The WApp Solution (Widows App Solution)

Specific problem WApp Solution is solving is addressing:

                  - Widows Access to Financial Service.

Based on United Nations Statistics Division population data and analysis by Loomba Foundation in 2018, of the 258 million widows worldwide, over 14.8% of them languish in deep poverty, whereas social and legal protection systems discriminate against them, lifetime earnings and saving restricted.(1)

Recognizing that all aspects of life for widows in many parts of the world are negatively affected by various economic, social and cultural factors, such as lack of access to inheritance, land tenure, employment, social safety nets, health care and education; harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage, including levirate, thus recalling the importance of positive steps on the part of Member States to support widows as an integral part of society, and in this regard recalling also resolution 65/189 of 21 December 2010.(2)

Despite reforms and economic progress, Kenyan women continue to be disproportionately affected by high poverty rates and face barriers to exercising their voice and agency. Widows in Kenya are more likely to live in poor households, and there is a significant gender gap in business profits and compensation. Kenyan widows’ access to financial services is also limited. (The World Bank, 2022)(3). 

Factors that contribute to widows languishing in poverty; (1)  

• Technological Challenge – Lack of technological informative information among widows within our communities including lack of internet coverage in marginalized and un-reached communities.
• Illiteracy – Lack of formal and informal education among widows highly contributing to high level of poverty within communities.
• High level of ignorance of law among widows on widows rights.
• Lack of community based projects that are acceptable, affordable and sustainable aimed at improving the welfare of widows socially and economically.

• Poor agricultural and/ technical farming skills among widows contributing to poor agricultural practices and farming methods.
• Poor access to connectivity and/ networking within communities.
• Lack of Micro-enterprise development and/ Management Skills among women, highly affecting widows within our communities.
• Widows have neither community development skills nor community development initiatives.

• Poor and/ Lack of Widows Safety against Cultural Fundamentalism.
• Poor and/ lack of product marketing skills. 
• Widows discrimination within communities that hinders them from freely communicating to community members.    

Duflo (2012)(4) puts forward that the active engagement of women in economic activities is essential for economic growth and nation-building, although they tend to have limited access to investments in skills, knowledge, and lifelong learning in comparison to men worldwide. In Africa, one in ten women above the age of 14 is widowed whereas 7 in 10 African widows are the heads of their families thus the need empowering widows.

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1 - Analysis by Loomba Foundation, The Global Widows Report 2015. London. 

2 – Resolution adopted by The United Nations General Assembly on 15th March 2022  https://www.widowsforpeace.org/un-resolution-on-the-situation-of-widows/

3 - The World Bank (2022, March) - Key Ingredients to Women’s Legal Rights in Kenya. https://documents1.worldbank.o... 888c0f359fdf00e96.pdf

4 - Duflo, E. (2012) - Women Empowerment and Economic Development. Journal of Economic Literature, 50(4), p.1051-79.

The WApp Solution is the solution.

The WApp Solution is a developed Mobile App that will enable widows from different communities and/ backgrounds be able to address several challenges that hinder them from achieving and/ accessing financial services.

The WApp Solution will enable widows have access to information on a mobile phone by support of internet and/ use of USSD(5) services.

WApp Solution is software program bundled together with features in a manner that is accessible to widow(s) and/ widow groups for accessing information on mobile phones to assist them in performing specific functions.

A tool for educating widows through self-help groups on;

• Economic backgrounds.
• Social-political background: Since there is a low level of societal awareness of widowhood issues, no enforcement regulations, scarce data, and limited supportive programs (Ibrahim-Leathers, H. 2015)(6). Widows in Kenya are no exception.

The Solution will address and/ provide different services to widows. A tool that will;

● Act as a catalyst in promoting Financial Inclusion among widows within communities through training on available investment opportunity.

● Provide technical technological training inform of capacity building. Initiating, supporting and providing awareness to registered widows self-help groups within communities.

● Provide all forms of adult education for widows empowerment at the community levels through the use of developed literacy App with key focus on;

1. Providing basic education for widows who have never had the advantage of formal education. Targeting widows who are illiterate and semi-literate including child widows.
2. Providing in-service, vocational and professional trainings to improve widows skills.

