HELP GUYANA, Guyana’s first Crisis Management Web and Mobile app, which was conceptualised, created and promoted by a stakeholder group of women determined to create an app for social good and that could benefit vulnerable groups in Guyana, was launched in observance of International Day of Girls in ICT.

The idea was conceptualised by Karen Abrams, STEM Guyana Director and Dr Mellissa Ifill, UG lecturer. Members of the STEM Guyana, GTT & IDPADA-G teams helped to strengthen the concept, while the application was coded by Coily.us creator and STEM Guyana co-founder, Asha Christian. Karen Abrams, it should be noted, brings to the project her multiple years of experience in the Crisis Management, Disaster Recovery space during her time in Corporate America where she served as Director of Risk Management for Earthlink Networks in Atlanta, Georgia.

The current version of the HELP Guyana app is customised for the COVID-19 crisis; allowing masks producers and providers to sell and donate, and a portal to share that information. It also allows small businesses to advertise their goods and services to what is anticipated to be thousands of users of the app and allows registration for delivery services all over the country. One of the modules recruits volunteers for registered agencies. Finally, the security module allows for the anonymous reporting of domestic violence, fraud and abuse, which often becomes prevalent during times of crisis.

The HELP Guyana project is sponsored by GTT, the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G), and the Anira Foundation. STEM Guyana has also reached out to many public and private agencies for support, and these agreements will be announced later. The HELP Guyana app is technology used for social good and it will help to enhance the lives of citizens all across Guyana.