"Applika is a club where you can learn a lot and help a lot", says Juan Francisco Carias Álvarez, PhD student and one of the coordinators of this new volunteer project launched by Tantaka-Tecnun. "The aim is for students to learn to programme and develop web applications, and to put this technical knowledge at the service of NGOs such as Teléfono de la Esperanza or Paliativos Sin Fronteras", says the engineer from the Department of Industrial Organisation.

Jesús Muñoz, volunteer coordinator of Palliatives without Borders, explains that "the NGO needs to reach out to its public better, to spread the philosophy of palliative care, so that everyone who has a loved one who is in a terminal phase can come to them". Muñoz continues: "We want people to turn to us, to know about the palliative care units or residential centres we have or what to do if a loved one dies. Death is a taboo subject, but it is there, and we have experts who can help you deal with the grief of losing someone you love," he adds.

As coordinator Juan Francisco Carias points out, "the way of communicating has changed, and it is very nice to know that we can help by doing what we like or know how to do". In the case of PSF, "we will start by designing the database, to digitise their resources and upload them to the web, and then it will be translated into a mobile application", explains the young engineer.  

On the other hand, the International Association Telephone of Hope wants to create a chat to establish a first contact with people who are thinking of ending their lives and need psychological help. "Alfonso Echavarri, the technical director of the Navarre branch of this association, explained to me that they need to reach out to young people, because there are many people in a very bad way, suffering a lot, who do not call for help. The chat would help to break down this barrier, encouraging them to establish a first contact. The chat could help save lives," Carias continues.

Applika, which currently has around fifteen interested parties, may be extended to other social organisations. The students, coordinated by professors Nicolás Serrano, Héctor Solar and Juan Francisco Carias, will be able to participate as volunteers, as student interns or by developing their Final Degree or Master's Project. They will also have the collaboration of professors Enrique Reina and Josune Hernantes, as well as doctoral student Desmond Moru .

If you are interested, please write to jfcarias@tecnun.es.