Eric Obeysekare

The creation of capital through an ICT-based learning program: a case study of MOOC camp

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have recently received a great deal of attention from both researchers and the general public. Their free, open nature allows global access, including by individuals in developing countries. This study will explore ways in which MOOCs can be used as tools for development in these underprivileged areas. Using data collected through interviews with facilitators and students participating in a US State Department program, we apply and extend Bourdieus framework of cultural and social capital. Results show that MOOCs can be used to foster unique forms of cultural capital as well as both individual and organizational social capital. The research provides recommendations for both development agencies and MOOC platform designers.

Utilization and Monetization of Healthcare Data in Developing Countries

Abstract In developing countries with fledgling healthcare systems, the efficient deployment of scarce resources is paramount. Comprehensive community health data and machine learning techniques can optimize the allocation of resources to areas, epidemics, or populations most in need of medical aid or services. However, reliable data collection in low-resource settings is challenging due to a wide range of contextual, business-related, communication, and technological factors. Community health workers (CHWs) are trusted community members who deliver basic health education and services to their friends and neighbors. While an increasing number of programs leverage CHWs for last mile data collection, a fundamental challenge to such programs is the lack of tangible incentives for the CHWs. This article describes potential applications of health data in developing countries and reviews the challenges to reliable data collection. Four practical CHW-centric business models that provide incentive and accountability structures to facilitate data collection are presented. Creating and strengthening the data collection infrastructure is a prerequisite for big data scientists, machine learning experts, and public health administrators to ultimately elevate and transform healthcare systems in resource-poor settings.

Organizational models of mobile payment systems in low-resource environments

ABSTRACT The rapid growth and diffusion of mobile phones in the developing world has created an inclusive and dynamic platform to address a smorgasbord of socio-economic challenges. The uptake of mobile payment (m-payment) systems is a compelling example of how such a platform can be leveraged to democratize access to online banking and financial services. M-payment systems encompass mobile phone-based applications that enable the transfer of value while affording users’ security, accessibility, and efficiency and helping organizations reduce overheads and foster transparency. While M-Pesa and a few other systems are well documented, the literature is sparse on the different methods of using m-payment systems in developing countries. Based on a comprehensive literature review that includes 64 different m-payment applications from around the world, this article synthesizes 12 organizational models. The presentation of each of these models includes an explanatory visual, brief description, and several examples to illustrate its opportunities and benefits. This article culminates with a discussion of common implementation challenges, best practices, and gaps in the extant ecosystem. This will inform innovators and entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen, design, and implement m-payment systems that bridge the last-mile challenge of financial inclusion.

Micronutrient deficiencies in the developing world: An evaluation of delivery methods

Malnutrition is a serious problem in developing countries, particularly among children under five and women of childbearing age. Expectant and nursing mothers are especially vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies. Effects of micronutrient deficiencies such as weakened immune systems, overall morbidity, and stunted childhood growth are reversible in the critical age group of 0 to 5. Providing children with the essential nutrients lacking in their diets during infancy is essential as it can lead to long-lasting health benefits. Many solutions have been researched and implemented to increase micronutrient intake in the diets of people in developing nations. Implementation of the solutions have ranged from national policies such as the mandatory fortification of certain food products and educating rural communities about improving nutrition levels, to the in-home application of micronutrient fortification powders. The spectrum of solutions has strengths and weaknesses; however, few, if any solutions have been successful at decreasing nutrition deficiencies on a macro scale. This article presents a comprehensive review of academic studies detailing different methods of delivering nutrients to individuals in developing countries. The results of this review are categorized and synthesized into a framework describing the approach, range and success of different strategies to help vulnerable groups meet their micronutrient needs. Understanding this framework will help in identifying gaps in current efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve the current integration techniques into settings with insufficient resources to satisfy dietary needs of populations.

Developing a lean data management system for an emerging social enterprise

Data collection is essential for organizations operating in developing countries and other low-resource environments. Whether for traditional monitoring and evaluation, efficiency improvements, or research purposes, data collection is an essential part of the scaling process of any venture. Despite the necessity of data collection, creating an efficient system that captures key information is no easy task. Choosing the proper tools, designing comprehensive protocols, and integrating data collection into organization workflows are essential components of any data management system. To accomplish this, organizations are turning to a Lean approach of reducing all possible inefficiencies, which despite its origins in the manufacturing field, is becoming popular among entrepreneurs and researchers alike. From a data collection perspective, eliminating waste, such as inefficient forms or collection of un-needed data, allows organizations to create efficient systems that serve their purposes and provide needed information in a timely fashion. This article will describe the data collection system being implemented by GRO Greenhouses, a social enterprise that sells greenhouses in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Using off-the-shelf tools like Google Docs, GRO was able to create an easy-to-use system that addressed the organizations needs as it expanded from its start as a university-based research project into a full-fledged venture operating with external funding. Collecting relevant data is the next step in GRO evolution as long-term sustainability becomes more important. Lessons learned by GRO about data collection and scaling are relevant to other similar ventures as they seek to evolve and expand.

Co-located community health and economic activity centers

Community Health Worker (CHW) programs have been implemented in many developing countries to combat the challenge of poor access to healthcare. CHWs are unpaid volunteers who provide basic health information, education, and resources to their communities. In rural areas the large distances between households make it difficult for CHWs to fulfill their responsibilities in a timely fashion. Additionally, difficult working conditions, lack of pay, and limited feedback severely hinder the success and retention of CHWs in these rural areas. Proper economic incentives can provide motivation for CHWs to make CHW programs sustainable. Income generating activities for CHWs can be focused on health services or can be coupled with other entrepreneurial ventures that provide benefits to local communities. After examining problems with retention and turnover of CHWs in rural areas, this article discusses a potential model of co-located community health and activity centers - a place for the community to gather, socialize, and receive basic health information, education, and resources. The center will create an entrepreneurial opportunity for CHWs, providing them an economic incentive to improve their livelihoods and a motivation to continue as an unpaid health care provider.

Making data collection in low-resource contexts intuitive, fun, and interactive

Community health data can be used to track diseases, facilitate efficient deployment of medical resources, or reduce clinic wait times in fledgling healthcare systems in developing countries. Despite these potential benefits, many electronic data collection, aggregation and digitization projects fail within a few years of launching. Over a three-year span, Community Health Workers (CHWs) operating our telemedicine venture in East Africa retrogressed from using laptops and netbooks, to smartphones and basic cell phones, to pen and paper. The reasons for these technology downgrades can be attributed to diverse contextual, business-related, communication, coordination, and technological challenges that compromise the collection of data. To address this health data collection challenge, our team has designed intuitive, fun, power-efficient, and rugged devices that draw on principles of tangible computing, user-centered design, and interaction design. By incorporating lights, sounds, and instant feedback, these devices are designed to become a natural part of CHW-client interactions rather than cumbersome, intrusive distractions. This article describes the design of three interactive prototypes to gamify the health data collection process and preliminary test results from their deployment in Kenya.