:Title: What is the hardest thing I have to overcome to participate on :Author: Evvy Bryning :Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:18:54 PST :URL: http://www.ned.com/group/lia-usa/news/9/ When I first joined Onet, I didn't make a comment for a long time. I thought I wasn't smart enough to participate with these really fantastic people in their discussions. I thought no one would be interested in what I had to say. But then one day I just jumped in and I was so surprised. Everyone welcomed me with open arms. They were so glad to hear from me and made me feel welcome and appreciated. They really listened to what I had to say and that encouraged me to say more. Now these people are my friends and I feel so comfortable talking to them. I know that a lot of our team members in Uganda are feeling shy about participating and making comments. I think it will be a good idea to talk about our feelings of shyness or the problems we are having or have had in participating and we can help each other to see that we all have a voice here and we can encourage the team members to overcome their shyness and to feel more comfortable participating. I invite all the members of the click4africa teams and everyone else on to share your experiences here, share your challenges in participating and what you have done to overcome them, and to ask questions so the many members of can offer possible solutions or suggestions.