CommKit Technology: Creating Stronger Relationships with Victims of Genocide and Communities Taking Action
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About You
Location
Project Street Address
1732 Aviation Blvd
Project City
Redondo Beach
Project Province/State
CA
Project Postal/Zip Code
90278
Project Country
United States
Your idea
Will you launch your idea as a business or non-profit?
Non-Profit
Web site (url)
Name Your Project
CommKit Technology: Creating Stronger Relationships with Victims of Genocide and Communities Taking Action
Describe Your Idea
Innovation
What is your idea? What makes it innovative? Why is it important?
CommKit allows for two-way frequent video, audio, and text communication between the Darfur refugee camps in Chad and communities with access to the internet who advocate and take action to end the genocide in Darfur. CommKit is designed to allow any two people in the world to communicate with each other. It is very easy to use, and works under tough conditions. It comprises a few components – “field kits” deployed in Chad close to refugee camps, a content server based in the U.S., and software for U.S.-based users. Each field kit includes a satellite terminal, camera, and a laptop running localized and simplified CommKit software.
Darfur refugees using CommKit gain important communication and leadership skills that empower them to be active in their community. Moreover, CommKit serves as the only current link to on-going communication with the victims themselves. U.S.-based groups, and eventually other communities around the globe, also benefit from this direct relationship. Research shows that people are more likely to act in response to one person’s story of survival rather than the mind-numbing numbers of those affected. CommKit not only tells the story of the victims of an on-going genocide, but it allows the community member to interact with the victim and create a personal relationship with them.
All too often during periods of conflict and the peace process, the voices of the innocent civilians, whose lives have been destroyed, is silenced. The CommKit allows their voice to be heard. This innovative technology has the ability to change the way the world responds to future mass atrocities and genocide by creating a truly global community.
Impact
What will be the impact of your idea?
CommKit enables, for the first time in history, victims of an on-going genocide to tell their story, post video and pictures of their experience, and build direct relationships with people who can advocate on their behalf, take action to change the situation, and fund-raise for direct relief. This technology builds on the growing online community and uses the power of citizen driven journalism to spread the word about the situation and create depth in the first ever anti-genocide movement. Not only can refugees connect with advocates and communities, but news organizations, relief groups, the Darfuri diaspora, and teachers and students will have access to almost instant information from the ground. The CommKit is a groundbreaking communication method that has global implications if it is successful in Darfur refugee camps.
Additionally, CommKit has great impact on the Darfur communities learning to interact with technology and the internet for the first time. Darfuris, struggling to survive day-to-day, gain computer, journalism and community-building skills while developing personal relationships that motivate us to act for peace. This project will have lasting effects of empowerment on a population who feels they have been ignored and under-represented. By telling their own stories, they will become leaders of change in their community, and form lasting long-distance relationships around the world.
This Entry is about (Issues)
People: We are looking for ideas from people who can make them happen.
Stop Genocide Now has been to Darfur refugee camps in Chad six times since 2005. We have uploaded over 80 same-day video web-casts, pictures, and journal entries from the desert conditions through our project, i-ACT (interactive-activism). We have formed strong relationships with the NGO partners on the ground who run the refugee camps and programs, as well as with national and grassroots organizations here in the United States. Darfur refugees and NGO staff look forward to visits from our team, and national and grassroots groups in the U.S. follow our trips in order to connect with those they work hard to help.
Yuen-Lin Tan, who has been to the field, has created the software and developed CommKit specifically for the Darfur population. He currently works for an innovative software firm who is supportive of CommKit and Yuen-Lin’s travel to the field to ensure its success. Gabriel Stauring, Director of Stop Genocide Now, has traveled six times to the Darfur refugee camps and has the ability to foresee initial obstacles and solutions. He has also traveled extensively within the United States for video presentations and speeches. Katie-Jay Scott, Director of Community Programming, works closely with national and grassroots communities in the United States who will be linking directly to the refugees. She has also been to the refugee camps and can explain the nature of the relationship to community groups effectively and realistically.
Sustainability
How much will it cost to launch your idea?
It will cost $151,500 to launch 12 CommKits in each of the Darfur refugee camps and connect them with U.S. based communities. One CommKit prototype has already been developed and is waiting for testing from the field. This prototype was developed solely through volunteer hours and financed by personal debt. In order to develop and deliver any more, funding will be pursued vigorously through donor development and grants. Granters we have applied to: Humanity United, Not on our Watch, Annenberg Foundation and Compton Foundation. Darfur Dream Team: Sister Schools Initiative has also agreed to contribute to the project in return for the service of connecting their schools with refugee camp schools once it is up and running. They have pledged $90,000 upon delivery of services.
It is important to SGN and to the people of Darfur, that activists and community groups with diverse funding situations have access to creating a relationship with a Darfuri. Therefore, individual groups will not be asked to pay for their relationship, but of course donations will be encouraged. However, when national organizations seek to connect several constituent groups to Darfur refugees through long-term programs, we will ask them to contribute to the CommKit program.
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