VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE # 152
AIR DATE 12 11 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Caring for Birds
((SOT))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
The hospital location is where we take in injured,
orphaned wildlife. They really don’t have anyone on
their side but us.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Advocating for Children
((SOT))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Everyday, after 4, my kid is just so sad. And I have to
say, ‘Good job. You did great. I’m so proud of you.’
They feel like they’re doing something wrong by not
understanding.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Helping Fellow Students
((SOT))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We are a two-men operation right now. So, it does
take a lot of effort to be able to refurbish and
redistribute computers all by ourselves.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) BIRD SANCTUARY
((TRT: 04:52))
((Banner: Bird Sanctuary))
((Reporter/Camera: Jeff Swicord))
((Map: Tavernier, Florida))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
I grew up in Dalton, Massachusetts. Once I
graduated and I had my degree, you know, you really
just try to get settled in somewhere with working with
the species that you want to work with.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
I really love working with water birds, birds like
pelicans for instance. I knew of this place and have
known of this place for quite a few years. Thankfully
this position had opened up. Now I just work with
birds all the time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
The birds that we see down here in the Keys are fish-
eating birds, marsh birds a lot of the time. We take in
injured, orphaned wildlife and we rehabilitate them
until they are to the point where they can be released
and then we do that at that point in time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
So, I don’t know what I am going to need. I guess I
am going to get a bunch of stuff.
So, we are a non-profit organization. We are split into
two different facilities. The hospital location is where
we take in injured, orphaned wildlife. They really
don’t have anyone on their side but us. My, I guess,
purpose in being here is to really try to be the best
advocate I can be for the birds that come through.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We received a double-crested cormorant a few days
ago. He was admitted and was very thin. He was not
standing very well, very lethargic. One of the
possibilities that we wanted to rule out was the case
of an internal hook.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We are putting him under anesthesia so we can get
an X-ray and so that he is not flailing around while
we’re trying to get the X-rays.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
There are quite a few cases we see per year that are
hooked birds, ingested hooks. Ripped pouches for
pelicans we see a lot with fish carcasses. So, that is
a human impact there. And we did, in fact, rule that
out. He did not have an internal hook. So, now we
have to focus on getting a fecal on him, so we can
test for internal parasites because I am almost 100
percent positive he has some sort of internal parasites
and that’s what is causing him to lose weight as so
fast as he is.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
I predict we will probably see twelve hundred, twelve,
thirteen hundred birds this year. The Eastern
Screech-Owl, he was admitted last week.
((NATS))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
Ferocious. He is an adult. He was very weird. He
was actually leaning up against a tree when someone
found him. So, they were able to pick him right up,
put him in a box. We were able to pick him up.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We actually haven’t found specifically what was
wrong with him. So, we’ve basically been giving him
some supportive care. Fluid therapy. We’re force
feeding him every day and monitor for signs of
improvement.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
The second facility we have is the sanctuary. So,
these are permitted birds that basically went through
the rehabilitation process and were deemed non-
releasable.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
Our visitors play a huge role in our organization. We
are a non-profit and so we run entirely on donations
and grant money. If the birds start to dwindle down, it
will really start to affect the ecosystem, all the plant
life. Any species you look at is going to be super
important for any ecosystem they’re in.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Pandemic Learning
((SOT))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job. You know,
they’re trying their best to do what they do in class,
but it’s not sustainable. But let’s just admit it, this is
not normal times. It’s a pandemic.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) PARENT ADVOCATE
((TRT: 04:17))
((Banner: Parent Advocate))
((Reporter/Camera: Lisa Vohra))
((Map: Vienna, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((Sub Character: 1 male))
((NATS: Saqib Siddiqui, Mahwesh Siddiqui))
If any kid says mean stuff you have to tell Ms.
Scarborough.
Okay?
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Our son, he just started kindergarten and he was
quite excited. He loves going to school. He loved
going to preschool. So, when summer happened, we
were really struggling to find him, and he’s the only
child, to find him a social aspect of kindergarten. And
he had been home since March,
((Courtesy: Saqib Siddiqui))
but then all of his soccer, tee ball, you know, name it,
flag football, swimming, everything was canceled.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Kindergarten is all about getting kids assimilated,
what school’s like. You bring your backpack, you put
it here. You know, you’re independent. You’re using
the bathroom. That’s what kindergarten is about.
