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Show HN - We just built a site that saves lives

watsi.org

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Re: Show HN - We just built a site that saves lives

#102

The one thing you need to focus on above all else is transparency and preventing scams. Video of the actual person who needs the treatment would go a long way, as would video updates along the way. I'm thinking an Android app that the locals could use to document the process. If you solve that properly, this will really take off and do a lot of good. Also, you're going to eventually need to take a very small cut of t…

That's exactly what I wanted to say. Please don't blow this. Your "service" could really make a difference for a lot of these people, and hopefully thousands more when you grow. But only if you keep it transparent and scam-free so people feel safe donating money (or "funding their treatment", as you put it).

We won't blow it. Our entire team has worked abroad (5 former Peace Corps Volunteers, international doctor, etc.) and we put transparency and accountability first. We're extremely anal about reducing risk, and we plan to grow slow to ensure we don't over-extend ourselves.

If there is any information with regard to transparency that you don't see on the site, please let us know and we will add it. Thanks for the support!

Re: Show HN - We just built a site that saves lives

#103

The one thing you need to focus on above all else is transparency and preventing scams. Video of the actual person who needs the treatment would go a long way, as would video updates along the way. I'm thinking an Android app that the locals could use to document the process. If you solve that properly, this will really take off and do a lot of good. Also, you're going to eventually need to take a very small cut of t…

> Also, you're going to eventually need to take a very small cut of the donations to pay living expenses for your volunteers.

Not to mention the 11 staff members they have, who probably are not in this just for the joy of saving adorable little African babies.

Re: Show HN - We just built a site that saves lives

#104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Devil's advocate to myself: I heard Jessica Jackley speak once and one of the stories she told that stuck was about the that company offered to automate thousands of dollars to Kiva to go towards microloans. She refused because she wanted people to have a personal connection with borrowers. I would love to say that if you took X% off my paycheck, I would sign up instantly. But I would just be escaping my responsibili…

Exactly. I think that's where the "Watsi Credit" idea comes in. You could allocate $X per month, then head over to Watsi and spend your credit whenever you like. The donation is automated, but you still get to choose who you support. Does that sound like something you would be interested in?

I'd like this very much, but I'd also like to have it made as easy as possible to spend the credit. I made some quick suggestions in another reply, but I'd like to get an email (or App notification, or something) that prompted me to select from a handful of candidates that were selected in some way (where "some way" can be a lot of different things.

I appreciate that people want to have a connection to the people they fund, and I'd like to have that as well, but I don't necessary need it before I commit to funding--I just want to be able to follow up later on.

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