Tribewanted: Vorovoro

It was only a matter of time before the idea of micro-lending, small donations to help people in developing countries get businesses off the ground, was combined with the increasingly present mobile phones that have become more ubiquitous than the internet in many places.

A dear friend has recently launched Mobile Movement, a network that connects people from all over the world with a social mandate: to help bridge the gap between rich and poor with microfinancing, business partnerships and information exchanges.

http://mobilemovement.tv/

For their first project in Nairobi, Kenya, they are partnering with UN-HABITAT (a UN agency), the Environmental Youth Alliance (a Canadian non-profit organization), and Microsoft Research India.

Mobile Movement is working with 15 youth groups from the slums and low-income neighborhoods of Nairobi. These groups are part of UN-HABITAT’s “Urban Entrepreneurship Program” which trains young people and encourages the development of socially responsible small businesses.

The Environmental Youth Alliance and UN-HABITAT will manage and administer funds raised by Mobile Movement on behalf of youth participating in the “Urban Entrepreneurship Program”. 90% of proceeds go directly to the youth. 10% will be reserved to administer the fund and maintain the website.

But you can also just log on and give advice to the groups, which can be as valuable as funding. Even $10 makes a difference. Check out the site and help spread the word – post it on facebook or shoot your friends an email. This is an amazing use of the social network, and it reminds me a bit of Tribewanted in the early days.