Back in Xiang Primary School today. The entire 9 member team participates in an IBM China donation ceremony for 'Learning Companion' software -- which allows younger children just being introduced to english to be able to read simple books, and repeat content from the book back to the english speaker thru audio ear phones (also donated). Key govt. officials and the regional executive for IBM West China are in attendance, and press are along too. Several speeches are given, and 10 children (from Xiang Primary School & the local Jr. High) are awarded scholarship funds (by us IBMers) to help support their education needs (boarding, school books etc.). Amazing to me is that just 200 Yuan (Chinese currency) equates to about USD $ 28.00 will provide boarding & meals for one student for the entire year. Our contributions (though small to us) will actually ensure the education of these children over several years.
Above you see me captioned with some of these children reviewing the Reading Companion. Following the donation ceremony -- my colleague Etienne (IBM France) and I participate at a press conference, sharing more about the CSC program and our personal experiences working here in China. The IBM China representative in attendance asks if I've had experience with the Press - answer is NO - but she says she's suprised given how professional I came off -- guess we impressed !
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