Introductory blog post from our new staff

Hello,

My name is Farman Elahi. I am from Pakistan. I am an IT Technician since 1998. I started my expertise from my school time.  That time we were working on Pentium I and II with Operating System MS Dos and Windows 98. I have worked with different brands such as Dell, IBM, Compaq, Lenovo, Hp, Asus and also Apple. I have experience on PC computers, workstation computers, and mini computers.

I started my local business in Pakistan in 2004. I have experience in diagnosing and repairing all types of computer, accessories and components. I have experience of all kinds of operating system software and application software.

I have worked with different companies, NGOs, Colleges, and the government sector on a contract basis. I also have teaching experience with various colleges and institutes. These include: 

• I also worked with Dewan Salman Company Hatter as a computer technician from 2004 to 2006 
• Mujahid Gee Limited in 2006.
• PWD (in Haripur) on a  maintenance contract from 2006 to 2015
• Maintenance with SRSP, an NGO, from 2006 to 2007 
• Badban, an NGO, from 2006 to 2015 in Hazara region
• STEP NGO in G-11 Markaz, Islamabad with a computer maintenance contract from 2009 to 2013
• NIMIL College, from 2006 to 2011
• NEST College, from 2008 to 2015
• WEST College as instructor and lab manager, from 2011 to 2015
• Ayub Law College, from 2011 to 2014
• Chanar College, from 2010 to 2012

I am familiar with MS Office 2003 and 2007, Basics of Computer Hardware, Graphic Designing, Networking, Internet surfing, 3D Studio Max, DIT, Fox Pro, PHP language, Ms Dos and all operating system software.

I dreamt in 2004 of working for a company. I come in Liberia on 4 February 2016. My dream was completed when I came for interview in New Africa Technology. Thanks a lot my God.  

                                                                                                                      Farman Elahi

                                                                                                                 IT Technician NATC

Installation errors

Hey Everyone, 

As an IT technician, we face a lot of issues which are repeated regularly. So, it makes you more familiar, and, when a client starts to explain his/her problem, you most likely already know the solution and that’s why I love my profession. 

A week ago, we got a call from one of our client’s, Population Services International Liberia (PSI). They purchased two brand new laptops and while trying to install software they were unsuccessful. 

The question to myself was why they would carry on installation when we are their IT consultant and if it creates even bigger problem, the headache becomes ours most especially the tech who’s handling it.

But again I couldn’t ask the client I am there to solve problem. 

I arrived on the customer site and the laptops were handed over to me and the problem they faced was also explained. 

The client bought a copy of Microsoft Office 365 suite which is Cloud based ex: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, OneDrive, Skype for Business etc. In order to access or download any of these programs if not installed you will have open a web browser, type in organization website and login with your organization email address and password. 

So these two new laptops needed the programs to be installed on them. Then I tried the installation over and saw this ‘’this is a fatal error message, the installation could not be completed because another application is in use.’’ 

I knew the problem right away and how to go about solving it after noticing that it was a Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System (OS). Then I thought, Microsoft Windows 10 OS machines come with Microsoft Office suite preinstalled so in order to complete this installation I need to first end the task in the background and uninstall these programs. 

This was how I resolved the issue:

1. Right click on task bar and open ‘’Task Manager’’

2. Click on ‘’Details’’ 

3. Click on Microsoft Office 2013 and see that it is highlighted 

4. Click on ‘’End Task’’ and close. After doing this, open Control Panel and locate the preinstalled version of Microsoft Office and click on ‘’Uninstall’’ and restart the laptop. Connect back to the Internet, open the web browser and login with the user’s E-mail ID and password. Then download and install MS Office 365. 

The installation was successful. Finding solutions to client problems both on the phone and on site is our everyday work as a tech. Thanks for reading and hope this information finds you well.  

Prepared By: Daniel Collins  

New Microsoft product to back up your documents

Hi Blog Readers! 

Throughout the month of November, I have been busy with lot of site visits, doing IT maintenance for hardware and other related IT works, but there is one job which I will love to share with you.  

One of our clients requested us to do a cloud backup. This is simply backing up  all of your important data  to the Internet. There is a new way of storing all of your important data on the cloud server. This system works like our normal external servers that we have in our work places.  

There are a few differences when you back up your file on the cloud:

 1. You still have all your important documents in tact after experiencing a crashed hard drive. Even though sometimes we are able to retrieve our data, a back up on an external hard drive or server is not 100% guaranteed.

2. In case of severe irreparable damage to your hardware, you still have your data stored on the cloud. 

3. Even if  there was some burglary at home or office and your laptop has been stolen, this is a guarantee that all of your data will still be there for you. 

