Next week I join 150 fellow trainers at the MCT Summit 2011 in Sweden and then I head directly to the Caribbean, but not for a holiday...
I play down the description "Caribbean", especially since the destination is Haiti. We all should remember those terrible news reports following the earthquake disaster, a little over 18 months ago which literally knocked this already impoverished country onto its knees. The earthquake took the lives of over 200,000 people leaving huge skills shortages and destruction.
Microsoft and the international charity NetHope were quick to offer help to the Haitians and successfully organised a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) boot camp last year. Following the BTL post in March 2011, from Lutz Ziob, General Manager of MSL, discussing the graduation of 39 Haitian students from the NetHope Academy ICT Internship Program hosted by Ecole Supérieure d’Infotronique d’Haiti (ESIH), (see post), I suggested that it would be an idea to take some of these graduates and encourage them to become MCTs who could then help train other Haitians. Little did I know that 3 months later this "idea" would come to fruition!
Over the last month, we have agreed the date (4-8 July), a location (ESIH), recruited the participants and drawn up a program which will comprise of a mixture of the following areas:
So, armed with a suitcase full of courseware books, MCT T-shirts and USB sticks and no sunscreen, I fly into Port-au-Prince on Sunday, start class at 8am Monday morning. If all goes to plan I will finish training at 6pm on the Friday having helped the class graduate as trainers, ready to face the exciting world of being an Microsoft Certified Trainer!
Dear Andrew,
That was such a brilliant idea (I remember your post quite well) and even more impressive that you followed through and are giving of your time. I look forward to welcoming some new MCTs to the community, thanks to your efforts and drive.
It is also proof that being an MCT does gives up the opportunity to bring hope for a better future to even the most desolates.
Bravo!
Hey Andrew, what an inspired project! It's great for us to pass on our technical skills but even better to equip a new generation of MCTs. I have no doubt that the positive effects of this will ripple out far beyond into the lives and community of Haiti. Well done!
Hi Andrew,
The MOAC team just wanted to wish you and the students well on the forthcoming adventure! Emporwering the students with skills and qualifications to take future forward in a positive way is inspirational! If we can help further in any way, please don't hestitate...
Safe journey and take care!
Natalie.
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Well done, and an excellent idea. People around the world in these situations need all the help they can get, and sometimes just providing handouts is not always the answer. I like this idea and applaud those that support it with their time. Hope that you and Ken can make a difference next week.
Good on ya', Mr. Betthany!
Dear Andrew, I highly appreciate Microsoft's involvement in Haiti. Sri Lanka also undergone a major civil war that came to an end in 2009. So far I have not seen much involvement in the war affected areas by Microsoft. Maping the devastation is one of the key factors when is comes to disasters let it be natural or man made one. Probably Bing maps should have been played a role. Why don't you teach these things. The moment you guys leave your product then people from ESRI (Environment System Research Institute) will take it as an advantage. Having a great product only will not make success but users need to know how to utilize the technology properly. I have certified MCP since year 2003 but as I worked in the war areas I hardly get a chance to enhance my skills. I heavily realized on online tutorials and often times internet connection was sluggish. I hope that Microsoft will listen to the need of the people and custom made training to suit the need of the people in world. Othewise you can see the products like Sahana (means relief in English) en.wikipedia.org/.../Sahana_FOSS_Disaster_Management_System utilize the products like google map for the disaster management software. I work for Mine Action where we have a database but it's designed to utilize the map from the local machine using ESRI technologies and I would like to utilize Bing mps for that.
This is great !
And I am more than happy to take part next time when you need me
Very well done
Andrew -
You know I am a fan of yours! I wanted to say (again), you are such a great representative and advocate for the MCT Community. This trip to Haiti is yet another reason you have fans around the world. This will undoubtedly bring you even more fans.
Be well and I always have MCT stickers and goodies if you need them - that or I will bother Ken for them :)
Thank you for the posting.
Sarah
Hope all goes really well Andrew. Well done. Fantastic project.
Welcome in Haiti Andrew. Hope you will be more than happy in the results you will get in 4 years just like that guy who is a submariner....
Thinking of you guys out there and hoping everything is going to plan. We all wish we could do something real to help people in terrible situations and here you are doing it! Hurrah! Marvellous stuff!
Hey Andrew. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to anyone who is involved with this project. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for everyone involved.It is great what you do by investing your time and support those very unlucky but promising people of Haiti. Well Done!!!!Bravo!!!!
Hey Andrew, I am very existed and feeling hope for my country. Many thanks to you and the group. May your idea come to fruition for the good of Haiti. May God bless you!
Hi Andrew, thank you for coming in Haiti it was really helpful above all for me. Now I have the MTA, MCTS, I'm an MCT also.