Home Soko

It is an app that helps one sell/buy/donate essential needs to people around them without leaving home,at the same time it helps raise funds to support those who cannot access safety/basic things

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Inspiration

With the recent government directives to limit interactions, the less fortunate in the society have been totally forgotten. This application is meant to keep businesses alive by providing a platform to buy and sell as well as home deliveries(The app connects both seller and buyer to the closest delivery person), and better yet the profits from the sales will be channeled towards the less fortunate for the provision of safety kits and basic needs.

What it does

The application connects verified food, drugs or any basic commodities sellers with willing buyers who are under lock down. Sellers are able to create a browsable inventory where the buyers will choose what they wish to purchase and have them delivered to their doorsteps through a verified contingent of motorcycle riders. Buyers can also donate extra cash if they so wish towards the cause of providing for the less fortunate and the profits from the sales from the platform are also channeled towards the same.

How we built it

First was understanding the problem at hand. Then came the designing of how data will be stored and the relationships among the various users. After was templating the designs for the various page. Then came the actual coding of the project. Finally the connection with the payment systems.

Challenges we ran into

Designing the databases was tricky considering we were using NoSQL (firebase) ,so keeping track of a product against the orders and the various users was really tough. With a relational database, it would have been easier with the table joins. Getting the local traders to buy into the idea as well as the motorcycle delivery men was a tough one.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The local traders, users and the delivery men and women seem very happy to be able to help the less fortunate in the society who in these hard times have been forgotten.

The traders are able to generate income and the possibility of still retaining their staff once the lockdown ends is looking high.

The users don't have to worry about basic commodities or landing themselves in trouble with the law, buy easily placing orders from the comfort of their homes.

What we learned

There is goodness in everyone, we just need to figure out how to tap into that. Building an application requires a lot of decision making. Every technology selected has to be taken into account in terms of scalability or how fast the product needs to go to market, skills level and a whole lot more.

What's next for Home Soko

Currently is to keep everyone safe while helping the less fortunate. After this crisis, we envision it will be a fully-fledged delivery app and still maintain the cause of helping the less fortunate in our society.

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