Founded in 2009, PING (Positive Innovation for the Next Generation) is a youth-led organisation based in Gaborone, Botswana aiming to use technology in creating and educating the next generation of problem solvers.
In the summer of 2007 Katy Digovich traveled to Botswana to gain information for her senior thesis on people living with HIV and AIDS. Inspired by the sheer amount of mobile phone usage in the country she came up with the idea of using this technology to aid the suffers with a free service of support. With this idea she won the Compton Mentor Fellowship providing her with the funding she needed to make her dream a reality.
Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, Botswana has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Growing national resources have led Botswana to be one of the few African countries that enjoy economic freedom. However a large part of this national resource is the mining of diamonds which are due to dry out over the next twenty years.
In 2009 the government announced plans to shift the economic dependence on diamonds (subsequently diamond revenue for the government has suffered since, dropping from $1.8 billion in 2011 to $701 million in 2012).
One organisation encouraging change for the country is PING. The foundation has addressed the need for innovative solutions to come from within and this starts with education. They aim to change health and development problems through technology. Botswana has some of the highest Tuberculosis and AIDS cases in the world with diminishing numbers of healthcare workers. PING aims to take current solutions and improve them in partnership with The Ministry of Health, since its inception. PING is divided into two programs technology and youth.
Technology
The Kgakololo Project has been developed as a free SMS service supporting those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS by providing them with appointment reminders, information and support, this project is currently in a feasibility phase at two institutions in Gaborone.
Adapting the above project PING have created the Male Circumcision Support Project which provides the same free SMS service. Studies by the Ministry of Health have found that circumcised males have a reduced chance of HIV infection.
To take a look at the other technology projects, visit Pingsite.org/tech-projects/
Youth
The Youth Leaders Mentorship Program is open to anyone aged between 13 – 19 years old and focuses on teaching basic computer skills along with other skills such as website design, public speaking and project management. Those showing talent can take on higher classes with the opportunity to take part in PING’s internship program. The aim is to empower with education so that these skills can be implemented within their communities.
For more information on the PING Club please visit Pingsite.org/youth-programs/ping-club/
Donors and Partners
Along with the Ministry of Health, PING relies upon donors and successful partnerships to spread their message. Donors include USAID, BOTUSA – a partnership between the Botswana government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Compton Foundation.
Partners include the largest telecom company in Botswana MASCOM – the first to support PING and provide advice and support for mobile projects.
Another well known partner is Hewlett Packard who have collaborated with PING on larger projects.
What’s Next?
Now with three youth programs and seven mobile health projects PING hope to capiltalise on their current success. With the continued support of their current donors and partners, PING aim to be able to provide their programs on a national level and continue to educate the youth in Botswana to be leaders.
This article originally appeared on the Urban Times.
