Internet users have most likely heard of crowdfunding, the concept of acquiring funding for projects from voluntary public contributions, usually online. But while most crowdfunding platforms (Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, etc) are usually focused on the funding of cool ideas or products, Weeboon -- a new Thailand-based platform -- is currently leveraging the power of social media and online crowdfunding towards charitable causes, allowing NGOs, companies and members of the public to receive the funds for pursuing their causes.
Launched in January, Weeboon allows anyone to simply register an account on their website (weeboon.com) before posting a request for others to fund their causes. These range from medication costs for sick/injured animals and people to financial aid for poverty-stricken children and elders, with a focus on Thailand. Donation requests can range from a few thousand baht to hundreds of thousands for more serious or extensive cases. Users can opt to donate anything from 50 to 500,000 baht to each cause.
As of now, the site has close to 30 campaigns, with a handful having already achieved their funding goals. One campaign raised over 200,000 baht in medical fees for two foreign children severely injured by a bus-crash in Pattaya, while another raised 30,000 baht in support of the Lanta Animal Welfare not-for-profit. The site is also raising money in support of the victims of the recent bombing at Phramongkutklao Hospital.
Weeboon employs a team of diligent campaign screeners, who make sure that every campaign displayed is genuine, so users can rest assured there are no scammers with impure intentions for the money they receive in donations. Many Thais have negative past experiences in online crowdfunding for so-called charitable purposes, with a notable example being the case earlier this year when a freshman at Kasetsart University took to Facebook to ask for donations to fund his education as his family did not have the money to support him. Receiving over 1.6 million baht in donations, the student became the focus of much controversy, with many sceptical net-users doubting the veracity of his claims to poverty.
While still very much in its infant stages, with only a handful of available campaigns to support, Weeboon is still a great example of how technology can allow us to connect with and help less-fortunate people with their problems, even from the other side of the world.
-- Kanin Srimaneekulroj
