Virtual Surreality

Lots of technology blogs piled up, but first thing’s first.

Last week I was in Chicago for some meetings at the ThoughtWorks head office. On the Monday night one of my colleagues hosted a charity fund raising dinner which included some magnificent Ethiopian food (and beer).

During a presentation, she told us personal anecdotes about a trip to Africa and her visit to the AHOPE orphanage. We were told a number of stories of the adoption of kids into the few countries that allow foreign adoption of children with HIV and how now, with the anti-retroviral medicines becoming more readily available, those kids have more than just short-term palliative care in the orphanage, they have a chance at being raised in a healthy, comfortable (albeit Western) home and leading an independent adult life.

As they say on the site, ‘Are you looking for just the right gift that isn’t just “stuff” for a person who has everything and needs nothing, whose heart would be touched by reaching out to a child who has nothing and needs everything?’ Even if you’re not the next Brangelina, have a look at what you might want to donate to provide a lot of help for just a small amount.

This short video reminded me of being at my daughter’s pre-school – except of course these kids don’t have their parents picking them up after the songs are done.