Mothers Day 2010 brought about a small but impressive campaign called To Mama with Love created by Epic Change and a host of great volunteers. The aim of this campaign was to raise money to support Mama Lucy in her efforts to educate children in Tanzania.
Mama Lucy saved her own income to start a primary school in Tanzania, believing that education is the key to transforming a country gripped by poverty. Over the last six years, Mama Lucy has grown the school from one classroom with fewer than 10 students, to a school that now serves more than 300 children at eight grade levels.
The initiative was simple but powerful. Supporters were encouraged to honor their own mothers by making a donation and then creating a virtual scrapbook or “heartspace” on the site, including photos, videos, notes, and artwork. They could then share their “heartspace” with their mother, friends and family via Twitter and Facebook, or via a customized e-card.
Using social media as the primary communication and engagement mechanism, Epic Change was able to raise close to $17,000 and provide a safe home for 17 children in Tanzania, while also encouraging more than 300 mothers along the way. They did all of this in about a week’s time.
This shows just how powerful social media can be for non-profit organisations, both large and small. It allows you to reach out to a huge amount of people and give them the opportunity to help make a change through a media that's very much a part of their everyday life.
I really like the way that this has got such an emotional value. Everyone has, or had, a mother figure in their lives, so will be able to understand the importance of a mother's love.
ReplyDelete