Poverty is almost equated with isolation in many places of the world. Poverty results from a lack of access to markets, to emergency health services, and access to education. The mobile phone, and more generally, communications technology are ending that kind of isolation.
Years ago, when I did mission work inCosta Rica,Honduras, andNicaragua, it seemed to me that all had a cellular phone–even in rural areas–but not in the bush. They seemed ahead of us in communications. Now, with our government’s help, everyone has a cell phone that wants one in theUSA.
The Ugandan natives don’t have a pocket full of money; however, they can visit a phone company representative on the sidewalk–or even in the street at traffic stops–to obtain minutes on their phone. The vendors sell a postage stamp-sized ticket valued from a quarter to multiple dollars. The phone user then punches in the numbers giving himself “more time.”
Many countries have two competing cellular providers which run specials from time to time. The more affluent users have phones from both companies to take advantage of the “two-for-one” or “three-for-one” deals that crop up frequently.
Prices should recede now that we’re all wired (for better or worse) here in the USA. It is better than a smoke signal or two tin cans and a string.
tomvancel
