Tech services & digital solutions
What we do
Our solutions, like the Guta app developed in partnership with UNICEF and the City of Harare Nutrition Unit, leverage cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain to create sustainable, scalable systems. We provide end-to-end services, from research and development to prototyping, ensuring that our digital solutions drive positive change and enhance community well-being.
Service options
- Custom app development
- Blockchain solutions
- System intergration & prototyping
- Digital strategy and consulting
- Data analytics and reporting
- Technology research and development
- E-learning and ed-tech solutions
- Digital transformation services
- Tech support and maintenance
Case study
- Tech Services & Digital Solutions
- UNICEF and the City of Harare Nutrition Unit
Introduction
In collaboration with UNICEF and the City of Harare Nutrition Unit, Impact Hub Harare has developed and prototyped an innovative application called Guta. The project is designed to address the challenge of poor nutrition among children in schools, utilizing cutting-edge blockchain technology to create a comprehensive solution that encourages healthy eating habits while supporting informal sector vendors.
The Guta System is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving nutritional standards for children. With over 400 students participating in the pilot phase at Mutasa Primary School, this application promises to revolutionize how children, parents, and vendors interact with food and nutrition in a school setting.
Problem Statement
Malnutrition and poor dietary choices have long been issues affecting children in Zimbabwean schools, with many students consuming unhealthy foods that contribute to long-term health challenges. Simultaneously, informal vendors who sell food to school children often lack the tools needed to manage their businesses effectively, including tracking sales and maintaining digital records.
Solution: The Guta System
The Guta System, developed by Impact Hub Harare in partnership with UNICEF and the City of Harare Nutrition Unit, is a blockchain-based app designed to encourage healthy eating habits among school children. The system aims to address the nutritional needs of students while also empowering local vendors with digital tools to manage their sales more effectively.
Key features of the Guta system
Encouraging Healthy Eating
The Guta app encourages children to make healthier food choices by gamifying the process of healthy eating. Students are rewarded for purchasing and consuming nutritious meals, creating a fun and engaging way to promote better dietary habits at school.
Parental Involvement
Parents are integrated into the system and can monitor their children’s food purchases through the app. This feature helps parents stay informed about their children’s eating habits and encourages accountability in terms of healthy dietary choices.
Vendor Empowerment
Informal sector vendors, who sell food and other items to school children, benefit from the Guta app by being able to set up their own online mobile shops. Vendors can track their sales in real time, allowing them to manage their businesses more effectively and ensuring greater transparency.
Blockchain Integration
The use of blockchain technology ensures the security and transparency of all transactions within the system. This decentralized approach reduces the risk of fraud and ensures that data related to student purchases and vendor sales is safely recorded and stored.
Pilot Implementation
The pilot phase of the Guta System was launched at Mutasa Primary School with over 400 students participating. This pilot project, conducted after extensive planning and collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, tested the system’s effectiveness in a real-world school environment. Students, vendors, and parents were all engaged in the process, providing valuable feedback that will help refine the app before its wider release.
The pilot demonstrated promising results:
- Students began making healthier dietary choices due to the gamified rewards system.
- Parents were able to monitor their children’s food purchases, promoting a closer connection between home and school nutrition.
- Vendors found the app easy to use, with improved sales tracking and the ability to manage their online shops effectively.
Future prospects
As the Guta System is still in its pilot phase, the early results highlight its potential to significantly impact school nutrition and local vendor businesses. The app provides a scalable model that addresses two key challenges: improving children’s nutrition and empowering informal vendors with digital tools.
While the wider public release and scaling of the app are still under review, there is potential for further development based on the pilot’s success. The system could be adapted and expanded to reach more schools, offering long-term benefits for both students and vendors. As Impact Hub Harare continues to refine the Guta platform, we look forward to exploring further collaborations that can enhance its impact on student health and local economies.
Conclusion
The Guta System, developed by Impact Hub Harare in partnership with UNICEF, represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing childhood malnutrition while supporting local vendors through blockchain technology. By integrating students, parents, and vendors into a single digital platform, Guta is transforming how nutrition is managed in schools. The success of the pilot at Mutasa Primary School provides a strong foundation for future growth, with the potential to make a lasting impact on both health and business across Zimbabwe.