from the horizon

For many people, visits to the field represent a chance to meet the beneficiaries of our programs and really get a feel for the difference which we’re making. Unfortunately I’ve chosen the wrong sector for this. Working in supply chain management means that a field trip only involves going to another office, in a remote area. The main difference is that the problems tend to be more complicated, and I’m more powerless to solve them!

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I started off with lofty ambitions to “save the world” by revolutionizing the way NGOs use technology. I have traveled to 3 different countries, worked in 15 different offices for 2 different NGOs, run countless trainings for over 80 participants. But I certainly haven’t revolutionized anything, and on the bad days I worry if I’ve done anything other than rack up Airmiles.

But today, I took some satisfaction is one of the smaller things - teaching 3 of the staff to play Solitaire. Nothing monumental in the grand scheme of things, but rather significant if you’ve never used a computer before. And it’s perhaps the most significant step towards training them to use the Supply Chain Management database I designed.

It was a beautiful day in Banda Aceh, and a group of us had been talking about going for a trek in the jungle to find “The Secret Beach”. However due to a number of people either working, booking flights or generally being lame, only Dan and myself set out on the expedition on the back of his motorbike.

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Two years ago I had my 24th birthday in Banda Aceh. It was a great day, with a trip to the beach with my Indonesian friends and party in the evening with my expat friends. And now, two years later, I’m back in Banda Aceh for my birthday - I would have never guessed.

Virtually all of my expat friends from when I was first here have moved on, however I planned to have another trip to the beach with the same Indonesian friends. Unfortunately the rainy season forced us to stay at home, but didn’t stop us for barbecuing a couple of fish at my house. It was great to see everyone from the NGO who I volunteered with when I first arrived in Aceh.

They had no problem getting the BBQ started - although I really don’t think it was necessary to drain the fuel pump to get the fire started - again! Read the rest of this entry �

For those of you who are interested, here’s a quick video tour of my house in Banda Aceh. This is actually my old house, as I have now moved into a (much) bigger house with some friends.

One of the perks of keeping a blog is the people I meet along the way. I’ve established a number of contacts through my rambling on here, some of whom I’ve actually had the chance to meeting in real life. I had one such opportunity on Monday night when I finally met up with Jakob, who’d contacted me through my blog to get some more information before coming to do some work here. The interesting thing is that his housemate, who came along too, turned out to be Asri, someone I’d already actually caught up having met through our mutual Banda Aceh Blogs.

I’m wondering if there’s actually a bigger community of Bloggers out there in Banda Aceh – maybe it’s time to organize a bit of a bigger meeting…

This Wednesday was the day before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. This makes a huge difference in an Islamic area such as Banda Aceh. From the hours of sunrise to sunset, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex. Typically people will wake up around 4am, before the morning prayers, and take a large meal together as a family before sunrise, and then go back to bed. When the sunsets around 6.40pm, people will immediately have a drink (usually a cigarette too), take some small sweets, or sometimes dates, and then perform their evening prayers before having their Puasa Buka (Open Fast) meal with the family.

The atmosphere has totally changed around town during Ramadan.

The pace at work slows down, as people are having to go through the whole day without eating or drinking, plus they are getting less sleep (the mosque will often broadcast readings from their speakers all night, which also effects the amount of sleep I get).

Also, there are no food shops open during the day, which means that I sadly miss my breakfast of rice and coffee Aceh, and my lunch of Gado Gado. I need to be conscious about not eating or drinking in front of people during the day, and even when I do in private, it makes me feel like more of an “infidel” as usual (Which is silly of me, because the locals are actually really tolerant).

Toward the end of the day the streets come alive, with an assortment of stall selling sweets and drinks for people to break their fast with. The traffic is crazy until about 6.30pm, at which point the streets are empty, as everyone has gone indoors, awaiting the siren which indicates that they can end their fast.

I do admire the discipline, faith and tradition which is displayed during Ramadan. I can’t imagine it being the easiest thing to go all day without eating, and especially drinking. I have aspired to experiment with trying to fast myself, but unfortunately with everything else going on (especially work), I just haven’t had the spare energy.

Being the day before Ramadan, the office closed at midday, however being a consultant I only get paid for the days I work, so I was still stuck working in the deserted office (queue tumble weeds). At about 6pm my boss came into my office asking, “Did you feel that?”. I looked up puzzled, and then realized that I probably just missed another earthquake.

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I’m posting a paper which I prepared for a ISCRAM (Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management) Workshop in China which I am going to this week.

ABSTRACT
Databases are an important tool for International Non Government Organizations (INGOs) to use for disaster management. However they are only a component of a larger information system, and must correspond to the useful information which people can collect practically. Determining how a database records information is an important consideration. Flexible data entry allows the user to enter more detailed information and respond to changing circumstances. However fixed options simplify the data entry process and allow information to be analyzed more easily. All stakeholders must be involved to implement a database, and their feedback is vital for the continued improvement of the system. INGO head offices need to support the development of software in field locations, as this is where the context is best understood. If this is done, databases have the potential to empower staff with information.

The ‘Tukul’ where I ran a training in Uganda

Keywords
Databases, disasters, developing countries, LDCs, software development, design requirements, participation.

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On Saturday, 2 Europeans, 2 Americans, 4 Aussies, 2 Kiwis and a South African, a fellowship of sorts, headed off into the jungle in search of a far away beach.

Though the journey was perilous, fraught with dangers of the jungles and wrong turns, our trusty guide (the other Kiwi) managed to lead us to the beach (see video), via a “scenic detour” to a particular stream.

Four different beds in four different days, but I’m finally back “home” in Banda Aceh. Changing countries has become a certain ritual. First I change the time zones in my watch, phone and computer (my body is still lagging a little this time). Then I change my SIM card. Then the cash in my wallet gets changed over. Finally I change over my power adapters and I’m ready to plug into a different country.