Ilu-app

Problem

Remittances are fundamental for Oaxaca’s economy, providing well-being and development to many families. However, there are significant barriers to accessing and making the most of this resource:

• High commission fees in traditional services.
• Limited accessibility, since many people must physically travel to branches to receive payments.
• Lack of credit history, which hinders financial inclusion, as conventional transfers do not generate useful records for this purpose.

Technology Used

Backend

• Node.js (ES Modules)
• Express.js
• @interledger/open-payments (for Open Payments integration)
• Libraries: CORS, dotenv, uuid, qrcode

Frontend

• React 18 + Vite
• Bootstrap 5
• Lucide React (icons)
• Axios (HTTP client)

Solution

Ilu is an application that facilitates the reception and management of remittances and digital payments, promoting circular economy and financial inclusion in Oaxaca. It leverages Open Payments to reduce fees and generate digital credit history, in addition to featuring a virtual assistant for financial education.

Key Features

• Online remittance reception, without the need to visit branches.
• Digital credit history.
• Lower fees thanks to Open Payments.
• Universal accessibility from any internet-enabled device.
• Financial education through a virtual assistant for smart saving.

Benefits

• Cost reduction for users receiving remittances.
• Greater accessibility: usable from anywhere, without travel.
• Credit history generation to promote financial inclusion.
• Ease of use thanks to a user-friendly interface and educational support.
• Promotion of circular economy in Oaxaca.

Simple Architecture/Stack

Frontend (React + Vite + Bootstrap) | v Backend (Node.js + Express + Open Payments) | v Open Payments / Interledger Services

• The frontend communicates with the backend via REST API.
• The backend manages users, transactions, and business logic, and connects to the open payments network.
• The infrastructure aims to be scalable and secure, clearly separating the presentation layer from business logic.

Essential Features

• User dashboard: balance, transactions, and statistics visualization.
• Money transfer and reception: digital transfers between users.
• Transaction history/recent transactions view.
• Automatic credit history generation.
• Recommendations and financial education via virtual assistant.
• Notification and alert management.
• User authentication and security.
• Integration with Open Payments for low fees and open standards.

Responsibilities

Name	Role / Responsibility
Valentina León Hernandez	General leadership, architecture, Open Payments backend
Saúl Abigael Guerra Rivas	Main frontend, UX/UI integration
Nahum Santa Ana Ceballos	Frontend developer, documentation
Abraham Reyes Castillo	Backend developer, AI simulation integration

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Project Objective

Develop a web platform that allows users to receive, manage, and make use of their remittances digitally, reducing costs and fostering the creation of a credit history.

Specific Objectives

• Provide a simple and accessible user experience.
• Ensure data security and privacy.
• Promote financial inclusion.
• Facilitate integration of digital payments with open standards.
• Boost the circular economy in the region.

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Hackathon Open Payments – Interledger

Team: Code Spartans: ILU
Project: Ilu-app