Swamp Cottage

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52027972011-04-21T12:39:18.280-07:00Swamp CottageAfrica, technology, media, humanitarian issues, Africa jobs.Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comBlogger6891100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-4280089867305491472010-10-20T13:52:00.001-07:002010-10-20T13:52:38.943-07:00Re:

An impressive and interesting critique. I wanted to add a couple of points/questions. 1 You say: "Crowdsourced information – that is, information voluntarily submitted in an open call to the public – will not ever provide the sort of detail that aid agencies need to procure and supply essential services to entire populations." I wonder if anyone organising - for example - the supply of clean

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-40018131590497724362010-08-24T01:52:00.001-07:002010-08-24T01:52:59.507-07:00

Job: Save the Children Food Security Nairobi

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-84438375646567470422010-07-22T10:05:00.001-07:002010-07-22T10:05:15.292-07:00Buzz from Ben Parker

Link to this post: http://www.google.com/buzz/103985456644507856574/7oKtZ9ezhBx/swampcottage-RT-rgkirkpatrick-UNGlobalPulse-is 3:16 pm Ben Parker: swampcottage: RT @rgkirkpatrick: @UNGlobalPulse is looking for a Chief Platform Architect. Come join our team!!! http://tl.gd/2cq6o0

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-70425681903477830272010-06-07T04:09:00.001-07:002010-06-07T04:09:39.683-07:00

Job: http://www.google.com/jobs/africa/communications-and-public-affairs-manager-africa-nairobi/index.html

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-28488528071045537082010-05-12T10:11:00.001-07:002010-05-12T10:11:30.330-07:00

Jobs: Google Africa jobs: http://www.google.com/jobs/africa/

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-91406248654991587062010-03-17T13:23:00.001-07:002010-03-17T13:23:14.687-07:00

Job: International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Regional Director, Nairobi:

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-15835117752371933642010-03-11T03:14:00.001-08:002010-03-11T03:14:43.162-08:00

USAID is hiring for "transition" in Somalia: USAID/EA/LPC Office - Transition Initiative for Somalia Program Manager

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-17057850844884961582010-02-28T23:21:00.001-08:002010-02-28T23:21:03.993-08:00

UNEP web job, Nairobi

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-80008030535916509952010-02-09T23:51:00.000-08:002010-02-09T23:57:09.171-08:00

Three questions on crowdsourcing humanitarian need (post Haiti,Ushahidi, EIS, 4636 etc)1. What level of individual user requirement information is useful toa provider of social services (in normal circumstances or in crisis)?Bluntly, is it useful in a practical sense for thousands of hungrypeople to be enabled to say that they are hungry in x using technologyy?If you were running a 24-hour

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-44949180620238820552010-02-09T02:11:00.001-08:002010-02-09T02:11:24.328-08:00

Job: Head of ICC Liaison Office, Addis Ababa (D1)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-65763129707973336002010-02-08T06:42:00.001-08:002010-02-08T06:42:49.347-08:00

Job Vacancy: JRS-Asia Pacific Regional Communications-Advocacy Officer

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-39637460230537688962010-02-01T21:50:00.001-08:002010-02-01T21:50:09.123-08:00

Public Service Broadcasting, Non-profit media, etc: Lee Bollinger at POLIS: http://www.charliebeckett.org/?p=2445

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-87024371485423337562009-12-20T10:59:00.001-08:002009-12-20T10:59:37.682-08:00

Job: Director of Communications, ODI

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-76647187551910344022009-12-18T00:29:00.001-08:002009-12-18T00:29:28.341-08:00

Job: Eastern Africa journalists Association (EAJA) based at Djibouti is seeking for a Program Officer.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-11059526346329235622009-11-30T08:22:00.001-08:002009-11-30T08:22:34.298-08:00

Job: Regional Sales Director – Sub Saharran & East Africa, O3b networks

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-9222825579286944812009-11-26T12:10:00.001-08:002009-11-26T12:10:40.970-08:00

Job: Web Content Coordinator to work on the Forced Migration Online website (Oxford, UK). See: http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/index.html?currentvacancies

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-4538597194483425382009-11-09T20:37:00.001-08:002009-11-09T20:37:16.982-08:00

