Build your own Hello Hub!

We are not gatekeepers of progress. Hello Hubs are designed to be replicated.

A “How To” Guide, with instructions for building a Hello Hub:

We want to end the digital divide and give everyone access to the Internet. To achieve this aim, we have created the ultimate How To Build a Hello Hub Guide, so that any community can build a Hello Hub themselves.

Here’s what you will find in the How To Guide:

Community Instructions

A Hub will not be successful if the community does not invest in and build their own Hub. We teach you how to encourage ownership, pride and inclusivity into the Hub from day one.

Engineering Instructions

A detailed kit list with costs, electrical tutorials, and clear instructions for every step of the Hub construction, as well as invaluable tips from our engineers.

Advice

Our team members explain the process to you, from engaging an Internet service provider to designing safeguarding protocols. We also provide answers to frequently asked questions such as: how to increase women’s involvement in the build, and how to protect the Hub.

Resources

We have included a full list of all software that we use on our tablets, the MoUs that we sign with our communities, job descriptions, project handbooks, and much more.

Support for NGOs

We are all trying to solve difficult problems. If we can add value to your work then we want to help. The guide contains information on our failures and the lessons that we have learned so that you don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Some success stories

Ø1

Learning in Lockdown, Uganda

Rose from Tooro High in Fort Portal, Uganda, built the Hub with her school mates on March 2020. Whilst schools were closed during the Covid lockdowns, she had to look after her little brother. She’d take him to the Hub so that he could play while she studies using the tablets. Now she’s back at school, she told us she doesn’t feel behind because she could learn through lockdown.

Ø2

Francoise

When The Day ran their inaugural Young Journalist of The Year Award in 2022 children from across the world took part, including from some of the most elite schools going. Among the entrys were over 70 from Hello Hub users. 6 of whom were shortlisted for awards and one Francoise Kyhala who won first prize for climate award.

Ø3

Tabu

We first met Tabu on an early built in Fort Portal, Western Uganda. He was a boy at the time but was excited by the possibilities of getting online. Since then, Tabu has started his own TV channel, been elected National President of the Youth axtion movement in Uganda, founded his own NGO (the change society needs), recieved the Vocational Service Award for his work in the community and is a global ambassador for Their World (LINK). He is also a film maker and photographer (he took many of the pictures on this website!).

Ø4

Sarah gets elected

Sarah started work as a Community Support Officer in Busawula, near Kampala. She was instrumental in bringing women to the Hub who started many of their own clubs and initiatives including savings and loans groups and vocational courses. Sarah’s work was a true testament to the power of community organisation. She was able to run for, and win local office beating the incumbent (a man).

Ø5

Deng

When COVID hit, Uganda was faced with one of the strictest lockdowns in the world. Deng lost his job and was unable to find work. He used His Hello Hub to teach himself how to make essential items that were in short supply: liquid sanitizer, fertilizer and hand soap. It wasn’t long before he was in business. He began manufacture for use and sale in his local area. When Hello World asked how much it would cost to supply soap for the Hubs, we were presented with two full jerry cans.

Ø6

Safety concerns

When Katrin visited Hello Hubs in Western Uganda she spoke to Hub users about how their Hello Hub was improving their lives. A group of women told her about the safety of their daughters. Before the Hub was built they would worry that their children were being lured into town by dangerous men with promises of a mobile phone. Now that the Hub offers tablets for everyone to use, they know their daughters will never go with the men.