On World Social Media Day, Convoy of Hope is recognizing the role social media plays in Convoy’s global impact. It has been a connecting tool in working with teams around the world as they feed, equip, and empower people — ultimately changing their lives.
This week, Convoy’s team members shared how social media helps them reach their audiences to spread hope.
Christine Piencikowski – Hands of Hope Coordinator
For the logistics team, managing the influx of supply from Convoy’s incredible partners means having plenty of hands on deck. Hands of Hope is often called in to help with preparing resources at the World Distribution Center, which will be used for global distribution.
The Hands of Hope Facebook page is always active with news and opportunities for volunteers to help out. Like many groups online, it’s filled with a lot of strangers — but when they are in a room packing supplies together, they’re one unit with generous hearts wanting to help others.
Recently, volunteers organized a large shipment from one of Convoy’s partners — Bombas® Socks — and then committed five days to unloading six trucks full of socks for programs around the world. <LINK SOCIAL VIDEO>
“[Logistics] knows we have the volunteer base and bandwidth to pull people together and get things done,” said Christine. “Social media is great because it pulls from all sorts of crowds. It’s beautiful to see complete strangers coming together to make this happen.”
Vance McDonald – Convoy Nation Ambassador
Working with partners who have a large following can lead to greater impact in communities.
Convoy Nation works with generous individuals and organizations of influence who support Convoy of Hope through events. Vance enjoys how social media is a space for people to share their unique voices. He experienced this while working with Convoy during his time as a tight end in the NFL.
“Zendaya, Zachary Levi, and Mike Tompkins are a few specific individuals we’ve worked with who have that influence,” said Vance, “And the sports partners we’ve done community outreach events with have provided us … that earned media.”
A simple video on Twitter can reach an entire community of people and deliver hope — and serves as a place for Guests of Honor to share how they were impacted by Convoy’s events.
Fortunate Zondo – Youth Program Manager, Global Program
For Convoy’s global programming, social apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Facebook are training grounds for new leaders and a space to show program progress.
Almost every time something new happens in a program country, Fortunate sees a social post about it, and can then celebrate and shape that program remotely. For countries that have millions of social media users but may not be fluent in online resources, social media can be the best hub for training.
“Sometimes, an email is not a [regional leader’s] best ‘yes’,” she said. “In countries where social media is used daily, you lean into what they’re most comfortable with.”
It also gives programs an avenue to tell their story within their cultural context — from Kenya and Australia to Europe and Nicaragua.
You can follow along and support these programs by clicking here or by following @convoyofhope on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, as well as following @convoy_k and @convoyofhopeau on Instagram.
