Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

October 20, 2009

FarmVille users on Facebook have taken advantage of a program launched by the games developer to donate almost half a million dollars to a pair of nonprofit agencies in Haiti.

Zynga launched Sweet Seeds for Haiti about three weeks ago reports VentureBeat, offering its 56.0 million users a chance to make a difference by having a portion of the price of virtual sweet potato seeds sold in the game go to the nonprofits FONKOZE and FATEM.

FATEM President Jacky Poteau said that over 500 children have been affected positively by the donations, allowing them a chance to escapes poverty and gain a better education.

FONKOZE is an alternative bank for the poor, while FATEM dedicates itself to improving the basic needs of the community, with a focus on education and alleviating hunger.

So the next time someone tells you to stop wasting time on Facebook, tell them you’re simply making the world a better place.

Comments

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Yeah, invites for this and other slacktivism games have been annoying me on Facebook for a good month now. Nothing a quick click of "Block Application" can't fix though.

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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

"....to donate almost half a million dollars to a pair of nonprofit agencies in Haiti."

you go girl, keep blocking those applications!

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

The company behind it is Zynga. If they aren't skimming a little something off the top, bottom and sides for themselves from the donations, I'd be very surprised.

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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Facebook.  Myspace.

I just don't see the appeal (other than perhaps a convenient way to share pictures with your friends and family).

Then again, I don't enjoy multiplayer games so I suppose it's not surprising that I'm not a fan of social networking sites.

 

Andrew Eisen

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Which is why LAN was invented! Also why it needs to stay! (I'm looking at you, Blizzard)

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Worse comes to worse we'll still have Counter Strike. Counter Terrorists Win

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 Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

Considering that Zynga makes some of the most profitable - and annoying - games on social networking sites, I can't help but wonder what their cut is of this.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

for this drive, it was 50%, but much of thier 50% was revenue they'd already earmarked as regular income, so.... less than that.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

And therein lies my problem. They are using the "50% goes to charity" line to encourage people to spend more money with them, therefore increasing their own profits. It's a cynical marketing ploy.

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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Virtual Goods Lead to Real Benefits for Haitian Kids

I was part of this donation. Did my part, and it didn't cost me a cent. I signed up for a couple advertised items, got some spam in my email, and in the end some kids in haiti got some money.

Literally something for nothing.

GamePolitics ShoutBox

Posted 11/21/09 at 09:21am
magic_taco: ...ok...
Posted 11/21/09 at 08:16am
ZippyDSMlee: Welcome and goodmorning its zippy in the AM....wat OMG its 8:50AM!!!!
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:42pm
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:17pm
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:10pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:01pm
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:59pm
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:49pm
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:46pm
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:44pm
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:42pm
DarkSaber: JD's feeling rather desperate it seems.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:33pm
JDKJ: C'mon, Zip. You already touch yourself way too much. Spread the love. Before you go blind.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:27pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No and I ain't touching any part of you or your friends!! :P
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:25pm
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Lik Mitaint?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: neill and bob,oldest giveing head joke and most lamest...
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
JDKJ: But thanks for the memory. MIB's a classic. *sings* "Here come the Men in Black. Galaxy defenders. Here come the Men in Black. They won't let you remember."
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:for the record I told you you can suck your own dck.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:07pm
JDKJ: Naw, man. That's Mueedeegiaap and Bob. And you can stop bobbing. I got Zippy bobbing now, too.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:56pm
DarkSaber: OH I get it now! It's Men In Black quote! The twins that run the comm centre in HQ.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:49pm
JDKJ: I'd like to introduce you to them. First, Neil. Then, Bob.
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