Digital Hero Book Project
Molotech’s flagship work is the Digital Hero Book Project (DHBP), which enables underserved youth to post their own hero stories online using information and communication technologies (ICTs).
For updates read the project blog.
Project Summary
HIV/Aids, poverty, violence and unemployment affect a large proportion of youth in Southern and Eastern Africa. An indication of this is an estimated orphan population of 12 million in 2001. To help address these issues, REPSSI (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) provides psychosocial (social and emotional) technical support to over 60 implementing partners, including those in the Western Cape province of South Africa (SA). A hero book is a low-cost, simple and effective form of psychosocial support (PSS) where a child is the author, illustrator, main character (hero) and editor of a paper-based book that is designed to help them deal with life’s challenges. As examples, see hero books by Lorraine Phiri and Oupa (powerpoint: ppt, 290 kb | open office impress: odp, 260 kb).
The DHBP builds on the success of this Memory Work by introducing ICTs that enable authors to digitise their hero books and publish them on a community-based website. The site will also facilitate a support network for hero book facilitators. Participants thus gain life and ICT skills in the process.
For various reasons, current hero booking and digital storytelling efforts are limited in reach; by operating through existing ICT facilities the DHBP helps to address this issue. Khanya, the Western Cape Education Department’s award-winning “Technology in Education” initiative, has recognised digital hero booking as a way to improve e-literacy levels, teach related issues such as web publishing and child safety on the internet, build social inclusion by giving the youth a voice and, by sharing stories online, help foster community development.
The DHBP is a 14-month pilot project implemented within a number of Khanya schools. Steve Vosloo, the project manager, has been awarded a fellowship position on the Reuters Foundation Digital Vision Program at Stanford University. The program offers outstanding technologists the opportunity to use their vision and talent to devise information technology solutions to humanitarian problems in the developing world. Steve Vosloo will conduct the initial research and development of the project at Stanford. Only tuition fees are covered, thus Molotech is seeking further funding to research and implement the project.
Partners and Funders
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Donate
- To provide financial or in-kind support to Molotech, please contact us.
- To support Steve Vosloo at Stanford University, please donate money or in-kind contributions to the Stanford Foundation (a United States 501(3) registered organisation). Note: in the “Payment for:” field, please enter “Steve Vosloo”.
