About Video Volunteers

Video Volunteers is 501c3 non-profit based in New York City. We are working to create a sustainable global ‘community media network’, a kind of CNN or BBC for the one billion people living on less than two dollars a day. We envision an alternative media landscape in which tens of thousands of people around the world, living in slums and villages, are producing high quality video content that brings awareness to communities and empowers members to take action. This media is shown locally to accelerate change, while also being distributed through the mainstream media. The low cost of cameras and editing equipment, and the explosion of cable and internet distribution, have already made this technologically possible.

We devise models of sustainable, locally owned media, and devise training programs that give communities the journalism, critical thinking and creative skills to run them. The result is communities, especially illiterate ones, that are empowered with a voice and platforms to dialog and solve problems; new creative content that shows the rest of the world how the world appears to its poorest citizens; and proven ideas for bringing the poorest of the poor across the digital divide.

One of our strategies for creating a media industry at the base of the pyramid is the community video model, an innovative concept of community media that was developed by Stalin K and Jessica Mayberry in 2006. Currently there are 8 Community Video Units (CVUs) across India in six states, ranging from the largest slum in Asia to the most remote tribal regions of the country. Each CVU is started and funded by a local NGO that has chosen to invest in the vision of creating a ‘Global Social Media Network.’ Each CVU is comprised of 6-10 people from the surrounding slums and villages who are trained as producers. About every 6 weeks these producers, based on a topic decided by the community, produces a video that is seen via wide screen projectors. About 150-400 people come each night to these screenings and discussions. In areas where most cannot read or write video is the perfect way to reach communities and raise awareness on key issues like health, human rights, child marriage, water access and livelihood while inspiring the community to think about these issues and bring about change through action. Through these CVU’s Video Volunteers empowers communities to lead, connect and change, to not only better their lives but in doing so make this world a better place for all of us.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you towards creating positive social change.