While Peter was climbing up the ranks of Nortel ’ s corporate structure , Susan was effecting positive change on both a local and global scale through her work in the fields of community radio broadcasting , international fundraising , education , and hospitality . After graduating from high school , Susan worked with a nonprofit organization that designed and built a small radio network for Native communities in Northwestern Ontario . Using a mobile 40-watt transmitter , they relayed information regarding social services and town meetings to Native residents of remote rural areas . “ We also played a lot of country western music ,” says Susan . “ I didn ’ t speak any native languages , and I didn ’ t have that much experience in working in radio , but I brought a lot of enthusiasm to the table and really helped to get things going .” In the early 1970s , while attending Carleton University in Ottawa , Susan assisted in organizing the “ Miles for
Millions ” walk . The walks were modeled after Oxfam ’ s similar charitable walkathons in the United Kingdom . Working with a team of passionate fundraisers , Susan helped to coordinate philanthropic outreach efforts and secure funding for the Miles for Millions charitable walkathon events . The Miles for Millions walkathons raised funds for third-world development projects and also served as an educational platform through which many young Canadian schoolchildren gained awareness of their global impact .
In the years that followed , Susan hosted and produced a religious affairs program for a commercial radio station in Ottawa . Before moving with Peter to France , Susan was also involved in writing curricula and leading workshops and programs for both adults and children in the various churches in which she and Peter were involved . In addition , Susan served as an animator at a historic village in Alberta , Canada , where she recreated a timeless frontier-era experience for tourists who visited an authentic 19th century-style “ Stopping House ,” originally located between Edmonton and Athabasca . “ Stopping Houses were , in many ways , a precursor to modern-day bed-and-breakfasts ,” notes Susan . “ The men would sleep in the barn with the horses , and the women would sleep up in the attic . Everyone who worked at the historic park always had to be ‘ in character ,’ so it was a really fun and unique experience .”
In the early years after moving to Texas in 1994 , Susan homeschooled their son through 5th and 6th grade . Susan noted that “ it was a joy working with him as he explored new ideas and concepts ”.
While in France , Susan had the chance to tutor a number of children in English , while she herself was expanding her knowledge of French . She took the opportunity to join
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