Disclaimer: This is going to be an exceptionally geek-orientated blog post but those of you who are interested in the new world happening right would be mad to not read on!
South Africa has been chosen as one of the nations taking part in a world wide fundraiser called a Twestival. The event is basically run from organisation orchestrated on Twitter, the micro-blogging platform.
Here is what the main Twestival website has to say:
Tweet. Meet. Give.
On 12 February 2009 175+ cities around the world will be hosting Twestivals which bring together Twitter communities for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for charity: water.
Johannesburg and Cape Town are the two local venues taking part in the global event. Other African destinations include Lagos and Lusaka.
The JHB event will be held at Cappello’s in Sandton on Feb 12th at 19:00. All other events around the world will also take place on Feb 12th.
The charity that we are trying to raise money for and assist in their quest is Charity: Water
From the website: “Most of us have never really been thirsty. We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk 5 miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet more than 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have clean water.
It’s hard to imagine what a billion people looks like really, but one in six might be easier. One in six people in our world don’t have access to the most basic of human needs. Something we can’t imagine going 12 hours without.
Here, we’d like to introduce you to a few of those billion people. They are very real, and they need our help. They didn’t choose to be born into a village where the only source of water is a polluted swamp. And we didn’t choose to be born in a country where even the homeless have access to clean water and a toilet.”
I think that this is a very valuable charity to be supporting and even if you don’t, it might be nice for you to get out and meet some of the people who tweet non-stop and it might be nice for some tweeters to get out into the real world and meet some non-tweeters. (I can completely understand how absolutely crazy this entire blog post sounds to those who don’t make use of the word “Tweet” in everyday conversation.)
This is a worthy cause couple with a different sort of event that just might turn out to be fun and help others. So when tickets go on sale, get them!
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February 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
Thanks for this, Nic. I’ve seen the Twestival tweets all over the place, but no concise explanation as to what it’s all about.
Any idea how the money will be raised/passed on to the charity? Or is this simply an awareness building exercise?
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
Thanks Nic.
Checked the websites. Now i await ticket sale
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
I’m with Eve. We could also go for a braai and call it a twaai.
What’s going to happen on the 12th? Just some guys who happen to be on Twitter getting together at a bar?
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Thanks for the post Nic! Perhaps I can answer the Qs.
Best quoted from http://www.twestival.com:
* Phase one: Launch the homepage with a list of cities which have already registered. Over the next day, organizers will be given a password and instruction to upload information to their own city site (start thinking about a first blog post). Please have a bit of patience as we are working as quickly as we can.
* Phase two: All of the cities should be linked up to the homepage. Features to donate, bid on an auction, raffle and other fundraising projects will come online as buttons as they are completed.
* Phase three: On 12 February 2009, Twestival will be working with partners to have live broadcasts of the events around the world.
May also want to check out http://www.london.twestival.com
Volunteers we are – happy for advice and crits please!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Hi guys,
Agreed, I think there should be some clear point to the event, some clear action and a very clear indication of where the money is going to go when it is raised, how it will be used and who will be handling it. For sure. But that shouldn’t stop you from joining in and being a part of it!
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
RE Tickets:
Thank you so much for your patience and support in using Amiando for your event registration. They have been fantastic partners for Twestival, as working with a global does offer a lot of challenges. The reason for using this service was simple; it enabled us to get donations to charity: water in a safe and transparent way, while also showcasing the attendee list at all events which is helpful for organizers to create nametags or contact lists.
Amiando, have waived all fees, which means the money from every single ticket purchased at Twestival events goes to supporting projects in developing countries. That is a pretty powerful incentive to sell out your events. If you have not received your invite to Amiando, you will do so shortly.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Oops! Lost my intro to the above:
Please know that I am a voluntary helper with twestival Jozi – anybody getting involved are not paid – my reason? When I saw that Cape Town, Lagos and Lusaka were listed as host cities, I wondered why Joburg wasn’t – and the rest is history. Amiando.com is our partner on this event for tickets.
Please visit their site.
If anybody has advice – I’m happy to engage!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I’m still a bit confused.
So tickets need to be purchased upfront… but where…? And for how much…?