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Lifeline for Help: GSM Callbox Approach to Extend Reach

Presented by Rose Shuman, Founder, Open Mind – Question Box

Seventh International Consultation of Child Helplines31 October, 2014

+About Open Mind - Question Box U.S. registered 501(c)3 non-

profit organization founded in 2007

Open Mind - Question Box has experience in building and supporting simple local language community hotlines to increase their reach, reduce costs, and increase connection with their outlier populations

+Question Box

Question Box infrastructure is a network array of free, public community shared callboxes

Each callbox is programmed to connect to hotlines

Callbox network runs on ubiquitous GSM mobile phone networks

Callbox network brings timely knowledge and connects hotlines directly to urban slums and villages with marginalized populations

+Question Boxes, arrayed in a network across a city, district, or even country, could vastly expand the reach of a child helpline.

+Reach the most marginalised

Question Box callbox installations ensure access to the helpline for the most marginalised children including those who:

Lack access to a telephone of their own

Have trouble remembering the child helpline phone number

Have low or no literacy and cannot engage with SMS

Do not use computers

Forget about the existence of the child helpline service

+Question Box: Lifeline for Help

Quick and simple user interface - does not require any literacy, nor familiarity with technology

Serves as a visual reminder whenever the child passes by, meaning when in trouble, she is more likely to remember that there is a place to go for help

+Question Boxes Aid Access

Allow a child to call even if he or she has no access to a telephone

Have the telephone number programmed into the speed dial, so the child need not remember it.

+Benefits

Easy to deploy and quick to install. The Question Box network works almost anywhere in the world to extend existing helplines’ reach and efficiently increase access for the most marginalised children.

Question Box network increases cost effectiveness, efficiency and impact for any hotline, because it uses human and technology resources that most hotlines already have in place.

Question Box network raises the profile of the child helpline, by serving as a visual reminder of your service. Stickers advertising your helpline or sponsoring organizations can be affixed to the call boxes.

Most importantly, helpline callboxes provide a real place for a child to go to for help.

+Data for Advocacy

Localised – with each Question Box, map exactly from where the child is calling.

Calls from school vs. market may show different data

This data can be mapped, to show exactly what problems are arising from which geographic areas.

Languages – often, different languages are spoken within the same country.

With a Question Box, you can make an educated guess about what language needs a child will have in a given location, and ensure the call is routed through to services in that language right away.

Calls from Question Box installations provides another layer of data for macro-level analysis of the conversations happening on the edges of societies, from which early patterns in crisis, health, political and environment can be inferred.

+Installation Locations

Question Boxes have been installed in Health centers Schools Shops On the street.

To serve children, it has to be in an accessible and safe place.

+ Question Box Deployment

Program Question Box hotline phone numbers with a PIN pad.

The power required is only 12v, and can come from a battery, mains electricity, or a solar panel.

Inside, there is a mobile phone SIM card, which provides the phone connection.

The casing is sturdy and lockable

You can move the Question Box to new locations.

A local electronics person can do basic small repairs.

The units come with a one year warranty in case of defects.

Question Boxes ship directly from our manufacturer in Taiwan.

+Cost

A starter kit of 5 Question Boxes + 1 PIN pad are available for €2,000

Additional units are €425. Shipping and local customs fees not included.

Remote or on-site capacitation consulting available for an additional fee. We can assist with integrating Question Box networks into your helpline offering.

+With Question Box Network, you can generate valuable call data, mapping language and location of children in need, therefore detecting early patterns to mitigate risks and to advocate effectively.

You may also be able to better direct them to help, since you know exactly where they are calling from, and can tell them either where to go, or even dispatch help to the child if that is possible.

+Hotline should be accessible. Using simple technology, it can be for every child.

Through free public call boxes, you are increasing the opportunity for helping the most vulnerable children – The ones who cannot read; who do not have any money or resources. The ones who do not own or have access even to a telephone, and who really need a safe place to go for help. Thank you.

Contact Us:info@questionbox.orgwww.questionbox.org