Zuri

Our chatbot, Zuri, addresses the lack of critical information, access to support, and guidance to return safely home for survivors of modern slavery trapped in the Gulf countries.  

Specific Problems Addressed:

Prevalence of Modern Slavery and Access to Support for Survivors in Gulf Countries: Zuri addresses the issue of modern slavery in the Gulf countries (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), where the majority affected are migrant workers, and women in the domestic work sector. These workers, due to local laws, systemic gaps, and normalized discriminatory practices, often see fleeing their employers as their only escape. However, leaving without permission is criminalized under local laws, preventing them from being recognized as survivors and cutting off any potential access to support. Consequently, they go into hiding to prevent arrest or/and deportation, becoming hard to reach. 

Lack of Correct Information and Access to Support: There is no readily available information about how survivors can access support, or what actions to take in different situations. Information on how to return home or improve their lives while living in Gulf countries is often only sourced from information passed among the communities. This process is not only time-consuming but also prone to inaccuracies leading to confusion.

Closed Civic Space: The situation is further aggravated by the inability for civil society to provide support to survivors. The Gulf region, considered a "Closed" civic space by the CIVICUS Monitor, is the most restricted area for civil society to work in, limiting access to vital support.

Scale of the Problem:

The Global Slavery Index identifies the Arab states as having the highest prevalence of modern slavery globally. Currently, the six states of the GCC host more than 10 percent of migrants from total migrants in the world with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates among the third and fifth largest migrants’ host countries in the world respectively.

Consequently, this region sees significant levels of modern slavery, affecting tens of thousands of people who are often left without support or resources due to their legal status and the restrictive local laws.

Relevance of Our Solution:

Through Zuri, our chatbot, we directly address the scarcity of accessible, reliable information and the lack of support for survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries. By providing personalized legal guidance, medical referrals, and practical safety tips, Zuri empowers survivors to navigate their complex situations more effectively. Zuri's ability to offer tailored information, otherwise not available, is crucial in regions where civil society is restricted and survivors lack basic protections.

Global and Local Impact:

Globally, about 50 million people are in some form of modern slavery. The problem is particularly severe in the Gulf region, where legal and societal constraints make it difficult for survivors to seek help. Three out of the ten countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery worldwide are located in the GCC: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.

Description

Zuri, is an easy to use - yet powerful - chatbot designed to support survivors of modern slavery who have escaped their situation but are unable to return home and remain in the Gulf countries. Zuri is a chatbot that provides crucial information - unavailable online - and safe personalized guidance in the Gulf region.

What is it?

Zuri is a chatbot that:

• Supports a community of survivors, in a hard to reach region, and who remain in vulnerable situations;
• Provides critical, situation-specific information in one easily accessible place;
• Is user-friendly with no downloads or accounts required;
• Helps survivors connect with a community to avoid isolation.

What does Zuri do?

1. Rights Awareness: Zuri offers detailed information about survivors' legal rights - helping them to access resources and navigate the system. 

2. Document Support: Zuri guides survivors on the process to obtaining necessary documents, such as travel documents - vital for their ability to return home.

3. Risks Identification: Zuri's has the ability to help survivors identify red flags and stay safe from further exploitation such as human trafficking, debt bondage, and online scams. 

4. Access to Medical Support: Zuri provides guidance on how to access medical services that are often hindered by the lack of documentation.

5. Repatriation Support: Zuri offers guidance on how to safely leave the country and return home, including information on how to check on their immigration record and obtain exit permits. Zuri also provides resources of support organizations in their home country, ensuring a supported pathway for survivors planning their safe return.

6. Human Supported Help: For cases too severe or complex for Zuri to handle, Zuri provides a direct link to human support services, ensuring survivors receive the necessary attention and care when Zuri's responses are insufficient. 

7. Community Integration: By engaging with Zuri, survivors can access a WhatsApp community based on their background and unique issues that they have been affected by. These communities ensures that survivors are not alone, and can rely on the broader community for support.

