A Day of Many Blessings

A Day of Many Blessings
There wasn't any secret about how excited I was about the World Vision Experience Village at the Puyallup Fair. My church will be hosting the traveling exhibit next spring, and a couple of years ago the impact of going through the original exhibit deeply moved me (I have been to Africa twice since experiencing the original exhibit). Bringing such an experience to one of the nation's largest fairs really got my attention. I knew doing this was not without risk. But God was clearly in this project. I couldn't wait to get there!

I arrived a couple of hours before my shift was scheduled - mainly because I wanted to see the village - but also in order to have time to take in the fair. When I walked up to the main entrance of the village, the first person I saw was a great friend from law school. Somehow we had lost touch for about ten years. Mike was greeting people at the entrance to the exhibit. He greeted me warmly, and we both began to welcome people to the exhibit. The time passed very quickly. Mike was perfect for the role of greeter. An attorney, he also works as a motivational speaker about safety. You see, Mike is a hero among us. As a state trooper before becoming a lawyer, he was run off the road during a high speed pursuit. His miraculous recovery from third degree burns over virtually his entire body is in the annals of medical history. Mike just feels that every day he walks in grace as a gift from our gracious and loving God.

An attitude like Mike's is "catching" - soon I was reaching out to people from clear across the midway, just as he was. Hundreds of people were pouring in to see the exhibit and experience Africa in the way offered to them. Oh, and did I mention, the rain was pouring too! Mike explained to me that a small percentage of the people would leave the exhibit - they wanted to be there - but it was too emotional an experience on that particular day. That's okay, he assured me - they tried and their heart is in the right place. They will come to this when God has prepared them to act and respond.

I thouroughly enjoyed my shift as a greeter at the Village. Being there with Mike made it extra-extra special - he "trained" me as a greeter in the lightning-fast couple of hours prior to my shift. He poured out love and warmth to the crowds on a wet day. And just by spending time with him, showed me (again) what it means to walk in grace as a follower of Christ. See you at the fair!

Blessings and all the best to you!

Scott

Uganda to become Africa's Bangalore

Uganda could out-compete India on price for call centres

Commonwealth Business Council taking initiatives for setting-up of an IT Park

by R Jai Krishna

NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) is working on a proposal for developing Uganda as Bangalore of Africa.

The CBC is also taking initiatives for setting-up of a state-of-the-art IT Park in the African country, apart from drafting an IT Policy framework.

According to a recent CBC report, Uganda is best bet for IT companies as it has a strong English-speaking young workforce, who constitute over 40 per cent of the overall population like India.

Moreover, the country has a strategic Time Zone of GMT+3 hours, which enables the country to serve companies in the Middle East, Europe and African countries, and also offers lower cost of labour, for the IT companies.

Though not a proven location like India, Uganda has a high-end IT talent base which could be expanded. The country is also in the process of formulating IT policies and developing infrastructure, apart from a body equivalent of Nasscom to be set-up.

The CBC report states that companies moving into Uganda will have a first mover advantage in Africa, especially in the context of a good Tax holiday, grants and other benefits being extended by the government there.

With these benefits in mind, the CBC is in the process of setting-up a state-of-the-art IT and Business Services Park within the Kakungulu satellite city, situated about 18 kms from the airport.

The IT Park, will constitute of offshore development centres, call centre, back office/ data processing centre, and data centres. The proposed park is to be enabled by high speed Wi-Fi internet access and data connectivity, IP telephony, high security and controlled access infrastructure. With transport links to and within the park, Uganda government will be offering single-window clearances for the interested companies.

The Ugandan government also plans to have residences comprising of studios, apartments and luxury condos. Hotels, and convention centres, schools, colleges and also hospitals and medical centres, will also be part of the proposed park.

The CBC has also formulated a draft for Uganda’s IT policy, and has proposed 100 per cent tax exemption for lease income, capital gains and services provided in the IT parks, apart from 100 per cent tax compensation for companies and their staff located within the premises for 20-years from commencement.

The CBC has urged for a simplified and quick clearance of work permits, and dependent permits for IT park staff.

© CyberMedia News

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