For our first project of 2019, OMPT worked with World Vision in Bamako, Mali, a west African country. OMPT trained World Vision staff how to create videos that documented the success of the new water towers, bore holes and latrines that World Vision installed last year. These new improvements will bring better sanitation and health to the schoolchildren and local community.

This was my third trip to Africa and each time I return from this beautiful continent I’m struck by the same thought: people are people everywhere. Regardless of where you live and in what conditions, people have the same desires, are excited by the same things and experience the same emotions.

We’ve just finished our first workshop of 2019 and are excited to share our experiences with all of you. Stay tuned for updates from Matt and Kristin as they get arrive back home from Mali. In the meantime, here are some photos from the project!

Last week, OMPT’s Matt York and Kristin Henderson traveled to Bamako, Mali to host our second workshop in the country in the last two months. This was OMPT’s third time working with World Vision, a faith-based organization that provides humanitarian aid throughout the world.

When you think of global development aid, what comes to mind? Usually it’s images of disaster relief, food programs and building hospitals, homes or fresh water wells but we might be overlooking something even more important.

Technology has always been at the forefront of human development. It took human civilization from hunter-gatherer to agricultural, developed modern society through the Renaissance and lead the Industrial Revolution.

If you don't live in the top ten or twenty percent of the world's population, electronics technology has almost no impact on your life. Simple conveniences like running water or electricity are unheard-of luxuries. Video is not even a concept. You and your family likely live on less than a dollar a day and your way of life is probably not that different from your ancestors’ who lived a few hundred years ago.

One of the most important things we can articulate to potential partners is the effectiveness of video in behavior change. If they don’t believe our intervention will make a difference, what reason do they have to work with us?

We’ve done a lot this year! illuminAid staff Matt, Kristin, Robin and Laurie share some of the highlights from our projects in Mali, Burkina Faso and Malawi.