● Link widows from different geographical areas and promoting high level of networking for accessing and provision of effective and efficient business transformational skills.

● Promote widows investment skills among group members and platforms that offer effective investment skills like VSLA. (7)

● Provide modern agricultural farming skills where widows can access farming skills, trainings and consultation services in agriculture.

● Provide basic practice to promote micro-enterprises development skills for small scale traders through formation of widows empowerment initiatives. 

● Provide market research and advertising platform.

● Initiate community based projects that are acceptable, affordable and sustainable aimed at improving the welfare of widows socially and economically.

● Promote provision of advocacy services by lobbing for recognition and protection of widows rights in marginalized communities through protection and surveillance apps.

The Solution has potential of directly impacting lives of over 1 million widows in less than 3 years by providing effective learning and working platform across communities, efficiently enhancing widows financial inclusion globally.

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5 – USSD - Unstructured Supplementary Service Data is a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol that is used to send text messages. Uses codes made up of characters that are available on a mobile phone.

6 - Ibrahim-Leathers, H. (2015) -  Widowhood: Economic Empowerment

and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Fund of Widows. https://www.widowsrights.org/d...

7 – VSLA – Village Savings and Loans Associations - Is model that creates self-managed and self-capitalised savings groups that use members' savings to lend to each other.

Targeted beneficiaries are widows across the global with focus to local communities in Kenya. Include:

• Child widows including their orphans
• Widows and orphans living in slum urban areas
• Widows and orphans living in absolute poverty
• Marginalized Widows and orphans living in rural area
• Widows and orphans living in refugee camps and internally displaced communities

The WApp Solution has one main objective of promoting economic and social welfare development of widows and greater resilience, vulnerable widow groups (including child widows ‘silence and unheard’, neglected and displaced widows).

The solution will impact widows lives by addressing;

Financial Inclusion:(8)

Widows financial inclusion occurs when widows have effective access to a range of financial products and services that cater to their multiple business and household needs which are responsive to the socioeconomic and cultural factors that cause financial exclusion in women and men to have different characteristics.   

Effective management of  financial inclusion will increase the empowerment of widows in different ways including;

• Increase opportunities to earn an income or control assets outside the household.
• Access to resources on their own account and to tools that help them to earn a living that increase bargaining power within households and influence over how money and other resources are used.
• Reduce widows vulnerability by allowing them to insure against risk or borrow to meet unexpected expenses like medical treatments.

Agriculture:

The WApp Solution will enable widows have increased access to agricultural information including consultation services for improved agricultural output. Promoting widows bargain powers within communities as agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity and feed a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050.(9)

The WApp solution seek to deliver on;

• Accelerated trade and collaboration nationally and across-borders.
• Increased community development projects for widows. Agricultural and Financial inclusion.
• Increased stability through linkages to legal, policy and social protection mechanisms for widows.

The WApp Solution will address immediate widows needs through;

• Accessing internet online services within remote communities with no internet coverage.
• Advertising agricultural produce and/ group services e.g. outside catering services.
• Provide learning platform to enhance widows entrepreneurship skills.
• Support online selling of agricultural produce and/ other group products.
• Provision of investment opportunities and services to widows and/ groups.

• Provision of group health savings to widows including family members.
• Access to counseling and guiding services/ psychiatrist support to young widows.  
• Security surveillance for threatened widows within communities.
• Exchange of ideas, good practices, mutual learning among widows.

• Platform for addressing widows rights, safeguarding and reporting widows safety concern(s).
• Disseminate information on violence against widow’s rights.
• Group access to financial and programme reporting skills.

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8 -The World Bank Financial Inclusion - facilitates day-to-day living, and helps families and businesses plan for everything from long-term goals to unexpected emergencies.People are more likely to use other financial services like: savings, credit, insurance, start and expand businesses, invest in education or health, manage risk, and weather financial shocks, all of which can improve the overall quality of their lives."

9 - http://datatopics.worldbank.or...   

