Aug

4

Take the lead.

August 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment

By Karin ter Horst, a Dutch intern

A Nigerian woman is strong. She has always something to say and it isn’t easy to distract or to confuse her. She knows what she wants and she isn’t dependent on anyone. She walks on the streets by herself, in contradiction to me, a very independent woman of Europe!

A Nigerian woman does what she needs to do to reach her goals and she goes where ever she wants. Or is the reality different?

Last week I visited a training to promote the use of female condoms by women. The female condom gives women the opportunity to protect themselves for pregnancy, sexual transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. So it’s not any longer only up to men. A woman will be able to take the lead in contraceptive and family planning. Actually, to be honest, I was surprised.

Of course, I’m aware of the position of woman here and that’s different than in the Netherlands. But after four weeks of being in Nigeria I almost forgot that men and woman aren’t equal. What I already said, I had the idea that there aren’t issues where Nigerian women don’t talk about. In a relationship the men have the most power. He is the head, including the brains; the woman is only the body. Without a man she wouldn’t be complete. So out of this theory it would be logical that the woman is the one who takes initiative.

But in the real world, a man decides who would be his destiny and that’s all. I had the same experiences by myself. When a guy gives a compliment, there is the expectation that you appreciate it and would be available.

The training I visited was organised for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s), so they can spread the knowledge to woman in the society. Most of the participating people belong in my opinion to the category of ‘strong Nigerian women’. The reactions were very interesting for me. Because at home most issues are normal and common to talk about, especially in a relationship.

It’s good to recognize that there are a lot of Nigerian people who have the passion to develop their country and also believe in a change. That’s the most important. Besides time. A lot of time.

Whatever, I can say that the discussed theory about taking initiative is not about me. I should never make a move to men, here in Nigeria. First of all, because I’m independent. And in my opinion I don’t need a man to feel complete. But the most of all because I’m leaving the country within two weeks and I will arrive in my little cold hometown. So even more opportunities for Nigerian women to make a move!

Jul

27

By Karin ter Horst, a Dutch intern

Again, I learned a lot in my second week in Nigeria. For instance, that’s not necessary to dance in the club at Saturday night; it’s also possible at Sunday morning in the church. Further I discovered that plantain is my new favourite food, especially when it’s around four in the afternoon. Besides I know now what ‘flashing’ means and what the relationship between men and women is.

Several times I made some analyses about the last topic. Maybe it was visible on my face that I was thinking about this brain breaking difficulty. Because some people were asking me what my opinion is about Nigerian guys when I was walking around on the domain of the University in Lagos. It were some people from a local television station who were making a documentary. I told them that I like guys. But in my opinion Nigerian guys like girls more. That was exciting information; I had to give an example.

Last weekend I couldn’t get into sleep because I missed my Internet connection to much. So one of my new Nigerian friends brought me to a bar for two hours of surfing and browsing on the World Wide Web. I only had to pay 200 naira’s while at that moment I should give everything for checking my mail. My friend had the great idea that he was made for some of my Dutch friends. He told me this based on two facebookpictures. I should send her a message to invite her to come to Nigeria and convince her of his great muscles. They would build a beautiful relationship and within two years they would be married. Maybe is Facebook the new way for finding your true love. Maybe.

I decided to give another example to the camera people, because my Nigerian friend is always watching local channels when he isn’t busy with finding his true love. I explained that guys here are very physically and they give a lot of compliments. I’m also thinking that guys have more power related to the girls in a relationship. I spoke some of the boys and one of them told me he had five girlfriends! I made some jokes about it, but I can’t imagine that. It isn’t something to be proud of. I think a girl or woman deserves more respect than that, how many compliments she also should receive.

Guys are very generous in giving compliments and Facebookinvitations. But spending phone credits is more difficult. That’s something I recognized. When I took my phone I saw six missed calls. I called everyone directly back, brave as I am. But I discovered that a lot of people just call you for two seconds as a sign you have to call them back. It’s called ‘flashing’. I felt ‘flashed’ indeed.

