In this video taken in Tanzania , 9-year-old Glory leads her class in a song about the HIV crisis in her country. We believe this little girl’s song – and other videos and images like this one - have the power to inspire real change. (If you’d like to learn more about Glory, check out her expanded story here.)

Technology, like the mashup we’ve proposed, can amplify voices like hers. At Epic Change, we believe that one child’s story may be more powerful motivator of action than statistics aggregated about an entire population. According to recent research by Wharton professor Deborah Small, stories are far better than statistics at generating an emotional response that inspires giving. Additionally, according to the July 2007 edition of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, “Fund-raising appeals do best when they are crafted around a single gripping image.”

So we’ve proposed a mashup in the Net2 Mashup Challenge that enables all non-profits to transform their Flickr images & Youtube videos into eCards & eGifts that can be sent via email & social networking sites by donors, supporters and consumers-turned-activists for $1.

We believe this tool will enable charitable organizations of all types (including, likely, most of those participating in this competition!) to share their stories in an effort to raise funds, empower their donors & supporters, and generate awareness of their causes.

If you believe that stories like Glory’s have the power to change the world:

• Learn more about our mashup here.
• Register to vote at Net2.
• Check out the voting rules here.
• Put Epic Change on your ballot here.

Thanks for your vote! Stacey