In our last post, we wrote about our efforts in the town of Ingeniero Jacobacci in Rio Negro, Patagonia. Briefly, this project consists of repairing roofs in an area severely affected by the ash from the Puyehue´s volcano across the Andes, in Chile. The July eruption is still causing clouds of ash across land as far as Buenos Aires. Following our first minor repairs, Just One Planet Foundation organized “125 hours for Patagonia” a 5 days + 125 hours on- line contest among three selected organizations, that have been assisting the people of Patagonia deal with the ashes of Volcano Puyehue. These Organizations, Hábitat para la Humanidad Argentina, Cruzada Patagónica and Reconstruyendo Angostura, competed for a grand prize of AR $200,000 (around U$D 47,000). There was also prizes for second and third place, AR $130,000 (around U$D 30,500) and AR $100,000 (around U$D 23,500) respectively.
Volunteer sealing cracks between the walls and windows.
From 6:00pm September 20th to 11:00pm September 25th, people could vote through a Facebook application, and express support for one of three organizations to help Patagonia recover from effects of the ashes of Volcano Puyehue. Voters could also donate and each donation would account for three votes.
Hábitat para la Humanidad Argentina based this campaign on a mobilization strategy, trying to reach volunteers and supporters with advertisement and publicity made both via social networks (Facebook and Twitter) and via classic means (email, web, etc.). We came a respectable 3rd place, and are pleased to receive the $100,000 peso prize to repair 21 roofs in Ing. Jacobacci. This was an excellent opportunity to become better known in Argentina. Throughout the 125 hours of campaign, more than 50,000 people came into contact with HPHA and its efforts in Patagonia. As a result, HPHA doubled the number of followers of the Facebook page, which will allow HPHA a larger base from which to rally support. Also, in addition, to the 100,000 prize, an extra $1,025 pesos was donated by 41 people.
125 para la Patagonia logo.
These are very significant achievements for Hábitat para la Humanidad Argentina, and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us! All the Facebook shares, retweets and mentions, helped HPHA get to where it is today! More visibility leads to more funding, more volunteers and more awareness, which allows HPHA to achieve its mission of helping more families in Argentina have adequate housing, and for that HPHA cannot sincerely thank you enough for your support!
