Susan Zoë Greenwald

From the 15th of July through August 1st , 2009 I volunteered with VIN in Technology Education. My goal was to give students, teachers and VIN staff tools to access knowledge, communicate, and work enhancement tools through Internet based programs. Having five computers to work with (one of which was my own), a good wireless connection and refreshing enthusiasm made for a successful experience all around! On the agenda was setting up and learning how to use email, Google, Youtube, blogging, Wikis and social networking sites. Teachers learned how to create a blog, and students developed their own Youth Club Wiki:http://jjyc.wikispaces.com/.   Facebook accounts were set up, and email addresses exchanged. VIN staff learned about Google Docs and how to use social networking sites to communicate and connect with future volunteers / donors.   Our two weeks together were spent well, we connected and learned.

In a way, Nepal felt like a real true home. The country is full of extremes – symbolized in the mountains, and low lands, the poverty, as the life span averages at 60.   All people exude a great and wonderful warmth – spiritually from Hinduism to Buddhism. Every Nepali person I met, felt like family. And so, when I left, I felt as though I was departing from my family, it wasn’t easy to leave.

Even so, once a VIN volunteer, always a VIN volunteer…my work, and connection to VIN will not stop. I hope to connect a group of students in the Youth Club and Children’s club to students of mine in the US. I plan to be in touch about helping VIN to raise funds, and to receive more technology. Most importantly though, the lines of communication are open, and so we will work together.

Computer Techonology Volunteer

July 15 to Aug 1, 2009