Catherine Tegelberg, a MEDA intern in Nicaragua, writes about bringing MEDA Trust to the masses of young (and not so young) people around the world on Facebook.
I’ve always had a general aversion to dependence on technology, but I suppose we each are allowed the occasional weaknesses. Mine is Facebook. I justify my well-nigh obsessive habit of checking Facebook as being a ‘good way to keep up with my friends back home’ while I am here in Nicaragua. It’s a dangerous thing though, as a well-intentioned five-minute work break could suddenly run away on me depending on the news in the mini-feed of the day.
For those who are new to Facebook, it is “an online social networking utility” that lets you post photos, videos, notes and links to the causes and groups that interest you. Facebook has exploded to become the mode of communication among young people. In fact, rumour has it that now it is even being used by some not-so-young people. What’s more, the average user spends around 20 minutes a day on the site, perusing the some six million groups and tens of thousands of photos uploaded daily by its 55 million+ users.
Considering that users are on it for everything from keeping up with friends and relatives to networking with people around the world with similar interests, what better way to get the word out about the MEDA Trust website? Considering that I needed a constructive way to use this debility of avidly checking Facebook, what better idea than to make a MEDA Trust Facebook group?
With that in mind, two months ago the MEDA Trust group was born. The group page lets Facebook users know what MEDA Trust is all about. It features client stories, videos and a discussion board for questions or comments. It has since gathered more than 60 members and is still growing. The group directs users to the MEDA Trust site and lets MEDA Trust members connect online.
Facebook groups cover a whole range of topics; some serious and some not. Among these groups is a large number based on socially conscious issues such as international development initiatives. As awareness grows for such issues, tools such as the Facebook group have become useful in spreading information and introducing users to the MEDA Trust site. It acts as a guide that points the socially conscious and computer-savvy towards involvement with micro-finance initiatives with a click of the mouse.
Interested in joining our ranks? The Facebook group is open to any Facebook members. Just type in ‘MEDATrust.org’ in your search box, and click to join. I will warn you though – dabbling in Facebook can be detrimental to your concentration!
