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New mobile app to revive traditional bartering of goods, services
The faces behind Swopp (from left): Jamal Layne, Shemar Spencer, Kevon Spencer and Tresonne Headley.
A group of four young Guyanese have developed a new mobile app that will bring back the traditional barter system where users would exchange goods and services without the use of money.
‘Swopp’, a full-service app, was founded by Shemar Spencer and co-founded by Jamal Layne, Kevon Spencer and Tresonne Headley.
“The aim of this app is to digitize an age-old practice of sharing while connecting persons all over the country in one place. It is our goal to empower; while offering a fun, simple, and safe platform in which persons can save money by swapping items they no longer need, and services they may be able to perform, for another item or service which they may find useful,” the app’s founder stated.
He explained that the app will be launched on May 1, providing a platform which will alleviate any doubts of authenticity, through the negotiation feature that enables users to have value for value exchange.
Users will be allowed to upload multiple photos along with descriptions which will eliminate the problem of lack of information.
After a transaction is completed, both users will rate each other.
“Rating someone allows others to know that a person is authentic and is recommended as a trustworthy user,” the founder explained.
Another important feature of the app is the ability to influence positive environmental changes. It was emphasised that carbon footprints are reduced as swapping helps in the prevention of reusable goods entering landfills.
With Guyana moving towards building a lot of green businesses, Spencer said there is scope for partnerships, as the nature of most of these businesses will be converting waste materials into finished products.
“We will be adding a recycle button on application to arrange the collection of these waste materials. We will be collaborating with these companies by providing the information on the pickup location and using our data to find where and when these waste materials are available.”
The Ministry of Communities has partnered with the start-up venture in an effort to promote the green agenda, confirmed Public Relations Coordinator, Danielle Campbell-Lowe.
She explained that the app ties into the whole thrust of the Green Generation Guyana Project which encourages the reduction, reuse and recycling of materials that still have an economic value.
“The Ministry applauds the initiative of the young entrepreneurs and wishes to encourage like-minded individuals to also develop solutions to the world’s many sanitation management problems. We believe that the application can go a far way in revolutionising the way in which waste is handled in Guyana, and would like to encourage Guyanese to utilise the app as a means of waste disposal,” Campbell-Lowe stated.
She asserted that the application is a step in the right direction for a country on a mission to embrace the green agenda.
The founders plan to host live bartering ‘meet-up’ events, where people can network and swap on the spot.
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