1) The document discusses the author's passions for words, pictures, and the world, and their international volunteer experiences in Malaysia, Kenya/Tanzania, Rwanda/DR Congo, and Peru over multiple trips from 2006-2010. 2) The author reflects on lessons learned from each trip, such as the role of new media, global issues, lack of opportunity versus common values between societies, and the importance of service and reflection. 3) The overall message is that small changes can make a difference, we have a responsibility to the world, and experiencing other cultures firsthand can motivate positive change both globally and within our own communities.

2. so, why me at ignite?My passions:

3. Words: read, written and spoken

4. Pictures: capture imagination and make memories timeless

5. The world: our role in, & responsibility to, itcontextFortunate to have my employer’s support (time & money) to pursue international volunteer efforts

6. Pitched these opportunities as strategic personal development initiatives, with value added for WesterncontextEmployers increasingly see value in, and support, international experiences

7. Stories cover philosophies/lessons learned from four trips to six countries, and what I did to ‘bring them home’malaysia, 2006Recently developed nation status

8. One of worst for GINI index (gap between rich and poor)

9. Restricted media freedoms and freedom of assembly

10. Vowed to not censor the Internet as government is reliant on technology for developmentmalaysia, 2006Opportunities for new media to express political dissent

11. Participated in Aliran National Roundtable on Internet Media

12. Is technology really a panacea for all that ails the world?bringing it homeGave me a taste for global political, economic and social issues

13. Paper published in Canadian Journal of Development Studies, June 2010

14. Role of new media in development and political engagementkenya/tanzania, 2007Nearly three weeks with Western Heads East probiotic yogurt, HIV/AIDS project

15. 17-25 per cent HIV/AIDS infection rate

16. Coke - seven times cheaper than water

17. 36 per cent live below basic needs poverty line, on .79 cents/daykenya/tanzania, 2007$5 covers all medical examinations – but many hospitals don’t even have generators and power is often out

18. Hospitals cannot afford surgical gloves

19. Our society is often numbed to statistics, and they don’t tell the whole storybringing it homeBiggest difference is lack of opportunity; at the core, we share many common values and interests

20. Despite very real challenges, Tanzania is one of the happiest societies I’ve seen