Spotlight: Brian Lou

For the past three years Verizon Wireless Indirect Sales Manager Brian Lou has been volunteering his own vacation time to help those less fortunate. The 13 year employee volunteers through his church, and for the past three years has traveled to Rwanda, Africa. In Rwanda such basic luxuries as electricity are hard to come by, and Brian's group works towards improving these communities.

Brian is not alone in his endeavors. In his most recent and third trip to Rwanda two of his co-workers traveled with him and the entire department helped to contribute to the cause.

While abroad they worked to install a solar panel system in a local church that did not have electricity. They installed it in two days and it gave electricity to the church, office, and sleeping quarters. This is a low maintenance system which can be powered by distilled water and low watt bulbs.

"I appreciate what I have now. It is so easy to take things for granted," explained Brian. "But over in Rwanda, it's just about basic needs - they worry about if they will eat on any given day. So, now I appreciate all that I have and I am more sensitive to others' needs.

Brian offers advice to those seeking to get involved in their own volunteering endeavors, "Start with your local community. I started by helping plant trees in a local park. Start small - you are still helping someone who needs it."