Feature Story

September 12, 2005

By Terry Timm Moos, News@Cisco

Remember that classic back-to-school homework assignment - where the teacher asks you to write a paper about 'what you did on your summer vacation?'

If you were among the Cisco Systems volunteers who just returned from Ethiopia, it might take more than a single paper to describe the amazing experiences they had as part of their E-Enabling Ethiopia - Transforming Africa initiative, an educational program that enables people to learn the benefits of new computer technologies.

From August 3-5, 2005, four adults and four young adults from the United States traveled to Ethiopia for a week to share their knowledge about Internet and computer technology with Ethiopian students, teachers, and government officials.

Volunteers included Beth Land and Linda Hightower, Executive Government Advisors for Cisco Systems Internet Business Systems Group (IBSG); Felicia Ferranti, Cisco Systems Account Manager; and Angela Charles, wife of Cisco Systems IBSG consultant, Gerald Charles Jr. The young adult volunteers, children of Cisco employees, were also a vital part of the volunteer team.

Getting comfortable with computers

"This was a very successful, inspiring and educational trip," remarked Land. "We taught over 142 people on the first day." In all, about 300 Ethiopians were trained in less than a week - from high school and college students to teachers and government officials. "They were smiling, laughing, playing video games, and getting comfortable with the computer, the Internet, and email. Their desire for knowledge is just inspiring," commented Land.

"We managed two to three classes each day for three days during the week," said Land. "In Ethiopia, the people speak 80 different languages, with English as their second language, so we had no significant language barrier," added Land. "I learned that culturally, the students are much more shy than American students, but above all, they are hungry for knowledge."

Land said that the computers were networked to each other, not connected to the Web, and that one computer had very slow phone connectivity to the Internet. She noted that within a year, all of Ethiopia will have broadband and satellite access to the Web.

The four young adult volunteers, ages 13 to 17, were instrumental in helping to make the networks work. Each student created a personal Web page to show the Ethiopians. "Everyone really resonated with the sessions - they learned how to research subjects, use common Internet tools, discover chat rooms, and play games," she explained. "You could tell that when these participants learned something new, they would become ambassadors and share the knowledge with others."

Minister of Education inspires volunteer effort

How does a new program like this get started? According to Land, who works with Cisco Systems military and government accounts, the idea got its start last year, when she had the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Genet Zewdie, Minister of Education for Ethiopia, at the Cisco-sponsored Nobel events. "We had a high level discussion about educational outreach," Land said. "She truly inspires people, and understands that the gap between the rich and poor is not just about money, but about knowledge," said Land.

Computers were being donated to Ethiopia, but something important was missing - the people to teach them about learning the computers. "I reflected on my own experiences with my kids traveling," declared Land. "I knew they could connect with other children whether they spoke English or not, and I got to thinking that my own kids could help get Ethiopian students excited - video games seem to have a universal appeal to kids everywhere."

The process began in earnest in December 2004, and plans came together in April and May 2005. Ms. Mendaye Hailu arranged logistics in Ethiopia, working with the Addis Ababa Youth Association and Infonet College to organize the venue and class attendees. To recruit volunteers, Land emailed about 500 employees in the Cisco Systems IBSG, U.S. Federal, and Education sales groups, and 60 employees were very interested, and followed the progress of the initiative. She went to Ethiopia two weeks early to preview the venue and present the top six performance awards to Addis Ababa High School students. "It all came together so well," Land explained. "This was a volunteer effort, so every person in the group made a tremendous commitment in time, money, and talent."

Weather can't dampen enthusiasm for learning

It was the rainy season when the volunteers made their journey, and one of the biggest challenges they had was during a storm that resulted in major power outages. "On the first day, we had high school students come in the morning and despite the power outage, everything went well," explained Land.

The second class was scheduled for students at the Infonet College. "When we got to the classroom at the college, there were 80 to 90 students waiting for us - standing room only - but there was no power," she noted. "No Internet connection, no projector to show the presentation, and no power to run the computers - so we improvised."

With paper handouts for 'Internet 101', the volunteers had to compete with the noise of pouring rain on the tin roof - but the enthusiasm of the students was never dampened. "They wanted to see and hear as much as they possibly could," Ms. Land continued. "It was very gratifying for us to know we were making a powerful impact - even without power."

Keeping the connection going

"Everyone was so appreciative and kept asking when we were coming back," Land said. "The volunteers are now getting emails from the students, which is encouraged," she continued. "We can chat with them online and stay in contact - I believe it is very important to keep the connection. If we exchange emails, we'll learn more about their progress requirements and interests. We want them to use their knowledge and share it with others."

"Much of the credit for the success we had goes to the president and founder of Infonet College, (Ato) Solomon G\Michael, who got the word out and created interest in what we were doing," noted Land. Plans for the next trip are in the works. "Our young volunteers were a very important part of the success of this program because they really make a connection with their young Ethiopian peers," she continued, "so we may put together another trip for next summer, when school is out."

The summer of 2005 created memories that will last a lifetime for the volunteers - and touched the lives of many Ethiopian citizens. Beth Land sums her experience up this way: "This was the neatest, coolest thing I've ever done in my life. I really feel like we are making a difference and helping to eliminate fatal poverty."

So...how did you spend your summer vacation?

Terry Timm Moos is a freelance journalist located in Seattle, WA.