Posts Tagged ‘cuso-vso’

Posted on November 15, 2009

A Year Later in Nepal

Last week marked our one year anniversary in Nepal. Amazingly on one hand, time has really flown by. On the other hand however, considering all the changes we have experienced, our time here has felt much, MUCH longer.

I can say one thing for sure, I have definitely learned and grown a lot since I first stepped off that plane, more than I could have ever imagined. Perhaps it is because I had the chance to step away from the rat race and the normalcy of my daily life back in Vancouver. While adapting to life in Nepal, I also had the time to reflect about what I really wanted out of life, what my real strengths and weaknesses are, and what really matters to me the most. I don’t want to sound cliché, but it has truly been a tremendous “soul searching” experience for both me and my wife.

What do I miss most from back home?

Doritos chips and high speed internet.

The things that I have come to love about Nepal?

The people, it is definitely the people – the people who I work with, laugh with, learn new things with, and at the same time the people who sometimes drives me crazy, my uncanny neighbours, and the fruit vendor down the street who occasionally tries to charge just a little extra for a kilo of apples.

What they all have in common though is their unconditional perseverance. Along with the political instability, the surmounting daily problems and barriers to basic opportunities that we often take for granted, are unimaginable to endure in my mind yet it is a normal part of their daily lives.

And so, they keep moving on, routinely going through the motions of their daily lives often either day-dreaming of a better life or apathetic or indifferent. Yet they are always “present” and “grounded” living each day one day at a time.

Regarding my work and challenges

I work in VSO Nepal’s HIV/AIDS programme as an IT Advisor. However, I feel like I have been more than what my ID cards says I am. I have worn “many hats” as they say, played many roles, and adapted a MacGyver style of working when it comes to helping people grow and learn. Working along with several local Nepali NGO’s regarding information management and related technologies, I have acted as a capacity builder, a trouble shooter, a teacher, a coach/motivator, a mentor, a facilitator, and even a councilor (that’s long story).

Depending on my colleague’s needs, activities have ranged from brainstorming ideas on how to build and maintain their library, developing policies and best practices regarding computer usage/maintenance to testing out new software and going shopping with them to look for the best computer deals and services. So far, my work has not only been interesting but genuine and authentic in way – real, raw, and down-to-earth grassroots.

Of course, the culture and language barriers were difficult at first, but it definitely got easier as time went on (and as my Nepali got better). However, the most challenging aspect of my job is actually figuring out how to learn and work in a totally different way that I am used to working back home.

On being a volunteer

I’ve learned that to be a volunteer (or any type of job that sees you working in different cultures), you really have to be flexible, adaptable, and creative since “anything” can unexpectedly happen. Most importantly I had to learn to be comfortable about “letting go” of some of my own expectations and convictions. On many occasions it has been frustrating and I felt like saying “Arggh, just let me do it and it will get done.”  I had to remind myself, it is not about me but about the community that I am helping.

“Change” can be excruciatingly slow but it is definitely happening. As a “changed” person myself, I am simply along for the ride, supporting my colleagues through their necessary growing pains.

Highlights so far…

Work-wise, one of my most proudest moments is seeing my colleagues excited about the projects that we are working on. It’s amazing but simply teaching someone a new skill or trick on the computer, it feels like you are bringing water to a community village.

One colleague was ecstatic that she can now call herself a “Web Content Manager” after learning how to blog or edit their organization’s web site and another is jubilant that he can now optimize the performance of their computer networks. No longer do they say that the computer is just an expensive type writer.

Sometimes I found that a person just needed reassurance that the existing knowledge and skills that they have learned on their own is not inadequate. They often see me as the “Expert” but I often say, “Hey now, you are an expert as well!” I also found that often encouragement is needed for them to continue to explore new ideas, think critically, converse with their peers, and most importantly to not be afraid to make mistakes. It may sound easy to us “Westerners” but in reality, the concept is sometimes foreign in some cultures.

Finally, like any job, I look forward to vacation time. To be tourist when technically you are not one is such a great feeling. Let’s be honest here, travelling, seeing the sights, and learning about new cultures is a big plus about volunteering overseas.

It has been such an amazing experience so far and even though our placement ends in January, our adventure isn’t over yet.

Posted on November 14, 2009

VSO Nepal Goes Green

Volunteers reports on VSO Nepal’s latest green initiative.

by Rex T., Edited by Stephen Massey, and with the help of Hilary Wright.