The most important lessons I learnt last week is that you have to ignore boys with four girlfriends and you have to pick up your phone within two seconds. Oh! And when you walk into an internet bar, it’s better to buy directly three hours. So you don’t have to upgrade every 30 minutes.

Again, I learned a lot in my second week in Nigeria. For instance, that’s not necessary to dance in the club at Saturday night; it’s also possible at Sunday morning in the church. Further I discovered that plantain is my new favourite food, especially when it’s around four in the afternoon. Besides I know now what ‘flashing’ means and what the relationship between men and women is.

Several times I made some analyses about the last topic. Maybe it was visible on my face that I was thinking about this brain breaking difficulty. Because some people were asking me what my opinion is about Nigerian guys when I was walking around on the domain of the University in Lagos. It were some people from a local television station who were making a documentary. I told them that I like guys. But in my opinion Nigerian guys like girls more. That was exciting information; I had to give an example.

Last weekend I couldn’t get into sleep because I missed my Internet connection to much. So one of my new Nigerian friends brought me to a bar for two hours of surfing and browsing on the World Wide Web. I only had to pay 200 naira’s while at that moment I should give everything for checking my mail. My friend had the great idea that he was made for some of my Dutch friends. He told me this based on two facebookpictures. I should send her a message to invite her to come to Nigeria and convince her of his great muscles. They would build a beautiful relationship and within two years they would be married. Maybe is Facebook the new way for finding your true love. Maybe.

I decided to give another example to the camera people, because my Nigerian friend is always watching local channels when he isn’t busy with finding his true love. I explained that guys here are very physically and they give a lot of compliments. I’m also thinking that guys have more power related to the girls in a relationship. I spoke some of the boys and one of them told me he had five girlfriends! I made some jokes about it, but I can’t imagine that. It isn’t something to be proud of. I think a girl or woman deserves more respect than that, how many compliments she also should receive.

Guys are very generous in giving compliments and Facebookinvitations. But spending phone credits is more difficult. That’s something I recognized. When I took my phone I saw six missed calls. I called everyone directly back, brave as I am. But I discovered that a lot of people just call you for two seconds as a sign you have to call them back. It’s called ‘flashing’. I felt ‘flashed’ indeed.

The most important lessons I learnt last week is that you have to ignore boys with four girlfriends and you have to pick up your phone within two seconds. Oh! And when you walk into an internet bar, it’s better to buy directly three hours. So you don’t have to upgrade every 30 minutes.

Jul

16

By Karin ter Horst

A story from a Dutch intern in Nigeria

Really, I couldn’t wait to open my inbox in my internet browser. I hadn’t used my laptop for a whole week so it took some time to starting up. I entered my password to log in and saw 81 new mails. Where to start?! I scanned quickly all the messages on my screen: mails from my Dutch friends who were missing me, photographs from my father and invitations for summer parties. Besides these messages there were also less attractive messages, like reminders for library books and bank accounts.

This was the first time I had access to the World Wide Web after one week staying in Nigeria. For me, it’s a new record! Never in my young life had I lived such a long period without Internet. Although I was busy with learning to eat Nigerian spicy food last week. Besides I also had to learn some Pitching English and a few African dance moves from students in Lagos. So actually, I didn’t have the time to think about using Internet or checking my Facebook. Maybe you think it’s crazy, but in the Netherlands I’m used to do it at least four times a day!

My whole life I wanted to visit Africa. This summer I got the chance to do a development internship in Lagos. So that’s the reason why this internet addicted Dutch girl came to Nigeria. In this country you have to pay for every minute you’re online. Normally I should take all the possible time to answer my messages and to upload some new photographs on my travelblog. But now I will be as fast as I can, because of my host family. I made a plan to read all these 81 mails. I decided to start with the most urgent mails. So I sended my dad a mail that I’m still alive in Africa.