The team;

Michael Gerry Agundah as a team leader, has experience of over 10 years in humanitarian field. CPA Finalist, has working experience with over seven International Non-governmental Organizations including UNHCR with working experience of database software – PROGRESS, accurately and confidentially handling data for persons of concern to UNHCR. Has served in different finance and grants management units with Save The Children, Solidarity Islamic France,Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric Aids Foundation, MercyCorp Kenya Proframme, SUNY/ CID/ AHADI Kenya Programme, IIRR, Bishop Gassis Relief & Rescue Foundation  with excellent skills in program design and implementation, vast knowledge in operations management, in-depth understanding and knowledge of development issues and funding institutions mindset.

Mrs. Francisca Oguba supporting the team as a Community Development Coordinator. Madam Francisca is the Chairperson of all widow groups operating under Nambula Buchiro Women Organization, a Community Based Organization in Busia County - Kenya. Francisca is a trained teacher by profession with over 25 years working experience; holds undergraduate degree in Education, training and certificates in Gender Equality, HIV/ Aids guiding and counseling.

 Collins Lotuk leads the team as Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor with a strong monitoring and evaluation acumen. Advanced Analytical & Computational professional with MSc, BSc Statistics and MSc Geographic Information Systems. Statistical Applications proficiency in R, SPSS, STATA, CSPro, Epi-info, ENA for Nutrition & Food Security Assessment Methodologies, SAS, Spatial Analysis Packages: ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS Imagine, GRASS GIS. Has strong combination of skill set on Statistical and Spatial Science for development.

Juliana Ndeto leads the team as Financial Inclusion Programme Specialist. She is a humanitarian and development specialist with over ten  years’ experience in economic empowerment, community-managed microfinance (savings groups), agriculture and non-agriculture livelihoods, community resilience, value-chains and business development services.  Has executed baselines and end of project surveys, disaster risk analysis, market assessments, value-chain assessments, project evaluations for partners in livelihoods and savings groups’ implementing agencies in Nairobi; led staff capacity-building initiatives, and spearheaded the establishment of program implementation systems and processes.

Anne Muthoni leads the team as Community Development Specialist. Ms. Ann is a compassionate and caring psychologist, passionate about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of individuals.  She possess experience in providing specialist psychological assessments of referred clients based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from psychological testing. Roles undertaken in the course of her engagements include; handling anticipatory Loss and grief counseling, carrying out Psycho-education to patients, offering psycho social support to patients and providing special group counseling.

Digital Tailor Agency is the lead Android and iOS Mobile App Developers team of consultant in Kenya with over 15 years in Android and iOS Mobile App development. Have significantly contributed to development of several mobile apps including; LostDocs - document recovery platform, MFARE - matatu booking application, Wac Bajaj - Somalia taxi application

Africa Talking Limited - USSD Provider.

Africa's Talking is a Kenya-based mobile solutions firm integrating reliable two-way USSD functionality across mobile providers in Africa. The firm offers USSD and customized mobile messaging solutions for individuals, businesses, and developers.

Currently,  Numbula Buchiro Women Group comprise of over 210 widows operating under (15 widow groups with average of 14 members per group, working in a cluster of 7 members) an umbrella of a community based organization.

The WApp solution targets to pilot the project with the team who we are currently working with.

The WApp solution is expected to serve between 1,000 – 5,000 widows within one year on launching the App and over 1 million widows within five years depending on technical support to widow groups and programme implementation in different regions.

The expected projection is likely to drastically surpass the number because of group enrollment mechanism where existing sub-group(s) will be able to enroll new group(s) to a maximum of three groups capable of monitoring and providing due conscientiousness, thus, increasing the number of members and/ groups.

Depending on predicted/ projected at lower percentage increase of 5% system understanding and/ on the use of technology, there is likelihood of impact on high rate of increase in number of widows and/ widow groups upon understanding the application and benefits of widows App.

Expected increase at 5%

The number is significantly expected to rise on effectual understanding of the App and use by team members and subsequent acknowledgement of the platform by beneficiaries. 