Kenya job: Database developer, Somalia Food Security and Nutrition Unit (doc): http://www.fsnau.org/fileadmin/uploads/1610.doc

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-45655730058387947732009-11-03T01:30:00.001-08:002009-11-03T01:30:27.718-08:00

Competition: Journalists encouraged to submit stories about change in the worldJournalists from around the world can submit videos, photos or short stories on what they seek to change in the world, to a contest being organized by Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW). Deadline: December 4. Stories can be about implementing greener environmental policy, improving education, or any other change. They

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-41652235056947594872009-08-06T09:50:00.001-07:002009-08-06T09:50:08.189-07:00

Job: Eurodad seeks Communications Officer

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-61550514060922314012009-07-30T03:14:00.001-07:002009-07-30T03:14:15.363-07:00

Gaming for good: @Ethanz tries Wired's Somali piracy game

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-90538374294818059832009-07-20T13:05:00.001-07:002009-07-20T13:05:28.312-07:00

Job: APC Global ICT Policy Advocacy and Networking Coordinator. APC were doing ICT4D before the acronym was born...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-84881750933686171972009-07-16T00:59:00.001-07:002009-07-16T00:59:27.721-07:00Fwd:

The sprawling empire of dgCommunities has relaunched as http://www.Zunia.org on typo3 CMS platform...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-28964536287427781492009-07-09T23:36:00.001-07:002009-07-09T23:36:14.645-07:00

Job: MSF Communications Director, Abu Dhabi

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-59483593383772187602009-06-24T13:48:00.000-07:002009-06-24T13:49:01.986-07:00

Job: Regional coordinator – Middle East and North Africa (SciDev.Net)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-46251693372453052532009-06-09T15:12:00.001-07:002009-06-09T15:12:25.187-07:00

Job: Membership and Communications Officer at AlertNet: http://www.alertnet.org/thepeople/jobs/124447574289.htm

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-16938382315108171862009-06-09T06:07:00.001-07:002009-06-09T06:07:49.729-07:00

Chinese-language newspaper launched in Botswana: http://www.sfnblog.com/launches_closures/2009/06/chinese_language_newspaper_launched_in_b.php (via @kenyapundit)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-62604549403957601312009-05-10T21:44:00.001-07:002009-05-10T21:44:54.730-07:00

Acacia tree new to science found in Ogaden (FT)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-52828600343893987312009-05-06T07:25:00.001-07:002009-05-06T07:25:22.241-07:00

Perhaps not quite the Elgin Marbles, but the British return Nuer artifacts to Sudan this week: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article30961

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-44369651075971948522009-04-26T01:04:00.001-07:002009-04-26T01:04:18.125-07:00

RT @mc_sunw #swineflu We live in the end of days: it's the aporkalypse.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-13147482523969651962009-04-17T23:45:00.001-07:002009-04-17T23:45:19.781-07:00

UC Berkeley Fellowships for African Journalists: http://www.journalism.berkeley.edu/press/african_journalists/

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-39577494399696991832009-04-17T06:03:00.001-07:002009-04-17T06:03:57.754-07:00

Games for Change: http://www.gamesforchange.org/

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-84456128017610811332009-04-08T14:05:00.001-07:002009-04-08T14:05:41.446-07:00

Towards a taxonomy of "Serious Games": http://www.businessandgames.com/blog/2009/04/tribalization_socialized_tv_ga.html Extract:"YOUR INTENTION WITH YOUR GAME IS TO: raise AWARENESS of issuestrain MOTOR functionsdevelop SOCIAL skills develop sudden onset CRISES response skillsdevelop HUMAN CAPITAL and workforceimprove MIND & BODYdevelop BUSINESS prowess improve ORGANIZATIONAL managementimprove

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-16807602754846291752009-04-08T14:03:00.001-07:002009-04-08T14:03:39.126-07:00

Nice work if you can get it. Kenya's Safaricom charges 10% interest (sorry, fee) for 3 days of credit for mobile top ups...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-27999582203026149582009-03-28T09:56:00.001-07:002009-03-28T09:56:03.180-07:00

Job: Communications Officer, ICG:http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=6027&l=1

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-58177376419405078112009-03-25T13:16:00.001-07:002009-03-25T13:16:05.983-07:00

