Homeless people in Claremont and surrounding areas can now access essential services through Mi-change digital vouchers, a cashless donation system piloted in Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mi-change, a national voucher initiative, is testing the system at U-turn in Claremont and Mould Empower Serve (MES) in Durbanville. As a result, community members can provide direct support without giving cash on the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each Mi-change digital voucher costs R15 and community members can purchase it instantly via a SnapScan QR code. The QR code links donors directly to registered participants, which speeds up the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participants can then redeem vouchers for meals, clothing, a warm shower or a safe place to sleep at participating organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMany people already use SnapScan as part of their daily routines, so there is no new learning involved,\u201d says Carmen Dickenson, Mi-change national manager. \u201cBecause of this, people can give in the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike cash or physical donations, Mi-change digital vouchers cannot be sold or exchanged. Consequently, donations support essential needs and reduce misuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the vouchers signal active participation in the programme and progress towards exiting homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur goal is to provide people with a pathway out of homelessness,\u201d Dickenson says. \u201cTherefore, digital vouchers reduce street solicitation and limit cash on the streets, while they also connect people with support services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The digital voucher programme was developed with behavioural research organisation ideas42. During development, the team conducted interviews and user testing with both donors and participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the pilot forms part of a broader partnership between U-turn, MES and the Citi Foundation. The organisations will use insights from the pilot to guide future expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mi-change plans to roll out the digital voucher system to additional centres across Cape Town in the new year. Ultimately, the organisation aims to expand the programme to other regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs the economy becomes more digital, small cash donations are becoming less common,\u201d Dickenson says. \u201cFor this reason, these digital vouchers offer a practical alternative.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mi-change pilots digital vouchers in Claremont and Durbanville, allowing donors to support homeless people safely with meals, clothing, showers, and 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