Last September, VSO Nepal made a bold decision to ban the use of plastic bags within the office premise. Although causing extra inconvenience and being initially unpopular with some staff and volunteers, the decision was morally an easy one to make.

Staff and volunteers who venture to the office each day do not have to look very far to see the environmental consequences of society’s addiction to plastic. The nearby Bagmati River, a river that splits Kathmandu from Lalitpur and is considered a “holy river” both by Hindus and Buddhists, is literally choked with plastic refuse. The sad visual display is part of everyone’s morning commute to work – a constant visual reminder that plastic bags are detrimental to not only our natural environment but to our overall health and well-being.

So when our programme support manager suggested, “let us just ban plastic bags in the office all together”, although people were astonished at first (myself included), we quickly realized that it was the most common-sense thing to do.

A month or so later, anyone working or visiting the VSO Nepal office found themselves unable to bring plastic bags onto the premises. If any one does, or accidentally forgets that they brought one, they are asked to check the plastic bags at the guard post. There is even a prominent sign mounted on the gate depicting the office’s commitment to banning plastic bags in order to protect the environment.

Some might say that this ban is extreme and an inconvenience. Some people have even challenged the credibility of the ban and have brought up points about purchasing products that use excess plastic packaging or even purchasing milk that comes in plastic pouches. I can even imagine people have been thinking “How far will this ban go?”

In the end however, no-one can show that plastic bags are a good thing and we welcome the discussion that this ban has caused. In fact we want to see more of these types of discussions and debates, to force us to think critically about our work and lifestyle practices and how they impact on the environment. Staff and volunteers together have also started thinking about other issues such as energy, waste, and paper use reduction.

Since the ban, there has been a noticeable change in the office. The guards and kitchen staff now venture in and out of the office with reusable cloth bags and people often make it a game to spot and taunt anyone that accidentally brings one in (at least I do). As we all know, change can be difficult but it is slowly happening.

The banning of plastic bags was the first of many small steps to come – but also a symbolic gesture that sends a strong, thought-provoking message.

Posted on October 17, 2009

An IT Checklist (and other things to know) for New Volunteers

Greetings to all new VSO volunteers who are coming to Nepal. Here is what you need to know regarding IT…

