Marrakech, Morocco Technology Infusion Experience: Nortel LearniT

1
Marrakech, Morocco Technology Infusion
Experience Nortel LearniT

• July 2007

2
A LearniT Volunteers Report

• I have just returned from doing a community
  project with approx. 20 volunteers from the EMEA
  COE trip
• This was a fantastic day and one that I feel
  particularly proud of in terms of my team, myself
  and for Nortel

• From Darryl Edwards, President, Nortel Europe,
  Middle East , and Africa region

3
The Children and The School

• We went to a school for orphans about 45 minutes
  outside of Marrakech. The school is called SOS
  Village School for Children.

4
Schoolchildren

• This school cares for 106 children aged from a
  few months old up to the age of sixteen.
• They live in small houses on the school estate
  with "carer" mothers.

5
The Beginning

• We were very warmly greeted by the children and
  MD the directorof the school (who was visibly
  loved by all of the children).
• ...a real home environment which really touched
  the hearts of all the LearnIt team volunteers.

6
Working Together

• A number of the children were also actively
  engaged and were also willing helpers.

7
The Volunteer Activity

• We painted a room (twice), made computer tables
  and installed eight computers that were loaded
  with software and networked to a printer and
  imager by WiFi.

8
The Volunteer Activity

• We also provided an overhead projector and
  PlayStation 2 game machine.
• To finish the room we put up the LearnIt posters
  (in Arabic) so that they can get more info from
  our web site.

9
Learning Hands-on and Hearts-on

• BUT most importantly actually seeing LearnIt
  being made real was the biggest thrill..........
• Especially when we showed the children the
  equipment and how to use it with some short
  hands-on training.

10
Presentation

• We formally presented the room/ facility to the
  MD and children who were overjoyed and very
  emotional.......as were the Nortel team!!!

11
The Schools Meaning

• The children then sang to us a very moving song
  about SOS school.

12
Personal Ownership and Rewards

• Its difficult putting in an email the feelings
  that the whole team left the school
  with.....everyone was elated but somewhat sad at
  the same time.
• I think that this is because such a little
  gesture by Nortel and some time from a few
  volunteers really made a huge impact on these
  children and will also impact the local
  community.
• The team all felt personal ownership and even
  handed out email addresses to the children (who
  speak French and Arabic only) so as to further
  extend the relationship and contact with these
  wonderful loving children.

13
Success

• Whoever came up with the LearnIT idea should be
  given a GOLD MEDAL.....
• Its a brilliant idea that has captured the minds
  of employees and most important made it personal.