Via Phila’s Friday Hope Blogging:

A new device uses GPS to lead desert-crossing immigrants to water:

The Transborder Immigrant Tool was developed by UC San Diego prof and activist Ricardo Dominguez and UCSD lecturer Brett Stalbaum. Both believe it will save the lives of hundreds of people who die each year during their trek across “Devil’s Highway”.

Here’s how the tool works. The phone, loaded with free GPS software, displays a digital compass that locates water stations installed by John Hunter, founder of the Water Stations project. Stations that are too far will not be displayed. The phone pinpoints “safety sites” — such as Border Patrol station, a clinic or a church — and includes poetry written by Amy Carroll to “welcome you to the U.S,” said Dominguez. Encrypted to avoid detection by authorities, phones are $30 and should be available by summer.

Heh. I love the “poetry” touch.