or through any device capable of accessing a Wi-Fi signal. Hubs are built in partnership with the community and are designed to be durable, affordable, and easily repairable. By teaching the community to build, maintain, and repair the hub during its installation, the hub becomes community property. Further, it is constructed from locally available ”off the shelf” parts, making hub repairs easy and affordable. 

Stats 

  • Hello World has connected 32,000 people to free internet, helping them gain access to education resources, new skills, and communication.

  • To date, Hello World has built 32 Hello Hubs in Nepal and Uganda.

Market Opportunity

Global estimates for education spending approach $5 trillion. With 258 million children out of school, Hello Hubs provide an educational opportunity that is affordable and scalable. Hello Hubs offer a solution to bringing the world online, which could add over $6 trillion to the global economy. 

Organization Highlights

  • Won The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion and The HP Prize for Advancing Digital Equity at Solve Challenge Finals.

Partnership Goals

Hello World seeks:

  • Publicity and exposure.

  • Connections to organizations to spread their open-source “How-To” guide for creating Hello Hubs.

What is the name of your organization?
Hello World
What is the name of your solution?
Hello World
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
We partner with communities to build solar powered, Wi-Fi enabled education Hubs.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
London
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Digital access is made impossible by expensive tariffs, the absence of devices, and a lack of understanding. These structural factors construct a paywall around the internet that is impossible to cross for many of the world's marginalized and underserved populations, denying them the opportunity to access education and remote services.
What is your solution?
Hello World partners with communities to build Hello Hubs solar-powered, Wi-Fi-enabled computer kiosks, each fitted with eight tablet screens and offers Wi-Fi connectivity to anyone with their own device. The community can access the internet via the devices in the hub or through any device capable of accessing a Wi-Fi signal. Hubs are built in partnership with the community and are designed to be durable, affordable, and easily repairable. By teaching the community to build, maintain, and repair the hub during its installation, the hub becomes community property. Further, it is constructed from locally available "off the shelf" parts, making hub repairs easy and affordable.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves marginalised and underserved communities. Each community we work with is different. One thing that connects the communities we work with is a lack of opportunity. Often populations do not have access to education and jobs are scarce. The internet connects these communities with opportunities to learn new skills that can help them raise income, improve agricultural yields and learn an unlimited number of new, productive lessons. We see refugees learning new languages,. Children learn math, reading and writing. Local people start businesses, from traditional baking to manufacturing, all using information made available through a connection to the internet.

Solver Team

Organization Type:
Nonprofit

Headquarters:
London, United Kingdom

Stage:
Scale

Working In:
Uganda, Nepal

Current Employees: 
13

Solution Website:
https://www.projecthelloworld.org/

Solution Team:
Ned Morgan
Ned Morgan
Angharad Jones
Angharad Jones