enke Announces Partnership with Foondamate
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 we had to introduce a new way to be able to get our application forms to participants without having to physically see them. In April 2020, we went through scenario planning and came up with new ways to run our Programs. One of the biggest challenges was getting our applications in the hands of participants safely, which we did through an online application form. This solution worked well but we knew that we needed an easier and more accessible way to help our participants to apply. This is when we found out about an organization called Foondamate.
Who is Foondamate.com?
FoondaMate makes education accessible to those who might have no other means of getting study material. Currently the majority of students in developing countries, and especially Sub-Saharan Africa, do not have access to WiFi. As a result most students cannot download study notes or past papers, and cannot look things up on the internet if they are confused. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many schools cannot afford printers, let alone cover the cost of printing study material for students. Few schools have enough textbooks to give each student a copy.
The good news is most students have access to a smartphone and most cellphone networks allow use of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger at reduced rates. This means WhatsApp and Messenger Chatbots can help solve these problems.
enke has partnered up with Foondamate for our 2021 Trailblazer intake (applications are now open), participants are able to apply through WhatsApp and a Messenger Chatbot will help them through the application. To apply via WhatsApp, participants contact send a WhatsApp message to +27 60 070 3213 with “enke start” and can follow the instructions and send “enke stop” at the end of the chat. Click this link to get started – Trailblazer WhatsApp Application Number.
For more information about the 2021 Trailblazer Program, our target areas and how to apply, visit https://www.enke.org.za/trailblazer-2021-applications-now-open-till-28-may-2021/
We are super excited about this new partnership and we look forward to receiving applications.