You can’t do that virtually.
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
Yeah.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
You can’t assimilate them to school when they’re not
in school.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Luckily our friends moved nearby who we had known
for a long time and their daughter was also going to
kindergarten at the same time in the same school.
So, the thought, the idea, crossed our mind, why don’t
we group up with them and start a pod.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
The idea was these kids are going to be together in a
room. You know, for kindergarten, I don’t think they're
going to expect a full virtual day. We hired a teacher.
The teacher is going to guide them, help them do
online learning, help them navigate the virtual
classrooms. And then after that, she can supplement
their teaching and either teach them more in person
or just, you know, reinforce what was taught online.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
But then, the school system changed it on us and
they was like, kindergarteners 9-4, virtually, on the
computer.
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job. You know,
they’re trying their best to do what they do in class,
but it’s not sustainable.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
Their entire plan is, like, to keep them engaged for
seven hours, give them what they used to do in
school in person. But let’s just admit it, this is not
normal times. It’s a pandemic. We don’t need to give
them seven hours of virtual, you know, learning. It
doesn’t have to be more than two hours.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
My biggest concern is we’re, like, dimming their
yearning for learning. When you set them up on
something where they’re trying and they’re not seeing
results internally, they get frustrated and they shut off.
((NATS))
That’s the biggest concern I have.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
I communicated with the principal, with a group of 15
kindergarten parents. Just letting them know, they all
agree, that hours need to be shortened from 9-4 to 9-
1, you know. Then I went above that. I went to the,
wrote to the Fairfax County board members,
members-at-large. And for that I got a bigger group.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Everyday, after 4, my kid is just so sad, you know.
And I have to, I have to say, ‘Good job. You did
great. I’m so proud of you.’ They feel like they’re
doing something wrong by not understanding.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Nobody’s going to watch out for these kids' interest
more than the parents themselves. And we want to
be there advocating for them, because they can’t
advocate for them. I don’t mind if I fail, but I want to
be able to tell him that I tried my best to change the
system when I thought the system was not watching
out for them.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
I believe that education is a fundamental right and I
want to change the system for everybody and make it
better for everybody.
((Popup Banner:
A few weeks later, Azaan attended an in-school pilot
program twice a week. But when local COVID cases
began rising again, the program was paused.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Students Teaching Students
((SOT))
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
Perfect! That's exactly right.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
One of my students is named Alek. He is a third
grader and I'm tutoring him in math and writing. But
we mainly focus on math.
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) FREE ONLINE TUTORING
((TRT: 05:35))
((Banner: Free Online Tutoring))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera/Editor: June Soh))
((Map: McLean, Virginia; Fairfax, Virginia))
((Main characters: 2 male; 1 female))
((Sub characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((NATS: Ben Joel and Ella))
Hey Ella. How you’re doing?
Good.
My name is Ben. It’s nice to meet you. All right,
great. So, we'll just be doing a little tutoring session.
A mother bird sat on her egg.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
We tutor kids all the way from kindergarten up to
eighth grade in math, reading, writing, science, social
studies.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
Oh, here we have Gabriel. He says he has some
previous tutoring experience in preschool to second
grade tutoring.
Oh look, he knows Spanish.
Yeah, yeah. That's great!
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
Also, we've expanded into English as a second
language and we're now offering Spanish, Chinese
and French language instruction.
((NATS))
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
We read the news a lot and we saw many articles
coming out about the learning losses due to COVID.
And in those articles, they were talking about how
this, our generation could be severely set back due to
all the learning loss. And Alex and I found that very
troubling.
((Alex Joel, Co-founder, Intutorly))
So, we decided to use our windfall of free time during
shutdown to create Intutorly which is an organization
dedicated to providing that educational support and
fixing the issues caused in education by the
pandemic.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
So, this is our website, Intutorly.org, and the first thing
you'll see is I want to become a student or I want to
become a tutor.
((Alex Joel, Co-founder, Intutorly))
We very quickly grew from just a local organization to
one that's now national and international. Thanks to
our social media outreach efforts and the spread of
word of mouth, we are now in 23 states and three
other countries.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
We also have a writing tutor here from Tennessee so
we can match them.
