My wife went to Uganda for a couple of weeks this past summer, and one of the things that she loved about the place was the resourcefulness and creativity of the locals. Unable to throw money at their problems, Africans look around for what is available to them and come up with some surprising solutions. I ran across a fun website that celebrates African ingenuity. When you have a minute, have a look at www.AfriGadget.com. There’s a radio that some Ugandan kids made out of scrap parts; a home-made airplane (which may or may not fly); a number of biogas inventions, which convert poop into usable energy; visual art of various kinds; arc welders made from scrap wire insulated with strips of cloth from the second-hand western clothes that are sold on the streets. AfriGadget is a festival of creativity–a reminder that, whatever situation people find themselves in, the image of God is forever busting through.
Brett Minter
The photo reminds me of some the southern ingenuity we employed in our formative years. I would love to hear more about Lou Alice’s experiences in Uganda.Jonathon, I attended a Veteran’s dinner at The First Baptist Church here in Ellijay this evening. It was a wonderful event attended by greater than 300 veterans and their spouses. This county really goes out of it’s way to show gratitude to her veterans. The keynote speaker was Rep. Doug Collins from Gainesville,Ga. He is a graduate of seminary,law school and is a chaplain in the Air Force. His address was mostly about waning patriotism throughout this country. He gave some great first hand accounts of our servicemen and women and their sacrifrices for our great country while serving in Iraq. Throughout his speech he had great qoutations , two from Abraham Lincoln and several from other great men in our history. He floored me with these words from a great man of our current time”In our comfort,we have forgotten that virtue is hard. In our wealth,we have forgotten that freedom is expensive. author Jonathon Rogers” I wanted to jump up and say hey thats my cousin. This was something I couldn’t wait to share with you. I am very proud of you and I Love you.
Jonathan Rogers
Well I’ll be…I had to Google it to be sure the Congressman had the right Jonathan Rogers. I knew that quote sounded familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. Thanks for passing that along. I’m proud of you and love you too, Brett.
S.D. Smith
Thanks for this link. I have seen this in action as well. Another “inner-esting” thing is that so many of these African creatives don’t always make practical things, but things for beauty, for glory, for joy. I’ve seen countless acts of craftsmanship along impoverished dirt roads in Zimbabwe, beautiful things and beautiful people making them. Musical instruments, adornment (beads, clothes, etc.), all manner of art. And that’s to say nothing of what so many Africans are eager to express in physical art…music, dancing, and celebration.
Thanks for this trip down memory lane, JR.
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.