At its best, social media – such as blogs and social networks — tells stories that empower and expose. Stories that push beyond physical boundaries and deeply ingrained assumptions, softly reminding us of our fundamental interconnections.
I’m not compelled to talk about social media at its worst, though I’m sure you can all drum up a few examples. But by highlighting the best practices in social media, perhaps more of us will work to ensure these virtues expand and become the norm.
Epic Change is a nonprofit social enterprise that recently caught my eye. Epic Change raises funds (primarily through donations), and loans these funds to organizations promoting positive change in their communities. Epic Change then facilitates loan repayment by helping these organizations create income-generating projects that tell their story and the stories of their communities. The money from loans repaid is then used to fund other organizations.
When I read this, I was intrigued to know how Epic Change would maximize the potential of storytelling. Seeing that one of the founders, Stacey Monk, actively blogs and contributes to various discussions on other blogs and Twitter, I suspected they would be aiming to make the most of these stories on both traditional and unconventional fronts.
Their pilot project is to rebuild and expand Shepherds Junior, a primary school in Arusha, Tanzania, founded by Mama Lucy Kamptoni. Shepherds Junior has begun repaying the loans by selling photos, greeting cards, and hope candles that tell stories of the schoolchildren and Mama Lucy.
But their newest project takes storytelling to the next level: Epic Change plans to build a technology lab + library at the Shepherds Junior school. They have already received 20 laptop donations with basic software. The next steps are to get the laptops to Tanzania, build the facility, and figure out how to get internet access for this remote community.
The Epic Change blog has already been posting updates they receive from Mama Lucy, but now the plan is to give the 300+ students direct access to social media and the skills to use it for storytelling. I’m quite excited about this project, and I think it’ll be fascinating to see how it unfolds.
Before I bring up some questions, I want to point you all to ideablob, a network that funds innovative business ideas. Epic Change is a finalist in their current round, which means they have a good shot at winning $10,000 to build this technology lab. If you’re excited about this project too, you can head over to ideablob to register and give Epic Change your vote. Voting ends on Sunday, May 31st.
Update: Epic Change won, and is now preparing to build the technology lab! Thank you to all of you who voted on ideablob — this is an exciting project you’ve enabled.
Now, with Epic Change in mind as an example, what ways do you envision storytelling and social media acting as forces of empowerment? What are some examples you’ve felt in your own life, or seen around the web?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re right–there are plenty examples out there of social media at its worst.
Thanks for sharing this story of positive change, and for reminding us how powerful storytelling is.
Kristin T. (@kt_writes)´s last blog post..Embracing complexity through flavor
Zoe,
I read this post a few days ago and stopped by to tell you about a story opportunity via slideshare.net. I wrote briefly about it on my blog, but you can get all the details at their Web site.
jen´s last blog post..tell a story and win $5,000 from slideshare and fuze meeting
@ Kristin – Yep, in the end I think it makes it easier to move forward when we set our sights on the amazing examples, instead of only recoiling at the icky ones.
@ Jen – Thanks so much for letting me know! I’ll go check it out now
I love this post. Lately I have been contemplating how i can use Social networking and most definitely the power of storytelling to make an impact. I guess i struggle with it though, because this is an enormous world and I am one voice. I pray i find others to stand with so that i will not be an island working alone.
@ Adam – Alone no longer! Come by this blog or join me on Twitter if you ever want to talk storytelling projects
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I apologize for the self-promotion
My blog has this goal of telling stories (real stories) through social media. I research them, post them and tweet them. One a day. My aim is to encourage people to take action by reading those simple or sometimes unbelievable stories. What do you think? Please let me know how I can do this better. Thanks!
(Zoe, congrats for the guide! whenever you have time, my offer is still valid!)
Jean Philippe´s last blog post..An Unstoppable College Student
@ Jean Philippe – One of the best ways to practice storytelling is to keep at it … seems like you’re building up a solid collection on your site. Maybe it would help if you make it clear what type of action you’re hoping to inspire
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Thank you Zoë for the feedback!
Jean Philippe´s last blog post..Caroline Is a Resilient Woman
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