The Driving Question

How can I design and create a mobile app for my NGO that allows us to educate people and easily engage followers and volunteers?

The Project: Connecting Communities Through Code

In response to his driving question, Sarfo developed a mobile application aimed at addressing digital isolation among youth in Ghana.

Despite widespread access to smartphones and technology, many young people lack access to relevant, accessible information about their communities, their country, and the wider world. Sarfo identified this gap not as a lack of tools, but as a lack of connection.

The Core Idea: His solution was to design an app that:

• Shares curated news and global trends in a simple format
• Promotes local and international events with accessible registration
• Creates a digital hub for community interaction and knowledge sharing
• Provides access to free learning resources and courses

By using tools already present in users’ daily lives, the project focused on accessibility rather than complexity.

Design, Development & Iteration

Sarfo’s process followed a structured cycle of learning, designing, building, and iterating.

Learning the System:
He began by identifying his target audience, youth aged roughly 16–24 in Ghana, and researching the devices they use. This led him to select technologies that would allow cross-platform development for both Android and iOS within a limited timeframe.

Designing for Impact:
Through multiple iterations, Sarfo refined his UI/UX approach, moving from text-heavy, unclear layouts to a more intuitive and visually engaging interface. His design principles focused on simplicity, consistency, clarity, and efficiency, ensuring the app would be easy to navigate and meaningful for users.

Building the App:
Using React Native, he developed the app from scratch, managing authentication systems, data storage, and version control.

Iterating Through Feedback:
Sarfo created a structured feedback system using shared documents where testers could report issues and suggest improvements. This allowed him to continuously refine the app, addressing bugs, improving usability, and adapting features based on real user experience.

Challenges & Breakthroughs

The development process presented both technical and creative challenges.

Technical Obstacles:
Debugging complex code and resolving “mysterious bugs”
Managing authentication systems
Maintaining code stability and accessibility across devices

Design Challenges:
Translating ideas into clear, user-friendly interfaces
Balancing functionality with simplicity
Through persistence and iteration, Sarfo moved from early prototypes to a fully functional application ready for user testing, marking a significant milestone in both technical skill and problem-solving ability.

Final Product: A Platform for Access

The final app serves as a centralized platform where users can access news, events, and educational resources while connecting with their community.

The Impact:

• Increased awareness of local and global issues among youth
• Strengthened community engagement through shared events and information
• Improved confidence and access to opportunities for young users

By transforming existing technology into a meaningful tool, the app begins to address the issue of digital isolation at its root.

The Summative Reflection

For Sarfo, this project extended beyond coding or technical development. It became a way to rethink access, equity, and the role of technology in everyday life.

What started as a passion for programming evolved into a solution with real-world impact. Through this process, he not only developed technical expertise, but also a deeper understanding of how technology can bring people together.

As he reflected, the goal was never just to build an app, but to ensure that young people are not left out simply because they lack access to information.