Blog Disclaimer

I’ve blogged since 2005. First from northern Uganda, where I worked for 26 months along and across the border to Southern Sudan, later from the Swahili Coast in Tanzania and after I left Africa in March 2010.

In 2006 my blog was chosen as Ugandan Blog of the Year, and in March 2008 I was criticized for not displaying the ‘right picture’ of Tanzania. I've learnt that people have a million different opinions on Africa, and that the image of Africa in European media often doesn't correspond with the one of the Africans.

Most often it doesn't correspond with mine.

Though I am no longer a development worker, I still stick to my original intention; I started blogging because I found the information about development work in Africa too politically correct. Lacking passion, presence and precision. I wanted to use the opportunity of living in Africa to add nuance and perspective to this, to add a personal dimension and to illustrate what it actually feels like.

Obviously my 5 years in Africa led to other experiences and perspectives outside of the development box, and today my blogging is much more driven by an on-going curiosity and joy of being surprised by people, culture, art, politics, media etc. When I started blogging in 2005 Facebook and Twitter didn't play a role, but obviously this have seriously influenced my blogging. Both enhanced visits to my blog, but also opened up for communication on more platforms outside the blog.  

I communicate on Facebook, Twitter and my blog to keep track of my experience, for learning, staying in touch and for exchanging ideas. (I.e., I've used blog posts to document the 26 months in Uganda in order to make my final report a little less hard to read.)

Another interesting impact of blogging is the friends I have made online, especially when hooking up off line, too. Ugandan Bloggers' Happy Hour and the BarCamp Nairobi are good experiences in this regard, but the list of personal connections made through blogging is as a matter of fact extremely long and one of the greatest pleasures to me in regard of blogging.

When people tell me that my blog has inspired them to blog, helped them prepare for Africa, made them aware or curious on Africa, I’m happy.

Obviously, I’m not perfect as a person, development worker or in my second language. I blog entirely from my personal perspective, knowing very well that my tribe is Scandinavian and my accent Northern. My writing and photography reflects me, my impressions and viewpoints only. Not the NGO I work(ed) for, nor do my statements represent any other person, unless stated.

If you don’t agree with what you read, feel free to ask, comment or exchange viewpoints, but note that I moderate comments.