• Bring your own laptop – your laptop will be your source of entertainment (movies, tv, music, photos, etc.) and it will allow you to work from anywhere (at home, at Cyber cafes, wi-fi enabled restaurants etc.). Don’t rely on your partner organization to provide you a working PC (some are ancient). You can purchase laptops in Kathmandu but they are expensive since the shop keepers tell me that they get hit with excess import taxes. A decent laptop can run from 60,000 to 75,000 npr. If you have no choice or realize that you do have to purchase a laptop in Nepal, have no fear since all brands are available and the services at some shops are pretty extraordinary (ie. “free” software, support, extra add-ons if you bargain). For my work here, I like small and compact laptops, especially if you plan to carry it around from office to office, district to district (no need to break your back). Netbooks are worth it in my opinion (if you are the Internet-Word-Photo-viewing only type of person). If there is no DVD/CD drive, just get the extra external optical drive and leave it home when not needed! Don’t forget to bring back-up CD’s of your operating system and software – you never know if and when you have to reinstall them (you don’t want to install anything from here either). Integrated web cams and mic is a must.
• Anti-virus software – DO NOT mess around with this aspect. Pay for a decent anti-virus software program as the free ones will not cut it. Without a doubt YOU WILL come across viruses, especially in some places where Internet is still on dial-up and sharing files via flash USB drives (pen drives as they call it here) is the norm. Read my previous post of recommended anti-virus programs. Regarding anti-virus updates, you can plug your laptop into any cyber cafe. If you are in the Kathmandu valley, fill up at the VSO office.
• Electrical plug outlet adapters and surge protectors – re: plug outlet adapters, it would be good to bring your own high-quality adapters but you can also get good ones here. Re: surge protectors, if you have a good, high-quality one bring it for the sake of your laptop. Poor power surge bars will eventually drain your laptop battery (our brand new laptop used to last for 3 hours and now it can barely last for 1). However, you can also purchase high-quality surge protectors in town for cheap.
• External hard drives and USB flash drives (pen drives) – for backup and file sharing, it is a must! Sure, you can burn DVD’s of your important data, photos and files but they do fill up fast (and if you are a photo addict like I am, you will need it). You can purchase inexpensive drives here (Transcend is the popular brand – 120 GB for 9000 npr) but heck, bring your own anyways. Pen drives bought here are really inexpensive and pretty reliable.
• Upgrading your laptop – I am not sure why (maybe because parts can “easily” be imported in) but upgrading RAM and laptop hard drives is relatively cheap.
• Thinking about a Desktop computer? – For only 25000 – 35000 npr you can get a pretty fast clone PC. But get a laptop.
• PC or Laptop support/troubleshooting? – If there isn’t any IT volunteer or any tech-savvy volunteers around, VSO Nepal outsources their IT needs and perhaps you can use the same company as well. If you are out of valley, I would head to your local cyber cafe and start from there for advice. The IT industry is booming here in Nepal.
• Laptop bags and gear – a protective sleeve for your laptop is always good (for dust, spills, flying dal bhaat, whatever) as well as a good bag. You can get a good notebook style messenger bag but it’s not as convenient as a good backpack designed for notebooks. It’s easier to carry, you are more mobile and flexible, especially if you are on a motorbike. A notebook lock is good but I never really used mine.
• Internet Providers in Nepal – still debatable on which ones to use as every volunteer has had good and bad experiences with each company. Check with VSO Nepal for their updated recommendations but here is my list of companies to use.
• Mobile phone – you can bring your own GSM SIM card enabled phone but if it is an expensive one, I would be wary about bringing it as there is a chance that you can lose, damage, or get it stolen. You can get a decent mobile phone here (and it will for sure work) for 2500 to 3500 npr. Out-going volunteers can pass you their old phones as well (very convenient as you do not have to go through the hassle of registering for a phone number). However, if you do need to register for a new number, Mero Mobile and NTC are the popular (and most reliable) service providers in the country (as side from the registration fee, you would also need a passport photo and a photocopy of your passport). Like all telecom companies, they do have their business-driven Pros and Cons (ie. Mero moble users calling another Mero mobile user is cheaper than calling an NTC user, NTC has cheaper rates but hard to get SIM card for some reason).
• Email (and related web services) – most often volunteers create new email address accounts while they are working in Nepal. The big 3 email providers, Microsoft Live Mail, Google Gmail, and Yahoo! Email each have their own perks and depending on which company your friends mostly use, it will also likely determine who you sign-up with as well. This matters the most when it comes to chatting and accessing useful web services that you may find useful for staying in touch with friends and family back home.Here is quick summary of these services:
  • Yahoo! – with your Yahoo! account you will not only have email but access to Flickr (for photo sharing and storage), Delicious (for storing and sharing bookmarks on the web), Yahoo! Groups, and Yahoo! Messenger for chat.
  • Google – along with Gmail, you can setup your own Blog with Blogger, manage your photos on your computer and share them online with Picasa, chat with other Google users on Google Talk (and Gmail if you have chat enabled). Google also has Groups. Like to map things? Google Maps is neat. Google is my choice.
  • Hotmail (or Live mail from Microsoft) – you got blog with Live Spaces, MSN messenger chat, photo sharing and management with Windows Vista or 7, and lots of other services. You can’t go wrong here.
  • Mac – if you are on a Mac, well you have all of the above plus your own cool world (MobileMe).
  • Facebook is a notable mention – it is has everything you need especially if all your friends and family are on it. VSO Nepal even has a Facebook group.
• Blogs – need a web site (blogs are really web sites)? Then I recommend Blogger.com, Wordpress.com, or Tumblr.com. Windows Live Spaces is included with your hotmail account.
• Software – aside from the aforemention chat programs above, Skype is a godsend for video, chat, and phone calls. You should have your basic office applications such as Microsoft Office. Be aware however, most organization that I have worked with are still using older versions of Microsoft Windows and Office (Windows XP and Office 95/2000) for obvious $$$ reasons so you may stumble upon file compatibility issues (.doc vs. .docx). OpenOffice is great but if you are working on a document that was originally in Word or has to be submitted in Word, DO NOT use OpenOffice as you may find yourself having many formatting and layout headaches/issues.Finally, here is my essential list of software to load your laptop with:
  1. Anti-virus software of course
  2. Microsoft Office (or OpenOffice) and a backup/restore CD of your laptop or operating system
  3. Email software: if using Hotmail, download Windows Live Mail to email read your email offline. Gmail via Google Gears. Mozilla Thunderbird is another free email software package.
  4. For photos: Picasa is free as is Windows Live Photos.
  5. Web browsers: Google Chrome is nice, light and fast, Mozilla FireFox is neat, if you are living in Microsoft land go with Internet Explorer.
  6. Adobe Acrobat Reader (but get the full Acrobat version if you can or install PDF Creator)
  7. Skype (did I mention that already?)
  8. For blogging offline, Windows Live Writer which is great when you don’t have internet access and you can draft your blog entry and have it ready to go.
  9. Video and DVD’s – VLC Media Player, it plays everything.
  10. CCleaner – a useful all-in-one cleaning program that clears out the junk and organizes your computer (makes your computer go faster and can free up hard drive space.)

