As the past year and half has shown us, connection with other people is something that makes us human. Studies have shown that “lack of human connection” can be extremely harmful to human health (CMHA, 2019). Because of COVID-19, being socially distant from people has been a necessity, and thus making human connections is harder to come by. We’ve had to get crafty about how we find our connection to other people.

Some people have turned to the various forms of social media (i.e. TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit) to find connections. Some have encouraged existing forms of social interaction, like churches, book clubs, etc. to go online in some capacity so that they don’t lose that connection. Some people have turned to calling friends and family on the phone or video chatting with them. Some have also turned to video to get their human interaction and connection.

Streaming services, like Netflix and HBO, and video streaming sites, like YouTube have been on the rise in popularity. While much of the content online is entertaining, it can also be informative. Educational programming has been a cornerstone for most entertainment programming.

YouTube has opened up a whole new world for education videos. A significant number of teachers and professors have implemented YouTube educational videos into their classrooms (DW, 2019). Using video as an educational tool teaches people in a different way - it helps to clarify and solidify what they are learning.

NGOs can use this tactic too. By implementing video into their outreach efforts, a whole new world can be reached. Video helps to solidify the NGO’s message and transform it to have it be accessible to larger audiences.

Videos can also reach a wider audience and transcend language barriers. Connection can be found through educating people on important information too! Using video to spread your message connects people together through the same mission. NGOs spread their message and bring people together in doing so.

illuminAid helps to educate on the process and power of video and provide equipment that brings video to new places. illuminAid’s partners have access to training and equipment that can help them spread their message to places with no internet or power.

illuminAid trains participant NGOs in all things video making, from scriptwriting to shooting to showing the video. illuminAid also provides equipment that creates and shares video, like cameras, tripods, recharging equipment, portable battery powered projectors, etc.

Community gathering around a video presentation in Muzaffarpur, India (2012).

One of the aspects of the program that is directly related to human connection is that illuminAid promotes community screenings. It can be incredibly helpful for NGOs to host gatherings of people to show the videos that they make as it brings valuable information to communities that didn’t have access to it otherwise.

Videos bring people together. How can illuminAid help you create more and better video?

Contact us to start a conversation about a potential partnership.

Sources:

https://cmha.ca/blogs/the-importance-of-human-connection

https://www.dw.com/en/youtube-in-schools-a-digital-revolution-in-the-classroom/a-49049423