All right, great. That's a good match.
I’ll send them an introduction email.
Yeah.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
Intutorly is a matchmaking service. We connect our
tutors with our students. So currently, we have about
275 tutors and around 280 students.
((NATS: Ben Joel, Alex Joel and Shelby Wilcox))
How you've been working with your students, like,
what are some tactics you’ve employed?
I like to incorporate different interests that they have
into my lessons. So, one of my students is really into
Harry Potter and the books.
That’s nice.
So, I like to have her write and read and I taught her
speech and debate. So, she gave speeches on Harry
Potter.
Oh, that's so funny.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's a great way to combine her interest with
the subject matter.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
I go to school with Ben and Alex. The three of us
compete on the speech and debate team together.
So, when they first started the organization, they
recruited me as one of their first tutors.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Intutorly.org))
So, my high (point) was that I’ve had five sessions
with Delila so far. French. And I think in the
beginning, she was kind of like hesitant. She wasn’t
like super engaged. It was like kind of awkward, but
now she’s getting more into it.
That’s great to hear. I’ve a suggestion, sometime.....
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
The main way we connect with them is through our
weekly meetings. We have these meetings every
Sunday.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
It's really helpful to get different ideas and inspirations
from other tutors. For example, one tutor shared that
they actually joke, give a joke to their student before
every meeting. And I thought that was a good idea.
So, now I do that with my students. And I also think
that sharing resources is really important.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
So today, we’ll start with some division problems, like
we normally do to warm you up. So, let me pull those
up.
I’ll try to do this by myself.
OK, perfect. Just let me know when you're done.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
I tutor two students right now and I'm also in the
process of getting in touch with a parent of a third
student.
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
So, I think the answer is ten, 10,125, remainder one.
Perfect! That's exactly right.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
One of my students is named Alek. He is a third
grader and I'm tutoring him in math and writing.
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
But we mainly focus on math.
((Alek, Student))
I like everything we learn. We, she, whenever we're
doing something, she makes it fun, like she makes it
really fun for me to do.
((NATS))
Look, I made SpongeBob Square!
((Tanya, Alek’s Mom))
Staying with three kids at home during pandemic is
extremely challenging. On top of that, I have a full-
time job. So, I have to provide for my kids, take care
of them, give them all enough attention and do my job
on top of it.
((Tanya, Alek’s Mom))
I have signed up Alek for Intutorly back in June. And
from the very beginning, I was very impressed with
this program.
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
So, let's try another problem.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
The students have taught me so many lessons and
their willingness to learn and their, and how engaged
they are has inspired me to do the same in my life as
well.
((NATS: Ben Joel))
Hi Henry. So today, we're going to be looking at your
writing sample.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
I think that Alex and I have benefited a lot from our
education and I think it's time for us to give back. And
that's really what Intutorly really is, is us and all high
school volunteers giving back to the community and
giving back to the students who need it most.
((NATS: Ben Joel))
He could not fly, but he could walk.
((PKG)) FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
INITIATIVE
((TRT: 06:02))
((Banner: Helping out with Computers))
((Reporter/Camera: June Soh))
((Map: Bowling Green, Virginia))
((Main characters: 2 males))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
This desktop has an, only an internal GPU which is
located inside within the motherboard. And we want
to improve the video capabilities by adding an extra or
an additional GPU.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
Yeah, so here we are just checking if these two PCs
use the same one, but no, it’s flipped. So, we are
going to need to order one specifically for this one.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
Yep.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
My name is Khoi Nguyen. And I'm a senior at
Osbourn Park High School and also attending
((Courtesy: Free and Accessible Technology
Initiative))
the Governor's School at Innovation Park in
conjunction with George Mason University. And I'm
also the chief operating officer of FATI, which is the
Free and Accessible Technology Initiative, started by
myself and my partner, Ghedion Beyen, where we try
to meet family's needs especially during times of crisis
in terms of access to education. So, especially during
the COVID-19 outbreak, schools around the nation
have closed or refused in-person learning. They
resort to virtual learning.
