Computing in Rwanda? 56
gehel asks: "In September I will be going to Rwanda, working for a year in a developement project as a Computer Science guy. I'm leaving with an association that doesn't have much experience in sending CS guys over there, but I'm sure some Slashdot readers have some experience in that field.
For all those who know Rwanda or Africa better than me, or for those who have been working in developement projects: What should I be prepared for? What would you bring with you to go there? How do you think we can bring Computer Science to a developement project in Africa, without creating too much dependencies on the North? What are the typical failures of such projects?"
"I don't know much about what I am going to do there except : I will be based in Kigali. I will be working (at least partly) as a sysadmin with existing computer installations (most probably Windows based), I will do some teaching (mostly in system administration), and I might work a bit to help creating a new radio station. Finally, I'd like to add that I am proud to be doing this as a service for my country."
Power, Heat, People (Score:5, Informative)
1. you and your equipment will find the heat incredible
2. power is unrealiable at best, brownouts and black outs are common and will last from 5 minutes to 5 hours
3. watch your stuff! You are in an extremely poor country and will be viewed as quite rich. Many people will have no problem helping themselves to your 'wealth'. (of course thats true everywhere, but there are WAY more poor people in Africa).
4. DO NOT sit in an office all day, every day, get out, see the country and/or continent. Africa and it people are amazing.
5. Remember, people here are from a different culture, watch what you say and do until you know better.
That should cover the first little while
Gregor
Good start! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Good start! (Score:3, Interesting)
Before you go reseach research research. Also pick up a copy of Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle. It is a well considered look at what a tech should face when suddenly being denied Tech. There are resources for getting you power, clean water and other things that are quite simple to do. If you do your research then you may be able to make due on much less then anyone thinks possible. They have all the
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:2, Insightful)
look into getting extra-immunized against diseases that are widespread (and even not so widespread) down there.
find the local hospital and remember how to get there.
Also, if the power is unreliable, make sure you bring a lot of books, or extra long life batteries for your laptop. And a UPS for any desktops you have there, the last thing you want happening is some bad data loss.
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:4, Informative)
And be sure to get started (i.e. visit your local travel health center) at least 6 months ahead of time, (a year would be better) as some immunizations and whatnot require multiple doses with a long waiting period in between. You do NOT want to get your visa denied just because your missing some stinkin' vaccination...
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:3)
If he had finished his presctiption he probably wouldn't be stuck with malaria for the rest of his life.
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:2)
Interestingly, they've recently sequenced the malaria genome (don't have an article link, sorry) and discovered that 64 of the genes are useless "bits" that are flipped randomly with every generation. Apparently this is how it escapes detection by the body's immune system - every generation is a "new" critter.
Even more interesting is the fact that they figured out how to "freeze" th
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:1)
If the genes are "useless" as you say, they don't code for proteins, in which case the cell appears the same to the immune system. Our immune system targets proteins primarily, not DNA. That's why some drugs are good against a plethora of pathogens, because they share characteristic proteins.
So in summary, I think you made this up. Or you heard it from someone likewise uneducated in biology.
The problem with slashdot is its primarily for computer nerds, instead of chemistry nerds, so che
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:2)
If the genes are "useless" as you say, they don't code for proteins, in which case the cell appears the same to the immune system.
Who says they can't code for proteins and still be irrelevant to the normal operation of malaria? When I said "useless" I was referring to the physical functionality of the malaria. Obviously they are very useful as a "cloaking device"!
And you obviously didn't Google for it (though admittedly I didn't either until goaded by your less than genteel response) since I found referen [google.com]
Re:Power, Heat, People (Score:2)
find the local hospital and remember how to get there
Many third world hospitals are truly horrible. You may get better care from the friendly local ex-patriot veterinarian. (Really! Ask around when you get there...)
He he. (Score:1)
ATTENTION HUMOUR-IMPAIRED MODS: this is a joke.
Re:If I were you... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:If I were you... (Score:1)
I dont really think I'm going there with zero knowledge
I am more looking for advice specifically on CS developpement projects. How to bring technology in a usefull way, or what could be the specific
Re:If I were you... (Score:2)
Not saying you should use that particular distro, but one more thing to watch out for.
What should you bring?
The very basics, until you know more. Have whatever you discover you need shipped over. No use hauling around a bunch of crap that you can't use, and needing other stuff.
Re:If I were you... (Score:2)
You understand that they speak hordes of languages?
You understand that Ubuntu is a word in Swahili which is not even close to remotely spoken in Rwanda?
Just like Spanish is not widely spoken in Denmark?
You understand that it is not all one simple black homogenous mass there?
Yes?
Re:If I were you... (Score:2)
Re:If I were you... (Score:2)
some thoughts (Score:1)
http://laptop.media.mit.edu/ [mit.edu]
there's also
http://www.freeplayfoundation.org/ [freeplayfoundation.org]
I own two of their radios, great stuff! Multiband, no batteries required
And maybe visit a few solar dealers, see if you can get some donated stuff, panel or two, charge controller, etc. snag a truck battery once you are there.
Oh ya, good water filter! I use a royal berkefield with the "black berky" filter elements.
