Ottawa is a beautiful and organized city! I have had plenty of fun, been an international tourist, a celebrity on the national radio (CBC) and a good representative of what DOT is doing in Kenya. I have learnt a lot, rubbed shoulders with many people….etc My stay in Canada started on a good tone by attending Grant’s garden party on Sunday where I met Janet Longmore and Grant Thomas for my first time- very friendly people! It has been a great opportunity making presentations about the Dot Reach Up program in Kenya to the Dot board of directors, to CIDA(Canadian International Development Agency) who fund the program in Kenya,IDRC(International Development Research Centre),Transpolar Technology Corporation and to students at the Carleton University. The weather has been friendly and definitely I have learnt to adjust to some things. Vehicles are driven on the right hand side of the road unlike in Kenya where they take the left hand side so I have had to cope especially when crossing the road! I have had enough time to interact with the Dot USA interns and really got to know more about what they do in the Teach Up program. Wish I could stay longer….. Thank you everyone (Janet,Grant,Emily,Heather,Erlinda and all) for I surely enjoyed every bit of the stay.

The news came by surprise as I was still working at Tuungane Youth Centre in Nyanza – Kenya where I am stationed. My ISM Moses called me informing and congratulating me on being picked to represent interns in a DOT global meeting in Ottawa, Canada. Yes I was excited on receiving this news and shared it happily with my family. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and its going to be an eye opener to me. I will be able to get the different world views. I will ably represent my fellow interns from Kenya during this global week. During this time I will present to the DOT Board of Directors, CIDA, IDRC, interact with interns from U.S.A just to mention a few activities. My internship so far has been good even with few challenges here and there but I’m making a real impact in the community as I train youth on sustainable livelihoods through use of ICT. It’s going to be my first time going abroad. I am a bit apprehensive about the long flight but also thrilled about the trip. Canada here I come!!

The assignment was given to me and i had to do all the logistics and give people roles to help me.I had to do the budgeting and plan the dissemination.Since it was the first time organising an event and see it successful i was very proud of myself. We should always be motivated and dedicated to what we do and work at achieving.