We are recruiting for a new positions at Interactive Ideas in London. It would suit a recent IT graduates with 1-2 years experience and an interest in Linux and Open Source technologies.

Interesting article in the latest issue of Time Magazine. In 2006 OECD showed foreign investment in Africa had reach $48 billion, overtaking aid for the first time,It quotes a senior member of the IMF as saying Africa today resembles Asia in the 1980's with the Private Sector, the key driver of growth.

Growth is predicted to run at 3.3%pa this year vs a 6%+ average for the last four years but still better than most of the world.It is still mainly a land of raw materials and commodities so the challenge for Africa is to add value locally as much as possible or else today's investors will just leave behind a ravaged continent. So welcome them but rise to the challenge.

I am involved in an experiment together with Gambian Enterprise to find ways in which a school in Gambia can generate additional funding by commercial activities to provide enhanced facilities, scholarships for poorer students etc. Interactive Ideas Ltd., have just arranged for the renovation and re-equipment of a small computer block and Bakau Lower Basic School in The Gambia. We had to replace the roof as this was leaking and hadn't been replaced since the 1950's!

I am involved with a small African charity in North London, and we need someone willing to do the accoutns and returns to the Charities Commission and help us apply for Gift Aid status. Anyone here willing to volunteer their time or skills?

Great interview with him in this month's Director Magazine, founder of Grameen Bank the leading voice of micro-lending. Two quotes: 'Poverty is  not in the human being because we are all born the same.
Poverty is created by the institutions we build. If you fix the
institutions, there will be no poverty.' 'When you go to a woman she will say 'Don't give the money to me. I
don't know anything about money. I've never handled money in my life.'
That's not her voice. It is the voice of history.

I spent a couple of weeks in Gambia at one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at anywhere. The service was excellent as was the standard of accomodation. The tourist attractions were a little bit wanting in terms of needing a bit spent on the but the beach and pool were wonderful.

HiI just wanted to take the opportunity to recommend Enfinet as an Indian web design company, if any of you have SME projects to do. My company has been using them for a few months and they are currently redesigning Afrotalk. In fact we liked their work and price so much we have even made an investment in them.

Personally I consult Virtual Tourist and Tripadvisor before I go anywhere I haven't visited before. The Forums are particularly useful. Are there any other good sites especially related to African travel?

You can see an extract of the documentary about Afrikids work in Northern Ghana by clicking hereIt is well worth the £10 cost to buy the full DVD from Afrikids.org