A while back, I wrote about using social media for social good.

The common misconception (some might even call it prejudice) is that the people on social media tend only to talk (or tweet, as is appropriate) without being involved in anything that might actually be beneficial to society.

Well, that’s not true. This year alone, we’ve seen how social media has helped fuel the reform in Egypt, and that’s not counting the many other ways charities have used social media to raise funds.

It is on this premise – that everyone on social media could actually do some good, and have a good time while at it – that the first Twestival was organised throughout the world in 2008, raising money for the One Water foundation to ensure that millions of people in Africa would get what many of us take for granted – clean, drinkable water.

In 2009, Malaysia joined the fray with Kuala Lumpur hosting its first ever Twestival. More than 200 Twitterers flocked to the event which was held to benefit a home for delinquent children, Destiny Starting Point. Thanks to the generosity of the Malaysian Twitter community and sponsors, more than RM11,000 was raised to buy clothing, a computer and food for the children at the home.

This year, Twestival Local (in which a local team of volunteers pick a local charity to support) will be on March 24. In the Klang Valley, the event will be held at Finnegan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Mid Valley Megamall, KL. Twestival KL 2011’s beneficiary will be the Pertubuhan Masyarakat Prihatin (Prihatin), a non-government organisation that cares for single mothers and children living with AIDS/HIV in Kelantan.

The event stays true to the Twestival motto of “Tweet. Meet. Give”. It creates an opportunity for twitterers who’ve “met” each other online to meet face-to-face. Some artistes who are active on “Twitterjaya” have also volunteered to appear and perform at the event.

Television host Will Quah (@willsquah) will reprise his role as host of Twestival, while local comedian Kuah Jen Han (@kuahjenhan) will entertain the audience with his jokes. If that’s not enough, celebrity Elaine Daly (@elainedaly) will make a special appearance and songbird Liyana Fizi (@liyanafizi) will top it all off with a performance just for Twestival 2011. A special auction will also be held to help raise funds for Prihatin and add to the night’s festivities.

Twestival Kuala Lumpur lead liaison Chan Hui Ling (@ling_chan) says this year’s edition builds on the previous year’s success.

“Twestival Kuala Lumpur in 2009 and 2010 were great successes, bringing together the community and helping to raise funds for noble causes. This year, we’re delighted to see even more support from the community and for personalities on Twitter like Will, Jen Han, Elaine and Liyana joining in to make this event a success.”

So, what can you do to help?

Well, for starters, you can mark March 24 on your calendars and sign up for Twestival Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are at RM35 each (if you buy early), or RM45 at the door, and all proceeds will go to Prihatin.

To get your tickets, send a tweet to @twestivalkl or go to http://kualalumpur.twestival.com/ to get instructions on how to pay for and collect your tickets.

There are two other Twestival Local events happening in the country on March 24 – Kota Kinabalu Twestival 2011, which supports the Sabah Society for the Blind; and Penang Twestival 2011, supporting the National Stroke Association of Malaysia.
To find out more, head over to http://kotakinabalu.twestival.com/ or http://penang.twestival.com/.