Job: ISDR/G/03/2009 L-5 Head of Regional Office – Africa Nairobi, Kenya 12 April 2009

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-46637050662861277622009-03-19T06:41:00.001-07:002009-03-19T06:41:19.170-07:00

Shooting mosquitoes with a laser (WSJ, via War and Health): http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123680870885500701.html

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-62828973104099391112009-03-19T02:04:00.001-07:002009-03-19T02:04:29.891-07:00

Has Dubai banned unmarrieds holding hands or not? (Al Arabiya) http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/03/14/68405.html

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-56817631614021812272009-03-12T13:43:00.001-07:002009-03-12T13:43:20.872-07:00

"There is no problem in the world too complex that it cannot be addressed by the emotionalised, platitudinous pronunciations of an entertainer".

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-62348553866433803962009-03-09T00:50:00.001-07:002009-03-09T00:50:12.024-07:00

Economist covers serious games/social gaming: http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13174355

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-44276870711624534782009-03-06T23:19:00.001-08:002009-03-06T23:19:30.538-08:00

Save #Darfur. By gaming Digg? Did donors to a "Darfur Foundation" really want their money spent on artifically increasing a ranking on digg.com? http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/03/usocial-digg.html

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-3782400740692291742009-03-06T08:43:00.001-08:002009-03-06T08:43:57.213-08:00

Jobs: ISS editorial jobs

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-81093542481749676442009-02-23T23:48:00.001-08:002009-02-23T23:48:11.832-08:00Fwd:

Philanthropy and new business devt now headed by the same person at Google: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/next-chapter-for-googleorg.html

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-28594160405797800842009-02-22T01:24:00.001-08:002009-02-22T01:24:40.316-08:00

Kenya commissions: "We are declaring the collapse of the GTV a national disaster, and are naming a 40 member team to investigate this matter."

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-75589308427922958542009-02-13T07:56:00.000-08:002009-02-13T07:57:04.520-08:00

Independent report card on Kenya's coalition published: http://www.dialoguekenya.org

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-71216658099730872572009-02-09T03:47:00.001-08:002009-02-09T03:47:19.811-08:00

1 shisha session = 100 cigarettes

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-26148554292662720532009-01-09T00:34:00.001-08:002009-01-09T00:34:14.332-08:00

Job: UNICEF Communication Officer, Kenya (deadline 12 Jan 2009)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-16506164088810665992009-01-08T22:55:00.001-08:002009-01-08T22:55:42.768-08:00

More humanitarian games: Is this the first one that is not free?"In the Netherlands, The Red Cross Game encourages online players to engage with a number of virtual public health and safety crises involving first an earthquake in Argentina and then conflict and dislocation in war-torn Zimbabwe. Players who finish these teaser games and want to tackle the next task, a flood in Mexico, need to pay

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-12181484445032024432009-01-08T01:36:00.001-08:002009-01-08T01:36:06.539-08:00

Contest: Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-60672684026519355212009-01-06T05:57:00.001-08:002009-01-06T05:57:56.210-08:00

Advocacy/activist game with a message: "Raid Gaza!" http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/476393

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-19803587950198966512009-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:002009-01-06T00:01:01.737-08:00

Social games: UNHCR gets into the gaming space with "Against All Odds" as does a UN initiative on natural disasters, the ISDR. (Tips: AlertNet)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-74435030054395897462009-01-05T21:26:00.001-08:002009-01-05T21:26:26.995-08:00

Jobs: Editor, the Life and Peace Horn of Africa Bulletin

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-34325956513051037842008-12-09T12:00:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:28:51.960-08:00

Memorable Kenya news headlines (first in a series - if I get around to it): "Furious mother chews off son's ear over hunger claims" (Nairobi Star , 5/Jul/08)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-3608787640825759162008-12-09T10:18:00.000-08:002009-01-05T21:29:19.606-08:00

More (potential) social games: Sent to you by Ben via Google Reader: Water Games via Akvo blog by Peter van der Linde on 12/9/08 Representatives of the gaming industry spend free time on the bus, developing water game concepts. On the 19th of August two busses headed of from Amsterdam to an international gaming convention in Leipzig. 20 professionals from the Dutch gaming industry used

