African Development: Where I'm Going

I've had a fascination with Africa for a long time. In my 20's I was an anti-apartheid supporter, went on demonstrations, and read a lot about South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique & Angola. In my 30's I watched with interest as Lord Carrington arranged the transfer of power in Zimbabwe. I can clearly remember the day when Nelson Mandela walked out of gaol and made those powerful speeches. I love to listen and dance to African music and for a while was in a band that played it.

I've been moved by Geldof's campaigning work for Africa, and most recently I've been inspired by reading powerful stories about'social entrepreneurs' who are changing Africa :

• Kickstart who provide hand pumps which greatly improve crop yield so transforming subsistence farmers into cash crop produces - they come with training, support and micro-loan finance http://kickstart.org/home/
• Ashoka which funds, trains and supports social entrepreneurs www.ashoka.org
• Room to Read which supplies books and builds libraries in the developing world www.roomtoread.org
• URDT - an innovative school, radio station and university in Uganda which focuses on giving people the skills they need for their lives today and building up their self-esteem and creativity - "job-creators not job-seekers" www.urdt.net

I want to share this excitement, and explore how I might make a contribution.