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
And it came to our attention that many of our peers
didn’t have a stable internet connection or they need
to share one computer among multiple siblings. And
we knew that we needed to do something to help.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
So, what we do is we take donated goods, either
monetary or physical donations, and we refurbish the
computers and redistribute it to underprivileged
communities throughout the Northern Virginia area.
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
In this room, we have all of our donated laptops from
all of our patrons. We shelved them all around the
room and on our bottom shelves we store our power
cables.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
The majority of our donations come from the Northern
Virginia area, mostly from individuals that are in this
area. But sometimes, we get donations from
neighboring states like Tennessee and North
Carolina.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
From a young age, I was always fascinated with
technology and computers. I actually built my own
computer. That’s the computer sitting on my desk.
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
I find so much fun especially tinkering with
technology. So, when we realized that we could use,
not only follow through an interest, but give back to
the community, we created the organization.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We usually come on the weekends. We usually do
about five hours at the warehouse. We are a two-
men operation right now. So, it does take a lot of
effort to be able to refurbish and redistribute
computers all by ourselves. And in the past, I think,
we’ve had 56 confirmed deliveries.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We always try to balance work and play. So, every
once in a while, we used to come out here and play
soccer, you know, to take a bit of a break from
refurbishing computers.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
People contact us mostly through phone. So, usually
what I do is I send them a text to tell me a little bit
more about their situation, so we can fit their needs
accordingly. This is a current request from
Fredericksburg, Virginia. This is actually the delivery
that we're going to do later on today.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
So, once it’s prepped for packaging, we usually clean
the outside surface of the laptop, pair it with a laptop
sleeve. Because of COVID, we include personal
protective gear. So, we usually add face masks, vinyl
gloves in the packaging. We can’t forget the charger
of the laptop, close it. And this is the completed care
package.
((NATS: Ghedion Beyen, Khoi Nguyen and
Stephanie Beard))
((Ghedion Beyen))
Yeah, so basically this is the care package that we
provide to you.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
And in here, you will find the laptop and the charger
itself.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
And due to increasing COVID rates, in here, we have
the masks and vinyl gloves for you.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
Just so you are extra safe. Here you go.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Khoi Nguyen))
And here is a wireless mouse that helps, comes along
with the laptop.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay, thank you so much. The kids will do really well
with their online schooling with this. Thank you.
((Khoi Nguyen))
I wish you the best. Stay safe.
((Stephanie Beard))
Thanks. You stay safe, too. Bye-bye.
((Khoi Nguyen))
Bye-bye.
((Stephanie Beard, Mother of FATI Recipient))
Now, I am a single mom with the kids. My son, he did
graduate last year, but now I have the two girls. And I
work but I don’t make enough money, just barely over
minimum wage. So, it’s not enough to pay for a
laptop or anything for them. The girls wouldn’t have
the laptops to be able to do their schoolwork. So, I
am very grateful.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
When we deliver it, it just gives us a great sense of
fulfilment because we are able to help somebody in
such a trying time, especially someone who has low
income and has multiple children.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
Right, and I honestly feel the exact same way. I feel
proud that we can give back to our community, help
each other out during these difficult times.
((NATS))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
NEXT WEEK ((ANIM))
((Banner))
Next week…..
Reflections on 2020
((SOT))
I think my biggest lesson of 2020 is adaptability.
There is so much that has changed within myself like
I’ve learned about myself. But I’ve also learned a lot
about how people are in the world through my
customers, through my friendships, through other
relationships that I have. I think that everyone is
trying to come from a good place and everyone is
trying their hardest and, you know, that looks different
for everyone.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS/VIDEO/GFX))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
We make a difference
When we unmask terror
When we explain the impossible
When we confront an uncertain future
When we give voice to the voiceless
The difference is Freedom of the Press
We are the Voice of America where
A Free Press Matters
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE # 152
AIR DATE 12 11 2020
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Caring for Birds
((SOT))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
The hospital location is where we take in injured,
orphaned wildlife. They really don’t have anyone on
their side but us.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Advocating for Children
((SOT))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Everyday, after 4, my kid is just so sad. And I have to
say, ‘Good job. You did great. I’m so proud of you.’