How It Works:

Zuri operates through a user-friendly chatbot interface accessible via web and mobile platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc). It is not necessary to download nor to create an account. Survivors interact with Zuri by asking questions or describing their needs. Zuri provides tailored responses and resources based on different criteria such as: The country that they are in; immigration status; gender; current country's practices (amnesties/immigration raids). Survivors will have the opportunity to join online communities for ongoing support. In cases where Zuri's support is insufficient, the platform connects survivors to human support for further assistance. 

Technology:

Zuri is a rules-based chatbot that uses conditional if/then logic to automate conversation flows - structured as a dialog tree and using regular expressions to match a survivor’s input to human-like responses. This technology aims to simulate the back-and-forth of a real-life conversation, in the context of supporting survivors.

Privacy and Security Concerns

Website access to Zuri: It is our policy to respect survivor's privacy for any information we may collect from our Zuri website. We ask for personal information only when personal service is provided. We collect it following best ethical standards, with survivor's knowledge and consent. We also explain why the information is collected and how it will be used. The data stored is protected from unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. Survivors can refuse to provide personal information. We do not share any identifying information publicly or with third-parties unless it is required by law. 

Messaging apps: When chatting with Zury through messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber), the data is subject to the apps' privacy policies. 

Risk: Data Breaches

• Description: There is a risk of sensitive information being exposed due to data breaches, which could jeopardize the safety of survivors.Mitigation: We will implement robust encryption technologies to protect data.
• Mitigation: Regular security audits and penetration testing can be conducted to identify and rectify vulnerabilities.

Ethical and Human Rights Concerns

Risk: Inaccurate Guidance

• Description: There is a risk that we may provide outdated information.
• Mitigation: We will continuously update the information provided by Zuri as the support on the ground changes. Additionally, incorporating a feedback mechanism where users can report inaccuracies helping us maintain the accuracy and reliability of the information.

Operational and Logistical Concerns

Risk: Technology Adoption Barrier

• Description: Users might face challenges in adopting, understanding and using the technology.
• Mitigation: Zuri is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. It is accessible via messaging apps that most migrant workers already know how to access and know how to use - removing this possible risk. It also does not require downloading an app or creating an account - barriers for many survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries. In addition, Zuri is also accessible with multi-language support, ensuring further adaptability.

Risk: Over reliance on Technology

• Description: There is a risk that over reliance on technology could neglect the need for human interaction and personalized support to survivors.
• Mitigation: Zuri integrates direct access to a team member from Do Bold to provide the necessary support and access to an online community. This hybrid model ensures that while the technology used by Zuri handles a more general guidance efficiently, human intervention is available when needed.

Policy and Compliance Concerns

Risk: Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Description: Non-compliance with local and international data protection laws could result in legal consequences.
• Mitigation: Zuri will comply with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant data protection laws. Regular audits and consultations with experts will ensure ongoing compliance.

Risk: Ethical Misuse of Technology

• Description: The technology could be misused by those with negative intentions.
• Mitigation: Strict access controls, regular monitoring, and ethical guidelines will be established to prevent any kind of potential misuse, especially for access to the online community. 

Our solution, Zuri, serves migrant workers and women domestic workers in the Gulf countries.

Target Population:

Migrant Workers: Migrant workers make up a significant portion of the population in the Gulf countries (between 25% to 90% of the countries' population). Migrant workers often endure harsh working conditions and exploitation under the kafala or sponsorship system - a set of laws that provide an unbalanced and unchecked power favouring the employer over the worker. 

Women Domestic Workers: Women domestic workers are particularly vulnerable. The domestic work sector is not well regulated, and provisions of the kafala system makes it difficult and unsafe for victims to escape abusive situations. In addition, they face additional risks such as physical and sexual abuse, long working hours without breaks, and isolation. 

Current Underserved Conditions

Exploitation and Legal Vulnerability:

• Migrant workers often face exploitative working conditions, including long working hours, wage theft, and physical and sexual abuse.
• Local laws criminalize fleeing from employers, preventing these workers from being recognized as survivors and cutting off access to any potential protection.
• The Kafala system, which ties workers' legal status to their employers, further entrenches their vulnerability and dependency.

