Assisting a Family Friend with Revamping the
Over Thanksgiving break, I had the privilege of assisting a family friend in revamping the website for her non-profit organization, “2911.” This organization provides support, resources, and opportunities for children struggling in Kenya, Africa. The website serves as a critical platform for raising awareness, mobilizing donations, and showcasing the impactful work that Christianity has on communities globally. During this revamp, I utilized AWS Lambda for serverless computing, S3 for secure storage and DynamoDB for scalable database management. Also attaching an API Gateway for seamless communication, we ensured the backend was both reliable and high-performing. Together, we worked on creating a user-centric experience, highlighting the project’s purpose through intuitive layouts and impactful content. Deploying her web app through AWS was the main goal for enhanced secuirty and scalability. The skills I gained from MIS 3406 helped me throughout this project.
Challenges
- Slow and poor performance, not globally scalable.
- An outdated design that didn’t effectively represent the dynamic and life-changing mission of the organization.
- Limited storytelling about the children and programs in Kenya, which reduced the emotional connection with visitors.
Changes
- Implementation of AWS services to help maintain a secure web environment while deploying the application on a global scale.
- Introduced a fresh, clean, and mobile-responsive design that reflects the vibrancy of the Kenyan culture and the hope the organization brings.
- Simplified the menu structure to make it easier for users to find information about the programs, the children’s stories, and ways to get involved.
- Added dedicated sections highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the children in Kenya, accompanied by impactful visuals.
Results
- Provides a seamless experience for donors, volunteers, and visitors looking to engage with the cause.
- Shares powerful stories and visuals that inspire action and foster a deeper connection with the audience.
Reflection
Helping “2911” redesign its website was a deeply rewarding experience. It allowed me to use my skills gained from my Temple MIS courses to contribute to a cause that is changing lives and providing hope for children in Kenya. This experience reinforced the idea that technology, when aligned with purpose, can create powerful tools for change.