They feel like they’re doing something wrong by not
understanding.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Helping Fellow Students
((SOT))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We are a two-men operation right now. So, it does
take a lot of effort to be able to refurbish and
redistribute computers all by ourselves.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) BIRD SANCTUARY
((TRT: 04:52))
((Banner: Bird Sanctuary))
((Reporter/Camera: Jeff Swicord))
((Map: Tavernier, Florida))
((Main character: 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
I grew up in Dalton, Massachusetts. Once I
graduated and I had my degree, you know, you really
just try to get settled in somewhere with working with
the species that you want to work with.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
I really love working with water birds, birds like
pelicans for instance. I knew of this place and have
known of this place for quite a few years. Thankfully
this position had opened up. Now I just work with
birds all the time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Wildlife Rehabilitation
Manager, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center))
The birds that we see down here in the Keys are fish-
eating birds, marsh birds a lot of the time. We take in
injured, orphaned wildlife and we rehabilitate them
until they are to the point where they can be released
and then we do that at that point in time.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
So, I don’t know what I am going to need. I guess I
am going to get a bunch of stuff.
So, we are a non-profit organization. We are split into
two different facilities. The hospital location is where
we take in injured, orphaned wildlife. They really
don’t have anyone on their side but us. My, I guess,
purpose in being here is to really try to be the best
advocate I can be for the birds that come through.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We received a double-crested cormorant a few days
ago. He was admitted and was very thin. He was not
standing very well, very lethargic. One of the
possibilities that we wanted to rule out was the case
of an internal hook.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We are putting him under anesthesia so we can get
an X-ray and so that he is not flailing around while
we’re trying to get the X-rays.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
There are quite a few cases we see per year that are
hooked birds, ingested hooks. Ripped pouches for
pelicans we see a lot with fish carcasses. So, that is
a human impact there. And we did, in fact, rule that
out. He did not have an internal hook. So, now we
have to focus on getting a fecal on him, so we can
test for internal parasites because I am almost 100
percent positive he has some sort of internal parasites
and that’s what is causing him to lose weight as so
fast as he is.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
I predict we will probably see twelve hundred, twelve,
thirteen hundred birds this year. The Eastern
Screech-Owl, he was admitted last week.
((NATS))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
Ferocious. He is an adult. He was very weird. He
was actually leaning up against a tree when someone
found him. So, they were able to pick him right up,
put him in a box. We were able to pick him up.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
We actually haven’t found specifically what was
wrong with him. So, we’ve basically been giving him
some supportive care. Fluid therapy. We’re force
feeding him every day and monitor for signs of
improvement.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
The second facility we have is the sanctuary. So,
these are permitted birds that basically went through
the rehabilitation process and were deemed non-
releasable.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Bayleigh Machaffie, Florida Keys Wild Bird
Center))
Our visitors play a huge role in our organization. We
are a non-profit and so we run entirely on donations
and grant money. If the birds start to dwindle down, it
will really start to affect the ecosystem, all the plant
life. Any species you look at is going to be super
important for any ecosystem they’re in.
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Pandemic Learning
((SOT))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job. You know,
they’re trying their best to do what they do in class,
but it’s not sustainable. But let’s just admit it, this is
not normal times. It’s a pandemic.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) PARENT ADVOCATE
((TRT: 04:17))
((Banner: Parent Advocate))
((Reporter/Camera: Lisa Vohra))
((Map: Vienna, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((Sub Character: 1 male))
((NATS: Saqib Siddiqui, Mahwesh Siddiqui))
If any kid says mean stuff you have to tell Ms.
Scarborough.
Okay?
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Our son, he just started kindergarten and he was
quite excited. He loves going to school. He loved
going to preschool. So, when summer happened, we
were really struggling to find him, and he’s the only
child, to find him a social aspect of kindergarten. And
he had been home since March,
((Courtesy: Saqib Siddiqui))
but then all of his soccer, tee ball, you know, name it,
flag football, swimming, everything was canceled.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Kindergarten is all about getting kids assimilated,
what school’s like. You bring your backpack, you put
it here. You know, you’re independent. You’re using
the bathroom. That’s what kindergarten is about.
You can’t do that virtually.
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
Yeah.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
You can’t assimilate them to school when they’re not
in school.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Luckily our friends moved nearby who we had known
for a long time and their daughter was also going to
kindergarten at the same time in the same school.