Isolation and Lack of Support:

• Due to the criminalization of absconding, many survivors go into hiding to avoid arrest or deportation, leading to severe isolation.
• The restricted civic space in Gulf countries severely limits civil society organizations' ability to offer support.

Misinformation and Inaccessibility:

• There is a lack of readily available, accurate information on how survivors can access potential support or what actions to take in different situations.
• Information often circulates informally within communities, which can be time-consuming to obtain and prone to inaccuracies, causing confusion and delaying critical actions for safety and well-being.

How Zuri Addresses These Underserved Conditions

Empowerment through Information:

• Rights Awareness: Zuri provides easy to understand information to help survivors understand their rights and navigate different systems effectively.
• Document Support: Zuri guides survivors through the process of obtaining necessary documents, such as travel documents and exit passes.

Breaking Isolation:

• Digital Connectivity: Through easily accessible platforms like WhatsApp, Zuri connects survivors with online communities, reducing isolation.
• Human-Supported Assistance: For complex cases, Zuri offers a direct link to human support, ensuring that we address all possible gaps and add the human element to our solution. 

Access to Critical Support Services:

• Repatriation Support: Zuri offers detailed guidance on how to safely leave the country and return home. Zuri also connects survivors with support organizations in their home countries to ensure a safe and supported return.
• Red Flag Identification: Zuri helps survivors identify red flags related to further exploitation, such as human trafficking, debt bondage, and online scams, thereby enhancing their safety.
• Medical Support: Zuri provides guidance on accessing medical services, which are often hindered by the lack of documentation. 

By addressing these underserved conditions through Zuri, Do Bold increases its capacity to assist more survivors effectively, enhancing their access to critical resources and improving their safety, wellbeing, and prospects for recovery.

Our team is uniquely qualified to design and deliver Zuri because we have been deeply embedded within the migrant worker communities in the Gulf since 2013, with firsthand experience and strong relationships that ensure our solution is both relevant and impactful.

Some of our team members have lived and worked in the Gulf region, giving them firsthand experience of the challenges faced by migrant workers. Other team members are former migrant workers themselves, bringing invaluable perspectives on the issues of exploitation, isolation, and misinformation.

The design and development of Zuri are directly informed by the input, ideas, and agendas of the communities we serve. We engage in continuous dialogue with survivors, migrant worker advocates, and community leaders to ensure our solution remains aligned with their evolving needs. 

Our long-standing relationships with communities on the ground has helped us built a foundation of trust. These relationships not only helps us improve our understanding of how systems work in reality, but also amplify our advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voices of migrant workers are heard.

In addition, despite the challenges posed by the "Closed" civic space in the Gulf region as identified by the CIVICUS Monitor, we have successfully navigated these restrictions to provide critical support for more than 4,000 survivors of modern slavery. We have managed to build trust, provide critical support, and maintain our safety while reaching these communities. Our proven track record of working effectively in this highly restricted environment demonstrates our capability and commitment, making us exceptionally well-positioned to continue and expand this crucial work with Zuri.

In summary, our team's proximity to the communities we serve, representative composition, and collaborative, feedback-driven approach position us uniquely to design and deliver Zuri effectively. For the last 10 years we have been, and continue to be, deeply committed to addressing the needs of migrant workers in the Gulf countries and believe that our solution, guided by the communities’ input and supported by our firsthand experiences, will make a meaningful impact.

Our solution is currently at the pilot stage of development. We have successfully launched the solution in at least one community, but we are still working on its design, as we are not using the right technology that can help us increase our reach to survivors. 

Through our current solution, we identify survivors of modern slavery and provide comprehensive support, increasing awareness of their rights and guiding them through their options on how they can improves their situation including on how they can return home. However, this support is with the use of basic technology technology. 

Through this work, over the past 5 years, we have safely repatriated more than 390 women and supported over 4,500 migrant workers with access to healthcare, food, shelter, and essential travel documents. This extensive experience has allowed us to understand the complex needs of survivors of modern slavery and tailor our solution accordingly.

