Everybody, when starting in a new organisation, takes a little time to really understand what it is all about, right? As the new Communication intern from the Amsterdam office, this is my case now! I’m working here for almost 4 weeks now, and I figured that it can be quite difficult, for those who like our concept but don’t work here, to have a clear picture of what we actually do, why we do it and how we do it…

For this reason, I think is a good idea to write my first blog post around the theme: What is it all about??

Our motive
Text to Change believes in the power of information when propagated (because if nobody knows it, it doesn’t have any power to change or to develop). Free access of information is a right guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, article 19) and the free flow of it is a valuable platform for change and development. The exchange of information connects, educates, gives means for (co-)creation of new ideas, and furthermore, it helps to better assess communities’ problems and necessities.

Our means
With the help of our partners and a well-designed flexible mobile phone platform (able to use SMS, MMS, voice and data for spreading and collecting information) we allow an extensive exchange of important information. The TTC platform is perfectly suited for carrying out data collection as well as sending out important information, even to remote and isolated areas.

Due to the brilliance and the simplicity of this concept, TTC implements a wide variety of programmes using this platform to support its partners worldwide. These programs are innovative mobile technology based concepts and interactive based text message.

Quizzes are designed to challenge people’s knowledge. We use a toll free short code, which ensures there is no cost involved for our participants. Our model encourages continued participation in our programmes and furthermore sparks a dialogue on topics often considered taboos.

The areas we address in our programmes are:

Healthcare

• HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
• Maternal healh
• Family planning
• Medicine adherence
• Drug stock-outs

Economic development

• Pricing information for farmers 
• Agricultural information 
• Financial awareness
• Mobile money

Education

• mLearning
• School system strengthening
• Teacher absenteeism
• Health education
• Conservation education

Accountability

• Public accountability 
• Child rights
• Budget Tracking

Our goal
TTC's goal is to join forces through partnerships and use these programs to empower citizens by unleashing the potential of mobile telephony to provide and collect information, and consequently, increase awareness and knowledge levels, enhance transparency and strengthen advocacy.
We pursue a future with well-informed citizens, equipped to consciously and freely choose their path of development and to hold - without fear or prejudice - their representatives to account. TTC facilitates a solid and sustainable development led by the communities themselves. We make sure important information reaches whoever needs it so it can be used as a key instrument for people to perform their own development.

So... I hope you enjoyed my first blog and if you have any questions, please let me know at mcatao@texttochange.com.