::::I've Left Copenhagen for Uganda::::

News and Blogs from Sudan

Some of you  who are into Southern Sudan - where it is all happening at the moment - might follow regular news up-dates like i.e. the Irin News, Sudan Watch or the Sudan Tribune.

I like the alternative versions of the news and development in Sudan and some interesting stuff is going on in the Sudanese blogsphere, which is surely not just limited to Sudan - it is global:

There is Amanda, who writes from Rumbek in South Sudan on amongst others about being black in a white aid-world: Unfortuantely because of world wide stereoptypes about Black people, I find that people doubt that I can do this work. Simply put they think that I am not qualified. I have noticed this especially when I meet white American women (who are a majority in the international aid/development field).

Black Kush who writes from Juba - an independent look on Sudan in an African context.

John Akec - a Sudanese blogging from London - promoting sustainable development in Southern Sudan - and a lot of other stuff.

The Gurtong Peace Trust (which by the isn't a blog) -the site encourages constructive discussion on issues of concern to the people of South Sudan and to link the members of the Diaspora and Home.

A Soldier of Africa - this one I really like - a seldom insight into a soldier's life, very simple and straight forward blogging from a South African soldier for the UN in Sudan. A nice alternative to the NGO bloggers.

The Sudanese Thinker - Drima is blogging from South East Asia - the world seen from a Sudanese's point of view. In particular I like his 10 Rules. The man has got some essential points.

Hipster -  young moslem girl - mainly writing in poetry style, commenting on stuff from the Mohammed cartoons to a muslim identity. Very cool photo, indeed.

Fluent Sudani a Sudanese blogging from New York. Check his Sudanese proverbs here.

Precious - a young woman from Umdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan - Interesting to read what a young woman thinks of life in Northern Sudan.

Voice of Sudan is a weblog featuring news, articles, and commentary on Sudan.

Also link up to the Global Voices here for bloggers on Sudan.

And many more...

African Women B/W

Previously, I asked a question here which turned into a heated discussion here - on the inclusiveness of the African Women's Carneval. I asked if it was only for black women. The answer was an undoubtfull 'yes'.

But at least one person got my intention right - on http://theconcoction.blogspot.com. And I do thank Firkirte for nuancing and adding something fruitfull to the discussion. Well, read Firkirte's input here.

A tool to reunite refugees

Working with Sudanese refugees I think www.refunite.org is an interesting tool - it is a search engine for refugees to connect.

Refugees United's goal is to help refugees locate lost family via a seacrh engine on www.refunite.org in order to allow the refugees direct access to each other. Exactly what’s needed in a situation like the one most refugees find themselves in: No org. employees to contact in a foreign country, no difficult forms to fill in and no technical obstacles to these human beings who are most often illiterate and worn out.

Aid Workers' Net

I have mentioned Aid Workers' Net before, but now they up-dated their homepage, all full of good advice and inspiration for people in the international NGO, humanitarian or aid sector. Additionally they link to my blog - and many others. Click here.

African Internet Access

Again: A typical thing when it comes to Africa - or rather over-seeing Africa. Look at the map, the dotted lines indicate something which is not there, but should be.

Most parts of the world benefit from a sub-water optic cable making them able to run the Internet. However the sub-water cable runs around the Arabian peninsula, misses out on the African Horn, Kenya, Tanzania and Mocambique. Not surprisingly, there's is one again working for South Africa.

In the parts of Africa where they actually got it working, it hasn't provided the benefits of cheaper, faster Internet acces. One thing is that the nations with access to the sea have evident benefits – the immidiate access - another thing is if the Internet is provided and controlled by state-owned monopolies – hence those will set the prices with no space for competition. There has been a plan for East Africa. However, now it seems that it will be an even longer while regarding as the process has been stopped by disagreements. The original plan, to be implemented by East African Submarine Cable System (Eassy), was originally expected to be operational at the beginning of 2008, but now Kenya has refused to sign up to a 23-nation plan to build an undersea telecommunications cable, after disagreeing with South Africa about the cost and management of the project. This doesn't only effect Kenya, also Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia. The importance of the sub-water cable, in oppose to an Internet system via the satelitte system (as in Uganda) is definitely a significant difference to download speeds and prices.

Being land-locked – and dynamic - Uganda couldn't wait for this. They got the Internet working in most corners of Uganda, and here I enjoy my mobile, relatively fast satelitte-on-line-connection. However, more or less monopolised, too, I'm also paying for it. Anyway, importance of access to the Internet in developing countries shouldn't be underestimated, and I hope that Kenya is serious when they talk about doing it themselves.

Tanzanian Mobile

From today you can call/SMS me in Tanzania on this mobile: + 255 78 78 04 74 71

Change of mobile number

My mobile has changed to: +256 (0) 78 2 98 35 26. The same number, only with an extra '2'.

Call me for free! Skype!

Yesterday I managed to make a free phone call to my friend, Marko, in Belgrade, Serbia. For free! All you need is a reasonable stable Internet connection (Mine is OK, as I am the only one online in Adjumani District) and the Skype software - and a headset.

Can you believe it?! Two infamous places on the edge on the world considering the Internet - can now communicate for free!

Go get the Skype - www.skype.com. And skype me: Pernilleinuganda

Temporary e-mail

My e-mail: pernille@fastmail.fm doesn't work over the weekend. Try this one in stead: pernilleinuganda@hotmail.com