What will you be remembered for?
Posted on | November 2, 2009 | No Comments |
Somewhere in my vast collection of RSS feeds, I read this statement today: “What will you be remembered for?”
Now, I know this has been uttered many times before, but on the Internet we all seem to be obsessed with Twitter followers, RSS subscribers, blog readers, Facebook friends, etc. But will you actually be remembered for any of those things after you’re gone? Nope.
I thought about this statement and how carried away we have become with these numbers in today’s age of information over-saturation. The reality is that these things won’t matter when we’re gone. Only the tangible things we’ve done will be remembered. In a sense, we’ve become disconnected from human interaction in the most important ways that influence life. We need to get back to that connection. We need to get back into that emotion. We need to get back into that inspiration.
This comes at a good time, when I am building a nonprofit whose sole aim is to assist African technologists in the challenges they face. When all is said and done, it won’t matter how many “followers” or “fans” we have, but how we have reached out to these technologists in tangible, realistic ways.
If those fans and followers translate into supporters who contribute to the progress of webstartAfrica, then all the better. But for now, my sights are set on these ‘tangibles’ that we need to be delivering to African technologists.
What are your tangibles?
Why the disappearance?
Posted on | October 28, 2009 | No Comments |
The past 5-7 weeks have been largely silent on the blog here. Why, you ask? Well, two reasons: I’ve been working hard on getting my new nonprofit venture webstartAfrica up and running. And, I’ve been studying to take the GRE in December for entry into graduate school in 2010. If this is the first time you’ve heard of webstartAfrica, I encourage you to head on over to the website and read all about it.
Other, more regularly updated, ways of finding out what I’m working on are my personal Twitter, the webstartAfrica Twitter, or simply the webstartAfrica blog. All three are updated more frequently than the blog here (for now).
So, other than the occasional Kiva Pledge Update done every two weeks, this blog might run pretty quiet. That may change in the future, but for now the focus needs to be on webstartAfrica.
Kiva Pledge Update: Featured Project
Posted on | October 25, 2009 | No Comments |
[This is part of a series of posts that will extend through the entire year of 2009 twice monthly according to my original post "My pledge to Kiva for 2009". To view all of my Kiva projects, take a moment to check out my Kiva lending page.]
In this week’s Kiva Pledge Update I am supporting Ayub Mupere’s Group, who is currently operating a clothing boutique in Lugazi, Uganda.
Kiva Pledge Update: Featured Project
Posted on | October 17, 2009 | No Comments |
[This is part of a series of posts that will extend through the entire year of 2009 twice monthly according to my original post "My pledge to Kiva for 2009". To view all of my Kiva projects, take a moment to check out my Kiva lending page.]
In this week’s Kiva Pledge Update I am supporting Margaret Nankabirwa’s Group, who is currently operating a secondhand clothing store in Kampala, Uganda.
Kiva Pledge Update: Featured Project
Posted on | October 3, 2009 | No Comments |
[This is part of a series of posts that will extend through the entire year of 2009 twice monthly according to my original post "My pledge to Kiva for 2009". To view all of my Kiva projects, take a moment to check out my Kiva lending page.]
In this week’s Kiva Pledge Update I am supporting Semugenya James’ Group, who is currently operating a general store in Lugazi, Uganda.
Personal thoughts on introducing a new nonprofit venture, webstartAfrica
Posted on | September 26, 2009 | No Comments |
After lots of research and planning, I’ve finally taken my idea of supporting African technologists and put it into practice through a nonprofit venture called webstartAfrica. With all of the technology meet-ups and events happening in Africa, I was encouraged by what I was seeing but struggling to find my place amidst the revolution taking place.
My technology exposure is more than the average person, but I am far from a seasoned developer, etc. My skills were in organizing, leading, starting and promoting. I eventually had a realization that while the events were stirring up a lot of press and filled with budding technologists, there was yet to be a supporting organization that encompassed all of these technologists. For every attendee at one of these meet-ups, there were at least 10 technologists who seemed to slip through the cracks, many of them hobbyists or students. That was my inspiration for webstartAfrica. I want to support both the seasoned veteran and the rising star.
While much of the groundwork has been done on the organization, the real work lies ahead. I’m in the process of searching for a Board of Directors, which can be a daunting task. Also important will be the recruitment of willing Sponsors, reliable Partners, and thirsty Members. That task begins today.
Please be sure to visit the website and don’t hesitate to send me comments or recommendations for improvement. I’m here and listening.
Kiva Pledge Update: Featured Project
Posted on | September 19, 2009 | No Comments |
[This is part of a series of posts that will extend through the entire year of 2009 twice monthly according to my original post "My pledge to Kiva for 2009". To view all of my Kiva projects, take a moment to check out my Kiva lending page.]
In this week’s Kiva Pledge Update I am supporting Dawa Marita, who is currently in the business of selling bread and beans in Gudele, Sudan.
Uganda Skateboard Union expanding, in need of help
Posted on | September 3, 2009 | No Comments |
The Uganda Skateboard Union, which I blogged about in “Reaching out to Youth in Kampala, Uganda in non-Traditional ways”, is in need of help expanding their Kitintale location. The good news is that they have outgrown their current size.
In case you need a refresher on the benefits the Uganda Skateboard Union is providing to the community and youth of Kitintale, re-read my original blog post.
If you’re interested in helping them out, head on over to their site and contact them for more details.
Yes, Africa is a continent of immense knowledge and ingenuity
Posted on | August 30, 2009 | No Comments |
As a huge fan of Eric Hersman, aka @whiteafrican, I found this video to be very inspiring. It reinforced my belief that Africa is full of knowledge and ingenuity far beyond what it gets credit for. The event of Maker Faire Africa helps to showcase this knowledge and ingenuity and is guaranteed to grow next year. Let’s get behind these events and make sure the word gets out. Even better, if you have something to offer, perhaps you would like to attend or sponsor next year’s Maker Faire Africa? Go to the website for details.
Please do watch the video and pass on to those you know who might be interested.
Kiva Pledge Update: Featured Project
Posted on | August 29, 2009 | No Comments |
[This is part of a series of posts that will extend through the entire year of 2009 twice monthly according to my original post "My pledge to Kiva for 2009". To view all of my Kiva projects, take a moment to check out my Kiva lending page.]
In this week’s Kiva Pledge Update I am supporting Androa Alfred Bayo, who operates a mobile phone shop in Koboko, Uganda.
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