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Lebanon, a nation of some 4 million, is said to have more than 15 million in the Diaspora all over the globe. This Diaspora has rarely -- if ever -- been engaged. Indeed it has never been engaged for any volunteer work except in isolated and individual cases. This is understandable considering that a short time ago in the history of Lebanon, it was quite difficult to even reach the Diaspora in as far flung places as Sao Paolo, Sydney, or Los Angeles. The Lebanese Diaspora for its part found itself completely isolated from its home nation.
Today, however, using ubiquitous technology such as satellites, email, and the Internet, the Lebanese Diaspora finds itself closer than ever to its home nation. This in turn is driving a deep desire to help the homeland -- particularly considering recent events -- but few ways to channel it. Fortunately, their may finally be a way for the Diaspora to channel some of its desires to help its homeland.
The iVolunteer4Lebanon website uses a non-profit and free-to-use web platform to match volunteer work assignments in Lebanon with the global Lebanese Diaspora -- work which can be done remotely or in Lebanon proper. The platform is a secure and private web-accessed database. On the one hand it allows NGOs, government agencies, as well as government entities in Lebanon to post volunteer assignments that they need help in. On the other hand, it also allows individuals to post what they would like to volunteer for. The platform matches the two manually as well as automatically. Volunteering can take place at a distance or of course in Lebanon. Following is a list of key functionalities that iVolunteer4Lebanon.org provides its users:
22nd May 2006 in Programs, News, AIM-IT, iVol4Leb by Wayan Vota
IESC’s AIM-IT program is proud to announce the creation of the iVolunteer4Lebanon website, specifically designed to match skilled Lebanese diasporans willing to volunteer their expertise with Lebanese NGOs, government agencies, and commercial ventures.
Geekcorps is a division of the International Executive Service Corps.
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Papou Coulibaly is young boutique owner in Ouélessébougou. Previously, Geekcorps partnered with Papou to create a Cybertigi - an Internet access point for the local community via a wireless link to a Community Information & Learning Center (CLIC).
The Cybertigi proved to be a very successful experiment, becoming popular with first time Internet users who found Papou’s mini-cyber both affordable and accessible. Unfortunately, after several months of Cybertigi operation the CLIC lost its Internet connection and Papou returned his equipment back to the CLIC.
Undeterred, Papou Coulibaly saw the potential for offering offline ICT services in Ouélessébougou and went about creating a unconnected cyber café at his boutique. Using the Geekcorps’ Cybertigi design, Papou acquired three computers, a laser printer, scanner, digital camera, photo printer, a Bluetooth adapter, speakers and a headset, even building a permanent metal shelter for his cyber café boutique.
