Posts Tagged ‘volunteering’
Posted on January 5, 2010
Rex in Wonderland
If I had to describe my volunteer experience in Nepal in just a few words, of course you would hear the proverbial, movie-like phrases such as “Life changing”, “Memorable and Rewarding”, “Riveting”, “Two-thumbs up with Dal Bhaat!” etc.
However, I can also describe the often day-to-day rituals and and unusual scenarios that I have experienced as eerily similar to “Alice in Wonderland”.
And the best part is (after getting used to it all), is that “I will actually miss it!” ah HAAA, the roller coaster rides on the 26 bus, the morning alarm-clock-like horkings, the cue-jumping, the simplistic head-nods, the evening chorus of the canine choir, the sharing of the side-walk with the random street cow, and much more!
There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Movie plug: here is link to the movie trailer of the upcoming motion picture www.apple.com/trailers/disney/aliceinwonderland/.
Oh indeed, what an adventure it was… I definitely want to jump on that ride again.
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 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:
- Anti-virus software of course
- Microsoft Office (or OpenOffice) and a backup/restore CD of your laptop or operating system
- 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.
- For photos: Picasa is free as is Windows Live Photos.
- Web browsers: Google Chrome is nice, light and fast, Mozilla FireFox is neat, if you are living in Microsoft land go with Internet Explorer.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (but get the full Acrobat version if you can or install PDF Creator)
- Skype (did I mention that already?)
- 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.
- Video and DVD’s – VLC Media Player, it plays everything.
- 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 October 14, 2009
Working with Michelle
I have had the privilege and honour of working with one of the most dedicated and hard-working volunteers I have ever met. Michelle Bonneau, a hard-nosed Canadian from Kelowna, BC has been working in Nepal for over 3 years now as a social counseling volunteer with VSO Nepal’s HIV/AIDS programme and as the heart and soul of IWEN Canada’s (Inter-cultural Women’s Education Network) indentured girls programme (www.iwencanada.com).
When Michelle should be sleeping, she is working. When she should be resting or taking it easy, she is working even harder. When she should be eating, well c’mon now, she is no doubt eating AND working at the same time.
The video
Michelle recruited me (more like strong-armed me with her Canadian charm) to help build a slide show of photos about IWEN’s indentured girls programme in the Dang district of Nepal. She needed it to show at IWEN Canada’s AGM in October.
I said “suuurrrre, why not?!?” as creating a simple slide show wouldn’t take too long to do. Not aware of what I was getting myself into, I also mentioned, “so it’s too bad we don’t have enough time to get some video footage because it would be neat to do instead a video/photo slideshow mixed in with music and interviews, etc.”.
Sure enough, Michelle made it happen. I miraculously got some footage (that needed to be converted) along with pages of translated text for subtitles (that needed to be painstakingly sync’d), and the whip of Michelle’s need for perfection (ouch) driving me into the wee hours of the night in order to get this video presentation done (in less than a week).
It was definitely worth it in the end.
The video is generous length of 21 minutes and there was so much more footage, photos, and stories that had to be left out (and no, there are no plans to make the extended DVD version). I had to choose only a handful of portraits from hundreds, images of girls recently sponsored by IWEN Canada (I personally just wanted to use them all).
While working on the video, I found it almost impossible to not be affected by the some of the girl’s personal accounts of not having the opportunity to know how to read or write, to not have freedom to go out or to have friends, to not know how to properly clean themselves, or to even not know their real names or when their real birth days are.
It was heart breaking to hear and watch.
(And for me to think, I walk down the street everyday and see potentially see underprivileged children, sometimes I not even noticing or thinking twice about what some of them are going through.)
I can see why Michelle works so very hard and why people like her possess the will and unwavering determination to keep on going, doing what they do.
Anyhow, without further ado, here is the video…it was my pleasure Michelle.
IWEN Canada – Indentured Girls Programme from Rex on Vimeo.