So, the thought, the idea, crossed our mind, why don’t
we group up with them and start a pod.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
The idea was these kids are going to be together in a
room. You know, for kindergarten, I don’t think they're
going to expect a full virtual day. We hired a teacher.
The teacher is going to guide them, help them do
online learning, help them navigate the virtual
classrooms. And then after that, she can supplement
their teaching and either teach them more in person
or just, you know, reinforce what was taught online.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
But then, the school system changed it on us and
they was like, kindergarteners 9-4, virtually, on the
computer.
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
I mean, teachers are doing a great job. You know,
they’re trying their best to do what they do in class,
but it’s not sustainable.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Mahwesh Siddiqui, Online Advertising
Consultant, Kindergarten Parent))
Their entire plan is, like, to keep them engaged for
seven hours, give them what they used to do in
school in person. But let’s just admit it, this is not
normal times. It’s a pandemic. We don’t need to give
them seven hours of virtual, you know, learning. It
doesn’t have to be more than two hours.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
My biggest concern is we’re, like, dimming their
yearning for learning. When you set them up on
something where they’re trying and they’re not seeing
results internally, they get frustrated and they shut off.
((NATS))
That’s the biggest concern I have.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
I communicated with the principal, with a group of 15
kindergarten parents. Just letting them know, they all
agree, that hours need to be shortened from 9-4 to 9-
1, you know. Then I went above that. I went to the,
wrote to the Fairfax County board members,
members-at-large. And for that I got a bigger group.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
How was school?
((Azaan Siddiqui, Kindergartner))
Terrible.
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Everyday, after 4, my kid is just so sad, you know.
And I have to, I have to say, ‘Good job. You did
great. I’m so proud of you.’ They feel like they’re
doing something wrong by not understanding.
((NATS))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
Nobody’s going to watch out for these kids' interest
more than the parents themselves. And we want to
be there advocating for them, because they can’t
advocate for them. I don’t mind if I fail, but I want to
be able to tell him that I tried my best to change the
system when I thought the system was not watching
out for them.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Saqib Siddiqui, Patent Attorney, Kindergarten
Parent))
I believe that education is a fundamental right and I
want to change the system for everybody and make it
better for everybody.
((Popup Banner:
A few weeks later, Azaan attended an in-school pilot
program twice a week. But when local COVID cases
began rising again, the program was paused.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Students Teaching Students
((SOT))
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
Perfect! That's exactly right.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
One of my students is named Alek. He is a third
grader and I'm tutoring him in math and writing. But
we mainly focus on math.
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) FREE ONLINE TUTORING
((TRT: 05:35))
((Banner: Free Online Tutoring))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera/Editor: June Soh))
((Map: McLean, Virginia; Fairfax, Virginia))
((Main characters: 2 male; 1 female))
((Sub characters: 1 male; 1 female))
((NATS: Ben Joel and Ella))
Hey Ella. How you’re doing?
Good.
My name is Ben. It’s nice to meet you. All right,
great. So, we'll just be doing a little tutoring session.
A mother bird sat on her egg.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
We tutor kids all the way from kindergarten up to
eighth grade in math, reading, writing, science, social
studies.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
Oh, here we have Gabriel. He says he has some
previous tutoring experience in preschool to second
grade tutoring.
Oh look, he knows Spanish.
Yeah, yeah. That's great!
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
Also, we've expanded into English as a second
language and we're now offering Spanish, Chinese
and French language instruction.
((NATS))
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
We read the news a lot and we saw many articles
coming out about the learning losses due to COVID.
And in those articles, they were talking about how
this, our generation could be severely set back due to
all the learning loss. And Alex and I found that very
troubling.
((Alex Joel, Co-founder, Intutorly))
So, we decided to use our windfall of free time during
shutdown to create Intutorly which is an organization
dedicated to providing that educational support and
fixing the issues caused in education by the
pandemic.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
So, this is our website, Intutorly.org, and the first thing
you'll see is I want to become a student or I want to
become a tutor.
((Alex Joel, Co-founder, Intutorly))
We very quickly grew from just a local organization to
one that's now national and international. Thanks to
our social media outreach efforts and the spread of
word of mouth, we are now in 23 states and three
other countries.
((NATS: Ben Joel and Alex Joel))
We also have a writing tutor here from Tennessee so
we can match them.