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-17182667159602551292008-12-09T01:06:00.001-08:002008-12-09T03:15:35.044-08:00

Oh. Mail-to-Blogger has not worked for ages. Here comes my backlog of postings...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-30443346559801621792008-11-28T04:16:00.001-08:002008-12-09T03:22:48.332-08:00

Forward of the day...Somali Pirates in Discussions to Acquire Citigroup November 20 (Bloomberg) -- The Somali pirates, renegade Somalis known for hijacking ships for ransom in the Gulf of Aden, are negotiating a purchase of Citigroup.The pirates would buy Citigroup with new debt and their existing cash stockpiles, earned most recently from hijacking numerous ships, including most recently

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-8162983204171725712008-11-25T05:23:00.001-08:002008-12-09T03:33:59.435-08:00

Jobs: (Development) Policy and Research Communication (UK) "DFID is seeking experienced policy and research communication specialists to help create and deliver a new service delivering high profile policy and research communications and ensuring research evidence is taken up. There are six posts which can be located in either London or East Kilbride. The new Policy and Research Communications

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-87745793361423364882008-11-17T02:29:00.001-08:002008-12-09T06:10:03.905-08:00

Nation Media Group's new Facebook-style (?) site: ZuqkaUpdate 9 December: it's half dead at http://www.zuqka.com/. Test drive reports here

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-83533422502717483772008-10-27T06:02:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:24:22.223-08:00

Opera Mini releases their top ten of Africa mobile web countries . Mobile Swazis really take their surfing seriously...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-28145796432979972212008-10-08T06:29:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:29:41.007-08:00

Humanitarian game: Nobelprize.org - "Prisoners of War"

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-17490062502083011062008-10-05T07:46:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:26:03.000-08:00

More memorable Kenya headlines: "The Audacity of Hull" (Sunday Nation, October 5, 2008)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-48671250850775138122008-09-29T00:36:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:27:15.058-08:00

New humanitarian / social games: "Joseph is a [Ugandan] character in a cutting-edge Alternate Reality Game launched by the Red Cross on Monday -- a 21st century cross between a role-playing game and a treasure hunt. The game called "Traces of Hope" (www.tracesofhope.com) is the first time a charity has used the interactive ARG format more commonly used to promote films and commercial products." (

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-76942982005776409352008-09-17T05:36:00.001-07:002009-01-05T21:51:40.002-08:00

News: According to a release from Kenya's ICT board, KenCall EPZ has won an Call Center Award. See the shortlist: Non-European Call Centre of the Year24/7 Customer, India EMP - Emirates Marketing & Promotion, U.A.E.-> KenCall EPZ Ltd, Kenya Vodacom, South Africa

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-59288013574780126882008-09-17T02:35:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:32:09.090-08:00

Palin's link with Kiambu, Kenya

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-73238198412213191532008-09-06T13:12:00.001-07:002008-12-09T08:19:03.591-08:00

A breakthrough in Kenya's M-Banking revolution - ... "withdrawals can be made from 110 PesaPoint ATMs in 46 towns around the country without the use of an ATM card" Meanwhile, more Kenya mobile money news... A Kenyan sex worker is duped by fake mobile payoff; while banks get ready to cry foul and finally, poor Zain, market share evaporating, bleeding money in a horrible re-branding, bravely

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-12859715265155572872008-09-01T05:08:00.001-07:002008-12-09T03:28:18.583-08:00

Amazing Washington Post expose: er... the African Middle Class exists...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-29893470095731933782008-07-10T07:53:00.001-07:002009-01-05T21:35:55.086-08:00

Thinking of buying a goat for a needy person in Africa? (as Kristof suggests in the New York Times). Before you do, read this bracing article in South Africa's Mail and Guardian. Extract: "A few months ago, at the height of the Christmas shopping season, Oxfam encouraged us Britons to give "the gift of dung" to Africa. That's right: dung. Apparently poor African farmers like nothing better at

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-80620106347012358562008-02-11T11:21:00.001-08:002009-01-05T21:45:14.182-08:00

"typing keyboards with our pangas" - Kenya politics-blogging poem

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-36740066908073138872008-01-03T06:22:00.001-08:002008-01-03T06:22:21.009-08:00