IWEN Canada – Indentured Girls Programme is a program that rescues bonded girls from slavery and gives them a new meaning in life through education in Nepal.
Posted on July 8, 2009
My VSO Partners
After 6 months into my placement, the VSO partners that I will be supporting have been formalized and should keep my plate full for the second half of my placement.
General Welfare Pratisthan (GWP) – Gyaneswor
http://www.gwpnepal.org/
GWP is a non-profit developmental organization committed to making lasting positive changes in the lives of marginal populations. Since 1993 GWP has been devotedly working for social welfare in Nepal. Covering approximately 500,000 beneficiaries through multi-sectoral programming, GWP has an existence in 20 districts of the Capital, Central, and Mid & Far Western Regions of Nepal. They are my primary organization where I will spend 1-2 days per week at their central office and perhaps 2-3 non-consecutive weeks at their field and unit offices.
Current Projects:
- Corporate Library Management Advisor
- Organization web site development and maintenance
- Email and chat communications
- Training and related IT Learning support
- IT Systems management support
Community Action Centre (CAC) – Jamal
http://cac-nepal.org.np/
Community Action Centre- Nepal (CAC-Nepal) is a Non-Government Organisation who works in the area of women and childrens rights, based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Coincidently, CAC already has a local volunteer with much more IT experience than I possess and a local IT technical support person in the private sector. I am not sure how I can contribute (aside from my charm and witty personality).
Current Projects:
- Computer setup, maintenance and usage strategies
- Local Area Network setup
- Library and information management strategies and policy Development
- Web site management strategies and content development
Bas-ji teaching the staff of CAC the insides of a computer.
Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) – Sundhara
http://www.ain.org.np
Taking over for another IT volunteer that has left, AIN is working with the Social Welfare Council in developing a database of Nepalese NGO’s working in Nepal. The contract with a local developer has been signed I will be providing strategic management advice during the development, testing, launch, and training on how to use the web-based application.
Prerana – Basundhara
http://www.prerananepal.org/
Established in 2007, Prerana Nepal (Inspiration Nepal) is a pioneer organisation in Nepal for the upliftment of economically, socially, culturally and educationally marginalized and backwarded Janajati, Dalits Madhesi, Adibashi, women and other marginalized minorities groups. Prerana Nepal is an advocate organisation for the minority rights with focus on economic, educational, cultural and social rights. Prerana Nepal works at rights based approach and involve in direct action.
Current Projects:
- Local Area Network setup and maintenance
- Information Management Strategies
KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra (KYC) – Dharan
http://www.kycpjk.org
KYC-Punarjiwan Kendra is an autonomous non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization working in nine districts of the Eastern region, Kathmandu and Lalitpur. KYC envisions a society where people have the right and access to a healthy and dignified life working with PLWHAs and (I)DUs by advocating for their rights and providing treatment, care and support related to drugs and HIV&AIDS. KYC helps prevent drug use and spreading of HIV by educating the community, focusing on youths and adolescents. KYC also works with families within marginalized and disadvantaged groups by increasing their knowledge and practice about sexual and reproductive health.
Current Projects:
- Initial site assessment will take place late August.
- Providing strategic management advice regarding IT management and learning support
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Nepal – Sanepa
Due to a global restructuring efforts at the UK office, the VSO Nepal office was affected as well (the lone IT person has left and the IT responsibilities are now shared among current staff or is outsourced).
Current Projects:
- IT management transition support.
- Identifying IT management gaps and devising sustainable solutions.
Nepal Global Campaign for Education – Babarmahal
The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is a civil society movement that aims to end the global education crisis.
Current Projects:
- Supporting their the development of their IT infrastructure.
- This is also Tlell’s partner organization
My main is objectives for all my partners is the following:
- Provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to support and maintain their IT and IM related activities.
- Connect them to learning opportunities and establish mutual partnerships relating to IT.
- Essentially and ideally, work myself out of job where they will not need on a volunteer in the future.
Love it!
