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ByKatelyn Sullivan

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I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

Synopsis

The technology boom has dramatically enhanced our lifestyles and capabilities. When technology is considered, efficiency, speed and improved processes may come to mind. However, the newest technology may not always be the best route for an organization, community or society. This paper seeks to understand why the technology associated with cash transfers in Rwandan refugee camps moved backwards. Through a case study on Rwandan refugee camps, the study will provide insight on refugee camps utilizing cash transfer programs through comparing two cash-based delivery platforms, mVisa and Smart Card. The research, which takes a social informatics approach, studying the associated technology, users and involved organizations will help uncover why the change from a mobile distribution to a debit card system was made. Several studies evaluating cash transfer programs and their effects have been done over the past decade, cash transfers, as a form of assistance to vulnerable communities, are becoming a trend and standard for humanitarian organizations. The data used to complete this study were collected through a series of 8 semi-structured interviews, which took place in summer 2017 and 1 in spring 2015. Interview questions examined four primary factors: interorganizational relationships, organizations strategic goals, user context and technology. Through the series of interviews, each of these factors shed light on why the most technologically-advanced approach might not best fit the community being served. Additionally, the less high-tech approach currently being used is better equipped to help meet the long-term goals that intervening organizations have for the refugees. For future cash transfer implementation projects, organizations are urged to consider the demographic of users and the community capabilities to assess whether the most innovative approach will be sustainable in the long-term. Given the numerous cash delivery mechanisms and modalities, organizations are also encouraged to assess all possible choices when planning the project. In planning, cash transfer pilots have served as a vital tool in determining the feasibility of the transfer in the given context. For organizations looking to introduce cash transfers to a suitable community, it is best to plan strategically - giving tight control of the project to only one or two organizations, and in planning, determine how the project will coordinate with future goals and plans for beneficiaries.