APPRISE Origin Story

‍

In 2022, diginexAPPRISE emerged as more than just a technical solution; it became a movement to change how we evaluate worker conditions in supply chains. This platform was created by Dr. Hannah Thinyane, who has a PhD in Computer Science and 20 years of experience using technology for transparency and accountability. Her journey started with a simple but powerful goal: to help people with computers. Driven by a strong sense of justice, she aimed to improve worker protection from the ground up.

The story begins in Thailand, where Hannah collaborated with the Mekong Club, an organization fighting against human trafficking. Real change started by listening. She spent months interviewing migrant workers and uncovered major flaws in traditional auditing. There was distrust, a lack of privacy, and workers feared they would not be accurately represented. Workers were not given enough control, and signs of exploitation were often ignored.

Inspired by these insights, Hannah imagined a bold solution: give workers a direct voice. With diginexAPPRISE, workers could answer important questions in their own language using just a phone or tablet and audio prompts, ensuring their stories were theirs alone to tell. Risk assessments became more accurate, and, importantly, workers could choose whether to accept help. Control and dignity became central to diginexAPPRISE.

From Grassroots Beginnings to Broad Impact

‍

diginexAPPRISE impact was first felt among workers in the Thai fishing industry, allowing them to be heard for the first time. The breakthrough occurred when brands in the Mekong Club recognized the platform's potential and wanted a method to screen their entire supply chains. diginexAPPRISE evolved from a humanitarian tool to a stronghold for global business accountability.

COVID-19 introduced new challenges and opportunities. When the pandemic halted in-person audits, Hannah was uncertain about shifting to anonymous QR code surveys, as she worried about data reliability. However, a key conversation changed her view:

“It’s easy to worry about data purity from an office. But for workers, anonymity could mean the difference between silence and getting help.”

Today, that anonymity is what sets diginexAPPRISE apart. Workers, who once felt intimidated by face-to-face interviews, now share their experiences in the security of their phones, revealing stories they previously kept to themselves.

Why Leading Brands Choose diginexAPPRISE

‍

diginexAPPRISE stands out because it gathers standardized, actionable insights from all parts of the supply chain, highlighting problems that brands may not see on their own. Its emphasis on privacy enables workers facing significant power imbalances to speak honestly. However, its greatest strength is being proactive. Apprise doesn't wait for crises to arise; it spots risks before they grow.

Dr. Hannah Thinyane’s vision is straightforward: “Policies are only meaningful when they’re put into practice.” diginexAPPRISE is not just a platform; it is a force for accountability. Whether it’s about protecting human rights or ensuring corporate policies are followed, diginexAPPRISE operates at the crossroads of technology and social impact.

When asked why she endured two decades of challenges, Hannah simply states, “I’ve always been passionate about injustice.” That passion now drives a tool that is changing lives across the supply chain, and Diginex is proud to be at the forefront of ethical innovation.

‍

Learn More About diginexAPPRISE