Considering 2019 Kenya census data, estimates from statistical report indicates that only Busia County has approximately 233,701 widows, whereas Isiolo, the least populated county in Kenya has over 64,242 widows.(10)

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10 - Kenya Population 2019.pdf

Solve is very significant to WApp Solution for purposes of;  

• Facilitation of Partnerships

Solve is an excellent opportunity for building strong network and partnerships within humanitarian operation and developing sector.

• Funding and Fundraising visibility

Solve will significantly enable The WApp Solution meet initial operational cost that include; Android, iOS design and serverside development, App store and google play submission and optimization. Solve Prize Funding is a great opportunity for visibility with potential donors and funding opportunities. 

• Technical security support.

Solve presents golden chance of meeting professional and/ technical team in Android and iOS development likely to support in feasible technical support and advise ensuring security risk management likely to affect development of Widows App.

• Technological Security Threats

Solve presents high chances of meeting specialized team capable of providing guideline on policies and procedures necessary for App development, back-ups and security checks ensuring effective monitoring of the use and upgrading of the App.

Solve's network of experts and technology partners capable of providing valuable guidance on enhancing The WApp Solutions platform features, durability and scalability. Ensuring that the solution remains innovative and relevant to the needs of widows within our communities.

• Strong mentorship technological support

Solve will  significantly enable The WApp Solution team meet technical team and/ partners with implementing IT firm capable of advising on effective technical measures. 

• Role Models

Recognition of WApp Solution by Solve team will enable chances of role models in balanced leadership where progressive widows are recognized as role models within communities highly contributing to gender-balance.

• Working platform to most marginalized and vulnerable widows globally

Recognition of WApp Solution by leading to implementation
of the programme within communities will contribution to provision of
working platform to several widows in marginalized and
vulnerable communities.

The WApp Solution, a solution through which widows from different communities will be reached individually and via small managed widows self-help  groups of NOT less than seven (7) members. Widows will be able to access either online or offline technological support through a developed widows App and use of USSD services.The group(s) will be registered upon verification on existence of widow(s) group through different security verification mechanism and registration protocols.

Registered group members will be able to access Widows App service though login link (password & user ID’s verified), services will be accessible from any part of the community globally provided  a team has either;

• Smart phone to access Widows App on goggle drive/ play store or
• Any mobile phone that can be used to access USSD services.

Through innovative technological support The WApp Solution efficiently promoting implementation of financial inclusion programmes among widows from marginalized and un-reached communities. Effectively managing sizeable community savings pool(11), each pool being made up of 7-15 widows who pool their individual savings and then collectively loan money to each other for business support and/ service provision within the community thus enhancing widows financial inclusion within communities.

The Wapp solution technically designed with digital features for additional provision of services that stimulate income generation among widows within the community including:

• Agricultural Services – Income from agricultural products
• Community development services – Income from community based projects that are acceptable, durable and affordable.
• Professional Services – Income earned and/ generated from provision of professional services like group outside catering services.
• General services provision – Income earned from general service provision within the society including governmental and/ municipalities like seeking tender services  

Authentication Technological Support: The WApp Solution designed with technical Identification, Authentication and/ Authorization components whereby identity of widows is highly secured ensuring there is NO duplication of registration members and/ widow groups. Effectively incorporating widows biometric data (12) for ensuring that beneficiaries identification is highly secured and managed in the system enabling targeted population efficiently participate in different community development projects thus driving greater financial inclusion and economic growth among widows. 

The WApp Solution is designed with synthetic transactional monitors from multiple geographical locations where critical testing for path users on the app is simulated via selenium based scripting with normal checks that are run from real browsers like Firefox, Chrome and Microsoft Edge capable of:

• Monitoring app and web application performance from end user's perspective.
• Evaluating and gaining a comprehensive overview of the status of app-scripts and transactions across various geographical locations with synthetic app monitoring dashboard.
• Identifying components and bottlenecks contributing to poor performance of the app.
• Recording and replaying simulated transactions in every poll to ensure seamless end-user(s) experience.