As our work progressed, we began to support larger groups creating online communities. For example, we have online communities of 132 Malawians and 670 Sierra Leonians in Oman, 153 Kenyans in Saudi Arabia and 468 Filipinas in the UAE.

On our current phase, we are closely monitoring our engagement with survivors, feedback, and outcomes to continuously improve our approach. Through this monitoring we are continuously using different approaches to both, be more effective and reach more survivors. 

Our efforts, that are based on this solution, has been further documented and acknowledged through different means and in various media, including:

• Trapped in Oman - BBC investigative documentary
• Trapped in Oman - BBC Podcast
• CEDAW 87th Session Intervention
• Runaway Maids of Oman - BBC Podcast
• Washington Post Article
• The Guardian Article
• Reuters Article
• World Justice Challenge Finalist
• Sparks of Hope - The Elders

We are applying to the Challenge to leverage its resources and support in scaling our solution to reach more survivors of modern slavery in Gulf countries effectively - our current biggest challenge. 

More specific: 

1. Financial: Funding is crucial to expand our operations and sustainably support a larger number of survivors. The Challenge's financial support will enable us to improve our efforts by introducing technological and significantly increasing our reach.

2. Technical: Our area of expertise is modern slavery and do not have enough knowledge when it comes to legal support, software licenses and to some extent marketing. We believe that participating in the support program run by MIT Solve in collaboration with the HPE Foundation and The Anti-Slavery Collective, and Solve staff, we can overcome this barrier and successfully design, develop and launch Zuri to support one of the most vulnerable communities in the world. Improving our technological capabilities requires further expertise and resources we do not currently have - the Challenge, we believe, can close this gap.  

3. Legal: Navigating legal complexities in the technical field in our operations will be a barrier. We believe that The Challenge can offer the legal guidance needed to help us navigate these intricacies more effectively.

4. Cultural: Access to coaching in our work field is limited, so we are especially keen on the leadership coaching aspect of this Challenge. This is directly followed by the the capacity building elements and ongoing collaboration with other high-impact organizations via the monthly cohort meetings.

5. Market: We believe that our market position is strong and with no competition. We are uniquely position in a region with limited number of organizations working in such efforts in addition to the fact that we have built trust with communities - a process that can take years. However, working in closed civic spaces requires a different approach especially due to censorship and sensitivity towards such efforts. With The Challenge's experience, we would like to explore further strategic approaches considering the context that we work in and overcome any potential barriers. 

In summary, The Challenge will help us to scale our impact by introducing technology, navigating legal complexities, and expanding our network to support us to better serve survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf region.

We define innovation as the process of coming up with new ideas and turning them into something valuable. It can be a new product, a new way of doing things, or an improvement on something that already exists. Essentially, innovation for us means creating better solutions that meet new or existing needs in a unique way.

With this in mind, our solution is innovative because it enhances our existing efforts by combining technology and unique features in ways that have not been done before: 

1. Integration of Survivor Knowledge: Through our work on the ground we gather and integrate firsthand information from victims and survivors of modern slavery, creating a resource that provides highly relevant and practical support. This unique approach ensures that the guidance offered is deeply informed by real-life experiences, unlike standard information sources.

2. Unparalleled Accessibility: By offering 24/7 availability and multilingual support, Zuri ensures continuous and inclusive access to help. This breaks down barriers, making crucial information available to a diverse audience whenever and wherever it’s needed. This unparalleled accessed is critical as it can make a substantial difference in the safety and wellbeing of survivors if support is provided within the first 30 days.

3. First-of-Its-Kind Technology in the Region: As the first chatbot dedicated to supporting survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries, we are setting a new standard for using technology to address critical and underserved needs. This unique effort showcases how innovation can drive social good in specific regional contexts.

4. Human Assistance Integration: Recognizing the complexity of modern slavery issues and the importance of human support, our solution goes beyond technology by offering direct support provided by a human being when needed. This ensures that survivors receive assistance and empathy, addressing their unique and complex challenges in a way that technology alone cannot fully achieve. By seamlessly integrating human expertise with technology, we provide a comprehensive support system that adapts to the diverse needs of survivors, setting a new standard for compassionate care in digital assistance platforms.

