Christmas celebrations

First christmas with Toni's little Alex.

waterfront

Sunday lunch at a busy waterfront but at least with a view.

chapman's peak

Inspirational views for the research group while making future plans as department is rocking with all the changes the merge is bringing...

Zanzibar 5-8 Dec

Heidi came over to Tanzania for a couple of days and we took the ferry over to Zanzibar. Stayed at a lovely place (Coral Rock) in Jambiani on the east coast. A relaxing holiday after a very intensive time in Tanzania.

Leaving Iringa

Finally there is regular flights to iringa. The plane was a bit old school but took me to Dar in one piece and saved me from several hours on bus.

Dr Duveskog

Found my name in the paper after last weeks certificate ceremony and the quotes are at least not to far of :-)

OLPC certificate ceremony Ukombozi

After two very intensive weeks with daily sessions at the school, technical challanges to overcome and a lot of material to put together we yesterday had a certificate ceremony where parents, officials, press and all kids at school were invited. Parents were amazed of what the kids had achieved and the headmaster took the chance to market his school as a very unique school in Tanzania. The participant were happy about the certificates and proud to present their work to all the visitors. The material which contains quite big video files is stored on the school server and can be accessed by the kids from there. The material is also avaible at http://cs.joensuu.fi/games/ukombozi so please have a look but might not work that well with poor connection. There is still a lot of improvements that needs to be done on the SwaEnglish composition but at least it should give you an idea :-)

Invited for engagement party

Was a surprisingly big party, almost like a wedding with 3 layer cake and fancy arrangement of the venue. Realized it had to be fancy as the guy is from influential family with an uncle who was the former minister of education. One of the highlights of the evening was the entertainment guy dancing with a beer bottle on his head.

Erkki visiting Ukombozi

Erkki and Paul visiting our workshop. Workshop is going well so far. Will try to upload some of the materials shortly.

The Pajero is crying

Yesterday got a call from the professor renting my car as it was having a problem. It turned out to be the timing belt that snapped causing damage of engine. Now trying to sort that out in between everything else. Feel for my precious car that is now bleeding.

OLPC video challange 1

Challenge 1: You are failing your studies, what will you do to make sure can still reach your goals?
Kids solution was to pray to God to find a sponsor and video is showing
1) Frustrated kid
2) Kid praying for a sponsor
3) Kid trying to find a sponsor on Internet
4) Announcing in church for a sponsor
5) Announcing for a sponsor on radio
6) Kid asking parents for help to find a sponsor
7) A famous media guy recieves the e-mail and decide to sponsor the kid
8) Kid is very happy and thanks God
9) The media guy helps to select a good school
10) The kid promisses to study very hard not to fail again.

Workshop day 1

First day of workshop was scheduled for wednesday but once arriving at school I was informed that the kids had been sent home because standard 4 students had an examination. But yesterday we could start and it went quite well. Students have allready gained the foundation and know how to operate their laptops. On tuesday kids were interviewed abouth their interests and dreams. Yesterday they were asked to write a few sentences about being themself in Iringa and thereafter they recorded the sentences with their web cams. They were given the first challange on how to face the challange of failing in their studies. Carolina had brought a map from Germany which was loved by the kids.

Concert in Iringa

Some artist were performing at some event sponsored by USAID for bringing awareness of HIV. I noticed quite a few persons visiting the tents for testing their status.

Heavy rains

Raining like crazy. Power went of for a while and rain is coming in on my bed, luckily not on my precious computer that was on the bed. Guess rains are welcome after 5 months without rain but these 'african' rains are almost scary. Good at least i have access to a car that can manage though roads. Now time to unplug electronics.

Tumaini University/Ukombozi primary school

Arriving at Tumaini I could notice some changes since I was last there for instance that the extension of the library is almost finished. Also there is a big ad saying "Graduate with A's not with AIDS". I also heard that according to latest statistics the HIV prevalence in Iringa region is now as high as 15.7%. According to some unconfirmed source one of the reasons is all the Universities in Iringa... Today again I visited Ukombozi primary school and met the head teacher. He was very positive to the workshop we are starting next week and is very flexible to adjust other teaching activities to accommodate us. Ilkka was challenged to figure out how to configure the server to work with the XO's and Internet and managed after some hours of hard work. Ukombozi has a total of 364 students from standard 1 to 7 and they have 16 teachers. The XO laptops provided to the school is not in the possession of the kids but taken care of by school and shared between several students. So far it is mostly standard 5 and six that has had training with the laptops and in the group I will work with it will be mainly standard six students. The title of the workshop is "Working for my Dreams" and feel inspired and hope it will go well.