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11 – Community Savings Pool - Accessible mutual aid tool for savings and lending.

12 - Biometric data is data related to a personal biological (anatomical or physiological) characteristic which can be used to establish a person’s identity by comparing it with stored reference biometric data, specifically fingerprint, facial or iris image

Projected short term objectives and/ goals within one year are;

1. Launch WApp pilot programme.
2. Promote, encourage and support integrated development activities.
3. Initiate and support the formation of widows community based development groups.
4. Train and assist widows in acquiring entrepreneurship, managerial skills and equipping them with adequate information on starting small-scale business.
5. Facilitate the initiation of community based projects that are acceptable, affordable and sustainable.
6. Train widows in modern farming techniques, use of technology, health environment and culture farming planning.
7. Train widows on networking skills, promoting online exchange programs that enhance product and services advertisement.
8. Train widows on effective investment skills that promote proletariat investment to small scale holders.
9. Train widows on the use of platform to promote their social welfare, advocacy and advance widows rights. 

Anticipate long term goals include;

• Roll out WApp programme in entire Eastern and Southern countries of Africa including Horn of Africa and other identified marginalized communities globally.
• Promote advance use of the WApp Solution technology including security features.
• Continuous training of widows in newly identified marginalized and un-reached communities on effective use of the WApp Solution in enhancing widows welfare.
• Promote creation of descent jobs by employing specialists whenever necessary for furthering the objectives and purposes of the WApp solution globally.
• Enhance the use of WApp solution on promoting widows rights, advancing and ensuring safety and security of widows where WApp programme is already introduced.
• Enhance mutual understanding between all stake holders in the community based environmental education and community development projects.

Goal

1 - To increase widows resilience to sustain a livelihood

Possible Indicators;

· Widows income levels and poverty measures · Widows have stable and secure financial status · Widows report an increase in self-esteem and capability · Widows have improved education and skills · Widows social linkages, networks and support structures · Widows sexual and reproductive health and rights indicators · Widows are able to manage health shocks without depleting assets

2 - To increase widows opportunities to participate in and stimulate economic growth

Possible Indicators;

· Widows business growth indicators · Widows employed in the formal and informal sectors. · Widows access to markets - locally & regionally · Percentage of businesses owned by widows (formal and informal)

3 - To empower widows and enhance gender equality

Possible Indicators;

· Widows have increased economic independence · Widows have equal opportunities (sector relevant) · Widows decision-making power in the household and community is increased · Female community and political leaders and women with improved leadership skills

4 - To increase widows use of linked services

Possible Indicators;

· Number of widows in widow groups, networking and using communications services · Number of widows using business development services, health services and training

5 - To increase widows welfare as a consequence of greater access, quality and use of financial services

Possible Indicators;

· Percentage of widows who say they feel optimistic, more connected, etc. · Indicators related to reasons for borrowing  · Percentage of widows who say they have a more secure financial situation · Percentage of households where widows have more decision-making power

SUMMARY:

OBJECTIVE 1: Investment Empowerment

                INDICATORS:

  - widows trained on financial literacy
 - Widows have financial linkages, networks and support structures.
 - Percentage of widows who say have a more secure finance situation increase
 - More widows trained by project effectively participating in Financial Inclusion  programme increases
 - 30 Widows self-help groups supported by the project have access to financial services from formal Institutions
 - Widows report increase in self-esteem and capability in managing personal finances.

OBJECTIVE 2: Economic Empowerment

                 INDICATORS: 

· Widows have increased economic independence
. Percentage of businesses owned by widows (formal and informal)
· Widows access to market locally and regionally
· At least 210 widows trained by project on managing business surplus.
· Widows have stable, reliable and secure financial status
· Widows income levels and poverty measures
· Widows are able to manage health shocks without depleting assets

OBJECTIVE 3: Social and Leadership Empowerment

                 INDICATORS:                     

· 210 Widows trained on Leadership knowledge and skills
· 210 Widows trained as leaders, legal awareness and on constitutional rights.
· 210 widows from marginalized communities in Samia Sub-County are supported by the project
· 210 widows from Samia Sub-County increase their public participation in decision making
· 210 trained widows able to spell out their entitlement under major government schemes and legislation
· 210 Widows learn about their rights and champion for them
· Widows decision-making power in household and community is increased.

