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That's an interesting point of view... If I were in that situation, I would STOP playing video games and writing software in exchange for money but invest every

That's an interesting point of view... If I were in that situation, I would STOP playing video games and writing software in exchange for money but invest every last penny and energy in building something for people in need. But probably that's the reason I'm much too often dreaming of dropping everything, leaving to Africa to build schools. Too bad I'm a software engineer. I don't dream of playing video games, I already do it too much, but it's interesting to know that someone does.

lifeisstillgood 12y ago
Instead of building schools in Africa, why not look towards my current heroes, "one billion" who are building school apps and distributing them in Malawai (just google university Nottingham trial too) Not to put you off your dream, but it does strike me that buildings is doable - really good teachers are much harder to source.
- 1_player 12y ago
  Didn't know about "onebillion" (https://onebillion.org/ https://onebillion.org/), thanks. Building schools in Africa is a metaphor of my actual "volunteering" desire: if I had infinite or just enough capital I would prefer to invest it in infrastructure and technology: building renewable energy power plants, internet connectivity to rural areas, research labs, etc. Education is very important but most third world countries could benefit much more from technological self-sufficiency and expertise.
moron4hire 12y ago
Interesting. I'd be travelling the world, eating at the highest rated restaurants in every city I'd find myself in. I guess I really am a tubby kid at heart.
meric 12y ago
You could probably do that. Live on $20,000 and save the rest for 5 years as a software engineer. You now have enough to retire in a developing/undeveloped country. Go there and build schools.
lotharbot 12y ago
You can actually build a school in Africa for somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000. Examples (both 4-star charities on CharityNavigator.org): http://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/build-a-school/ http://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/build-a-school... http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/toolkits/brick-by-brick/ http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/toolkits/brick-b...
Infinitesimus 12y ago
You could probably partner with some of the groups in Africa on the ground now (assuming you have the time in your current life) and perhaps work with them in building software for free or a fee? I'm working on an Ed Tech startup in Ghana myself (well it is my home land though I don't reside there) and that's mostly what I spend my time out of work on. > Too bad I'm a software engineer. No way, our skills are crucial for a continent that is rapidly embracing technology. The next billion to come online will need software that works for their contexts, and I think we're empowered to do that - while those more skilled in building solve those problems as well

lifeisstillgood 12y ago

Instead of building schools in Africa, why not look towards my current heroes, "one billion" who are building school apps and distributing them in Malawai (just google university Nottingham trial too) Not to put you off your dream, but it does strike me that buildings is doable - really good teachers are much harder to source.

1_player 12y ago
Didn't know about "onebillion" (https://onebillion.org/ https://onebillion.org/), thanks. Building schools in Africa is a metaphor of my actual "volunteering" desire: if I had infinite or just enough capital I would prefer to invest it in infrastructure and technology: building renewable energy power plants, internet connectivity to rural areas, research labs, etc. Education is very important but most third world countries could benefit much more from technological self-sufficiency and expertise.

moron4hire 12y ago

Interesting. I'd be travelling the world, eating at the highest rated restaurants in every city I'd find myself in. I guess I really am a tubby kid at heart.

meric 12y ago

You could probably do that. Live on $20,000 and save the rest for 5 years as a software engineer. You now have enough to retire in a developing/undeveloped country. Go there and build schools.

lotharbot 12y ago

You can actually build a school in Africa for somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000. Examples (both 4-star charities on CharityNavigator.org): http://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/build-a-school/ http://www.samaritanspurse.org/donation-items/build-a-school... http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/toolkits/brick-by-brick/ http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/toolkits/brick-b...

Infinitesimus 12y ago

You could probably partner with some of the groups in Africa on the ground now (assuming you have the time in your current life) and perhaps work with them in building software for free or a fee? I'm working on an Ed Tech startup in Ghana myself (well it is my home land though I don't reside there) and that's mostly what I spend my time out of work on. > Too bad I'm a software engineer. No way, our skills are crucial for a continent that is rapidly embracing technology. The next billion to come online will need software that works for their contexts, and I think we're empowered to do that - while those more skilled in building solve those problems as well