We have tremendously sad news. Our friend, colleague, and advisor Gaetano Borriello has passed away. Gaetano was the visionary and leader of ODK. It was his idea that started ODK and his focus on academic research that improves the lives of the underserved that created the ODK community.
There is an official announcement, but Carl, Waylon, and I wanted to share a personal story about Gaetano.
When we started working on ODK in 2008, Gaetano had just been diagnosed with cancer. Although he was given a few months to live, he refused to change course, instead doubling down on making ODK a reality. Over the last six years, Gaetano fought cancer with his unique brand of optimism. He drew strength from the ODK community and was very proud of the project's global impact.
It's a difficult time for all of us involved with ODK, but we have Gaetano's example to guide us. The last thing he asked of us was to continue doing good work. It's a responsibility we have planned for and take very seriously. ODK research and development will continue for years to come.
In remembrance of Gaetano's legacy, the University of Washington has established two funds that accept donations: one supports ODK research and the other is a student fellowship for improving the lives of the underserved.
In early 2018, polio virus was detected in the sewers of Mogadishu, Somalia and the government moved quickly to vaccinate the country's children in order to prevent a potential outbreak. A vaccination campaign targeting more than 726,000 children was launched in the Banadir and Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. The campaign was carried out by some 3,500 staffers and Nafundi assisted by enabling real-time tracking of vaccination coverage using ODK. Read more.
Fayaz Jatoi is the Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Polio Eradication in Sindh, Pakistan. In this guest post, Fayaz describes why AFP surveillance is critical to polio eradication and how an SMS-based reporting system for private care provider helps. Read more.
This position has been filled. Thanks to everyone who applied! Read more.