The agile journey in St. Kitts and Nevis
In September 2020, I set off for Taiwanese diplomatic ally in Central America – Saint Kitts and Nevis, where I served as overseas information and technology volunteer.
Upon arriving in the United States for a layover, I suited up in full COVID protective gear before boarding the plane.
In Puerto Rico, I took a seven-seater small aircraft to reach the island of St. Kitts.
On the fifth day of quarantine, I was immediately assigned a challenging task by the manager in Taiwan Technical Mission.
The task was to create a Chinese version of the Tax Bureau Brochure. This not only required computer skills but also demanded graphic design abilities. Fortunately, this happened to be my forte, representing essential skills for a cross-functional talent in the frontend.
While I was already familiar with Illustrator, using Microsoft Publisher was a first-time experience. However, it proved to be user-friendly, and I managed to resolve the task within a day.
After the quarantine period concluded, I resumed going to my office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation (MOFA) and received my initial assignment. The task is to plan a proposal to create an e-system aimed at enhancing paper workflow efficiency within MOFA.
To kick off the project, I reached out to my experienced senior colleague in Taiwan, Shi-geo, who is well-versed in managing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementations. Aware of his extensive knowledge, I sought his assistance to gather insights and opinions. During our comprehensive two-hour discussion, Shi-geo elaborated on the various stages he had previously navigated, encompassing current situation analysis, process adaptation, business discussions and selection, development, trial operation, and maintenance.
Following this insightful conversation with Shi-geo, I formulated a three-phase plan as outlined below.
- Short-term: Implement the use of freeware, "Ragic" to address immediate needs.
- Middle-term: Develop an in-house system named "Opendata" via WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
- Long-term: Extend accessibility by allowing our customers to utilize the developed system.
The most challenging aspect is always communication.
It's not merely a matter of linguistic differences, but rather the realization that when you want to accomplish something, it's not an immediate discussion-to-action process. Especially in collaborative efforts where individuals have varied schedules, patience is essential as things need time to develop and cannot be rushed.
As a response, I started dedicating 5 minutes each morning to teach Chinese, beginning with the simplest daily phrases. Greetings like "早," "你好," "謝謝" "再見" etc., are covered. Additionally, I prepare small gifts from Taiwan to serve as incentives for the students.
In the initial stages, it is advisable to engage in collaborative activities such as teaching them Mandarin and providing assistance in resolving computer-related issues.
So, I began attending church on Sundays upon the invitation of my colleague Sheron. We actively participated in their church activities, joining Sheron and Sonia in caring for elderly individuals living alone.
On the weekends, I also went mountain climbing with colleagues.
I experienced attending a local funeral with Sheron.
Continue to actively participate in church activities and build good relationships with colleagues.
The Taiwanese ambassador on the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis arranged for a local media outlet, Observer, and a journalist to interview the four volunteers, including myself, are assigned to different departments – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Education – each with their own respective expertise.
During the interview, the journalist not only inquired about our motivations for volunteering in this region and the most memorable experiences so far but also shared her impressions of Taiwanese cuisine. This exchange was particularly insightful as the journalist had previously visited Taiwan.
Upon colleague Sonia's invitation, I joined a local event called "Hash" along with Yajing. It turned out to be a hiking activity, divided into two groups: running and walking. For this occasion, I participated in the walking group, with each person contributing 10 EC dollars.
I took a week off for a hiking journey around the two main islands here. Combined, Saint Kitts and Nevis are roughly the size of Taipei City. In reality, it only takes about three days to complete the journey, but in the end, I took entire week to explore and spend more time in each place.
Early in the morning, I hiked up to witness the sunrise at Timothy Hill.
The video documents the entire trail recorded after the hiking journey.
During that time, I also wanted to organize a marathon with a Taiwanese style. When explaining the reasons for holding the marathon to the deputy chief, I highlighted the following points:
- Building Connections and Cultural Exchange:
- As a Taiwanese volunteer, my primary objective is to initiate a project that fosters close connections and encourages cultural exchange between the Taiwanese volunteers and the local community before my departure.
- Personal Affection for Taiwanese-Style Marathon:
- Expressing my personal fondness for marathons, particularly those infused with the concept of a Taiwanese-style marathon, where participants engage in the unique experience of running while enjoying local delicacies.
- Technical Skills as an IT Volunteer:
- Emphasizing my role as an IT volunteer, indicating my ability to utilize computer techniques to address logistical aspects such as registration and participant tracking, ensuring the event's smooth operation.
By combining these factors, the proposed marathon aimed to create a memorable and culturally enriching experience for both the Taiwanese volunteers and the local community.
