This is an archive of the Dadamac.net website, as it was in 2015, it is no longer being updated.

Blog posts about uknigeriameeting

Last Mile Connectivity - the realities

Today's online meeting illustrated perfectly the type of difficulties which can potentially beset our weekly Skype link-ups between Nigeria and the UK. It first became apparent that all was not well after we were joined in the session by Bala, Manager of Zittnet and a regular team member. The Nigerian team quickly explained that they were experiencing problems with their network. In fact, they had identified the presence of unusual traffic from an external client and - fearing this could mean a viral or hacking attack - had chosen to block the "intruder" for safety. A low-key and unremarkable event...

Technology 4 Communication

At the risk of repeating myself, I am always amazed by the dynamic and unpredictable nature of our Wednesday online meetings. As always this week, we began with the basic format of an hour-long Skype group chat, modelled around an agenda circulated a few days before the meeting. However, the UK team were very keen to introduce Elaine Hickey to their Nigerian counterparts. (Elaine is helping Dadamac UK by inputting her project management skills). I have to admit I haven't actually had a chance to meet Elaine who is currently working in Ireland. Fortunately for us, she had a holiday...

Education In Rural Nigeria

During the course of Wednesday's UK-Nigeria meeting, we found ourselves contemplating the realities of education at Fantsuam. For that was among the traditionally vast range of topics covered in a session which also spanned everything from Sickle Cell Disease to Mozzi-Mort ! It was interesting to learn that students at Fantsuam are being introduced to Twitter on the diploma course. However, concern was naturally raised that, once they leave the academy, they either competely lose internet access or can - at best - expect very limited online opportunities. John consulted the team and, as ever, a possible solution was suggested...

Wednesday's Meeting Feedback- in brief!

At our Wednesday's UK/Nigeria online meeting, as we routinely tackled the business on the agenda sometimes, I forget our geographical and cultural differences so it was helpful to be reminded of them this week. As Pam and I were shivering here in the UK, with the threat of snow forecasted, the team in Nigeria told us about the fierce heat that they are currently experiencing (as they wait for the 'rains' to come.) In fact John is sleeping under the stars at night as the temperature outdoors is more comfortable! How I envy him... I would gladly swap my 15...

Wednesday Meeting Treats!

Once again,Yesterday's online meeting between the UK and Nigeria did not fail to disappoint. As well as addressing the items on the agenda in an informal but business-like way, we had two welcomed treats. The first treat When the team was discussing permaculture and the kitchen garden at Ungwar Masara, the UK were thrilled to be sent a recent video (via Skype chat and from a mobile phone) showing the 850 Jatropa seedlings. These have sinced been moved into the shade to protect them from the current hot conditions that our friends at Fantuam are currently experiencing. The rains are...

Global Connections!

Wednesday's weekly online meeting linking the Dadamac UK office with its sister organisation Fantsuam Foundation took place as usual - but with an unexpected ( and welcome ) twist! In addition to the regular connection between the UK and rural Nigeria , we also established a link with the Streaming, Sharing and Learning workshop in Vienna. How did this come about? Well , the meeting followed its tried and tested path of discussing the agenda - covering topics as varied as the provision of footballs with bells to aid blind players to a major issue of permaculture. However, when we...

First Wednesday Meeting of 2010

Wow, what a start to the New Year! Although it had been a few weeks since our last UK-Nigeria online meeting (due to connectivity issues and holidays) I was quickly reminded again how thrilled I am to be involved with this dynamic group of people. Although these meetings with Fantsuam are arranged for the same time and day each week, they are never routine, dull or a chore. As this was our first for a while, there was a lot to catch up on. Despite (yet another) loss of connectivity and time lags, we enjoyed another productive session - and,...

Fish Farming

Until recently my experience with fish had been limited, to say the least. In all honesty, it had consisted of watching my children win goldfish at a fair - and the occasional cod and chips supper! However over the last 18 months the subject of fish farming has captured my attention and I have been lucky enough to have my eyes opened to the many and varied challenges involved. (Although I'll be the first to admit I still have a great deal more to learn!) I first heard about fish farming in 2008 during one of our weekly online meetings...

Last Wednesday Meeting of 2009!

Yesterday saw the last scheduled meeting of 2009 between the UK-Nigeria team. The main item on the agenda was to thank everyone for their continued commitment to these meetings and for all their hard work during the past year. We also wanted to reflect on the successes we had shared and explore together any aspects of our collaboration which might be improved upon in the coming year. We also hoped to clarify what should be our first objectives togeher for the New Year. In the event, the meeting departed from its usual Skype format involving all members together because of...

Close Collaborations

I’ve been struck by the high quality of collaboration demonstrated in the regular UK-Nigeria meetings, so thought I’d say a few words about this in this week’s blog. I’m talking not just about the obvious collaboration of these weekly online meetings between the UK and Nigerian teams - but also the more subtle and equally important collaboration between Pam and her network. Dadamac's relationship with Marcus Simmons of Ecoshelter illustrates this point perfectly. In brief, Pam introduced Marcus to John Dada , which in turn saw Marcus visit Fantsuam last year. Once there, among other achievements, he successfully built an...

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