4. You can easily work on a document from anywhere using Microsoft 360 online.  

NATC came up with the use of Microsoft One Drive sync which helps in accomplishing our customer’s aims. This is software designed by Microsoft and helps in the automatic upload of files, folders and pictures over the Internet for backup purpose. It normally comes with Window 8.1 and Windows 10 Operating System. 

If you are installing it on a Windows 7 Operating System then you first have to create a Microsoft or Outlook account and download the One Drive setup.  After downloading the app, you will run as administrator, and you will be asked to enter your username and password you first created. While installing the app you will be asked to choose a particular path or location which you will want to install the one drive. The One Drive app works like our normal folder we save our documents in. All documents saved in this folder   will automatically be uploaded on the cloud once there is a working Internet.  There is a green check mark on each file once it has been automatically uploaded. All you have to do is to save your files, folders and pictures in the rightful path or location.  To make sure your One Drive is working, login to your Microsoft 360 Account, open One Drive and click on recent documents. There you will be able to see all of your documents you posted in the one drive folder.    Thanks for reading my post.  

Rita J Gailor

NATC attends Liberia's first TEDx Event!

by Farzana Rasheed

The NATC team was lucky enough to attend Liberia's first ever TEDx Event at Monrovia City Hall. Our whole team was able to participate and, I'm indeed very happy that my staff could experience this occasion together. 

The line up of speakers was impressive and, some of the talks were extremely moving and inspiring. 

Congratulations to Accountability Lab for organising this event and, to all the speakers who shared their stories of courage, resilience and change. 

Posts from our staff

by Farzana Rasheed

Our company blog is a record of our day to day stories, achievements, challenges and records of interesting problems we solve on site.

We ask our new staff to write self introductions and, I've noticed we've got quite an impressive mix of people who have worked at our office over the years, some of them who no longer work with us. But here's a great reading list!

1) William Tolbert (Accountant): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2015/12/no-longer-newbie.html. 

2) Rita Gailor (Technician): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2015/10/hi-everyone.html. 

3) Lee Flomo (Technician): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2015/08/my-name-is-lee-flomo.html. 

4) Cheayee Gee (Technician): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2012/10/meet-one-of-natcs-trainees.html. 

5) Guillaume Foutry (Marketing Consultant): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2012/02/joining-it-company-in-liberia.html. 

6) Corinna Bordewieck (Office Manager): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2013/01/starting-out-at-natc-my-introduction-to.html. 

7) Tauseef Ahmad Malik (Technician): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2013/04/natcs-workshop-just-got-new-hardware.html. 

8) Isaiah Yancy (Accountant):  http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2016/05/intro-of-isaiah-yancy.html. 

9) Janneh Dorbor (Intern): http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2016/11/self-introduction-by-janneh-dorbor.html. 
10) Louise Worwele Gray (Accountant):  http://newafritech.blogspot.com/2016/11/self-introduction-by-louise-worwele-gray.html.

Self Introduction by Louise Worwele Gray

by Louise Gray

My name is Louise Worwele Gray. I was born on May 2, 1990 at the Star of the Sea Hospital in the township of WestPoint.

My lovely parents are Mr. Ahmed Gray and Mrs. Lucia Blidi. My father is from Sasstown, Grand Kru County and my mother is from Grandcess, Grand Kru County.

I have one brother one sister from the father side and 3 sisters from my mother side. From all my siblings I am the oldest child.

I am Christian and a Catholic from our lady star of the Catholic Church in West Point.

I started my primary education at the Star of the Sea Catholic School in west point. I went high honor roll every period and was given certificates every year. 

When I was promoted to the 5^th grade class, I transferred to Saint Teresa Convent High School on Randall Street. It’s an all-girl school. Again I maintained my academy statue and I was always on the honour roll list.

One word I was really fighting  to change was “Can Any Good Things Come Out Of West Point”?

I said to myself yes so many good things can come out of West Point and I am going to be among those people that are fighting very hard to change this state or question.

Let me tell you a little about my father. My father is just a high school graduate because he did not have the financial support to continue his education up to university level, so he vowed to fight hard to give his children higher education.

My father was not working but was a Susu man in the community.  He so honest that people rather saved money with him then to save with a bank.

Through this Susu business he managed to pay my fees up to the 9^th grade. When I was promoted to the 10^th grade, the school sends 5 students to FAWE Girls to represent them in essay writing on girl’s education in Liberia. Out of the five students selected only two successfully passed the essay: one Sianneh Tehmeh and I. We were awarded a scholarship up to the 12th grade. I maintained this scholarship with good grades until I got out of high school.