Whispering in Swahili - good neighbours in the Rift Valley

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-18754956001091599432008-01-02T09:03:00.001-08:002008-01-02T09:03:38.206-08:00

Red Cross helicopter footage of clashes, burnings, road blocks in Kenya's Rift Valley

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-83550533772725681712007-12-30T07:26:00.001-08:002007-12-30T07:26:51.806-08:00

Photo of TV annoucement by Samuel Kivuitu of (contested) winner of Kenya Presidential elections December 2007

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-56370075949849866032007-12-30T07:15:00.001-08:002007-12-30T07:15:09.242-08:00

Difficult times ahead

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-62474159094475843922007-12-20T04:37:00.000-08:002007-12-20T04:38:00.085-08:00

Job: PR Manager, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (Geneva)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-34108571437578942892007-12-17T21:12:00.001-08:002007-12-17T21:12:15.733-08:00

Job: Program Officer - IDRC Think Tank Initiative, Nairobi, KenyaThe Think Tank Initiative is a major new collaborative program of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and IDRC. Its goal is to support independent policy research organizations in developing regions enabling them to provide objective, high-quality research that both informs and influences policy. The Initiative will provide

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-68131604494975397762007-11-30T09:17:00.001-08:002007-11-30T09:17:06.416-08:00

Celtel: Roaming "abolished" in Africa

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-60286770297399807082007-11-12T10:53:00.000-08:002007-11-12T11:19:50.600-08:00

More humanitarian games / social gaming

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-10526211556090921442007-10-18T09:08:00.001-07:002007-10-18T09:08:49.642-07:00

See here for jobs with think tank ISS in Nairobi

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-67259255148694095942007-10-02T05:37:00.001-07:002007-10-02T05:37:22.662-07:00

It's Prius time. Having never seen one before, now I see two in a couple of days in Nairobi... Dangerously quiet ... So what is the carbon equation of charging up your Prius with a disel generator in a power cut?

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-65459588771065373792007-10-02T03:13:00.001-07:002007-10-02T03:13:29.017-07:00

Google Africa jobs

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-2923346824684950842007-09-23T13:51:00.001-07:002007-09-23T13:51:41.911-07:00

Another twist to gaming for non-profits: Karma Tycoon is a kind of Sim-NGO with "advergaming" elements from a major investment banker...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-55235240698908896872007-09-13T08:29:00.000-07:002007-09-13T08:30:02.039-07:00

Political gaming: the Hezbollah video game (via openDemocracy)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-86055831365697472582007-09-07T00:18:00.001-07:002007-09-07T00:18:25.099-07:00

More hi-tech electioneering in Kenya. The Raila Odinga virus (which seems to put so many copies of his picture on your computer it starts to die) apparently is harder to remove than those of his rivals... (according to the Daily Nation). Here's how to deal with it.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-49286574130308229582007-09-04T12:10:00.001-07:002007-09-04T12:10:17.199-07:00

Jobs: UN Protection Officer, Somalia, based in Kenya ;-)

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-80938401289335021422007-08-31T06:46:00.001-07:002007-08-31T06:46:05.545-07:00

The Arithmetic of Empathy"In one recent experiment, Slovic presented subjects with a picture of "Rokia," a starving child in Mali, and asked them how much they'd be willing to give to help feed her. Then he showed a different group photos of two Malinese children — "Rokia and Moussa." The group presented with two kids gave 15 percent less than those shown just one child. In a related

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-92210178526162013932007-08-25T14:42:00.001-07:002007-08-25T14:42:14.833-07:00

"One of the most frequently purchased items in Second Life is genitalia."

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-76149609098308094132007-08-25T14:38:00.001-07:002007-08-25T14:38:51.455-07:00

http://www.getafirstlife.com/ [thanks Dan]

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-30135916556991430732007-08-24T11:45:00.001-07:002007-08-24T11:45:57.863-07:00

Political satire on Facebook...Kenyan opposition figure Raila Odinga has two facebook profiles. In one of them, his only friend appears to be the very dodgy Artur Margaryan. The other, which seems more likely to be real, says that Raila is " Raila is Working hard to cement ODMK unity".Meanwhile, presidential hopfeul Kalonzo has a profile, but he only has 11 Facebook friends in Kenya. President

