Vietnam here we come!!!

Vietnam here we come!!!                                                                                           October 5, 2010

I am on my way to Hong Kong then on to Vietnam, Ho Chi Min City as part of an Intel Education Service Corps team partnering with Orphan Overseas to introduce the kids to computers and technology, some for the first time.  Orphan Impact first launched in March 2009 and is currently running in 8 orphanages in Vietnam. Orphan Impact is a project of Orphans Overseas USA. Orphans Overseas is a non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon.  Orphans Overseas has operated in Vietnam since 1993. Orphan Impact began in March 2009 and is currently running in 8 orphanages (7 in North/Central Vietnam and 1 in South Vietnam), offering computer education to about 650 orphaned or at-risk children.  The project is focused on utilizing Intel-powered Classmate PCs and the internet to introduce institutionalized orphans to a new type of learning – using the modern web as a tool for communication, research, and problem solving – while diminishing their sense of isolation and helping them to feel a greater connection to the world beyond the orphanage walls.

My name is Melissa Williams and I will be working with a team of 4 others- Lori Bradford, Minh Pham, Matthias Giessler, and Hoang Nguyen in Vietnam.  I will be serving as the lead blogger to keep you up to date on our adventures.  Lori, Minh and I come from the Oregon site, Matthias from Arizona, and Hoang from California.  See the team below- we’ll have to compare before and after pictures! 

Portland Team! Minh, Melissa, Lori

Full team- Lori, Matthias, Melissa, Hoang, Minh

I recently moved from AZ to OR for work in finance at Intel and have been with the company for 6 years.  I grew up in AZ, in the sunshine, my entire life so the move just over a year ago to OR was a huge adventure!  As part of the finance rotation program I applied for my next job in the North West and to my shock got it!  So within a month of getting the offer I packed up, secured renters for my place, and took the long scenic drive to OR up the Pacific Coast Highway.  Before I came to Intel I attended Arizona State University in Tempe, and played competitive women’s rugby for the school (go Lady Devils!)  and received my undergrad degrees in Finance and Management.  I love ASU so much I went back to school at night while working for Intel and received my MBA in 2008. 

I also really enjoy running!  Maybe that’s a slight understatement.  I run a lot.  Humm that about sums it up!  I love to run really and have been able to branch out with the extreme variety and amazing running community in the North West.  I have run two 100 milers, four 50 milers, and many 50K’s, timed events (24 hours), and marathons for a total of 48 marathon distance or longer events in the past just under 3 years.  Below is one of my favorite races- 100 in the Hood at Mt. Hood in OR, my first 100 mile run

Outside of work, running, and doing awesome service projects like IESC I like to do all the fun stuff including dressing up and spending time with good friends! (I’m in red below)  I am also currently working on my CPA because I am a big nerd and love to be in school!  I really love to read, study, and learn new things in a variety of methods including the traditional classroom and the classroom of life.  I am a strict vegetarian and have been one since I was 7 years old; I really think Bambi got to me!  I also love music, hip hop music being my favorite and that means I also really like to dance!  If you are interested my favorite song right now is Like a G6- Far East Movement, great beat!  J