–to facilitate, give new twist to bartering

A FOUR-member team is all set for the launch in March of their innovative user-friendly App, called “Swopp”, which is intended to give new meaning to bartering.

Team member, Shemar Spencer told the Guyana Chronicle that while the idea is his, the App is being created by the local technology firm, Intellect Storm, and funded by the Ministry of Education.

Other members of the team are Kevon Spencer, Jamal Layne and Trestonne Headley.

The 22-year-old, who is pursuing a degree in business management at the University of Guyana (UG), explained that he came up with the idea while at his aunt’s restaurant, and seeing the adverse affect the stench from the build-up of garbage was having on her business, owing to the garbage disposal problem the city has been having.

Reaching out to a pig farmer he knew, Spencer said he began bartering the leftover food from his aunt’s restaurant for fresh fruits, and the farmer was able to feed his pigs, and they got fresh fruit juice for the eatery.

The La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara resident told the Guyana Chronicle that the mobile App is a platform through which persons can barter things they have no need of in exchange for something else.

He stated that with the App, they will get the opportunity to exchange their stuff for other things, since the objective is to move away from the ‘throw away’ attitude we have developed.

Spencer said it will enable people to re-use and re-cycle their stuff without throwing it out.

Spencer said he is hoping that the app will be a big ‘hit’ here, as it is downloadable, compatible with just about any SmartPhone, and simple to operate.
He said that at the launching in March, they will demonstrate how the app is used.