All right, great. That's a good match.
I’ll send them an introduction email.
Yeah.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
Intutorly is a matchmaking service. We connect our
tutors with our students. So currently, we have about
275 tutors and around 280 students.
((NATS: Ben Joel, Alex Joel and Shelby Wilcox))
How you've been working with your students, like,
what are some tactics you’ve employed?
I like to incorporate different interests that they have
into my lessons. So, one of my students is really into
Harry Potter and the books.
That’s nice.
So, I like to have her write and read and I taught her
speech and debate. So, she gave speeches on Harry
Potter.
Oh, that's so funny.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's a great way to combine her interest with
the subject matter.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
I go to school with Ben and Alex. The three of us
compete on the speech and debate team together.
So, when they first started the organization, they
recruited me as one of their first tutors.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Intutorly.org))
So, my high (point) was that I’ve had five sessions
with Delila so far. French. And I think in the
beginning, she was kind of like hesitant. She wasn’t
like super engaged. It was like kind of awkward, but
now she’s getting more into it.
That’s great to hear. I’ve a suggestion, sometime.....
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
The main way we connect with them is through our
weekly meetings. We have these meetings every
Sunday.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
It's really helpful to get different ideas and inspirations
from other tutors. For example, one tutor shared that
they actually joke, give a joke to their student before
every meeting. And I thought that was a good idea.
So, now I do that with my students. And I also think
that sharing resources is really important.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
So today, we’ll start with some division problems, like
we normally do to warm you up. So, let me pull those
up.
I’ll try to do this by myself.
OK, perfect. Just let me know when you're done.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
I tutor two students right now and I'm also in the
process of getting in touch with a parent of a third
student.
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
So, I think the answer is ten, 10,125, remainder one.
Perfect! That's exactly right.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
One of my students is named Alek. He is a third
grader and I'm tutoring him in math and writing.
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
But we mainly focus on math.
((Alek, Student))
I like everything we learn. We, she, whenever we're
doing something, she makes it fun, like she makes it
really fun for me to do.
((NATS))
Look, I made SpongeBob Square!
((Tanya, Alek’s Mom))
Staying with three kids at home during pandemic is
extremely challenging. On top of that, I have a full-
time job. So, I have to provide for my kids, take care
of them, give them all enough attention and do my job
on top of it.
((Tanya, Alek’s Mom))
I have signed up Alek for Intutorly back in June. And
from the very beginning, I was very impressed with
this program.
((NATS: Shelby Wilcox and Alek))
((Courtesy: Shelby Wilcox))
So, let's try another problem.
((Shelby Wilcox, Tutor, Intutorly))
The students have taught me so many lessons and
their willingness to learn and their, and how engaged
they are has inspired me to do the same in my life as
well.
((NATS: Ben Joel))
Hi Henry. So today, we're going to be looking at your
writing sample.
((Ben Joel, Co-founder & CEO, Intutorly))
I think that Alex and I have benefited a lot from our
education and I think it's time for us to give back. And
that's really what Intutorly really is, is us and all high
school volunteers giving back to the community and
giving back to the students who need it most.
((NATS: Ben Joel))
He could not fly, but he could walk.
((PKG)) FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
INITIATIVE
((TRT: 06:02))
((Banner: Helping out with Computers))
((Reporter/Camera: June Soh))
((Map: Bowling Green, Virginia))
((Main characters: 2 males))
((Sub character: 1 female))
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
This desktop has an, only an internal GPU which is
located inside within the motherboard. And we want
to improve the video capabilities by adding an extra or
an additional GPU.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
Yeah, so here we are just checking if these two PCs
use the same one, but no, it’s flipped. So, we are
going to need to order one specifically for this one.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
Yep.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
My name is Khoi Nguyen. And I'm a senior at
Osbourn Park High School and also attending
((Courtesy: Free and Accessible Technology
Initiative))
the Governor's School at Innovation Park in
conjunction with George Mason University. And I'm
also the chief operating officer of FATI, which is the
Free and Accessible Technology Initiative, started by
myself and my partner, Ghedion Beyen, where we try
to meet family's needs especially during times of crisis
in terms of access to education. So, especially during
the COVID-19 outbreak, schools around the nation
have closed or refused in-person learning. They
resort to virtual learning.
