Policies

Hello World Program

Context and Issue

As per the 'Hello World annual report of 2023', over 40% of the global population cannot access the internet. This digital divide is particularly stark among marginalized communities, where access to mobile internet remains limited. Notably, 900 million women still do not have access to mobile internet, with a gender gap of 33% in mobile internet access. Additionally, 1 in 6 children, totaling 244 million, are out of school, further exacerbating educational inequalities. This lack of connectivity and educational resources isolates vulnerable groups, depriving them of opportunities for learning, communication, and participation in the digital world.

Solution

The solution to bridging the digital divide is the Hello World program, which uses Hello Hubs—solar-powered internet stations providing access to world-class educational software. Initiated in 2012 after Katrin, the founder, was inspired by Sugata Mitra's TED talk on child-led learning, the program aims to address the severe lack of internet connectivity and education affecting over 3 billion people worldwide. The first Hello Hubs were launched in late 2013 in Nigeria and in 2015 in Uganda, involving full community participation in building and maintenance. Each hub offers robust hardware, educational software in local languages, free high-speed WiFi, device charging, and solar power. Community members receive engineering training to ensure sustainability. The program includes core initiatives like Basic Computer Training, Life Skills Training, and the Hub Heroes Library to enhance digital literacy. The impact is monitored through baseline tests, user registers, and case studies, with data collected by 60decibels. Hello Hubs are designed to be innovative, replicable, and scalable, with plans to expand further.

Impact

The impact of the Hello World program has been substantial, improving the quality of life and educational opportunities for many. In Uganda, 90% of Hello Hub users reported an improved quality of life, with 56% saying it "very much improved." In Nepal, 87% agreed their quality of life had improved. The hubs are widely used for education (33.9% of activity) and social media and entertainment (43.7%). Additionally, 55% of users in Nepal and 47% in Uganda learned new skills at the hubs. The program has built 113 hubs across three countries, connecting over 124,250 people to the Internet. Success stories include increased literacy and numeracy among children, improved digital literacy and internet safety for marginalized community members, and enhanced leadership and problem-solving skills, particularly for women and girls. The community-led model has empowered local populations, with some users achieving notable personal successes, such as winning awards and starting businesses.

Analysis

The Hello World program faces some barriers, such as initial low digital literacy in communities, challenges in maintaining hardware and internet connectivity, and the need for continuous adaptation of educational software to local cultures and languages. Despite these, the program's community-led model supports scalability by empowering locals to build and sustain hubs. Successful implementations in Nigeria, Uganda, and Nepal, backed by partnerships with organizations like UNHCR and abrdn, demonstrate its potential for expansion. While funding, geopolitical instability, and community engagement levels could impact scalability, continued partnerships, local adaptations, and sustained funding are essential for its growth.