Tanzania

Back in Tanzania and I must say it feels quite good. Was travelling together with Ilkka from Zambia. Arriving in Dar we had to wait a bit for Christian who was picking us up from airport. Traffic situation is really bad in Dar these days. Spent a lot of time in traffic jams. It was great to meet with Christian again and nowadays he has a big house in Dar and managed to accommodate me and Ilkka. He also proudly showed the car he had imported from Japan. In evening we went for kiti moto(my favorite pork dish), think even Ilkka enjoyed it. Victor also joined us before exploring night life a bit and meeting up with my Swedish friend Anders. Saturday we took the bus to Iringa and before Iringa there is a lot of road construction going on so took extra long time, think we spen at least 9 hours on the bus before arriving. Sunday I met up with one of the university students I am gonna work with at the One Laptop per Child School. Also met up with my friends Mike and Walid and they have been very helpful in helping to get me organized. Mike who spend most of his time in Mbeya invited us to stay in his house and from Wednesday I will probably get access to one of his cars, meanwhile Walid has offered me to use his car during daytime. Today visited the school were we gonna hold the workshop and they were very welcoming so I hope things will go well. Had lunch at the finnsih family Kemppainens and got a bit updated on what is new in Iringa. Now time to find somewhere to have dinner...

Kids Club Zambia in action

Have been some exciting days working for the start of Zambian Kids Clubs. One thing that makes working in Zambia easy compared to Tanzania is that the language barriers are low as people in general are good at English including even the kids. We have now had some interesting dinners during evening time as it seems like my supervisor Erkki has the mission of trying to get free deserts at every restaurant we go to. So far he has managed at two of the restaurants but I somehow always feel a bit with the waiters and get a bit uncomfortable. They have quite many of the South African restaurants here which mean that food has been good. However this morning at the hotel I got smelly, bad tasting bacon that disturbed my morning as that ugly taste did not want to leave my mouth and felt a bit bläääh.

Kids Club Lusaka

Robotics and the concepts of technology club for kids are introduced to tutors for orpans and orphan kids. Here my experiences of running technology club in South Africa comes in handy. Took of in the morning to get a bus ticket to Iringa for Friday but the bus I wanted to take was no longer operating that route and others did not look good and did not travel on Friday so ended up bying a flight ticket to Dar instead from where I will take a bus. But that at least gives me a chance to meet up with some friends and gives me a somehow more comfortable trip

Lusaka, Zambia

Woke up early my first morning in Zambia and decided to go for a run. Hotel is a bit out of town and was not sure of directions but as I ran I saw some higher buildings and thought it was city centre so aimed for that. Reached there eventually but it was a bit further than expected so decided to take a taxi back to the hotel.
Had breakfast and then it was of to church as Erkki was preaching. Interesting was that there was 5 choirs and they all wanted to to get x number of songs, another interesting thing was that there was 7 chances for giving collect and each choir sang for money in a way that appeared almost as a competition between the choirs some of them was however very good. At some point I also had to introduce myself to the congregation and say a few words but it was ok as I kept it short :-)4 hours later and a big portion of träsmak in my butt the ceremon was over and everyone shaked everyones hand, so I shaked about 300 hands before getting invited to the compulsory lunch with the vice bishop.
Directly after getting back to the hotel we did planning for the workshop that we will have starting tomorrow. A crazy schedule were I will have to give a couple of lectures per day... Let's see how that will go...
Some shopping and a dinner later the day has finally come to an end and I am a bit exhausted, believe I will have some interesting and tiresome days before heading for Tanzania (probably on friday).

At johannesburg airport

Leaving for Zambia and Lusaka soon. From there adventure continues to Tanzania and Iringa.

Los tablos montanos

Pool next to the ocean

Yes ocean still too cold to swim in as mostly cold atlantic water.

Cape Town

First swim since arriving in South Africa and that just before leaving. 1000m was a good exercise but a bit exhausting.

Morning walk with the cats

Stopped at a farm for breakfast and could see some people walking with their pets. Got a bit surpriced as they got closer...

Braai @ Thatos

Half of Joensuu gathered up for a South African Braai at Thatos home in Pretoria. Was nice to meet also Päivi and Anton on South African soil. Lots of good food and some nice wrestling action with Anton :-)

West Coast - Seafood

10 course meal at the famous strandloper in Langebaan

Hermanus/Cape Town

Yes, it is a whale! In Hermanus the whales can be spotted on a short distance from the shore, quite amazing. A couple of whales some hundred meters further out also showed off with some jumping however no picture proof of those :-( There are also some pictures from Cape Town where you see for instance Table mountain and Robben Island. Lot's to see and explore just difficult to find a balance of work and leisure as I tend to get my priorities wrong from time to time.

Debbie in Cape Town

Nice to spend some time with my older sister :)

Vredenheim & Guardian Peak

Today breakfast at Vredenheim and lunch at Guardian Peak. Just wish that my laptop battery was better, at the moment it lasts max an hour and I always have to find a seat close to a power socket which usually takes me away from the most scenic seats where ever I go. Todays lunch was however a nice springbok shank, poor little thing but must admist he was a tasty little cutie.

Welcome to this beautiful world Alex!