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
And it came to our attention that many of our peers
didn’t have a stable internet connection or they need
to share one computer among multiple siblings. And
we knew that we needed to do something to help.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
So, what we do is we take donated goods, either
monetary or physical donations, and we refurbish the
computers and redistribute it to underprivileged
communities throughout the Northern Virginia area.
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
In this room, we have all of our donated laptops from
all of our patrons. We shelved them all around the
room and on our bottom shelves we store our power
cables.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
The majority of our donations come from the Northern
Virginia area, mostly from individuals that are in this
area. But sometimes, we get donations from
neighboring states like Tennessee and North
Carolina.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
From a young age, I was always fascinated with
technology and computers. I actually built my own
computer. That’s the computer sitting on my desk.
((NATS))
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
I find so much fun especially tinkering with
technology. So, when we realized that we could use,
not only follow through an interest, but give back to
the community, we created the organization.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We usually come on the weekends. We usually do
about five hours at the warehouse. We are a two-
men operation right now. So, it does take a lot of
effort to be able to refurbish and redistribute
computers all by ourselves. And in the past, I think,
we’ve had 56 confirmed deliveries.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
We always try to balance work and play. So, every
once in a while, we used to come out here and play
soccer, you know, to take a bit of a break from
refurbishing computers.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
People contact us mostly through phone. So, usually
what I do is I send them a text to tell me a little bit
more about their situation, so we can fit their needs
accordingly. This is a current request from
Fredericksburg, Virginia. This is actually the delivery
that we're going to do later on today.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
So, once it’s prepped for packaging, we usually clean
the outside surface of the laptop, pair it with a laptop
sleeve. Because of COVID, we include personal
protective gear. So, we usually add face masks, vinyl
gloves in the packaging. We can’t forget the charger
of the laptop, close it. And this is the completed care
package.
((NATS: Ghedion Beyen, Khoi Nguyen and
Stephanie Beard))
((Ghedion Beyen))
Yeah, so basically this is the care package that we
provide to you.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
And in here, you will find the laptop and the charger
itself.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
And due to increasing COVID rates, in here, we have
the masks and vinyl gloves for you.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Ghedion Beyen))
Just so you are extra safe. Here you go.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay.
((Khoi Nguyen))
And here is a wireless mouse that helps, comes along
with the laptop.
((Stephanie Beard))
Okay, thank you so much. The kids will do really well
with their online schooling with this. Thank you.
((Khoi Nguyen))
I wish you the best. Stay safe.
((Stephanie Beard))
Thanks. You stay safe, too. Bye-bye.
((Khoi Nguyen))
Bye-bye.
((Stephanie Beard, Mother of FATI Recipient))
Now, I am a single mom with the kids. My son, he did
graduate last year, but now I have the two girls. And I
work but I don’t make enough money, just barely over
minimum wage. So, it’s not enough to pay for a
laptop or anything for them. The girls wouldn’t have
the laptops to be able to do their schoolwork. So, I
am very grateful.
((NATS))
((Ghedion Beyen, Co-Founder, Free and
Accessible Technology Initiative))
When we deliver it, it just gives us a great sense of
fulfilment because we are able to help somebody in
such a trying time, especially someone who has low
income and has multiple children.
((Khoi Nguyen, Co-Founder, Free and Accessible
Technology Initiative))
Right, and I honestly feel the exact same way. I feel
proud that we can give back to our community, help
each other out during these difficult times.
((NATS))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
NEXT WEEK ((ANIM))
((Banner))
Next week…..
Reflections on 2020
((SOT))
I think my biggest lesson of 2020 is adaptability.
There is so much that has changed within myself like
I’ve learned about myself. But I’ve also learned a lot
about how people are in the world through my
customers, through my friendships, through other
relationships that I have. I think that everyone is
trying to come from a good place and everyone is
trying their hardest and, you know, that looks different
for everyone.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS/VIDEO/GFX))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
We make a difference
When we unmask terror
When we explain the impossible
When we confront an uncertain future
When we give voice to the voiceless
The difference is Freedom of the Press
We are the Voice of America where
A Free Press Matters
BREAK THREE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
SHOW ENDS
