Platform Agreement & User Guide
The operating charter, professional standards, and user agreement for every member and business on KAWOMcommerce.
Community Trust & Integrity Charter
“Honest enterprise, reliable craftsmanship, and fair dealing build enduring prosperity for everyone.”
Core Operating Covenant
KAWOMcommerce is built on mutual accountability, quality workmanship, and verified trust. Whether you are a church member, an entrepreneur, or a vouched guest partner, using this platform is an agreement to conduct business with honesty, prompt delivery, transparent pricing, and mutual respect.
How to Use the Platform
Quick 5-Step GuideFollow these straightforward steps to get your skills discovered, connect with clients, and support other businesses.
Sign In or Join as a Guest
Verified church members sign in via their member credentials. Prospective partners and entrepreneurs not on the church roll register via our 2-Member Vouching Pathway (/join/guest). Every active profile is verified.
List Your Business or Personal Skill
From 'My Account' (/me), tap 'List a Business' or 'Add a Skill'. Clearly describe what you offer, set transparent starting rates, showcase portfolio photos, and link your active WhatsApp business line.
Branch Coordinator Review & Verification
Before your profile goes public, your local branch coordinator reviews your submission, confirms your contact details, and verifies that the listing represents you and your work truthfully.
Connect Directly on WhatsApp (0% Commission)
KAWOM never takes a percentage, charges commission, or holds escrow funds. Interested clients tap your WhatsApp button to negotiate terms, inspect samples, and contract directly with you.
Post Needs, Opportunities & Share Referrals
Need a trusted business, supplier, or professional? Post on the Needs Board (/needs). Looking to hire or share work? Post on the Opportunities Feed (/opportunities). Satisfied with someone's work? Send their 1-tap referral card to friends.
Platform Terms & Standards
Code of ConductAll users agreeing to list, browse, or contract on KAWOMcommerce commit to these operating standards.
1. Zero Financial Intermediation & Platform Role
KAWOMcommerce is a trusted discovery directory and community platform — not an escrow agent or payment processor.
- No money moves through KAWOMcommerce, and no commission is ever deducted from your earnings.
- All quotations, contracts, milestone deliverables, and bank transfers occur directly between the buyer and the service provider.
- Neither KAWOM nor the platform operators bear legal or financial liability for private contracts, delivery timelines, or commercial debts.
2. Truth, Transparency & Accurate Representation
Authentic representation is the cornerstone of our community trust.
- Describe only services, products, and skills that you personally provide with competence and verified capacity.
- State honest rates and realistic delivery times. Misleading claims or bait-and-switch pricing after receiving an inquiry are strictly prohibited.
- Upload authentic photographs of your own work, products, or workspace. Misappropriation of other creators' portfolios will lead to immediate delisting.
3. Mutual Respect & Fair Dealing
Ethical standards apply equally to service providers and to buyers.
- Buyers agree to pay for services rendered promptly and in full according to agreed milestone terms.
- Do not demand unreasonable discounts or free labor on the basis of social or community affiliation. Skilled labor deserves fair pay.
- If unexpected delays or logistical complications arise, both parties commit to communicating proactively, respectfully, and in good faith.
4. Structured Amicable Dispute Resolution
We prioritize direct dialogue and fair community mediation to resolve issues amicably.
- Step 1 (Direct Dialogue): If you are dissatisfied with a service or delivery, speak directly and calmly with the provider or client first to resolve the issue amicably.
- Step 2 (Coordinator Mediation): If unresolved after reasonable effort, either party may invite their local Branch Coordinator to review the facts and facilitate an informal, objective mediation.
- Step 3 (Platform Delisting): If a provider or buyer demonstrates bad faith, refuses to deliver agreed goods, or commits fraud, the Operations Lead reserves the right to suspend or permanently remove their profile.
5. Strictly Prohibited Activities
Zero-tolerance rules that result in immediate, permanent removal from the directory:
- Multi-level marketing (MLM), pyramid schemes, or unverified crypto/forex investment pools.
- Counterfeit, hazardous, or stolen goods.
- Unapproved personal fundraising or solicitations falsely claiming official organizational backing.
- Harassment, deceit, profanity, discrimination, or defamatory behavior toward fellow users or coordinators.
6. Privacy, Security & Data Protection
We protect your personal records and respect your privacy choices.
- What is public: Your business name, category, services offered, starting rates, portfolio pictures, and WhatsApp number.
- What is NEVER public: Your residential address, internal membership records, attendance, giving history, or birthdate are strictly confidential and never displayed or sold.
- User control: You choose whether your listing is visible only to signed-in community users or referable to external clients, and you can edit or remove it at any time.
7. Guest Participation & 2-Member Vouching Rule
Welcoming external partners and prospective members with community accountability.
- Open Guest Signup: Individuals not on the church roll can sign up via 'Join as a Guest' (/join/guest).
- Two-Member Vouching: To obtain full platform access, every guest must have two active KAWOM church members vouch for their character and identity using their unique vouching link.
- Coordinator Vetting: Following the two vouches, the local Branch Coordinator reviews and activates the guest profile.
- Full Commercial Equality: Vouched guests can create listings, be discovered in search, connect directly on WhatsApp, and participate in business training modules and Innovation Bounties.
- Grants & Loans Ineligibility: Guests do not have access to apply for grants or loans from the KAWOMcommerce Empowerment Fund.
8. The 6-Month Tenure Rule for Grants & Loans
Empowerment Fund resources are dedicated governance benefits for established church members.
- Strict 6-Month Requirement: Members who have been enrolled on the official church roll for less than six (6) months do not have access to apply for grants or loans.
- Automated Date Verification: Eligibility is calculated automatically from the official join date recorded on the church roll — members never need to present separate paperwork or petition individuals.
- Countdown Transparency: Members can track their exact qualification status on the Grants & Loans page (/funding).
- Full Qualification: Upon reaching six months on the roll, completing required business courses, and maintaining an approved listing, members become fully eligible when funding cycles open.
9. Commercial Milestone Guidelines & Written Scopes
Practical business wisdom for contracts, deposits, and delivery to protect both parties.
- Put It in Writing: Always confirm specifications, timelines, deliverables, and total pricing in writing (on WhatsApp or email) before work commences.
- Balanced Milestone Payments: For custom crafts, construction, tailoring, or catering, adhere to reasonable milestone schedules (e.g. 50% mobilization deposit to purchase materials, 30% progress check, 20% balance upon final inspection).
- No Open-Ended Commitments: Avoid paying 100% upfront before work begins, and never deliver 100% finished custom goods without clear payment confirmation.
- Receipts & Invoices: Issue or request a simple written receipt or acknowledgement of funds transferred to ensure financial clarity for both parties.
- Professional Diligence: Honor delivery dates faithfully. If unexpected supply chain or personal delays arise, notify the client immediately with honest revised schedules.
10. Acceptance & Ongoing Agreement
By listing, browsing, or contacting providers on KAWOMcommerce, you agree to abide by these terms.
- Binding agreement: Creating an account, publishing a listing, or contacting a listed provider signifies full acceptance of this Platform Agreement and the Privacy Notice.
- Policy updates: We may periodically update these guidelines to maintain community safety and legal compliance. Material updates are posted here with revised version notices.
- Non-exclusivity: Listing on KAWOMcommerce does not restrict you from listing on other commercial directories or managing your independent business operations.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Our coordinators and operations team are here to assist you with registration, listing advice, or resolving any questions.