We are thrilled to announce our latest JustChange grantee – Locall.
Locall aims to find innovative solutions for newcomers (immigrants and refugees) seeking to integrate into Canada, but who face challenges with language barriers.
In essence, they have designed, tested and developed an incredible mobile application that attempts to tap into Arabic-speaking Canadians across the country who wish to support those who have just recently landed in Canada.
With the tap of a button via the Locall smartphone app, Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants are immediately matched to interpreters based on availability, sex, age, and Arabic dialect to help them resolve day-to-day challenges outside of medical, legal/financial and emergency appointments. To protect the privacy of both the refugee and interpreter, calls will only be made through this app and access can only be obtained through access codes from settlement agencies/sponsor families.
As Locall states, “our idea is simple: instead of having newcomers rely on translation applications that often get used out of context, we wish to connect the refugees with the long list of “Localls” who have voluntarily signed up to interpret for newcomers. A mere conversation with a local who can help with interpretation, immediately and at no cost, can go a long way for those who need help with integrating into a new community.”
Locall has already completed extensive consultations with key stakeholders, as well as having already completed their first trial run with community members and refugees to test out the concept. Their next stage, using JustChange funds, will be to scale up into a fully fledged app, with website, and get it up and running for the better part of a year to test its sustainability and growth.