March
26, 2003-- Four of HarlemLive’s editors, Kyesha
Edwards, Katerina Vorotova, Shem Rajoon, and Eddie Aung,
were invited to give a presentation
about HarlemLive to Project Harmony participants in Middlebury, VT. Project
Harmony
(PH), a non-profit organization founded in 1986, teaches computer and technical
skills to selected exchange students from countries of the former Soviet Union.
When they return to their countries, the students apply this training to
their own community-oriented projects.
A goal of PH is to instill the importance of community service in these teens
from countries where working for free is unheard of. A few of the students intend
to establish media organizations similar to HarlemLive, to raise awareness on
issues in their communities. Other project ideas include mentoring programs for
children, and soup kitchens.
 The purpose of our presentation was to share our experiences at HarlemLive
and show that a teen organization such as ours is possible to create. In our
presentation,
we discussed how to initiate and run a community-based publication, including
necessary funding, staff development, and organizational structure. We also
had a 1.5 hour workshop in the computer lab about technology (each student
will have
a manila site, with their own database) and a 1.5 hour workshop helping them
to clarify their ideas and giving them  suggestions on how to start and run
their future organizations. Project Harmony participants were impressed with
what we
do, and treated us almost like celebrities. “In giving the presentation,
I realized how amazing what we here at [HarlemLIVE] are doing, actually is.
It was obvious in the audience response and more obvious in their questions,” says
Katerina Vorotova.
In addition to helping out teens from the other side of the globe, the four
of us had a wonderful time. While in Vermont, we got to spend time with 30
amazing
teens, party, and exchange break-dance moves, as well as meet PH’s organizers.
All four of us were impressed with the beautiful nature, empty fields, spectacular
sunsets and clear air of Vermont--something drastically different from the
cluttered New York City we were used to. The four of us visited Lake Champlain,
Burlington,
and spent some time on Middlebury College campus. We even got to
hike Mt. Phylo.
The whole trip was paid for by Project Harmony. We greatly appreciate PH for
contacting us, and for giving us the opportunity to visit Vermont and have a
global impact. Thank you! |
