NAME: Philip Mucci
HOME ADDRESS: Bolton, MA
DATES IN NANGI: Gosh, I’ve lost track. I’ve been 5 times for a total of 7 months. Started in 2002 I believe.

 

PROJECT – give a brief description and if more than one project was initiated list as Project #1, #2, etc.

I first came to Nangi as an agent of the Huguenin Rallapalli Foundation to inspect the school that was built (The Huguenin/Rallapalli’s are my aunt and uncle).  Mahabir once called me the CTO for the Nepal Wireless project. But in short:

#1, Developed a formal network model for Nangi and surrounding villages

#2, Developed the intranet server and the services, allowing information, training and materials to be shared around the network

#3, Developed the Linux server installation now used in multiple independent wireless networks by Mahabir around Nepal

#4 First brought phone service to Nangi, developed into a fully functional installation including call-in, call-out, services, developed the billing system, etc etc

#5 Worked with KEC and Prime college students to prototype early versions of the tele-teaching and telemedicine platforms, including medical record and sharing system.

#6 Continued maintenance with technical volunteers of the network and it’s services

#7 Organizational feedback, pushing out responsibilities from Mahabir into others to make the group, larger, more capable and sustainable

#8 Outreach to various groups, inside and outside of Nepal about using technology to make real differences in people’s lives, not just technology for technologies sake.  Most of these projects have been iterative…it took me 2 years or so to get the phone system right… continued experiments with video transmission technology and network broadcasting models.

Lots of other stuff…other fish suggestions for the pond, high altitude green-house designs, etc etc, but mostly focused on technical activities with defined goals that benefit the villagers in one of 4 ways:

  • Education
  • Communication
  • Health Care
  • Revenue Generation

LIST EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING MATERIALS – include those brought with you and those purchased in Nepal

Too much to list….dozens of computers, components to test etc…

METHODS – give a detailed description of your project plan and implementation methods.

In almost every case, I was presented with the status quo and a need. My job was then to map that need to an action plan (if the need was actionable). More often than not, due to the scope of the projects, extensive communication and documentation was required, so that additional technical volunteers could continue R & D until I could return. Unfortunately, I spend the majority of my time in the labs in Nepal, and not enough time experiencing the wonders of the great outdoors.

OUTCOME – describe specific results of project. (For example five health care workers received dental training or one hectare of pine trees were planted for reforestation.)

  • Now, multiple networks connecting villages around Nepal based on the Myagdi model
  • 1000’s of villagers communicating with their loved ones, and conducting business on a daily basis, as well as generating revenue for their locality
  • A stable and reproduceable platform for other members of NWP and beyond to deploy services throughout the network
  • Evolution/Diagnosis/Improvement of the performance of the network
  • Working and coordinating with the dozen or so other technophiles from around the world that make this project so special.

FUTURE GOALS – list personal goals for future involvement with Nangi Village or Himanchal Educational Foundation

Hopefully returning again in ’09. I’m sure Mahabir and other’s will have plenty lined up for me when I arrive. Teleteaching and telemedicine, especially formal record exchange remain a priority.

PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE VOLUNTEERS: include suggestions to finish or advance your project and/or new project ideas

If you’re a techie, keep the desire for the ‘latest and greatest’ in check. The goal is to build a sustainable, maintainable and SIMPLE system; this means it can be easily repaired and replaced. The n umber of volunteers who arrive with dreams of using the latest wireless, video and network technologies is too high. This isn’t a research project or a platform for experimentation, these are real people with real needs. In short, when working on a project or  a new solution, ask yourself:

  • Is this something that really helps people or is it just something I am interested in?
  • Can I explain the components of this system in just a few sentences?
  • Can the operation of this system be described by someone who is less than an expert?
  • Is anyone other than yourself capable of fixing it?
  • What is the cost of replacement of the various components of the system?
  • What are the failure mechanisms of the system?

Doing so will ensure a lasting and meaningful contribution to the project, regardless of the field.            Attach pictures of your project or activity.

Photographs will enhance your report and allow others to see it through your eyes.