It’s so great to see the Ushahidi name becoming known and spoken about by people beyond the core team. Here I relate a story from a new aid worker in Tanzania that I met up with in Nairobi before she left for Tanzania last week and happened to give an Ushahidi t-shirt to:

So last night I am walking along the road in Dar es Salaam, cooling down after an evening run. A man on a bike passes me, and then quickly turns around to talk me. Here was our exchange.

Stranger, in a very European accent: I saw that you are wearing a Usahidi shirt. Do you work with them?

Me: No, I am just friends with some of the people that are working on the project.

Stranger: Here in Dar?

Me: No, they are scattered…but was just with them in Nairobi, where they gave me the t-shirt.

Stranger: oh, because I was thinking of using their technology platform, and was just looking at the website. I guess you don’t have any other information?

Me: No, but if you give me your email, I can put you in touch with them directly. (Stranger shuffles around for a piece of paper.) By the way, what are you thinking of using it for?

Stranger: Well, I’m soon going to start work with this organization Twaweza, its all about citizen agency….

Me: Ha, yea, that is why I’m here too, I’m an intern there.

Stranger, with a look of shock: Oh, well then, I guess I’ll just see you in August. My name is Hans.

Me: Chrissy, nice to meet you… and we both head off into the darkness mumbling about what a coincidence that was.

What a fun story, and we love hearing things like this because it means that the software is becoming known beyond just our circles of influence.