Since it was my first day, the driver came to pick me up in the morning and we headed over to Magnus Consulting, the organization I’ll be working with here. The firm is in Patan which is another part of town, different from where I (and the other volunteers) have been staying, so there is a chance I would have to move somewhere there.
I met my counterpart, Tika, who was very welcoming and thankfully, communications were quite easy and straightforward. He explained that I had a few options in terms of projects they’re working on, so I opted to create a Information Communication Technology (ICT) awareness and benefits training for some of the Uniterra partners. He explained how one of the main challenges to getting people to use ICT here is that they’re apprehensive of using computers, but once they get their hands on the system, they’re just fine. Apparently resistance to change is a common human trait anywhere in the world!
The plan is to take one or 2 of the Uniterra partners and to do a case study of how technology can bridge some gaps in their business processes and make them more efficient. If I do end up with some spare time, which seems unlikely, I would develop basic business development/entrepreneurship training for the partners as well.
We had lunch together and discussed several issues with development in general and I was able to share some of my experiences in Sri Lanka as well. The restaurant where we had lunch was connected to a bookstore, so I picked up The Monk who sold his Ferrari and have started reading that too.
Ultimately, what I really liked about the folks at Magnus is that because they’re a social enterprise (rather than an NGO) their mindset, approach and way of thinking are very different. NGOs are constantly dependent on donors and funding, whereas a social enterprise is run as a business, so of course they have true sustainability in mind.
The objective here is to demonstrate to the partners why they should invest in ICT and how it will help them become independently sustainable.
Best of luck Ian. Please keep the updates coming.
Glad to see that you’re doing well, Ian. Keep us posted!
btw.. I should raid your bookshelf one of these days. I read (and loved) “The Game” after you posted about it, and this latest book looks pretty cool too lol
Ian! Glad to see you are safe and sound. Can’t wait to hear all about your experience when you get back! Take care of yourself, and take lots of photos.
Hugs,
V
It is good to hear all about this trip and the workload ahead in a place such as Nepal,all is well and thinking of you!God Bless,Brother Jack.
Good Luck Ian. I’m impressed with all that you’re doing. Surprisingly I have the same book at home and plan to read it soon!
Take care!
Mon
Hey man,
I hope you have a blast out there!
RD – Thanks! I’ll do my best!!
Matt – Ha ha, I can certainly recommend plenty of books! I actually wish I had more time to read when I’m NOT on “vacation”. The Game was really good, I should write up a review of it! I’m more than halfway through this one and it’s pretty interesting so far.
Vicki – Thanks! I’ve got quite a few photos, I just have sort them and start posting them now!
Brother Jack – Thank you!
Monica – Thanks, I think my truly calling is really in social work, so I’m happy to be here! Let me know what you think of the book!!
SB – Thanks man! I hope all is well in law school!! I’m planning on going to Bangkok in a few weeks. Maybe you can make some recommendations!