For Parents

HelloBooth Parent Guide

Manage your child's school finances and communication with a single MTN number — no internet, no app, no smartphone needed. Dial *272*80# from any MTN phone.

Quick access code

One number to remember.

Dial this from any MTN phone — smart or basic — to send pocket money, check balances or buy the termly service package.

*272*80#
  • 1 Buy termly service package
  • 2 Send pocket money
  • 3 Check balance
  • 4 Agent / merchants
Welcome

Getting started

Three things and you're running. Here's the whole onboarding on one panel:

  1. 01
    Save your child's MTN number

    Each child gets a dedicated number for life. Save it from your registration SMS.

  2. 02
    Send first pocket money

    Dial *272*80# → 2 → amount → MTN Mobile Money PIN.

  3. 03
    Check balance

    Dial *272*80# → 3 — free and available anytime.

The system

Your child's four-wallet system

Different kinds of money stay separate, so daily spending can't accidentally eat into school fees or savings. Here's what the four wallets look like in your dashboard:

Joseph Koech
+256 326 811 999
Combined balance
UGX 73,500
  • Pocket money
    Daily spending and canteen purchases.
    UGX 45,000
  • Airtime
    Supervised calls, charged by duration.
    UGX 8,500
  • Savings
    Set aside for goals — protected from canteen spending.
    UGX 20,000
  • School fees
    Official school charges — top up when fees are due.
    UGX 0
Updated just nowTap any wallet for transaction history
How to

Sending pocket money

Quick access code: *272*80#

  1. 01
    Select student

    Dial *272*80# → 2 → choose your child.

  2. 02
    Enter amount

    Input the amount in UGX. No minimum.

  3. 03
    Confirm with PIN

    Enter your MTN Mobile Money PIN.

  4. 04
    Receive confirmation

    SMS confirmation with the new balance.

No minimum amount. Send weekly, fortnightly or whenever required.
Anytime

Balance checking

For parents

  • Dial *272*80# → 3 → choose your child → view all four balances instantly.
  • Completely free, available 24/7.
  • Works even outside calling windows.

For students

Children can check balances directly at the HelloBooth using their card or serial number, even outside calling windows.

Communication

Calling windows

During windows

The child can call parents. Calls are charged to the airtime wallet.

Outside windows

No calls available, but balance checks and purchases still work. Calling windows vary by school — check your registration information.

Parent-to-child communication

  • HelloBooth parent app (if enabled) — log in with your registered phone number, send text messages or voice notes to be played at the booth.
  • School policy variations — some schools allow messages with limits, some text-only, some block inbound communications. Policies may change each term — check with the liaison officer.

Automatic SMS notifications

  • Low balance alertYou receive an SMS when your child's balance falls below UGX 5,000 so you can top up before they run out.
  • Top-up confirmationEvery time you send pocket money, an SMS confirms the amount received and the new wallet balance.
  • Security alertsYou're notified whenever the card is blocked, unblocked, or replaced.
Package

Termly service

One flat termly fee covers everything below. Buy it once a term — no top-ups, no surprise cut-offs.

Termly package
UGX15,000/ term
How to buy

Dial *272*80# → 1 → confirm with MTN Mobile Money PIN.

  • Dedicated MTN number for lifeYour child keeps the same number from registration through to graduation.
  • Supervised calling for the whole termCalls home during school-defined windows, charged from the airtime wallet.
  • Full four-wallet systemPocket money, airtime, savings and school fees — all managed from *272*80#.
  • Cashless card & wristbandTap-to-pay at the canteen, bookshop and any school merchant terminal.
  • Platform monitoringSystem health, fraud monitoring and uptime managed 24/7 — no work for the school.
  • Technical supportDirect support for parents and the school's liaison officer throughout the term.

Complete fee structure

ServiceAmountWhen
Registration + NFC card / wristbandUGX 10,000One-time
Card / wristband replacementUGX 8,000If lost or damaged
Termly service packageUGX 15,000Per term
Safety

Security & card management

Lost or damaged cards are managed at school level. The child should report at the booth (select "lost card" → enter serial number) or to the liaison officer. Parents are notified by SMS.

While waiting for a replacement

  • Your child is not locked outThey can keep using the booth and merchant terminals while the new card is being prepared.
  • Serial-number login worksInstead of tapping the card, your child enters the card serial number and PIN.
  • Daily withdrawal limits still applyExisting limits remain in force during the replacement window.
  • UGX 8,000 replacement feeDeducted from your child's Pocket Money wallet. You receive an SMS notification confirming the replacement.

PIN security

  • If your child forgets their PINThey should report to the school's liaison officer. A reset is processed within 4 hours during business hours.
  • If the account gets lockedThree wrong attempts lock the account. The liaison officer issues a temporary PIN; your child sets a new permanent one at the booth on first use.
  • The PIN is privateKnown only to the child — never shared with friends or staff. SparkLab and school staff will never ask for it.
Support

Need a hand?

For school-level questions, contact your designated Yéllo Booth liaison officer. For everything else, reach us directly.

Hotline+256 326 810 001WhatsApp+256 792 436 039Emailinfo@sparklabstech.net