The lack of timely, actionable information negatively impacts health and other development outcomes.
Mass-media public-service campaigns have limited effect. They reach large numbers of people and even increase knowledge, but their impact on changing behaviors is insufficient. Many underserved people don’t have televisions or radios, so mass-media campaigns miss these groups entirely.
Where can an individual turn to in the key moment of life when the information is needed?
HNI created the 3-2-1 Service — an innovative mobile phone information service to prepare resource-poor individuals in take action to improve their health and well-being.
At a moment of need, men, women, boys, and girls can use their simple mobile phones to proactively retrieve information across a range of topics. No Internet required.
Callers dial the toll-free number, 3-2-1, anytime, anywhere. They are greeted by a welcome message in their local language.
The voice prompts them through the menu of topics until they find the trusted information they need, when they need it.
Welcome Message (English Translation)
Family Planning Choices (English Translation)
Advantages of Family Planning (English Translation)
Rice Planting (Malagasy)
The messages and content within the sub-topics will vary among the countries because they are based on locally-determined needs, curated and approved by national, international and Government experts.
Users of the Service also contribute to the messages, which are updated periodically updated periodically in response to user feedback.
Download our 3-2-1 Service Content Development and Subscription Pricing >
In 2010, HNI partnered with Airtel, the Government of Madagascar, and key development organizations to launch the 3-2-1 Service. The Service has grown tremendously in the years since it was lauched:
Description | Total |
---|---|
Number of unique users across IVR, USSD, and SMS channels | +3,500,000 |
Total inquiries to the Service by users across channels | +50 million |
Total Calls | +7,800,000 |
Total Minutes contributed by Airtel | +20,000,000 |
Average number of unique users per month | 210,000 |
Average number of inquiries to the Service per month | 800,000 |
HNI has also partnered with Airtel, the Government of Malawi, and key development organizations to launch the 3-2-1 Service in Malawai. The adoption and growth of the 3-2-1 Service in Malawi has impressively surpassed the uptake observed in Madagascar.
Partnership is key to success for the 3-2-1 Service. HNI has four types of partners to ensure the success and sustainability of the 3-2-1 Service:
Content partners
National and international experts among various development sectors (e.g., health, nutrition) who determine the key messages to be launched on the 3-2-1 Service
Government partners
Relevant Ministry staff provide technical input and validation of the key messages to be put on the 3-2-1 Service
Communication partners
Mobile Network Operators in each country agree to provide the 3-2-1 Service to their subscribers free of charge
Resource partners
Funders such as Grand Challenge Canada, NGOs, and private companies recognize the potential of the 3-2-1 Service fund HNI to facilitate the content development for the 3-2-1 Service.
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