Theory of Change:

If marginalized and vulnerable women are provided customized business services (skills, entrepreneurship training, financial and market linkages) then their income significantly increases in production and quality of product and services. The increase in economic status enables women to participate in decision making in domestic and public sphere.

The UN Social Protection Floor Initiative advocates for universal access to basic services and social transfers of cash or goods to ensure income and food security.(13) WApp Solution targets to empowering widows  for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development and access to facilities like education, entrepreneurship skills and health care of the many challenges widows face. Because in the absence of social and legal protection, widowed women’s lifetime earnings and savings are often too little to avoid poverty.(14)

 WApp Solution determined to;

1.        Bring together - Build system that can bring together like minded people as a team

2.        Address - Seek redness for addressing challenges facing widows and

3.        Find solution - Find durable and lasting solution to challenges identified. Thus ensuring that widows from marginalized and un-reached communities are capable of accessing information and implementing life changing project(s) at affordable, minimal and/  no extra technology related expenses.

The WApp Solution is designed within an overarching objective of widows empowerment in view of the prevailing socio-economic and gender equality requirements within the community and to bring about a positive change in their position within both the household and community.

Addressing key elements for widows empowerment across project objectives that involve:  

· Capacity building of vulnerable widows on effective investment skills within communities.

· Capacity building of vulnerable widows on agricultural awareness.

· Social and gender awareness among widows within community.

· Health concerns that affect widows within communities.

· Market linkages agricultural produce and/ other services.

Widows Empowerment Framework

Appendix 1: Widows empowerment framework 

The above framework requires addressing the following three synergistic elements of widows empowerment across project objectives:

• The interventions are required at various levels - individual, household and community - to impact positively on structural issues of status, religion, culture and class as these have a cumulative effect on the position of widows, including addressing discrimination at the institutional levels.
• Processes aiming to transform the power relations between widows and the community among the different social groups thereby linking empowerment to a broader vision of equality and equity;
• Key dimensions of empowerment - economic, social and leadership - to encompass widows’ multiple roles and interests. It also addresses aspects of power relations that are determined by social class, culture, religion and gender therefore seeking a change in the position of women and esp. widows in society.    

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13 - UN Social Protection Floor - The Social Protection Floor (SPF) Initiative is driven by a coalition of UN agencies and development partners promoting universal access to essential social transfers and services.

14 - SG/SM/19638-OBV/1894-WOM/2185 - https://press.un.org/en/statements-and-messages UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for International Widows’ Day, observed on 23 June, 2019.

The WApp Solution is technologically powered by;

• Developed Android and iOS Mobile App – Software that allows one to perform specific task. Published app in the App Store that allow end users access to information on smart phone and/ on computer. Supported by Xcode which is the macOS-only software program, called an IDE, that is used to design, develop and publish iOS apps. The Xcode IDE includes Swift, a code editor, Interface Builder, a debugger, documentation, version control and tools used to publish an app in the App Store.

Widows App shall be powered by Xcode window that shall be published in app store with information for supporting widows and other sake holders. Information accessible through the use of smart phone working online and offline by support of USSD services.

• USSD - Unstructured Supplementary Service Data which is a service that allows mobile phone users to interact with a remote application from their device in real time. Has predefined session that is started once a user dials to facilitate the transfer of information between application and the user.

USSD is a powerful tool for data collection because is universally accessible on any mobile phone. The session-based nature of USSD services also make them better suited for structured surveys as compared to other services. USSD is a scalable service as it does not require internet connection and is supported by both feature and smartphones. WApp Solution shall be powered by Dedicated USSD - a three digit code, example *703# accessible to widows and/ widow groups in remote communities with internet services.

The USSD digit codes will be used fro accessing services on The WApp Solution and for registration of new new widow groups on the system for them to be able to access services on the App.

Registration of new members on the App is restricted to group registration NOT individual registration for purposes of monitoring group members.

