How an app saves life
In the form of “Ask Without Shame” Ruth Nabembezi has developed a platform that answers anonymous questions relating to sexuality. We interviewed her live on Twitter.
Ugandan Ruth Nabembezi lost both her parents and her sister to AIDS. “How can young people in Africa become better informed about sexuality?” the 21 year-old asked herself some time ago. With the help of an association set up by a German and called Jangu she developed the “Ask Without Shame” platform. It answers anonymous questions relating to sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, contraception, and the human body. In February 2017, Ruth attended the F-LANE Accelerator Programme at the Vodafone Institute in Berlin, a six-week learning course specifically for female start-up founders. In an interview on Twitter Ruth responded live to questions on her project and her time in Berlin.
Hi @RuthNabembezi ! What´s the idea of #AskWithoutShame ? #AskRuth @AskWithoutShame
— Sarah Kanning (@Sarahmunich) May 3, 2017
@en_germany @Sarahmunich @AskWithoutShame Ask Without Shame provides emergency sex education via mobile through an Android app, whatsapp, calls and SMS to youth in Africa. #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
Hi @RuthNabembezi. You developed a great App - I'd like to know: How long did it take? #AskWithoutShame #AskRuth @AskWithoutShame
— Sarah Kanning (@Sarahmunich) May 3, 2017
@Sarahmunich @AskWithoutShame It took us a month #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@RuthNabembezi @AskWithoutShame How many people are using the app? Which countries are they from - and what are their most frequent questions? #askRuth
— Sarah Kanning (@Sarahmunich) May 3, 2017
@Sarahmunich @AskWithoutShame We have over 5000 downloads of the app, over 4500 users. #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@Sarahmunich @AskWithoutShame Most of the users of the app are from allover the world, Europe, Africa, Asia name it. #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@Sarahmunich @AskWithoutShame Mostly asked Questions are on HIV, Premature ejaculation, masturbation, sex as an act, pregnancies and menstrual management.#AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
#AskRuth @RuthNabembezi It's unfortunate that I am late for the conversion. I happen to share your ambitions. How can I join your team? Plz
— Tugume G Stephen. (@StephenT023) May 3, 2017
@StephenT023 That's Interesting currently we have spaces for volunteers ,and we could have a deeper discussion on this after.#AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
#AskRuth Thumbs up for this cool innovation of conveying the asexuality through media. I very much appreciate your efforts @RuthNabembezi
— Tugume G Stephen. (@StephenT023) May 3, 2017
@StephenT023 You are welcome#AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@Sarahmunich @RuthNabembezi How did you plan these HIV ambassadors? I would like to be amongst them.
— Tugume G Stephen. (@StephenT023) May 3, 2017
@StephenT023 @Sarahmunich This year, we are covering all districts in the central region and so far we are done with Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
In April 2017 you visited Berlin – why? #AskWithoutShame #AskRuth @AskWithoutShame @RuthNabembezi
— Germany (@en_germany) May 3, 2017
@en_germany @AskWithoutShame It was in February. I was selected to attend the Vodafone accelerator programme aimed at empowering female social entrepreneurs. #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@RuthNabembezi @AskWithoutShame Cool! What did you learn?
— Germany (@en_germany) May 3, 2017
@en_germany @AskWithoutShame A lot, how to come up with a business model in relation to the reliable data we have and not to sell data. how to measure impact.#AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@RuthNabembezi What do you think about Berlin´s start up scene? #AskWithoutShame #AskRuth @AskWithoutShame @RuthNabembezi
— Martina Karnik (@martina_karnik) May 3, 2017
@martina_karnik @AskWithoutShame I realised there are many start-ups in Berlin and I understood that it's very favourable and affordable for many start-ups #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
What are your plans for future developments? #AskWithoutShame #AskRuth @AskWithoutShame @RuthNabembezi
— Martina Maria (@MarMarMet) May 3, 2017
@MarMarMet @AskWithoutShame I envision to automate the system, open up a rehabilitation center for sexually abused people and scale in otherAfrican countries.#AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@RuthNabembezi Thank you so much for answering our questions!!! Soon you´ll see more on https://t.co/b0xhyMLtaN #AskWithoutShame #AskRuth
— Germany (@en_germany) May 3, 2017
@en_germany Excited #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
@en_germany Thank you too for your questions #AskRuth
— Ruth Nabembezi (@RuthNabembezi) May 3, 2017
