Ten years ago, I bet no one would have imagined that today a ranger working in a remote location in Congo could post photos and information about his conservation work on a website which gets 20,000 visits a month from around the world.

Or that a Mumbai-based stray dog welfare organization could share videos of its dogs to be adopted with viewers across gigantic India and the rest of the world. (Others here here and here.)

Or that micro-credit recipients in, for example, Togo and Guatemala, could have their photos, stories, and business details posted by Kiva.

Why does it matter for volunteers? For one, volunteers can now learn about some amazing work being done from the comfort of their own homes, and that work can help shape their ideas about the field. It also means that there is some potential for potential volunteers to use their media-based skills either to volunteer from home (See UN Online Volunteers) or to assist in the field with those skills, perhaps in the way of building local capacity by sharing their knowledge in classes.

Why does this matter for the organization? I think each case has its own benefits.

• Wildlife Direct blogs allow ordinary people from all around the world to gain insight directly from local experts who have been doing this work for years, as opposed to from foreign journalists who might come for a month and then leave. In a sad recent turn of events, seven rare mountain gorillas were shot and killed. Rangers have asserted that this is most likely connected to the illegal charcoal trade; government soldiers who have not been paid for years draw income from the trade and would prefer to see the park unprotected. One of the rangers was recently arrested – and released – but these stories can stay potentially public because coverage won’t stop when reporters leave remote Virunga, but can be posted on the blogs…which 20,000 people a month visit.

  There is apparently a UN organized investigation into the killing of the gorillas. In the AFP article featured on Yahoo about the start of that investigation, there is no reference made to this illegal charcoal trade, which is notable because it plays a significant role in the explanation given by those who seem to be most familiar with the situation. I imagine that the blogs could play an important role in keeping developments with that investigation in the public eye.

• For Welfare of Stray Dogs India, it’s my observation from volunteering at shelters in my own country that many people avoid shelters and aren’t sure what to think about stray dogs or shelter dogs. In these videos, it’s very clear that these dogs are charming and well-behaved; it’s also just nice to see some dogs who are clearly happy, healthy and friendly.
• Kiva’s profiles serve to put a human face on the recipients of micro-credit loans. Many people would say it is human nature to enjoy seeing who exactly micro-credit loans benefit, and specifically how a small business owner plans to use the loan. For those with a background in economics and a willingness to pay their own way, you can read about some competitive volunteer opportunities with Kiva partner organizations.