Registration of self-help groups will be limited to a maximum of NOT more than fifteen (15) members and NOT less than seven (7) members per group.

Official identification documents e.g. National Identity Card, Passports, Aliens and/ Refugee's Identification Cards will be used for individual identification. Local government officials and religious leaders will support in providing necessary additional reference checks where appropriate.  

Advantages of Development WApp Solution

Upon registration of members on The WApp Solution either through use of USSD services or directly on the App, widows and/ widow groups will automatically be able to access different services offered on the App benefiting in different ways; 

• Direct access to service users. An app will offer an opportunity to connect widows with users without going through a third party social media platform or being subject to filters.
• Offline access. The WApp Solution will have an ability to access various areas of functionality without access to the internet and/ web enabling widows feel more consistent and reliable to different users and/ services.
• Mobile platform feature sets. The WApp Soluton shall come with device features such as the camera (members photo’s), sensors (including authenticity devices) and/ payment methods that are easily accessed by native mobile applications to improve the user experience effectively supporting financial inclusion transactions.
•  Create stickiness. Embedding WApp Solution branding and services in the widows pocket friendly with a great way to staying connected and forging a more lasting relationship. Having WApp Solution brand on the device that improves visibility and access to various services through the support of web experience.
• Operating system features: Full access to OS features such as push notifications meaning a large number of options will be open for directly promoting widows services and events globally.
• Improved UI. The WApp Solution tailored specifically to the system that will invariably outperform experiences developed to run through the web. Tailored to meet variable and competing end-users requirements including services for meeting specific widows and/ widow groups economic requirement.
• Targeting more widows. The WApp Solution shall significant target more widows across marginalized communities effectively supporting various groups in conducting business and/ financial services through the app. This is particularly true of the currently digitalized population that represents a consistently growing targeted audience that has witnessed a growing numbers of app services as evidenced globally;

A - Mobile Apps provision: Provide Instant Online and Offline access to information.   

1 - Agriculture Value Added sector; (15)

Country        Project Name       Lead Organization/MNO     Estimated Users 

Bangladesh      Krishi Jigyasha 7676               Banglalink           > 1.3 million

Turkey         Turkcell Farmers’ Union              Turkcell              > 1.1 million

Kenya                      iCow                                Safaricom          > 0.3 million

Tanzania            Kilimo Klud                           Vodacom             > 0.2 million

2. Others include:                    

    Due diligence apps             - Real Estate info.            > 2 million     

   ODEL App     - Support e-learning education system     > 1.3 million

   Health Pal              -Instant health support                  > 10 million  

  B - Mobile USSD Services: Provide instant online and offline access with or without mobile smart phones.

• Safaricom services (Kenya) - *225# - For accessing Mobigrow services for any adult with mobile phone and subscriber to safaricom limited 
• Airtel services (in over 18 countries worldwide) 
• MTN services (in over 20 countries worldwide)

NB: Presence of sampled different Mobile Network Operators and subscribers in different countries is capable of supporting WApp solution respectively in different countries eg;

 MNO                          Estimated Users                    No. Of Countries

Vodafone                 > 600 million  (16)                           >22 Countries.(17)   

MTN  -                     > 273.44 million.(18)                         > 20 Countries.(19) 

Airtel                         > 457.96 million                            18 Countries. (20) 

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15 - Source: GSMA Mobile for Development Products and Services Tracker 

16-source:https://www.statista.com/stati... 

17 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... 

18 - https://www.statista.com/stati... 

19 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... 

20 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...   

The Operations Analyst will be focal person (OiC) to lead project implementation, liaising with project technical support team and interacting with state governments. Community Development Specialist liaising with community facilitation teams.  M&E Advisor take lead in ensuring quality assurance and achievement of project deliverable. Data Analyst responsible for effective management of project data, updating and ensuring security of widows data. Administrator support in managing project finances and ensuring efficient administration of project activities.

In every respective project areas, one Community Facilitator Organization (CFO) , Social Workers, team members will be assigned to work directly with widow groups on regular basis. The CFO will institute a field team for cluster of approximately 5 widow groups one which will  comprise of a team leader. Technical Support Team will be consulted from time to time for specialized services under the project.

