Throughout the internet, we are hearing about efforts to help the people of Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake that rocked the Caribbean island country on Tuesday, January 12. People everywhere are using a variety of online tools to try and help out, from fundraisers being organized via Twitter and Facebook, to wikis for coordinating tech assistance, to a State Department organized crowdsourcing system for finding out the status of loved ones in Haiti. The metaverse is no different, with several virtual worlds hosting fundraisers, benefits and memorials for the victims.
Here's what we know about so far:
- In Second Life, several fundraisers and benefits are being organized, which you can find out about on Hamlet Au's blog New World Notes. If you want to remember someone, My friend Rhiannon Chatnoir has opened up her catherdal in Darkwood as a space to light a candle with your thoughts and prayers.
- The kid virtual world Xeko has created a Haiti relief donation center where you can make a donation to the Haiti relief fund by purchasing emergency kits from January 15 - 22. From your virtual donations, Xeko will work with Marcy Corps to supply real emergency food kits to those in need in Haiti. Xeko residents gathered on Friday afternoon to talk about the disaster and to brainstorm ways to help.
- In the kid world of Wiglington and Wenks you can similarly purchase virtual hats that translate into a real world donation to the Humane Society International Disaster Relief Fund.
If you know about other online efforts to help with Haitian recovery and assistance, please post to the comments or contact us at rikomatic@betterverse.org.