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-18739834490927125912007-08-09T09:08:00.001-07:002007-08-09T09:08:39.831-07:00

Does a black screen consume less power or a white one?The black version of Google, Blackle, may have its carbon foot in mouth...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-19733561791488349242007-08-09T09:01:00.001-07:002007-08-09T09:01:27.139-07:00

Finally. I get invited to something new. Mosh from Nokia in beta. I hope it makes it easy to post photos from the phone to the web. Opera photo blog didn't work for me...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-19103299825224654662007-07-27T08:23:00.001-07:002007-07-27T08:23:14.638-07:00

The benefits of globalisation: Kenyan soapstone Simpsons merchandise

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-24214176167109417142007-07-16T07:27:00.001-07:002007-07-16T07:27:36.883-07:00

Map of Nairobi earthquakes (actually centred in Tanzania) - another one just now (17:30) - felt bigger than last night's...

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-68974311353356238142007-06-28T05:59:00.001-07:002007-06-28T05:59:59.707-07:00

If you were wondering why Jeff Koinange is no longer on CNN, read this

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-49544053944679576412007-06-15T01:31:00.001-07:002007-06-15T01:31:41.399-07:00

Bastiat Prize 2007: Submission OpenIPN's Bastiat Prize for Journalism was inspired by the 19th-century French philosopher and journalist Frédéric Bastiat. The prize was developed to encourage and reward writers whose published works eloquently and wittily elucidate the institutions of a free society: limited government, rule of law brokered by an independent judiciary, protection of private

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-8959289953104584122007-05-15T05:16:00.000-07:002007-05-15T05:17:01.525-07:00

Vacancy announcement for a Regional Communication Officer in Eastern and Central Africa - supporting our country programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. http://ecaf.savethechildren.se/East_Central_Africa/Abo ut-us/Job-vacancies/

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-58771893745338348422007-04-27T05:17:00.001-07:002007-04-27T05:17:47.773-07:00

BBC Seeking Young Kenyan Entrepreneurs The BBC's Head of Swahili, Solomon Mugera is seeking young business minded Kenyans to take part in the broadcaster's competition Prosper with the BBC. The competition launched in early April and has already attracted hundreds of KiSwahili speakers across Africa but nothing so far from Kenya. "I am convinced many young Kenyans have interesting ideas

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-47237067214686554552007-04-24T09:34:00.001-07:002007-04-24T09:34:32.108-07:00

Is this the first Kenyan video game? The Adventures of Nyangi.[via Balancing Act]

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-12246008371971594322007-04-24T02:28:00.001-07:002007-04-24T02:28:47.040-07:00

In Kenya? Have a business plan? Enter a competition (deadline end-May) to win up to Ksh2.8 million and a trip to the Netherlands from www.bidnetwork.com.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-68712772303928460652007-04-22T22:19:00.001-07:002007-04-22T22:19:03.392-07:00

Jobs: Global Voices is seeking to hire a half-time co-Managing Editor.

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-55657320897447297912007-04-03T22:58:00.001-07:002007-04-03T22:58:20.629-07:00

Job: Executive DirectorOrganisation: The African Academy of SciencesLocation: Nairobi, KenyaClosing Date: 6 April 2007

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-88395002475655650152007-03-30T02:55:00.001-07:002007-03-30T02:55:12.991-07:00

Jobs: AFRICA BASED POSITIONS, MULTIPLE ROLES, LONDON INTERVIEWSGlobal Career Company is pleased to announce the Careers in Africa UKSummit scheduled to take place in London on May 4th - 7th 2007. Now inits fifth year and with over 50 companies confirmed to attend, thisSummit is the worlds leading recruitment event for Africa. This annual invitation-only event brings together graduates and

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202797.post-35223495698991497002007-03-26T04:05:00.001-07:002007-03-26T04:05:30.849-07:00Jobs HD Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue Africa Regional Director and Project Manager

HD Centre VacanciesThe Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) is an independent andimpartial organisation that aims to resolve armed conflicts bypromoting negotiated solutions among belligerents. The HD Centre alsocarries out research, analysis and facilitation of dialogue aroundpractical policy recommendations in order to improve internationalefforts to secure and sustain peace. In

Benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004857424188093763noreply@blogger.com