Organizational Support Model 

Operating under the indirect revenue model which is applicable to mobile operators. There is no direct revenue that stream under the model but mobile operators can derive non-cash benefits such as increased market share and rural acquisitions, higher usage of SIM cards for core services; data usage or other VAS usage, customer loyalty, related churn reduction and brand awareness. The model relies on NGOs, government agencies or private companies to sustain the operations. 

Services likely to contribute to multiple core business KPIs(21), depending on the service provider. For example, a mobile operator may derive indirect benefits from providing a service while its content partner receives direct revenue based on the terms of the agreement with the MNO(22). To ensure growth and sustainability, providers and investors will weigh major advantages and barriers of the model against local market dynamics to ensure they develop and support services with the best prospects for financial sustainability. For example, a service may initially offer basic functionalities for free with a view to grow market share and eventually upgrade. 

In developing a successful WApp solution MNO will adopt an approach that takes into account the factor that; Women have different price sensitivities and purchasing priorities than men, reinvesting an estimated 90% of their income in their families, while men reinvest just 30–40%;(23)  

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21 - KPI - Key performance Indicators

22 - MNO - Mobile Network Provider

23 - Andrew Mason and Elizabeth King, 2001, 'Engendering development through gender equality in rights, resources and voice', World Bank, http://documents.worldbank.org... 

Financial Inclusiveness and Sustainability  

We are seeking grants and funding from foundations and organizations that align with our vision, mission and values. Looking forward to accessing MIT Solve funding and support including donations from philanthropists or investors willing to invest in the project.

Exploring more possibilities of partnerships with non-governmental, governmental and other entities ready to benefit from implementation of The WApp Solution technology.

On successful implementation seek integration with Google team on raising relevant revenue through Google adverts that are likely to support The WApp Solution raise extra funds for general maintenance of the App.

The team is dedicated to ensuring financial sustainability of The WApp Solution project services that include;

• Financial Inclusion services; 

Improved access to financial services within community and increased investment skills will productively contribute to widows income increase through available investment opportunities. Skills and knowledge being implemented for future benefits, contributing to increase in widow groups formation, better care of widows family and increased investments for widows surplus and/ income.  

The WApp Solution designed for increased widows future empowerment in; 

• Having access to resources on own account, increase bargaining power within households and their influence over how money and other resources are used.
• Increasing widows opportunities to earn income and having control over assets  within and outside the household.
• Reducing widows vulnerability by allowing them to insure against risk or borrow to meet unexpected expenses such as medical treatments, legal services among others.

Through continued use of the WApp Solutions services registered members and/ self-help widow groups will be able to pay regular fee contributing to financial sustainability of the programme implementation. 

• Agricultural services; 

Agriculture is the backbone of the world’s economy.

Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity and feed a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050(24). Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective(25) in raising incomes among the poorest compared to other sectors. Analysis in 2016 found that 65 percent of poor working adults(26) made a living through agriculture.

Agriculture is very crucial to economic growth: in 2018, it accounted for 4 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and in some developing countries, it can account for more than 25% of GDP(27). 

The WApp Solution agricultural developed services on the system will enable widows have increased access to viable agricultural information including consultation services for improved agricultural output. 

Through revenue earned from agricultural products and/ services registered widows self-help groups will regularly contribute towards The WApp Solution a standard fee for continued programme implementation.

• Health, Legal, Nutrition, Education and WASH programme services;

By implementing these services to widows, we plan to generate revenue through user transactions and standard fees, engaging different professional entities both locally and internationally, seeking more diverse revenue streams for raising operational costs to achieve financial sustainability for The WApp Solution project implementation.

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24 - http://datatopics.worldbank.or... 

25 - http://documents.worldbank.org... 

26-http://documents.worldbank.org...   

27 - http://www.fao.org/3/i2490e/i2... 

The WApp Solution is to invest in different product services on app for purposes of raising more revenue for effective implementation of the project globally.