An experimental use of the social media website Twitter is raising funds and the international profile of the non-profit organization called charity: water, for bringing clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.
On February 12th, Twitter users in more than 100 countries participated in the second iteration of Twestival, a series of volunteer-run and organized fundraising events for people who know each other through the micro-blogging service twitter.com. The global event was described as “a ‘tweet-up’ with a social conscience,” by Twestival organizers.
Like other social media meet-ups, tweet-ups provide occasion for people who know each other only through the Twitter website to meet face to face. However, Twestival, or Twitter Festival, is different from a normal tweet-up, because of its global scale and philanthropic purpose.
“Social tweet-ups like this are a great way to meet the faces behind those avatars while raising a lot of money for a fantastic cause,” said Twestival organizer Amanda Rose.” Twestival is organized 100 percent by volunteers and 100 percent of all event proceeds will go directly to support charity: water projects in developing countries, which will positively impact the lives of thousands.”
In London, where the first Twestival took place last year, more than 500 people attended a ticketed event at East London’s Shoreditch studios. Other cities hosting Twestivals included Paris, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Beijing.
Twestival has formed global sponsorships with selected partners including Amiando and the online micropayment company TipJoy, which donated funds and resources to the event.
Charity: water, which installs wells and rainwater harvesting systems in developing countries, reported that Twestival had raised about $40,000 as of February 16th.
Approximately 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water, according to Twestival organizers.