If anybody else has any other suggestions, feel free to share them here.

Posted on September 5, 2009

How’s my patient?

I use analogies all the time when trying to explain about information technologies, best management practices, and maintenance concepts to my non-tech savvy colleagues. However, finding the “right” analogy that sticks with certain people can be an interesting challenge as well (because it can backfire).

At work, I try to illustrate that organizing and managing your electronic documents, files, and reports is like organizing your wardrobe, your closet or even food pantry and maintaining the health and longevity of your computer is like maintaining your motorcycle or car.

(Backfire: many Nepalese have told me that they only bring their vehicles to the shop when it breaks down…sigh).

One new analogy that I have come up with that seems to be very receptive to my colleagues is the notion that I am their “IT Doctor”.

As their IT Doctor, the title seems to possess a high moral standard as I am either assessing a “spaghetti-like” local network, resuscitating a sickly old desktop, or even attempting to exorcise a possessed laptop (I wasn’t able to solve Elijah’s solo-moving cursor problem).

As a trustworthy authority figure, I also provide IT health consultation (ie. always exercise scan your USB drives/external hard drives twice a day, etc.) and prevention advice (um, you do not know where that USB drive has been, so always use anti-virus protection, see my previous post about Anti-virus protection in Nepal).

An “IT auto mechanic”, another analogy that I sometimes use or the typical repairman may in fact provide the same technical services and also the same advice but ahhh the allure of the title “IT Doctor” seems to have more credibility, better bedside manners, and is a lot more sexier than the prototypical laid-back, geeky IT consultant.

IT Doctors work for the greater good …. we want to help prevent the spread of viruses, educate the community about IT health issues, through mainstreaming and sensitization, and help alleviate IT network empidemics from potential mass data lose biblical proportions.
- possible mission statement for the fictional organization,
“IT Doctors without Borders”

Case in point, compare the number of medical drama shows that are out there to the number of IT drama shows.

Coming soon analogies…

• Creating web sites is like cooking.
• Matching volunteers with partners is like internet dating and rollercoaster marriages.
• Organizing a workshop in Nepal compared to back home is like a jazz band versus an orchestra. – from Julie

Posted on July 7, 2009

Sharing Skills, Changing Lives – are we flogging a dead horse?

Mark, a fellow IT Volunteer who just recently returned to the UK, left a lasting impression on me during the handful of occasions that we were able to work together. Along with his tactful guidance and uncanny wisdom, he also shared with me an article that he wrote intended to be published in our next volunteer newsletter. Fearing unintended censorship (and Mark, I hope you don’t mind), I would like to make sure this shared-perspective piece sees the light of day.

Sharing Skills, Changing Lives – are we flogging a dead horse?
by Mark Diggle

Sounds simple, seems to make sense, quite catchy; but at times it seems that turning this into action can be a little tricky.

VSO of course are not alone in this respect. There are around 30 major donors working in Nepal. However despite significant donor inflows over the past few years, Nepal continues to remain the poorest country in Asia and is the 14^th poorest country in the world. The average per capita income in Nepal is just USD 340. This compares to a figure of USD 2,740 for India [DIFID: May 2009].

Nepal’s aid dependency is widely acknowledged and is clearly a concern for many. The scale of this dependency is significant. In 2002 aid financed over 50% of Nepal’s development projects, [Bhattarai: March 2007]. The desire to change this situation is perhaps reflected in government proposals for a new Foreign Aid Policy in which Foreign Investment is seen as the new priority, with aid being phased out completely by 2025. [Adhkari: May 2009].

