About Jangala
Jangala is a technology charity dedicated to providing essential internet access globally, with the goal of connecting 4 million people to the internet by 2030. Founded in 2015 as a volunteer initiative providing Wi-Fi to 5,000 people in the Calais Jungle refugee camp, Jangala offers a unique approach through its novel connectivity solutions, and takes great pride in its strong partnerships with international aid actors, grassroots organisations and public bodies.
We are driven by a vision of equalising technology for everyone, and are fully committed to addressing the realities of digital exclusion and the fragilities of internet connectivity, both in the UK and around the world. As a non-political, non-governmental registered charity, we focus on bridging the digital divide and enhancing connectivity resilience.
Since our founding nine years ago, we’ve made a significant impact through innovative technology and robust partnerships.Big Box, our rugged connectivity champion, serves critical and challenging deployments, from response teams in an emergency zone to a remote educational hub. Get Box, developed rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensures that households and individuals are able to stay connected to the internet, whatever their circumstances.
OUR TEAM
The Jangala team has an extensive background in the humanitarian, internet and telecommunications sectors. We have been focused on the development of Big Box for over five years.
Partners
Jangala works with both grassroots organisations and large aid and development organisations.
For small grassroots organisations, we can often provide Big Box systems free of charge. We welcome applications from organisations with demonstrable experience in providing vital basic services to those impacted by natural or man-made disaster.
Funders
We are hugely grateful for the support of the Lenovo Foundation, Virgin Media O2, Arm, Clifford Chance LLP, CHK Charities, the Tedworth Trust, Cuckoo, BT, Lush, the Albert Hunt Trust, the Charles S French Charitable Trust, Futures for Kids, Future Crunch and The Worldwide Tribe. Their funding and expertise has enabled us to carry out our development and deployment since 2018.
OPERATIONAL TEAM
Board of TRUSTEES
OUR STORY
Jangala began as a group of volunteers helping displaced people in the Jungle refugee camp in Calais, northern France in 2015. It quickly became clear that Wi-Fi was an essential need for people in the camp, not least those who travelled long distances from home who wanted to get in touch with friends and family.
Rich Thanki, drawing on his experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, approached Nils and Jaz O'Hara of The Worldwide Tribe with a plan to cover the Calais Jungle with Wi-Fi. In 2016, Samson Rinaldi joined the team and together they began developing Big Box as a cost-effective way of meeting the tremendous demand for internet access they faced.
In 2018, Jangala was formally established as a not-for-profit that develops low-cost, easy-to-use Internet access systems that can be deployed quickly in challenging emergency and development situations around the world.
Since then, we have deployed nearly 70 Big Box systems worldwide. Our award-winning work has provided crucial internet access in many situations, connecting over 70,000 people in more than 35 countries over five continents.
