This summer, with the help of the Internet, I had the opportunity to remotely design the 2011-2012 annual report for a non-governmental organization in India called Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA). They help children and women, focusing on providing education and job training and reducing school-drop out.
Please take a look at the full report and tell me what you think.
I found out about IDEA through a request they listed on the Sparked Community microvolunteering page. I was open with them about my relative lack of experience and training, but they were willing to give me a chance, and were very happy with the result.
Some of the lessons learned from this experience include things like…
- The international standard paper size is A4, not the 8.5×11-in paper that we use in the USA.
- It is a good idea to have a few options for someone to choose from; but for other things you just have to make a decision.
- Follow-up is key to any job, but especially for remote jobs where things are being sent back and forth and may end up in spam folders. Make sure that you confirm that you got something (and if you know you are supposed to be getting something and didn’t, check your spam folder or request a resend).
Shelly Najjar, MPH, RDN 