5. Data-Driven Insights and Advocacy: Zuri's data collection capabilities gather anonymized insights into the challenges and needs of survivors, supporting our advocacy efforts for systemic changes that address root causes of modern slavery in the region. For example, see how we are already using data to influence policy for better protection mechanisms for survivors at the UN CEDAW 87th Session - with Zuri we will be able to scale this crucial part of our work which is crucial to having a lasting impact.

By integrating these unique elements, our solution redefines how support can be provided to survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries, showcasing a powerful example of innovation that blends technology, empathy, survivor's knowledge and data-driven advocacy.

Our goal is to empower survivors of modern slavery in Gulf countries - for them to be informed, access support, and have the possibility to return home through a chatbot - Zuri.

The primary product stemming from this solution is the chatbot itself - Zuri: Offering personalized guidance based on the survivor's location and individual circumstances.

The impact of this solution results in tangible improvements in the lives of survivors of modern slavery. Survivors  increase their ability to seek help, advocate for their own well-being and eventually return home. Survivors learn to make informed decisions to protect themselves from further exploitation. They can also access human support and online communities, ensuring essential elements that can only be delivered through human interactions are available. 

Our Theory of Change

Activities:

• Information Gathering: Gather in one place all the information needed for each country and nationality.
• Zuri's Development and Programming: Develop and program Zuri with all the relevant information, in different languages, and ensure that it's interface is user-friendly. Ensure that potential safety, privacy and ethical issues are addressed. 

Outputs:

• Chatbot Platform: A functional chatbot accessible to survivors of modern slavery.
• Access to Critical Information: Comprehensive and verified information on legal rights, available resources, safety protocols, and pathways for safe return home.
• Connections to an Online Community: Links to supportive online communities for survivors to ensure no one feels alone throughout the process.

Outcomes

Immediate Outcomes

• Increased Access to Information: Survivors have access to critical information that is otherwise difficult to obtain.
• Improved Safety and Well-being: Empowered survivors can make informed decisions to protect themselves, seek appropriate support or safely return home.
• Community Connections: Survivors do not feel alone while navigating difficult challenges to improve their situations.

Medium-Term Outcomes:

• Empowerment and Self-Agency: Survivors demonstrate increased confidence in navigating their circumstances and advocating for their rights.
• Reduced Vulnerability to Exploitation: Survivors are less likely to fall victim to further exploitation due to increased knowledge and support.
• Strengthened Community Resilience: Communities are more resilient as a result of improved access to information and support networks.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Systemic Change: Greater awareness and understanding of modern slavery issues, particularly protection gaps, lead to improved policies and practices within Gulf countries.
• Empowered Communities: Communities affected by modern slavery become agents of change, influencing societal attitudes and responses towards survivors.

The evidence supporting our theory of change includes our own research - one of the most extensive and detailed in the region - indicating the critical importance to information, access to support, access to an online community and awareness to prevent re-trafficking. Through our continuous work with survivors and their feedback, we understand the significance of peronsalized, accessible, reliable, easy to use (with no downloads) services, all core features of our chatbot Zuri.

Our primary impact goal is for Zuri to empower survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries to reclaim their rights, safely navigate their situations and have the ability to return home. Specifically, we aim to:

Impact Goal 1: Increase empowerment and knowledge of rights by ensuring that survivors are informed about their legal rights and available resources.

Measuring progress for goal 1, indicators:

• Number of Active Users: Track the total number of users interacting with Zuri across different platforms (web, messenger apps).
• User Retention Rate: Measure the percentage of users who return to use Zuri after their initial interaction.
• Rights Awareness: create surveys to assess survivors' understanding of their rights before and after chatting with Zuri through the online communities. 

Impact Goal 2: Facilitate the safe repatriation by providing clear guidance and support for survivors seeking to return to their home countries.

Measuring progress for goal 2, indicators: 

• Repatriation Success Rate: Track the number of users successfully guided through the process of obtaining necessary documents, exit passes and safely returning home.

