Collaboration in action: How one GeoMarket achieved extraordinary success

	SEED & PDVSA joined forces to rebuild a school destroyed by storms.

Recently, the Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago GeoMarket (VTT) was recognized as having one of the largest and fastest growing local SEED school networks after connecting 7 schools in 2006. The GeoMarket’s primary concern has been the quality of the impact on the community, considering the key of a sustainable contribution is to be sure that the support is really what is required by the community; otherwise they take a chance that the contribution is not perceived as such by the people.

With this aim in mind, in 2005 VTT created the Social Development Department, intended to work side by side with SEED and in alliance with Venezuela’s national oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), with the intention to enhance SEED activities and contributions.  Many local SEED schools needed more than just equipment and Internet connectivity, and PDVSA was willing to lend a strong hand. In a collaborative effort, SEED provided the infrastructure to establish computer labs in the schools, while PDVSA coordinated the general repair of school facilities such as bathroom plumbing, water service, painting and maintenance.

By unifying efforts and sharing experiences, the collaboration has been able to improve processes and make a bigger and more efficient impact. The partnership helped connect 7 schools during 2006, raising the number of SEED schools in Venezuela to 16.

	Students in action at one of the new SEED labs.

Further evidence of the partnership’s success is exemplified in the story of the U.E. Domitila Flores School in Lagunillas, Venezuela, which was devastated by a violent wind storm in 2006.  Social Development, SEED and PDVSA combined forces to repair the school.  Within 90 days they built a state-of-the-art SEED computer lab for the students and teachers. This is one among many contributions that the team has made to their communities.

In addition, VTT hosted two Collaborative Workshops and two Volunteer Workshops in 2006, as well as three real-time connections at which several SEED schools were connected via teleconference in order to collaborate on a project. This creative initiative allowed participants to share projects and ideas by utilizing the various technologies SEED provides.

The GeoMarket has set an ambitious goal for 2007: to connect 10 new SEED schools. What will make this goal possible is the team spirit and pursuit of excellence that characterizes VTT’s people plus the invaluable volunteer support and enthusiasm that continues to make the program successful and sustainable.

Read the latest Voices story, Students in Atyrau Learn Water-play the SEED Way, by Lyuba Uvarova, a Schlumberger Employee Services Administrator and SEED volunteer who led a workshop in Atyrau, Kazakhstan in September 2006.

Facilitator Workshops
Apr 7 –8: China

Collaborative Workshops
Apr 9 –12: China