Re:If I were you... (Score:1)
The purpose of my trip wasn't really computer related, but here are a few things I noticed.. Power can be unreliable at times, so always take the opportunity to charge your laptop when the lights are on. All of the people that I talked about computers had only seen Windows. That's not to say they woul
Re:If I were you... (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Re:If I were you... (Score:1)
I dont really know what I'm going to do there. And I dont think planning too much from here (Switzerland) without knowing exactly what is needed there is a good think.
I should be working for the Presbytarian Church of Rwanda, taking care of their current computers (which dont always run well) and trying to teach them how to take care of that once I'm gone
Don't forget.... (Score:1, Offtopic)
Re:Hygiene (Score:1)
Re:OS (Score:1)
have you thought this out? (Score:3, Insightful)
Do you know any of the recent history of Rewanda? 10 years ago a large portion of the population was brutally hacked to death with macheties. "computer science" projects are, in my opininon, right at the bottom of the list fo things Rawanda needs. I undersatnd that there is a legitamate need for IT people to support aid agencies, and their work, but I doubt there are any projects that will benifit the people directly.
My 2 pieces fo advice are:
1. learn french. it is one of the most commonly spoken langauges in Rawanda.
2.Read the book "Shake Hands with teh Devil" by Romeo Dallaire
This book provides a brief history of the genocide in Rawanda, as well as valuable insights into how the people live.
Radio is highly influential and accessable in Rawanda. Computers are not. modern technology will likely do little to help the average Rawanden's conditon to improve. Linux will not change their situation. Use your talents and skills to solve problems. Dont use fancy solutions - keep it simple and make it work.
Most of all, good luck in your journey, and stay safe.
Re:It's spelled RWANDA, (Score:2)
by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 29, @11:46PM (#13200806)
you fucking illiterate cunt.
It's called a typo, similar to the other mistakes in the post, you fucking unobservant cunt.
(Unless, of course, they're using a Dvorak layout in which case you could be right, though that still doesn't absolve you from looking like an ill-tempered schmuck.
Re:It's spelled RWANDA, (Score:2)
All but one anyway... *sigh*
Not to mention the grammatical error I missed in my own post even after previewing and my failure to point out that the GP is also an ignorant cunt given that spelling "rules" tend to be pretty flexible when translating from languages that don't use a Roman alphabet.
*sob* I can't even craft a proper response to Slashdot flamebait, truly I am a geek failure!
From someone in India (Score:2)
2. Computer parts are probably more expensive in Rwanda than at your friendly NewEgg etc, etc. (see 1.)
3. Internet Connectivity is lkely to be way slower than what you're used to. 256 kbps is all that I have here.
4. Try and see if you can get language-localised distros - I know that we've been using localised ones. Fonts and localised FF and OOo supplied by the Government!
5. Be prepared to meet a LOT of esoteric older hardware. Be ruthless - but
Man... (Score:3, Interesting)
You may have "done some travelling" but you're about to choose one of the most troubled and dangerous countries on this planet - its not a week in Mexico.
Actually, (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Wildly Sweeping Statement There, Wot? (Score:1)
There are 49 countries in Africa. Several (possibly even most) have had a civil war or an armed uprising against colonial rule at some point in their history. Many of those countries have been relatively peaceful for decades though (peaceful != democratic or uncorrupt, which is not what I'm trying to say. I'm not saying that all African nations are
Re:Wildly Sweeping Statement There, Wot? (Score:1)
Re:Wildly Sweeping Statement There, Wot? (Score:1)
This is quite correct - I did actually note that most African nations have had a civil war or colonial uprising at some point.
I agree with you when you say that it is a bleak picture, I'll be the first to agree, I was really just objecting to the sweeping statement that is so often made - that all of Africa is engaged in barbaric war and there is no hope at all. I apologise if I sounded a bit evangelical about it.
Also, I did forget Bur
Come back alive (Score:3, Informative)
Stay out of Sierra Leone (Score:2)
Sierra Leone sounds the most nuts: [hrw.org]
"Witnesses describe the existence of distinct units known for committing particular crimes, like the Burn House Unit, Cut Hands Commando, and Blood Shed Squad. Some of these squads had a trademark way of killing such as the Kill Man No Blood unit, whose method was to beat people to death without shedding blood, or the Born Naked Squad, who stripped their victims before killing them. The closer ECOMOG forces got to rebe
You will enjoy it. (Score:1)
Power is 220v (often running below that). You will need to set the UPSs accordingly.
You won't be able to get too many conponents there so bring the pieces you need or plan a trip to Nairobi.
There is a little talked about wireless internet service from the telecom so ask the IT folks there (There was 1
Expect the unexpected (Score:1)
- I expected old hardware, but as everything had to be imported, old hardware was rarely floating flea markets like here. I found recent stuff of pricey brands.
- Take a laptop with strong battery if you can, as that is good to work with and cheaper than a UPS. Also cheaper to ship.
proud? (Score:1)
Wouldn't you be more proud if you did this service entirely voluntarily instead of as part of a compulsary military service?
Anyone in the western world with some skills (in about anything) can voluteer to do some work in Africa or elsewhere.
CS in Rwanda (Score:1)
organizations to check out prior to going (Score:1)
Jacob