Impact Goal 3: Improve access to critical services to improve their lives, such access to medical services, legal aid, and community support networks.

Measuring progress for goal 3, indicators: 

• Service Use: Monitor the number of users accessing medical, legal, and community support services through referrals provided by Zuri.
• Connection to Human Support: Track the number of users who are connected to human support, Do Bold team members, and number os users who join the online communities. 

Impact Goal 4: Help survivors to identify and mitigate risks of further exploitation and take steps to protect themselves and stay safe.

Measuring progress for goal 4, indicators: 

• Red Flag Identification: Measure the number of users who successfully identify and report red flags of exploitation through Zuri.

We are committed to continuous improvement based on survivors feedback and evolving needs. Our ongoing dialogue with survivors and community leaders, ensures that Zuri remains relevant and effective in addressing the complex challenges faced by survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries. By regularly analyzing these indicators and adapting our approach, we aim to make a lasting, transformational impact on the lives of those we serve.

Zuri is a rules-based chatbot designed to simulate human conversation using structured if/then logic - using predefined responses, structured as rules or decision trees.

Zuri is designed to be accessible without requiring users to download an app or create an account - an important design element for it be accessible to survivors.  Users can interact with the chatbot directly through their preferred messenger platform—whether it’s a mobile device (Android or iOS) or a web browser—making it convenient and user-friendly. This accessibility is facilitated by backend systems that support seamless integration across different messenger platforms, ensuring consistent functionality and user experience regardless of the device or medium used.

Zuri’s rules-based chatbot technology uses natural language processing (NLP) and predefined rules. While a rules-based chatbot relies on predefined rules for generating responses, NLP enhances its capability by enabling accurate understanding and interpretation of user inputs. This combination of rules-based logic and NLP-driven input processing allows Zuri to effectively simulate human-like interactions and provide tailored responses to survivors' needs.

While a rules-based chatbot using NLP powers the core functionalities of Zuri, the technology itself also facilitates direct connections to human support for complex cases and to an online community to prevent isolation. This hybrid approach ensures that survivors receive personalized and empathetic support when technology-generated responses may not be enough.

Following the successful development and deployment of Zuri, we would like to expand accessibility by moving forward with an audio chatbot version. This further efforts will help users who are not able to read or write to access support and guidance through voice commands. Having this in mind will help us better design the first version of Zuri to ensure that all survivors, regardless of their reading or writing abilities, can easily engage with Zuri and also receive critical information and support.

Zuri will provide vital support for survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries, offering a user-friendly and accessible platform that combines technology with the empathy of human support. By delivering critical information, guiding users through complex processes, and connecting them to supportive communities and human assistance, Zuri addresses the unique challenges faced by survivors in the region. In addition, we also believe that the impact of Zuri extends beyond individual assistance, fostering a sense of community and resilience among survivors, and contributing to the broader fight against modern slavery in the region.

Our team structure includes:

• Full-time staff: 1
• Part-time staff/volunteers: 2
• Contractors/other workers: Variable (We engage contractors and experts on a project basis)

Currently, one person serves as a primary full-time team member dedicated to our solution. We adopt a lean core team strategy and supplement it with specialized expertise as required for each project.

This flexible approach allows us to optimize our impact while ensuring operational efficiency. We collaborate with skilled professionals and volunteers to effectively meet project needs never compromising on quality.

We have been working on our solution since 2019. Throughout these years, we have continuously adapted and tailored our approach to better meet the needs of survivors and increase our reach. This process has included more information of resources available and more detailed guidance on how to access this support effectively. Throughout all this time, we receive feedback from survivors, to ensure our solution remains effective, responsive and relevant to their needs. 

While our team is currently small, we are committed to promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment through our values and actions.

Diversity, is central to our partnerships and collaborations. We actively seek diverse perspectives to enrich our solutions and ensure they resonate with the communities we serve. Equity, is a core principle guiding our efforts. We strive to provide equitable access to opportunities and advancement for all team members. This includes ensuring that our team includes survivors of modern slavery and eliminating systemic barriers that have historically hindered the full participation of marginalized groups in our initiatives.

