October 18, 2023
In a world where data has become the cornerstone of progress, leveraging technology to empower communities has never been more vital. Aiming to catalyze change in the lives of women in Kenya, iBUILD Global Foundation has embarked on an inspiring initiative. Their key objective? To improve accessibility of loans for women in Kenya through insightful analytics and impactful data-driven decisions. How, you ask? Through a groundbreaking project and new partnership that harnesses the power of iBUILD's data collection tools and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Quicksight Analytics, this endeavor promises to be a beacon of change and progress.
At the heart of this transformative journey lies a powerful vision: to empower women in Kenya through financial support and educational opportunities. The objective is clear - by providing loans to women for housing related improvements such as clean cooking solutions, water, power and sanitation additions, this initiative aims to uplift not just women and their families, but entire communities. Early impact evaluations demonstrate that these loans for women represent improved health, financial status and well-being.
To translate this vision into reality, iBUILD Global Foundation has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a global leader in cloud computing. AWS, through its state-of-the-art analytics tool, Quicksight, has paved the way for a data revolution. By allowing seamless connectivity to various data sources, Quicksight sets the stage for a comprehensive analysis of the project’s impact.
The project kicks off with the fundamental step of setting up Amazon QuickSight, laying the foundation for what promises to be a transformative journey. Data source connections follow, ensuring that the project has access to a diverse range of information. Secured, datasets, scrubbed in compliance with Privacy laws, are meticulously curated, and data preparations are undertaken with precision, setting the stage for meaningful analysis.
One of the project’s key highlights is the SPICE update - a process that ensures the data remains fresh, relevant, and accurate. This ensures that the insights derived are not only impactful but also reflective of the current scenario.
Dashboard design and development take center stage, with a keen focus on user experience. Intuitive and informative dashboards promise to provide stakeholders with real-time insights. Drill-ins, a critical component of data analysis, allow for a granular exploration of the data, empowering users to dig deeper into trends and patterns. Analytics and basic AI integrations will assist in the curation of 100’s of thousands of records, comparing pre- and post-loan evaluations and other valuable data. These insights will assist in determining potential algorithms for credit scoring as well as developing new strategies to assist more women to succeed in accessing simple loans that make marked improvements in the lives of their households.
Design and Development of the Data and Analytics portal is not merely aesthetic but a strategic component of the project. A visually appealing interface ensures that users are engaged, making the data exploration process all the more enriching. The data prep and management is key to a successful project and in partnership with Kinect Consulting, an AWS certified partner, the project is ensured to be successfully managed to completion, facilitating collaboration and knowledge dissemination across multilateral stakeholders.
Every visionary project requires financial support, and AWS has stepped up by making up to $20,000.00 (USD twenty thousand) available. This substantial investment underscores the significance of the initiative and paves the way for its successful implementation.
As this project unfolds, it holds the promise of transforming lives and fostering economic growth in Kenya. The amalgamation of visionary leadership, cutting-edge technology, and financial support lays the groundwork for a brighter future.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this remarkable journey, exploring the milestones, challenges, and triumphs that pave the way for a future where women in Kenya are not just borrowers but architects of their destiny, all thanks to the power of data and the unwavering commitment to change.
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