This is why.

Today this girl saw a computer for the first time in her life and is now learning how to type.  I'm pretty sure in 20 years, she will find a cure for cancer.

Arrived and there is no Mercury in Pepto…

After months of preparation for our work in Vietnam, the time finally came to head out.  I met up with fellow US teammates in San Francisco for the long flight...  From SFO we flew to Hong Kong (after an hour delay due to lightening) and then on to Ho Chi Minh City.  Total door to door time came out to be about 32 hours.

I’m not sure why, but there is apparently a big fear of being chased by trees in Hong Kong.  What do to if chased by a tree was clearly identified so I felt safe.

After a brief rest post travel, we met up with our VNAT team mates and our hosts with Orphan Impact.  In 2009 Orphan Impact was founded by Tad Kincaid and currently has a staff of three instructors.  Using Intel’s classmate PC, Tad and his instructors work with the students in after school programs to “increase the likelihood that a genuine impact will be made in the lives of the orphan children using these computers”.  More information about the Orphan Impact concept can be found here.

(L-R): Orphan Impact founder Tad Kincaid with Intel VNAT IESC team member Tri Tin Le

(L-R): Orphan Impact instructors Long Pham, Bang Bui, My Nguyen with Intel VNAT IESC Aikido Nguyen.

Our activities so far have been focused on generating Instructional material for future teachers and setting up the classmate PCs destined for the new orphanages.  Since my technical knowledge of computers is limited to “buy Intel”,  I’m working primarily with the Orphan Impact instructors on the Instructional material.  A particularly interesting challenge that we are working through are shifts in how to instruct children (Teacher centered vs. Student centered)… coupled with cultural and language barriers.

It is absolutely amazing how many people are packed into Ho Chi Minh City.  We are currently working in a pocket of the City called “District 1”.  “District 1” is known as the tourist district so there is no shortage of shops and other retailers… and scooters.  Because of the cost of cars, the primary mode of transportation is the scooter.  The most riders we have seen on a scooter at once is 4, but I’m betting we will see a 6-pack at some point.

The food has been terrific…

… shocking picture aside – it has been very good!

-Erin

Vietnam - we're ready to go!

In case you missed it (I’ve made several passive Facebook posts already), Intel has a wonderful philanthropic effort to help non-profit organizations in under developed countries.   The program is called IESC and rather than go through the details, there is a short youtube video found here.  I simply say “I work for an amazing company that has an amazing program that allows some very lucky employees an opportunity to help”.

The team I am on will be going to Viet Nam, visiting orphanages in Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho province.  For those who are too lazy to look up the locations online – we will be working in the Mekong Delta area around Southern Vietnam.  Except for 2 VN based members of the team, I have met the 3 other State side members and am proud to work with such intelligent and dedicated individuals.  I have no doubt our team will do a terrific job.

And what “job” might that be?  We have been tasked to help the NGO “Orphan Impact” perform three distinct activities:

1)      Set up and establish network functionality for new classmate PCs in 2 additional orphanages.

2)      Repair damaged classmates PCs already in use.

3)      Conduct a series of Train the trainer sessions for the Teachers which will work in additional orphanages.

In preparation for the trip, we have had several preparatory meetings to ensure that our time is maximized, we are set up for success to achieve our goals, and (in true Intel fashion), exceed our customer’s needs.  We have also played with Legos and received too many shots to count.  Read as 2 nurses giving simultaneous shots in each of my arms.

We all get on airplanes and head West to the far East (that’s just weird to think about) early WW19; more to come…

Author’s note: I admit, this blog entry is probably not the most entertaining.  But trust me: as we start to work in country, we will have an abundance of opportunities to provide you all with entertaining stories with plenty of pictures of really cool people, places, and things.

-Erin