Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

Campus Bulletin

July 12, 2007

Leave for Change Volunteer Creates Travel Blog

The University community can virtually follow Sean Yo of Computing and Communications Service as he spends the next three weeks volunteering in Nepal as part of the Leave for Change Program.

Yo, a computer analyst, has set up a travel blog where visitors can read about his daily adventures and view photos of his trip. It can be accessed at www.sean.onleave.ca.

"I am delighted that Sean is sharing through his blog," said Martha Harley, assistant vice-president (human resources). "Sean's blog allows all of us to connect with him as he works and grows through this opportunity. It will also help build on the enthusiasm U of G faculty and staff already have towards this valuable program."

After 34 hours of travel, Yo arrived in Kathmandu July 9 and has begun working with the Nepal Fair Trade Group. He will be doing web development and providing web development training along with Wayne Johnston of the U of G Library, who is also part of the Leave for Change program.

Leave for Change is a program run by Uniterra that promotes short-term volunteer opportunities for people to help out with meaningful projects in international settings.

Other U of G volunteers are Frebis Hoffmeyer of the College of Management and Economics and Michael Levy of the Office of Research. Hoffmeyer is going to Nepal to help the Federation of Community Forest Users with a database to organize its records. Levy, who was the first to volunteer for the program, recently returned from his four-week stint volunteering in Shakwake, Botswana, working on a website design assignment.