ubuntu social media brief

“I am what I am because of who we are.”

Ubuntu Africa Social Media

Strategy June 2012

Saturday, September 8, 12

OBJECTIVE: Create a meaningful social

media presence that connects people to

Ubuntu Africa’s mission to nurture

and support children with HIV/AIDS and

ultimately increases the donor base.


Like the lepers of the 19th century, few

groups in the world today are more stigmatized than

children living with AIDS in South Africa.


But through the volunteers, social workers nurses and

supporters of Ubuntu Africa, these children have a chance


To be

Just like any other kidSaturday, September 8, 12

So who will share

Ubuntu Africa’s story?


Sasha Campbell Paying it forward

I’m one of about forty black kids at Stuyvesant High School so I know what

it’s like to feel different. I’m the president of the Black Students League, and

we’re trying to get our classmates to see how issues that effect one group of

people effect us all.

One of my friends moved to the city from Westchester and told me about

Ubuntu Africa. You know what, she has nothing in common with the children

Ubuntu Africa is helping, but who cares? At least she’s helping to really make

a difference in these children’s lives and I hope I can do the same.

I liked their Facebook page and have been sharing their videos to my friends.

It’s a small organization but it seems to make a big difference. Maybe one day

these kids will grow up, go to college and be able to give back to the

organization that helped get them there.

PROFILEage: 16geography: New York, NYeducation: Stuyvesant High School income: nonefamily life: Lives with family in the Bronx

“I know my life is a little harder than most, leaving at 6:15 every morning to go to school, but I also know that there are kids who have it worse than me. Ubuntu Africa teaches these kids - who have it much harder than most - to be stronger than most.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/education/black-at-stuyvesant-high-one-girls-experience.html?pagewanted=all




Nicole Abi Spreading idealism

My dad works for ESPN and took our whole family to the World Cup in South

Africa while I was in high school. I’m originally from Lebanon so I’ve traveled

a lot but the trip still helped me appreciate what I have. When we drove

around Johannesburg it was a whole other world. Every white person

seemed to be well off and working but all the black South Africans were

poor. It was so segregated and felt like everyone was afraid of each other.

Americans underestimate how lucky we are to have such a stable

infrastructure that supports its citizen. So when my roommate told me about

Ubuntu Africa, I decided to get involved. It seems like Ubuntu Africa is really

making a difference in these children’s lives - not handing them money, but

teaching them how to eventually support themselves. I’d definitely love to

look into volunteer opportunities if I study abroad in South Africa!

PROFILEage: 20geography: MAeducation: Junior at Tufts income: nonefamily life: Lives on college campus with a roommate

“I went to South Africa for the World Cup with my family and am now kind of obsessed with living there again so I want to get involved with Ubuntu Africa.”


Julia Low Empowered through sharing

I spent a semester studying abroad during my junior year in South Africa. The

poverty I see on the streets of Boston is nothing compared to what some

South Africans have to go through, especially considering that AIDS and HIV

are so widespread. I landed an internship at a non-profit because I want to

help people as much as possible even if I can’t always donate money.

The non-profit I work for has a huge presence on YouTube. Hearing and

seeing the stories of the people from the organization really helped me

understand who and how it helps. Sometimes they’re hard to watch and I find

myself tearing up but I post them to my Facebook because I want my friends

to support the organization. I hope that one person can make a difference, at

least if we’re all affected by what we see.

Through this I realized that I’m really privileged and that even if I can’t

donate, I can make an impact by sharing information. I’ve even started

replacing my normal brands with those that have a social impact.

PROFILEage: 23geography: Lives outside of Bostoneducation: Bachelors in Sociology from Colgate income: $400 per week stipendfamily life: Lives with parents to save money

“I’m barely getting by working as an intern so I can’t really afford to donate but when I saw the video about how Ubuntu Africa helps children who are practically shunned from society, I had to share it with all my friends. Hopefully it will help.”


James Burke Desire to be Involved

When I was in high school, I worked as a camp counselor at a sleep away

camp a few hours from L.A. The camp had a huge scholarship fund so less

fortunate kids could attend for free. The kids were super well behaved, even

more so than the regular campers. They just seemed to have this major

resilience and approached their situation by appreciating what they had. I

think they taught the other kids to complain less and to find humor in

difficult situations.

When I found out what Ubuntu Africa does, helping children who are virtually

shunned from society, I realized I had to get involved. I feel like so much of

living in NYC is all about drinking, going out and meeting girls. I mean, I’m

not complaining. That stuff is awesome. But I know there’s more to life than

just that. And I want people to get to know the real me - that I’m well

informed and care about others. Besides, girls love that, right?

PROFILEage: 26geography: New York, NYeducation: UCLA income: $55Kfamily life: Lives with a roommate in Manhattan

“I just moved to NYC a few months ago to start a new job and got invited to an Ubuntu Africa happy hour through a friend. I was reminded of how much the kids reminded me of my kids as a camp counselor.”


Ian Halverson Preserving community values

I had a very unique childhood. My father moved the family to Iraq to work as

a communications specialist and missionary, drilling water wells to help the

Iraqis. So to say that I grew up learning about the importance of helping

others is kind of an understatement. I haven’t been to South Africa yet but

I’m the director of a youth leadership program that deals with high risk

teenagers, preventing them from joining the street gangs of Southeast San

Diego.

I know how hard it is for these kids when it seems like the world is working

against them. They just need a chance and to be appreciated and cared for.

When you encourage these kids to learn and take leadership roles, you’re not

just helping them, but helping an entire community. I’m definitely going to

share information about Ubuntu Africa and WaveAIDS with my friends and

try to get them involved. Someday maybe my son will understand the

importance of helping others. Pay it forward right?

PROFILEage: 33geography: San Diego, CAeducation: University of San Diego income: $75Kfamily life: Lives with wife and new baby

“A bunch of college students I met while surfing in San Diego told me about Ubuntu Africa. My son was born last year and I can’t imagine how I’d feel if he was born with such a devastating disease.”


What motivates them to share Ubuntu Africa‘s content?

High School Student College Student Post College Young

ProfessionalSan Diego

Surfer

• They feel like they’re making an impact even if they can’t donate

• To spur conversations and make connections

• Share event invites to seem like they’re in the know

• Share out of anger and frustration that these children have been cruelly stigmatized

• Share to show people an organization where money goes to good use

• To seem socially conscious, smart and informed


The ability to discover moving and interesting content is a form of social

currency... because


WE ARE WHAT WE SHARE


So who is Ubuntu Africa?


✴ Shares love with the children it helps

✴ Has integrity

✴ Is empowering

✴ Is selfless

✴ Is always growing: has grown from helping 15 to 200 children with AIDS since starting 5 years ago

✴ Is authentic

✴ Is informed

✴ Is brave and resilient

✴ Nurtures leadership and mentorship

Ubuntu Africa ...


How do we show people who we are?


By inspiring our community with hope through our words and actions just as

we have inspired Ubuntu Africa’s children


ubuntu social media brief

Health & Medicine

children ubuntu africa

supporters of ubuntu

aidsin south africa

family life

black kids

black south africans

world cup

stuyvesant high schoolafrica