However, after the lockdown in June, the Taiwanese-style marathon competition was officially canceled.
I also participated in the Agricultural Exhibition, ArgoFest, held at the end of March on Nevis Island.
Upon Sonia's invitation, I joined the young members of the church to participate in the Easter day performance organized by the church.
I, along with a group of Taiwanese partners and local individuals, went hiking to Nevis, and I am deeply grateful to Brian for gathering this group. Despite the challenging weather conditions, Brian fearlessly led us to the summit of Nevis Peak and safely guided everyone back down. Special thanks to Lukas, our trailblazing leader who waited for us along the way.
Despite continuous rainfall throughout the journey, everyone ended up covered in mud, but the unforgettable memories created during the climb made it all worthwhile. Here is the complete documentation of the entire experience.
Later, I, along with Sonia's friend Iantha, invited Otava, whom I met during the hiking journey, and his two nephews to climb Mt. Liamuiga, the highest peak in St. Kitts.
Continuing to learn Spanish from Deputy Minister Bass at MOFA, and exchanging programming lessons in return.
Refining our baking skills, especially in making pineapple bread, through joint learning with Yajing.
Later in the month, I went to Sandy Point Primary School with my colleague Kervin to teach Chinese.
During the lockdown, I decided to offer free online programming courses for the local residents.
I also assisted Deputy Minister Bass at MOFA in recording pre-recorded speech content for meetings.
I helped Deputy Minister Bass complete an e-book for a conference.
Finally, after several consultations with Salon designer Vaughn, I successfully achieved my new dreadlocks hairstyle.
On the first day with my new hairstyle, I quickly became the center of attention at the office.
Then, on September 10th, my last day at the office, colleagues at MOFA organized a farewell party for me.
My church colleague Sonia also prepared a video for me, and it was truly touching, filled with memories from the entire year.
I also gave a birthday present to J, the child of my colleague, Jessica. He often visits the office to see me, and I also encountered him during the hiking journey.
Spending a year on this small island was something I never imagined before.
Although I told my local colleagues and friends that I would definitely come back, I probably won't specifically come back here in my lifetime.
Let's discuss how I can actualize the digitization. I've outlined three key principles for the successful deployment of a new system in a foreign government:
- Establish Strong Connections:
- Foster close relationships with supervisors and stakeholders. A strong network is crucial for the success of any digitization project.
- Active Participation in Activities:
- Attend all activities with staff, whether directly related to the project or not. For instance, regular attendance at church helped build connections with colleagues, even though I am not a Christian.
- Collaboration on Various Tasks:
- Collaborate with colleagues on additional tasks, such as teaching them Mandarin or assisting with computer issues. Building connections beyond the project scope is essential.
In summary, the key attributes needed during digitization with a group are as follows:
- Solid Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in technical aspects is fundamental for the successful implementation of digitization.
- Experienced Soft Skills:
- Effective soft skills, including a positive demeanor, play a crucial role in fostering positive relationships.
- Patience:
- Patience is a virtue in all stages of the digitization process, especially when dealing with a diverse group of people.
As a result, I successfully completed the mid-term phase of the project. The realization of the long-term target depends on the continuous support and advocacy from officers and the permanent secretary in MOFA.
Outlining the functions I completed in the Opendata system:
- Treaty Search
- Desk Assignment
- Apostille Verified
- Email Search
- Leave application
- Signature form
- SKN Honorary Consuls
- Page for MOFA template
- Nevis Relay Marathon (cancelled due to lockdown)
- Virtual Programming Class
P.S. - I want to share the three local foods from there:
- Conkies
- Conkies are a popular snack in the Central America and Caribbean region. They are somewhat like a ball-shaped bowl cake, containing ingredients such as cornmeal, coconut, sweet potato, raisins, pumpkin, etc. You can also add grains and dried fruits of your choice. The mixture is wrapped in banana leaves or almond leaves and steamed until cooked.
- Bulgur wheat
- Bulgur wheat is primarily made from hard wheat, which is husked and crushed, serving as a staple food. Initially, I thought it was made from buckwheat, but later discovered it is a different ingredient. Common in European, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines, it originated in Turkey and later spread to the Caribbean islands. It is often accompanied by other dishes such as sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, plantains, and grilled chicken legs.
- BBQ is widely sold throughout Saint Kitts and Nevis as a street-side snack. Typically, a small food truck is equipped with a grill, offering mainly jerk pork and jerk chicken. Some may also provide grilled fish or lobster. The grilled items are often served as a meal, accompanied by sides like corn, cabbage, Johnny cakes, and more.
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