In the Netherlands it’s normal that everyone has access to information and communication technology (ICT). Additional you can use broadband Internet for a standard amount a month. That makes it’s possible to search, learn, shop and communicate on your personal computer (PC) or laptop: at office, home, school and university, wherever you want. Nowadays there are a lot of people who are using the Internet on their laptop or mobile phone when they are travelling. Children with the age of four years are already playing educational games on the PC and young people build their social networks by chatting and social media, for instance Facebook. Another possibility for foreigners, for example, is to call with family in other countries with Skype. Internet makes the world smaller and accessible.

The man was head of the family and was all day working, that’s what the traditional roles were in a Dutch family, 50 years ago. Women stayed at home to take care of the children and to clean the house. Nowadays, the most Dutch women have a job also, mainly part-time. It’s normal to go studying after primary school. Both, for boys ánd girls. To be honest, girls finishing their university in average earlier than their male fellow students.  For so far the access and use of ICTs is the same for boys and girls to raise their goals. But one thing has to be said: Boys will spend more time on online gaming.

Then, my time was up, I had to turn off my laptop. The Korean girls who were also staying at the host family really wanted to chat with some friends in South-Korea, so they were waiting. But I forgot almost the most important thing: my mail inbox from the university. So the last thing I did was checking if I received some results of exams by mail. That wasn’t the case, the only thing I received was a message that I should order my new books for next college year. But that’s an issue to worry about later. First I will enjoy Nigeria. With or without Internet.

May

7

World Summit Youth Award Website Image
The World Summit Youth Award – WSYA selects and promotes best practice in e-Content and technological creativity, demonstrates young people’s potential to create outstanding digital contents and serves as a platform for people from all UN member states to work together in the efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, and to tackle ill-health, gender inequality, lack of education, lack of access to clean water and environmental degradation.

Apply online by June 20, 2010.

Dec

27

We are pleased to announce that all information regarding the 2010 HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition—including detailed category explanations and guidelines, critical deadlines, application materials, etc.—is now available at www.dmlcompetition.net.

The theme of this year’s Competition is Reimagining Learning and there are two types of awards: 21st Century Learning Lab Designers and Game Changers.

Aligned with National Lab Day as part of the (U.S.’) White House’s Educate to Innovate Initiative, the 21st Century Learning Lab Designer awards will range from $30,000-$200,000. Awards will be made for learning environments and digital media-based experiences that allow young people to grapple with social challenges through activities based on the social nature, contexts, and ideas of science, technology, engineering and math.

The Game Changers category—undertaken in cooperation with Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) and Electronic Arts (EA), Entertainment Software Assocation, and the Information Technology Industry Council—will award amounts ranging from $5,000-$50,000 for creative levels designed with either LittleBigPlanet™ or Spore™ Galactic Adventures that offer young people engaging game play experiences and that incorporate and leverage principles of science, technology, engineering and math for learning.

Each category will include several Best in Class awards selected by expert judges, as well as a People’s Choice Award selected by the general public. The online application system will open on January 7 and will include three rounds of submissions, with public comment at each stage.

Please see www.dmlcompetition.net for all details.

www.hastac.org
www.dmlcompetition.net
www.twitter.com/dmlComp

Dec

14

W.TEC in Print

December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

i4d Cover

W.TEC has recently been featured in 2 publications.

The first is i4d: Information for Development journal, an print and electronic magazine that seeks to provide a platform for exchange of information, ideas, opinions and experiences, both inside and outside the Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) sector. We contributed an article about 2008′s Networking for Success project, which was aimed at teaching and demonstrating use of web 2.0 technologies by women predominantly in civil society to make their work in development more effective. You can download the journal and read our article. It starts on page 6.

digital_shift_coverThe second is A Digital Shift – Youth and ICT for Development Best Practices, a publication showcasing the ways that young people are improving the world through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This initiative was coordinated by the eLeaders Committee of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN-GAID) in collaboration with TakingITGlobal and Organisation Internationale de la francophonie. You can read more about the publication and download it from the TIG site or the UN website. We are on page 21.

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