Fundraising with Virtual Reality

A VR film by Bandara allows potential donors to experience first-hand what a donation to Helvetas can achieve.

With virtual reality, you can teleport to other places, put yourself in the shoes of strangers and thus experience content much more emotionally than with conventional technologies. The development organisation Helvetas and the Zurich-based virtual reality content company show how VR content can be used effectively. Studio Bandara. Their VR film allows potential donors to experience first-hand how Helvetas is involved in Africa.

The film tells the story of Thérèse, who lives with her daughter Isabelle in the province of Donga in the north of Benin. In the past, Thérèse had to walk for hours to draw water from a dirty pond. Thanks to the commitment of Helvetas, this has changed: With donations from Switzerland, the villagers were able to build a well from which clean drinking water comes.

The virtual reality film was shot in Benin in spring and has been in use in street fundraising since the end of August. "Viewers are fascinated and emotionally touched by the experience," says Christine Bill, Product Manager Public Fundraising at Helvetas. "And what is almost more important for Helvetas: they see what your donation does and how they can contribute to real change."

Source: Media release