In 2009 after my graduation, my father said I should take the Stella Maris Polytechnic entrance exam. I took the entrance and was awaiting the result so I decided to enroll at the Inter Digital Computer where I earned a certificate in MS Doc, Word Window and Excel.

In February 2010, I enrolled at the Stella Maris Polytechnic as a freshman student. I studied Accounting (major) and Management (minor).

In 2011, my father was knocked down by pressure and was taken from one hospital to another for 6months. Later he became much better but was paralysed and he could not continue the Susu business and could not afford to pay my fees again.

Then I decided to do used clothes business because I never wanted by dreams to die. I started with one (1) bill of house hold materials.

After my classes, I would take the clothes from one community to another to sell and that was how I was able to pay my fees for 3 semesters until I was sent for internship.

I was opportune to do my internship with Starks Foundation Inc. A Health, an  NGO which is owned by the CEO, Mr. Gabriel Starks.

Based on my performance, I was employed at Starks Foundation Inc. as the Finance Assistant after my internship program. I graduated with an Associate degree and decided to pursue the BSc degree, too.

During the 2011 elections, Mr. Robert A Sirleaf was offering scholarships to destitute students who had their last semester GPA of 2.5 or above. My GPA was 3.40 so I decided to take advantage of the scholarship.

Something interesting happened: the guy who was heading the scholarship programmed asked that I should give him 75.00 USD for the scholarship! I had no option but to give him the money because the scholarship would last me until I graduate.

My name came out that semester on the scholarship and I fought hard every semester to maintain the required GPA.

That was how I left the used clothes business because I couldn’t be working and selling at the same time.

Starks Foundation was more than an employer to me. They stood for me so many times, during my graduation and even the time I lost my grandfather, they were always willing to open their arms to me.

In 2016 Starks Foundation just ended their 5-year contract with Global Fund. All our activities were on hold and junior staffs were asked to stay home until the company can get another bigger contract. I stayed until June and there was no sign of contract yet so my Boss advised that we could take advantage of other opportunities because we had to sustain our families.

One day I was in a taxi from work and heard a man discussing how MERCY CORPS is helping Liberians through Apprentice program. He said they published lots of vacancies in the classified newspaper every Monday. I decided to get one paper the  following Monday and saw that NATC was accepting applicants for book keeping so I decided to take advantage.

After a week, I received call from William from MERCY CORPS who I have not met in person up to present called me and told me to prepare for an interview with the CEO of  New Africa Technology company. I had opted out of the Mercy Corps programme because the monthly stipend was too low but William offered to connect me to NATC Management for a direct interview. 

The interview went very well and I think the CEO was impressed with my level and professionalism and understanding. She said her main aim of hiring me is to migrate the company’s financial reporting from Excel to QuickBooks. NATC was not able to find an experienced bookkeeper through the Mercy Corps programme but was willing to hire me. 

I started work at NATC on of November 1, 2016 as the OFFICE MANAGER. The working environment is good and straightly professional. The CEO is a little bit tough but I think its professional way of during things because we Liberian like to get fire on our backs before we can do things straight.

My greatest aim and objective is to move NATC reporting from Excel to Quick books at least the end of this year or early next year. A Quickbooks expert recommended by me (my ex trainer) has been hired by NATC to set up the system and train me. 

Lastly I want to appreciate Starks Foundation Inc., Williams from MERCY CORPS and my present employer NATC for this great opportunity and challenge.

Self Introduction by Janneh Dorbor

by Janneh Dorbor

I am Janneh Borbor, a graduate from the Stella Maris polytechnic with a BBA degree in Accounting. 

I was born in Harbel Firestone, Lower Margibi County unto the union of Mr. James A. Borbor and Mrs. Joetta M. Borbor.

I started my primary and high school education in Harbel and graduated from the St. Pius Xth Catholic High School, with a diploma and Division 3 in the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examinations.

I previously worked for Nepenjo Reality and Investment, Inc. as the Stockroom and Finance Clerk and also with Innovative Architecture & Engineering Corporation, where I served as Cashier intern.

I have come to realize that going to college to obtain a degree in a specific field of studied is a smart and good move but what we forget to understand is the lack of work experience in that area of studies. Most companies or entities will not hire you for said reason; lack of experience. Companies nowadays will not take the risk of training people who will later exit the said company after being trained by the said company. Hence, people are being hiring based on experience and qualifications.

With the new programme of apprenticeship launched by Mercy Corps to empower the youth will go a way of getting people trained for the job market. This also gives you the chance to learn on the job.

For my gratitude, I will like to extend my sincere appreciation and a big thanks to NATC (New Africa Technology) for accepting me as an intern in their company. While at NATC, I hope to achieve and gather the requisite experience and learn a whole of new things.