Various reasons are cited for this culture of dependency. However one significant factor appears to be the system of patronage within Nepal (within and outside government). Paternalism fosters dependency and rewards are seldom based on performance. Whilst the need for change may be recognised, people generally seem to feel powerless to effect change and instead rely or expect “others” to bring about the changes sought.

Then the volunteer arrives!

As a general observation I would suggest the role of the volunteer does not always seem to be that clear. This lack of clarity, particularly with some partners, was apparent at the PAP review in February this year. Discussion on roles and expectations prompted VSON Country Director to suggest to partners that if they needed to employ someone to do a specific job, they should employ a Nepali. The volunteer should not be seen as a substitute to this, rather “the volunteer brings a little extra”. However the distinction between the volunteer‘working for’ as opposed to ’supporting’ an organisation can sometimes get lost in translation.

So, does it really matter? If the volunteer is contributing something, isn’t that good enough?

I would suggest that; yes it matters a lot. If we return to the Sharing Skills Changing Lives issue then the role of the volunteer with a partner organisation is of critical importance in the development of the capacity of that organisation. Equally important is the role that the partner plays which allows this learning and development process to take place. It is this attitude to learning and the expectations associated with it that are in my view a major factor affecting the success of a placement.

At the risk of upsetting some educationalists it is worth looking at what is understood by learning. Some years ago a simple piece of research asked a number of adult students what they understood by learning. Their responses fell into five main categories:

1. Knowledge – acquiring information or ‘knowing a lot’.
2. Memorising – storing information that can be reproduced.
3. Facts, skills and methods – that can be retained and used as necessary.
4. Making sense or abstracting meaning – relating parts of the subject matter to each other and to the real world.
5. Interpreting and understanding – comprehending the world by reinterpreting knowledge. [Säljö: 1979].

Responses 1 to 3 imply a less complex view of learning where learning is something external to the learner. It may be something that just happens or is something done to you by teachers. Learning becomes a bit like shopping where people go out and buy knowledge – it becomes their possession.

In the last two responses learning takes on a more ‘internal’ or personal dimension. Learning is seen as something that you do in order to understand the real world. [Smith: 2003]

Guess which responses perhaps best typify state education within Nepal? This exposure to ‘learning’ for certain partner organisations may well influence their expectations of the role of the volunteer  and the manner in which the process of organisational development will take place.

So when we talk about ‘Sharing Skills’ it is worth considering this backdrop to the environment in which we find ourselves:

• Nepal remains a poor country despite massive influxes of aid.
• A culture of dependency has developed over the years.
• ‘Solutions’ may be perceived as being the responsibility of ‘others’.
• Whilst knowledge may be valued, the reward for actually working may be limited or non existent.
• Partners may expect the volunteer to act as an ‘employee’ with a emphasis on ‘doing the work’ for them.

Whilst not typical of all partners, it is against this backdrop that some of the difficulties experienced by some volunteers can be placed in context. It is also why it is so important that the volunteer does not allow themselves to loose sight of their primary role; to add a little extra, not to do the work for them. The reason for this is simple.

VSON, if they are doing their job properly, should be selecting partners who are able to demonstrate three key qualities:

• 1. Attitude – working positively with the volunteer
  2. Aptitude – a capacity to learn and develop
  3. Ability – to perform and deliver change

The volunteer can support the partner by helping with the development of their knowledge, understanding and methods with the aim of improving organisational capability and their approach to problem solving. This can be viewed as the foundation to sharing of skills. However it is only through the application of skills by the partner organisation that they will develop their proficiency and ultimately, change lives.

If the volunteer does the work for them, the volunteer effectively denies the partner organisation the opportunity to develop. Any learning that does take place will largely remain in a vacuum, cherished only for what it means to the individual at a very personal level.

It is the responsibility of the partner to recognise that the volunteer represents an opportunity. One in which the organisation may choose to embrace and take ownership of the change process. Partners should remember that the volunteer is transitory, typically 2 years. The challenge for Nepal I would suggest is on a completely different timescale.

So are we flogging a dead horse?

Well it may seem like that at times, but the answer I feel on balance is; no.

If each of the three partners within this relationship (VSON, volunteer and partner organisation) recognises their responsibilities, the simple model of Sharing Skills, Changing Lives can work.

But do not underestimate the challenge that this simple premise represents.