According to loveLife's director for research and systematic learning, Frieda Subklew-Sehume, this marks a significant change from traditional programme monitoring.
"For the past 12 years we have used a paper-based system that had groundBREAKERS handwriting data on forms, which were then couriered monthly to the national office," said Subklew-Sehume.
"This could take up to eight weeks after an event was recorded. In the new system, groundBREAKERS use web-enabled smartphones to enter data. This data is almost instantly available to the national office monitoring department."
The mobile data capturing system was developed by GeoMed, a company that builds and supplies patient-centred information communication technology and medical device solutions.
"We are a fully donor-funded organisation and we are accountable to our funders for the money we spend," said Subklew-Sehume. "Capturing data and reporting on work done is a vital part of the life cycle of loveLife programme implementation. In that context, one of the crucial components of the mobile monitoring system is ensuring the accuracy of the data," she said.
"We have ensured that all the quality assurance checks and balances that were in our previous system have been integrated into the mobile system. We will continue to be able to stand confidently behind the data we produce for our donors. And, as data is now received quicker, we can address performance and programme challenges sooner, which improves the overall efficiency of the organisation and the delivery on objectives."
The move to a mobile platform required that, for the first time, loveLife provided cellphones to its 1250 groundBREAKERS, and 3G-enabled laptops to its 154 regional programme leaders, who are responsible for all aspects of capacitating, managing, and mentoring groundBREAKERS, including quality assuring the data that is submitted.
"In our view, we have been able to further empower young people by giving them access to tools and technologies that are an almost everyday occurrence for everyone else. For some of our young people, it is the first time they have ever owned a cellphone," said Subklew-Sehume.
As part of the package, groundBREAKERS will have free access to the organisation's intranet and mobi-site (www.mymsta.mobi ). All groundBREAKERS will receive a monthly cellphone allowance of R75 for the duration of their year-long service with loveLife, and for the 12 months after they have exited the programme.
This will have a huge impact on our ability to speak directly and instantly with them, improving the communication flow all around. It will also improve communication and co-ordination among regional teams." she said.
A pilot of the mobile monitoring system was carried out in 2010 in Gauteng and in 2011 in the Eastern Cape, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The success of these pilots led to the decision to take it nationally.
