According to this article, cell phones have been one of the best steps to ending poverty in Africa. In 2004, people in Africa began using cell phones, and it has improved many of the people’s lifestyles. The reason it has improved their lifestyles and been a step toward ending poverty is because their cellphones are used strictly for necessities. They use their phones to call emergency health clinics and to reach family for emergencies. The GDP in Kenya has grown so much since the use of mobile phones. Kenyans are now making $1 million a month in transactions because of phones.
I found the idea that phones are helping poverty so unbelievable. I never thought in my entire life that the expansion of mobile phones could solve poverty. If anything I thought it would start it. To think so many people are given great opportunities because of phone usage is crazy. I think it is great to see that they only use their phones for important things. If developed countries used their phones the same way they are being used in Africa, maybe poverty really would go down. I think this topic needs to be promoted to more people because I guarantee no one knew this was happening. If poverty can really be cured through mobile phones, that would be awesome to see. Technology is creating so many wonderful opportunities in the world. If phones are helping so much in Kenya, then phones should be used in more underdeveloped places as well.
Wow, I had not realized how powerful and pervasive cell phones are, let alone how well they are working to combat poverty! What surprised me the most is in how many different areas this strategy with phones has worked. The readings and class discuss how different areas often require different approaches to solve certain problems, but cell phones appear to be one tool that can change a lot of peoples' lives across the globe. It is also interesting to see the different used for mobile phones across the globe.
ReplyDeleteCellphones could be very useful for a community that is in need. Surely they do not cost anything like they cost in the US, especially if they use them maybe once a week. However, giving cellphones to people who can not even afford food would be detrimental. People would start selling their phones to eat and it would not really work anymore.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting way to deal with poverty. It is very true that al of the problem that people deal with is that they can’t access people that can help them. With cells phones is a great way to help people out. That is really impressive that the GDP is making a million dollars per month. That is really great news. You are also right in saying that this can be used in other countries. If the experiment worked in Africa, it should also help other developing countries.
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