Inclusion is another pillar of our commitment. It entails creating environments where all members of our team and partner organizations, including those led by survivors, feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Our work with survivor-led organizations underscores our belief in empowering those directly affected by the issues we aim to address. We recognize the importance of amplifying their voices and leadership within our collaborative efforts, ensuring that our solutions are not only effective but also inclusive and representative of diverse perspectives.

Despite our team being small, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity and actively promote learning and growth. We are committed to creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated, equity is upheld, and inclusion is embraced as our organizational values.

Our actions include:

1. Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We prioritize diversity in our partnerships and collaborations, ensuring representation across different backgrounds and perspectives.
   
2. Accessible Opportunities: We actively seek to minimize barriers to opportunity by offering flexible roles and opportunities for engagement that accommodate diverse schedules, skill sets and accessibility to technology.
   
3. Continuous Learning: I am personally dedicated to becoming a better team "leader" and to enhance our understanding and implementation of inclusive practices.
   
4. Future Goals: As we grow, we aim to expand our team, to 3 full time members, with diverse talents and perspectives that reflect the communities we serve, ensuring our solutions are equitable and relevant.

Our business model, Zuri the chatbot, revolves around empowering and providing critical support to one of the world's most vulnerable populations: migrant workers affected by modern slavery in the Gulf countries. Throughout our decade-long work at Do Bold, we have relied on grants, donations, and service contracts to fund our initiatives. This approach ensures that our beneficiaries, who often face severe financial constraints, can access our services without any financial burden.

Zuri's primary services include personalized legal guidance, information on how to access to medical support, documentation assistance, safety tips, red flag identification, repatriation strategies, and real-time human support and access to an online community. All these services are critical for survivors of modern slavery who remained trapped in the Gulf countries unable to return home.

Our value proposition lies in leveraging technology to be able to reach more survivors and scale our impact. By automating these specific services using the right technology, we can then allocate more human resources to direct service provision and advocacy efforts. Furthermore, this proposition, not only enhances our efforts but also allows us to explore additional avenues for sustainability.

Looking ahead, we aim to diversify our revenue streams beyond traditional funding sources. While our core services remain accessible through grants and donations, we see an opportunity to engage with businesses for corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding as well as specialized trainings. This strategic shift will allow us to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and build sustainable partnerships with corporate entities committed to social justice and human rights.

By continuing to innovate our service delivery model and cultivating partnerships with businesses, we envision a future where Zuri becomes a source of hope for migrant workers survivors of modern slavery in the Gulf countries, supported by a robust and diversified funding strategy that ensures our long-term sustainability and growth.

Our plan for achieving financial sustainability centers on diversifying our revenue streams while leveraging grants, donations, and service contracts to fund our work effectively. Historically, our primary funding has been through grants, which have been instrumental in launching projects like SARA (Social Accountability for Recruiting Agencies), For Our Society, Bringing you the Power of Film, 52px, and In-Sight. These grants, including support from The World Justice Project, envearth, Middle East Partnership Initiative, and Freedom Now, have enabled us to pilot and scale initiatives aimed at addressing modern slavery and supporting survivors.

Additionally, donations from campaigns such as Freedom for Our Sisters have directly funded community support initiatives, showcasing our ability to mobilize public support for critical causes. These donations provide essential resources for immediate needs, supporting victims return home, and community empowerment efforts.

Looking ahead, we aim to expand our revenue base by providing specialized trainings and services, potentially through service contracts with larger organizations, governments and partnerships with corporate entities as well as engaging with businesses for CSR funding. These activities not only generate revenue but also enhance our organizational capacity to deliver impactful programs.

Our track record demonstrates effective utilization of diverse funding sources to sustain our operations and expand our impact. While financial sustainability is an ongoing endeavor and not without its challenges, we remain committed to overcoming obstacles through strategic grant acquisition, mobilizing community support via targeted campaigns like Freedom for Our Sisters, and delivering valuable services such as specialized trainings. These efforts not only bolster our organizational resilience but also strengthen our ability to work on our mission.