The Bollnäs branch of the Duveskogs family will have a future thanks to my best friend and cousin Toni and his wife Therese who managed bring hairy little Alex to this world. I had placed an order of arrival before I left for South Africa but Alex was not in a rush to see the light of this world. But now he has arrived and I have noticed the pride and happiness in his father. I congratulate You and share your happiness and now as the family future is secured I can feel a bit less of pressure on my shoulders :) The big question now is will little Alex follow in his father’s footsteps and support Bollnäs or will he follow in mothers footsteps and follow the big rival Edsbyn. Hope to see you in Bollnäs Flames in couple of years Alex ;)

Asara "office"

The office of the day is Asara wine estate with a spectacular view. A bit on the pricey side but they have comfortable couches and great scenery from the Sansibar bar where I am seated. Tried two other farms first but they did not have good spots for comfortable working.

Scetching for a paper

Will be on attempts to use technology to overcome barriers. Looking forward upon your comments on how you interpret the pictures? Got these pictures into my mind as I tried to fall asleep :-) Now 4:44 and need to stop the thinking process and doze of...

South Africa

Arrived in South Africa where Heidi picked me up from airport and we had a breakfast at Guardian Peak wine farm. A nice place and a potential working place as I intend to find inspirational "offices" to get lots of work done while in South Africa.

Leaving Bollnäs for South Africa

Bye bye Sweden next time we meet will be for Christmas and then I expect some snow covered grounds.

Leaving Bollnäs for South Africa

Bye bye sweden for this time see you again over Christmas!

Promotion, University of Joensuu

Now last day in Joensuu and today I took Anton and Päivi for lunch at one of the nicer restaurants in town. The lamb seen on the plate was great :-) On Friday there was a promotion day at the university and I got a glimpse of the proud PhD's and honorable doctors. Interesting outfit... Let's see if my day will come to wear it as well.

Volleyball in Joensuu

Joensuu, Finland

Now in Finland and at moment in a summer school taking a course on Platforms for Stories-based learning in future schools. Been assigned a number of organizational duties and not that much sleep past days. Have had great weather until today and it just started raining. Staying at the home of my supervisor Erkki and the day I arrived he had cut down 7 trees on his yard which are all now made into fire wood and I helped out with that a couple of evenings last week. A student from Tumaini University (Fahdili) has recently arrived in Finland and last week we went to pick up Erkki's son Anton from a scout camp 180km from Joensuu. We took a small boat drive and he got his first experience at rowing. Had a couple of sauna evenings which I enjoy but soon reaching a point of over dose. On one picture you can see a for me new game football chess that I did not try myself but enjoyed watching others playing. Might try to find a tv tonight and watch the football game between Sweden and Finland which we should win in normal cases, but let's see as the Finns has a tendency to improve their level when playing against Swedes.

Stockholms skärgård

Canoeing in Gryckån and Voxnan

Spain, July 10-17

Travelled with Heidi to Spain where we visited Jon, Mara and Hugo in Alicante and travelled by car up to Tarragona to visit Heidi's friends Angels and Rennan. Managed to find the sun in Spain as it has been a hidden treasure in Sweden lately.

Fun in Swedish Waters

Water skiing

Me on skiis, Tobias behind the wheel.

Soon water ski action

Lets see how i will manage. In case of death i better post this before :-)

Voxnan jacuzzi

Swimming mom

At sisters cottage with mom waiting for sun to heat me up before entering the voxnan river.

Hawaii by foot

Today I decided to explore the island by foot. First up to Diomonds Head which is a crater that can be seen from Waikiki/Honolulu, the walk turned out to be a lot longer than expected but managed to get up to the top with the reward of a great view over the south shore and the surrounding mountains. Once I got down I jumped on a tourist bus and eventually got of not far from where I am staying. From there I followed the shore in opposite direction and jumped into the ocean every now and again to cool of. Have probably walked at least 20 kilometers today in flip flops and my feets are a bit in pain I must admit. Now I will go and do some shopping before starting to pack and get ready for my early flight in the morning.

EdMedia, Hawaii

Yesterday I had my presentation and it went quite well. Not that big audience so a lot of nervousity without reason. In the afternoon I took some hours of and went to beach where I rented a surfing board and tried out some surfing. Was tricky but managed at least a couple of times to get onto the board and get carried of by the wave :) My stomach is however all red today from laying on the board :( For this morning I booked a snorkling tour and went out on a boat. Was a great experience to swim with turtles and dolphins for the first time. There was also lots of beautiful fish but that part could not beat east african snorkling with all it's beautiful corals. Now noon and time to head for conference that is finishing this afternoon. Will join the closing dinner tonight at the polynesian cultural centre which seems to be fun as well. So all well on this side and nice to be done with the presentation so that I can now enjoy my time. Tomorrow will be a day of before flying home, have yet not decided what adventures I should book myself for as there is so much one can do however everything is quite expensive.

EdMedia Hawaii

At EdMedia in Hawaii and just received an outstanding paper award :) (Picture on Flickr) Now getting nervous for tomorrows presentation as I feel the pressure. Hawaii is by the way beautiful and glad I managed to get here although some flight problems along the way where I arrived 12 hours later than expected after missing my connection in Los Angeles.

Midsummer eve celebrations

Went to Koli to supervisors cottage to celebrate Tuuli's graduation. Some canoeing, bbq, swimming and sauna contributed to a nice evening. Surprisingly we even got nice weather.