I have been a member of ICTAM mailing list for a while. ICT Association of Malawi. There is a national wide population with interest in issues of IT, from education, health, students, and within the ICT profession itself.
Why do we exist?
There are people who are very gifted in these issues of ICT. But without the opportunity for use of their knowledge, the knowledge, gets lost, without the rest of the nation benefiting from their gift.
Look Professor Mhango of Mzuzu University just at the time he was knowledge was supposed to benefit the nation, he dies. Do we know the big things he has done out there which we Malawians could highly benefit. Do we know these people after such an achievement really want to look at what the young graduates have to say and share their knowledge with them? We do not have such a platform in Malawi recently. For where someone might make many mistakes indeed being a beginner, there is no tolerance to encourage contributions where mistakes are easy to make.
ICTAM mailing list used to be such a vibrant place for sharing knowledge. Who knows how many were learning? Who knows how many young people were being encouraged to contribute or even go on their personal it projects by just being part of the ICT community sharing ideas and jokes, without expecting hash treatment as perhaps I have experienced from ictam mailing list for an issue I really needed its help anyway.
No other list is as this vibrant for they all seem to expect such reaction from a mailing list.
Do you remember Boster how you encouraged me to join the list? It is possible to have entry level and other people are encouraged in the adhoc manner, and talent is spotted and is encouraged to participate in higher level again with clear goals and guidelines for development of ICT in Malawi.
Otherwise, much knowledge gets to waste not having benefited the rest of nation like Professor Mhango dying so early perhaps.
Are we willing to change?