•  Built in translation functions
•   Messaging service
  
•  GPS system allowing users to connect with others in their vicinity
• A points system (‘peaces’), offering a non monetary compensation for services rendered, which citizens and refugees alike can accumulate or spend on other services
• Verification system (much like “Air B&B” and Tinder) — using ratings and reviews to ensure a safe environment, and requiring users to connect their Facebook profiles
• Monthly events in various cities -- "artists hang-out", "musicians jam-sesh", "potluck picnic", "film screenings", "Syrian cooking demo"
  

Born in the jungle...

Soraya is a BA/MA student at Columbia University, double-majoring in Film and Middle Eastern studies and specializing in post-colonial marginalization, displacement and migration. She advocates passionately about veganism, environmentalism and issues of exploitation through her website, online store and creative projects. She also studies several languages, and enjoys making documentary films and music. After having spent time studying, researching, visiting camps and interacting with refugees in Jordan and Europe (including “The Jungle”, northern France’s notorious unofficial refugee camp), Soraya sought an interdisciplinary approach to the crisis, spanning the humanitarian, political and academic realms. She wanted to develop an innovative tech solution that had significant scaleability; to create a global movement. The aim was to supersede typical humanitarian responses, which can sometimes be demeaning or unsustainable.

Karvan will launch May/June 2017. The team have been gauging interest via the Facebook group Soraya started, which grew to nearly 4,000 members in two weeks. Meanwhile, they continue to do research projects in camps across Europe while encouraging more users to join the group. In addition they will be hosting events across major cities to raise money for app expenses.

Karvan is a non-profit charitable company. The initial funding we require will go towards app development -- an expensive process for such an ambitious project -- and then after we raise the initial 12k, the rest of our funds will go towards legal fees, marketing, registration and paying our dedicated and talented employees fair wages. So far, everything we have done has been out-of-pocket. We see our project as one that could shake things up in the world in a major way -- from homeless people to talented, struggling students, we believe that everyone should have a fair chance at independence. In order for this to be sustainable and grow into the worldwide movement we would like this to be, we need your help!

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