We've been spending a lot of time the past few days trying to get the WishVast Network Management System up and running. The initial cellphone that we were trying did not work properly, so we ventured back to Nyeri town to get a new phone. We actually tested it at the shop so we would be sure that it would work. The cellphone connects to the computer properly, but there is still some disconnect between the software and the database because the messages aren't sending correctly. We actually put in a call to Eric (our main developer) and tried to communicate for help despite the seven-hour time difference, but no dice as of yet. Here's to hoping we'll have a good update soon that the system is up and running.
 
The technology testing is only our secondary goal, though. We're making a lot of progress on our primary goal.
 
On Sunday, we had a lot of fun with the kids, just hanging out and then playing soccer. It's been fun starting to really learn names and get to know a lot of the kids better. The soccer game was very intense, unfortunately resulting in a loss for the US team, but still a fun experience for all involved. Perhaps we had too much fun on Sunday, though, because we didn't get a lot of work done and it made Monday a long day.
 
In talking to a greenhouse owner/entrepreneur, we discovered a number of processes WishVast could aid including farming tomatoes and milk, and also the process of finding employment. The bureau that helps match potential employers with job seekers makes a pretty hefty amount putting the two sides in touch, and there is definitely an opportunity for WishVast to compete. Apparently these farmhands are making about 2000 ksh per month, but have to pay 700 ksh just to be recognized by the bureau to be matched up. This is a huge barrier to entry for work, and a WishVast group could really alleviate a lot of that pain and save people money.
 
This greenhouse owner was very sharp, and is just one of many such individuals we've had the opportunity to meet with since we arrived. It seems that there are a lot of entrepreneurs here who aren't just involved in one or two things, but have their hands in as many as ten or twelve things as sources of income. It's great to see the entrepreneurial spirit, and I'm starting to see a difference that people in developing countries are more eager to change and adopt new technologies, as opposed to in the US where "corporate America" seems much more adverse to this type of change and advancement.
 
Matt and I leave this afternoon (Tuesday) for Nairobi for two very interesting meetings, one with a woman involved in a Nutribusiness cooperative, and the other with a group of developers who work with similar SMS applications. The Nutribusiness cooperative would be a very interesting scenario, and the group of developers should be able to shed light on a lot of the technological successes and struggles of similar endeavors.
 
At this point, we've already seen a lot of potential validation for scenarios including the Macadamia nut farmers, an "I have _______, I want _______" sharing group, job seeking, "fun" groups such as soccer teams and coke bottle tracking, an entrepreneur knowledge sharing group, and now the Nutribusiness cooperative, with microfinance research (as a HUGE potential market) and more on the way next week.
 
We'll be leaving Nairobi immediately after our meetings tomorrow (Wednesday) to get back to Nyeri in time to meet the rest of the teams for our safari! Thursday and Friday will be fun days with some work on the side as we hopefully see more wild and exotic animals and have a fun time out camping and seeing more of the beautiful Kenyan countryside.