Feb
18
2010
Google has added 30 African cities to Google Maps, according to a press release I received this morning:
As of today new detailed maps of 30 African cities and towns are accessible on Google Maps through any web browser or via Google Maps for mobile on data enabled handsets. The new service means that Google Maps users will now be able to search online maps, look up businesses, advertise for free via Google Maps Local Business Centre, create their own maps and even check locations while they’re on the move.
The immediate benefit of this is clearly for local entrepreneurs and civic organizations. Although more extensive maps of many African cities have been popping up on Google over the last few years, this launch offers local users new opportunities to contribute their own content: Continue reading
1 comment | tags: Africa, google, maps, tech, Video | posted in Africa, Technology
Mar
9
2009
David Sengeh, a junior at Harvard College studying biomedical engineering and originally from Sierra Leone, has asked me to share the following with you:
One Laptop per Child is beginning a
summer grant program in which up to 100 teams of university students from around the world will distribute thousands of XO laptops to children in Africa this summer. Partnering with schools and non-governmental organizations in Africa, undergraduate and graduate students from around the world will provide educational opportunities that facilitate self-expression and exploration for children.
One Laptop per Child is asking for applications from student-led teams who will receive funding to spend a summer in an African country of their choice deploying XO laptops.
According to the website, student-led teams will:
- travel to one of the 53 African countries of their choosing for 9-10 weeks
- participate in a 10-day orientation in Kigali, Rwanda at OLPC’s office
- receive up to $10,000 (USD) per team to cover operating costs
- deploy 100 XO laptops, including hardware and support
- collaborate with up to 100 other teams as part of a life-long global network empowering a generation of children
- send one representative to MIT/OLPC’s all-expense paid summit from Oct 10th-12th 2009
Applications are due March 27th. Visit their website for more details.
no comments | posted in Africa, Technology
Jul
24
2008
On July 11, after two-and-a half months of roaming around
Africa for the third time, I flew (via Lilongwe, Addis Ababa and Khartoum) from Lusaka to
Cairo. 48 hours later I was on my way to JFK (via Rome and Milan). I spent 18 hours in the Tri-state Area. Then I was off to
Seattle to meet my favorite boy for the first time. At 6am on July 21st, I flew to San Francisco for
24 hours and caught a showing of Batman: The Dark Knight,
my third film in a real movie theatre in two years. Last night (twelve
days after taking off from Lusaka, plus or minus whatever
happens when you cross the international date line), I arrived in
Beijing.
Continue reading
1 comment | tags: collision, flying, photo, wanderlust | posted in Africa, America, China, Europe, Globalization, Ideas, Travel
