EP 332 - Connecting the Unconnected: Empowering Communities and Driving Economic Growth - Mea Thompson - Unconnected (dot) Org

"...when you bring technology into those communities, you can see how the child mortality goes down. You can see how the GDP in the country goes up. You can see all these fantastic innovations coming out of these countries and the entrepreneurship it sparks. But to answer your original question, it's easier to fundraise from organizations and businesses, because they really get it. " - Mea Thompson

The Asia Tech Podcast spoke to Mea Thompson, a co-founder and CCO of Unconnected.org. Mea shared some of her insights into the critical work of bridging the digital divide. Unconnected.org focuses on providing meaningful technology access to underserved communities worldwide, particularly emphasizing the importance of affordability and community-driven solutions.

Some of the issues Mea discussed in detail:

• The digital divide is more than just a connectivity issues. Many communities simply cannot afford the hardware and maintenance costs.
• Community-driven initiatives are key to driving connectivity success.
• Local teachers actually play a pivotal role in the digital inclusion process.
• Empowering local entrepreneurs to run and manage the telecommunications infrastructure, Unconnected ensures that its initiatives continue to benefit the community long after the initial setup.
• The impact of providing internet access goes beyond mere connectivity. It can transform communities economically, socially, and culturally.
• The sheer joy of making a difference in the world and seeing real, tangible impact.