🌍 Echoes of Change

Echoes of Change is a Django-based web application that connects volunteers with initiatives aligned to their skills, interests, and availability. Built to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) and (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities), the platform promotes meaningful community engagement through technology.

🎯 Key Features

• Smart Matching Algorithm – Matches volunteers with opportunities based on interests, skills, and availability.
• Impact Score System – Quantifies user contribution based on logged volunteer hours.
• Gamified Leaderboard – Real-time rankings to motivate and increase participation.
• Live Global Chat – Real-time chat for volunteers using Pusher API.
• Chatbot Assistant – AI-powered chatbot for instant help using OpenAI API.
• Opportunity Map Search – Explore local opportunities via Google Maps API.
• Secure Donations Page – Support causes directly using Stripe API.
• Google Sign-In – Streamlined authentication using Auth0.
• Profile and Timesheet Management – Track, log, and visualize contributions.

🧱 Tech Stack

Frontend:

• HTML, CSS, Sass
• JavaScript (Vanilla)
• Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap

Backend:

• Python (Django)
• Django ORM
• SQLite (planned upgrade to PostgreSQL/MySQL)

APIs Used:

• Google Maps API
• OpenAI API
• Stripe API
• Pusher API
• Auth0

🔒 Security & Compliance

• GDPR-compliant data handling
• Encrypted password storage
• Django's built-in security for CSRF, XSS, and SQL Injection

🚀 Deployment & CI/CD

• Dockerized application using Docker and docker-compose
• GitLab CI/CD pipelines
• Modular MVC architecture for scalability and maintainability

📊 Evaluation & Testing

• 32 unit tests using Django's test framework
• User acceptance testing via Google Forms
• Manual testing and peer code reviews

💡 Future Enhancements

• Multi-factor authentication
• NLP-based moderation for chats and reviews
• Dynamic pagination & client-side caching
• Social media sign-ins (Facebook, Twitter)
• Accessibility improvements (text-to-speech, high contrast mode)

👥 Team Contributions

This project was developed collaboratively using Agile methodology, rotating project managers every two weeks, and engaging in continuous user feedback and code reviews.

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Feel free to fork, contribute, and suggest improvements via issues or pull requests!