Betty Musau of The United Methodist Church talks about how cellphone technology is strengthening communications and transforming communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she is a UMC conference communicator.
“Instead of waiting for Sunday or Wednesday for an announcement in Church, now we use SMS to tell people” about urgent news using FrontlineSMS, Betty says.
What happens as a result of increased community communications via SMS? “People are changing their behavior,” such as by boiling water during a cholera outbreak, or using bednets to prevent malaria.
“Cellphones are the only means of communication that are effective because people don’t have access to the internet,” Betty says.
What’s her vision for the future? “If every woman can have access to a cellphone, it will save lives and transform the community.”
Learn more about how The United Methodist Church is using technology to improve lives, livelihoods and spiritual wellbeing at http://www.umcom.org, and follow the discussion on Twitter using #ICT4DBP.
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