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 kid

So who will
share
Ubuntu Africa’s
story?


Sasha Campbell Paying it forward

“I know my life is a little harder than most, leaving at PROFILE
age: 16
6:15 every morning to go to school, but I also know
geography: New York, NY
that there are kids who have it worse than me. Ubuntu education: Stuyvesant High School
Africa teaches these kids - who have it much harder income: none
than most - to be stronger than most.” family life: Lives with family in the Bronx

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.

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


Nicole Abi Spreading idealism
PROFILE
age: 20
“I went to South Africa for the World Cup with my
geography: MA
family and am now kind of obsessed with living there education: Junior at Tufts
again so I want to get involved with Ubuntu Africa.” income: none
family life: Lives on college campus with a roommate

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!


Julia Low Empowered through sharing
“I’m barely getting by working as an intern so I can’t PROFILE
really afford to donate but when I saw the video age: 23
about how Ubuntu Africa helps children who are geography: Lives outside of Boston
practically shunned from society, I had to share it with education: Bachelors in Sociology from Colgate
all my friends. Hopefully it will help.” income: $400 per week stipend
family life: Lives with parents to save money

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.


James Burke Desire to be Involved
PROFILE
“I just moved to NYC a few months ago to start a new age: 26
job and got invited to an Ubuntu Africa happy hour geography: New York, NY
through a friend. I was reminded of how much the education: UCLA
kids reminded me of my kids as a camp counselor.” income: $55K
family life: Lives with a roommate in Manhattan

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?


Ian Halverson Preserving community values
PROFILE
“A bunch of college students I met while surfing in age: 33
San Diego told me about Ubuntu Africa. My son was geography: San Diego, CA
born last year and I can’t imagine how I’d feel if he education: University of San Diego
was born with such a devastating disease.” income: $75K
family life: Lives with wife and new baby

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?


What motivates them to share Ubuntu Africa‘s content?

• 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
High School Young San Diego
College Student Post College
Student Professional Surfer


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?


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


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

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