Message-ID: <Pine.3.88.9512071653.A20268-0100000@go> Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 17:22:23 -0600 From: Abubakr Alkhalifa <mailto:aalkhali@GO.CIS.USOUTHAL.EDU> Subject: IT vs. Povery To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Hi everybody..I am a graduate student at the School of Computer and Information Sciences, University of South Alabama. My background is Economics and Rural Development.
We all agree that Poverty is a fundamental problem of Developing Countries, and Information Technology is one of the greatest inventions/achievements of mankind. My question is " Why not fight poverty with this sharp weapon ? "
Here is a synopsis of my Master's Thesis Research.
"In an area that appears to be relatively new, Information technology can participate in solving developmental problems. However, this is most applicable where vital information is complex, rarely available, and/or inaccessible, as is the case in developing countries.
Poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition are interdependent problems of developing countries. Poor people have very limited income to spend on food. Therefore, they are likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies, and eventually become vulnerable to malnutrition and other diseases. This in turn puts more limitation on the budget they allocate to food. In an attempt to break this cycle, I am developing a prototype for a nutritional computer information system. Such a system would recommend the best remedies to prevent or treat different combinations of nutritional deficiencies. The proposed system would select the least expensive locally available food items that are relatively rich in a specific combination of nutrients. This project, if proven to be successful, should help the poor optimize their expenditure on food, lessen their exposure to nutritional deficiencies, and maintain their food security.
To assure the effectiveness and efficiency of such an approach, I am investigating the means, forecasting the obstacles, and preparing an action plan for the deployment of this system. "
I would appreciate any comments, suggestions, references, sponsorships for this project as well as for identifying other areas where IT can be used in fighting Poverty.
Thank you very much for your time.
mailto:aalkhali@cis.usouthal.edu Abubakr Alkhalifa Work: (205)459-1617 Home: (334)660-0242 Address: 612 Montclaire Way, Mobile, AL 36609