Thumbs down 2 poverty

Fahamu has launched an SMS/text message service to support the Africa leg of mobilisation for the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP).

The function will be available for use by the campaign in two ways. Firstly, users of mobile/cell phones will be able to subscribe to a free service that will send information about the GCAP campaign to their phones by SMS/text message. Secondly, users will be encouraged to send messages to a number voicing their support for debt cancellation, one of the key demands of the GCAP campaign.

1. SMS alert service

Mobile phone/cell phone users can sign up for a free SMS information service that will advise them on GCAP campaign progress, key events and mobilisation activities.

With the widespread use of mobile/cell phones across Africa, the service will enable GCAP campaign partners to communicate effectively with their constituencies and members of the public, keeping them up to date about the GCAP campaign throughout activities in 2005.

Those wishing to subscribe to this service can send a SMS/text message to

+27 82 904 3425

with subscribe in the body of their message. Other ways of subscribing include sending an email to [email protected] or by visiting the website www.gcapsms.org

Country partners will be encouraged to collect mobile/cell phone numbers for subscription to the list and send them to [email protected] Once countries have collected 500 or more numbers they will be able to send GCAP information updates to their own SMS country list, enabling them to send more specific new about country activities and mobilisation. Campaign partners are encouraged to include SMS details in their activities.

2. Sending messages in support of the campaign

Campaign partners and members of the public are further encouraged to voice their support for debt cancellation by sending a message to +27 82 904 3425 with No to Debt in the body of the message. To send a message, simply enter the number in your mobile/cell phone, type No to Debt and then send the message. The messages will be displayed on the website www.gcapsms.org and displayed at forums taking place during 2005, helping to demonstrate overwhelming support from Africa for debt cancellation.
* Please note that senders of messages will be charged the once-off fee their particular network provider levies for sending SMS/text messages. Other than this there are NO hidden costs. While we have examined ways to eliminate the cost to users of even sending this one message, these have not yet been successful. We hope that mobile phone/cell phone users will feel that the benefits of supporting this campaign and voicing their opinion outweighs the small cost involved.

This initiative is managed by Fahamu - Networks for Social Justice
http://www.fahamu.org/