Namibia’s Uranium, diamonds, gold, and copper are heavyweight producers along with robust commercial fisheries and world-class tourism. It is the only African nation with concurrent beef export access to the United States, European Union, China, and Norway.

With nascent oil in the pipeline, Namibia appears primed with a trusted and well-diversified economy.

What constrains Namibia is electricity. At peak, the country imports more than 60% to supply demand.

Distribution costs also yield electricity unaffordable or inaccessible to many rural Namibians.

Thankfully, proactive policy is prioritizing renewable energy investment.

With domestic hydro at max capacity, I share why Biomass Energy may be signalling Namibia’s renewable path to distributed baseload electricity.

Broadly speaking, there are two emerging opportunities; one in the North, and one in the South. I share why the scale of both are significant, and why I suspect one will reach its growth phase sooner than the other.

Read more

COVID-era Bitcoin education, online writing, and motorcycle camping were the three vehicles that made leaving for Africa possible. Motorcycle camping made a long trip possible on a small budget. Paid writing turned research into work I could take on the road. Bitcoin pointed that work at Africa. Together they unlocked a soul contract I had been waiting to “make good on”.

If you landed on Wandering w/ Purpose mid-journey, this is the origin story you missed. It is not a memoir of every camp and crossing, and it is not a complete map of my years on the road. It is the through-line that made the journey possible, written for readers who recently joined the adventure.

COVID was a time that was hard for some and liberating for others, and I found my vehicles for adventure and liberation in the wake of it.

The freedom motorcycle camping can provide

It was in the wake of COVID that I discovered the freedom motorcycle camping can provide. Fuel is economical, and a good choice of motorcycle can be nearly bomb-proof. If anything breaks, the parts are cheap and nearly universally accessible, so a long trip stays possible on a small budget.

Motorcycles are more than transportation; they are an excellent vehicle to liberate the soul, and I mean that literally. Between 2020 - 2022, camping by motorcycle expanded my horizon all the way from Vancouver Island to Canada’s East coast. That was vehicle one, and it got me to Halifax (and Newfoundland) where I would meet the next vehicle that would compound with motorcycle life.

Another vehicle: online writing

Motorcycle camping then brought another vehicle into my life upon reaching the East-coast: online writing. I have been journaling for many years, but it was in Halifax that I was introduced to the world of online writing. The bike had carried me that far across the country before the page became paid work.

I happened to be deep into crypto research during the market manias that followed COVID. That became the general topic I would be paid to explain as a subject matter expert. I was getting paid to write, and that was great, but it was where the writing would take me that changed everything.

You see, one of the reasons I love writing is that it accelerates your reflection and learning on any given topic. After writing volumes of crypto content, I soon learned I wanted nothing to do with crypto, with one exception: Bitcoin.

Nothing to do with crypto, except Bitcoin

This is hard to describe to anyone who has not gone down the Bitcoin rabbit hole. Bitcoin is a tool. It is programmable money. It is an extremely fault-tolerant universal ledger grounded in thermodynamics. It is a lens that reveals how flawed and manipulated “money” is in modern society.

Writing and learning about Bitcoin is where everything changed, and I now refer to it as “money-as-a-tool” and as a tool for financial literacy. I definitively do not consider Bitcoin as “crypto”. This is not a price story. The post-COVID market manias paid the bills while I was still riding crypto, and writing ended that hype as I switched to sustainable fundamentals with Bitcoin.

El Salvador, then Africa’s parallels

I traveled to El Salvador the year they declared Bitcoin legal tender, the first country to do so. I started writing about what I was seeing on the ground, and I researched where else in the world Bitcoin was making a difference.

It dawned on me, after that research, that Bitcoin is extremely relevant for many of Africa’s issues. This is the first time I saw how Africa could be relevant for my work. I could go to Africa to research Bitcoin’s development and write about it on the road.

How would I do that research? By motorcycle, of course. Same vehicle, new continent, and skin in the game instead of safari glamour and a tight itinerary.

A soul contract, if you will

I do not quite remember the moment I decided to switch continents, but it felt more necessary than it felt intentional. I would soon be reaching my 31st birthday, and I did not want to waste another moment of my 30s not being in Africa. I already knew I could be there in a productive capacity, not only as a visitor on vacation.

Spending a good chunk of my youth in Africa has been a life requirement for as long as I can remember. Call it a soul contract, if you will. I was born on the continent and had traveled there plenty on vacation with my family, but I’ve always craved an African education on my own two legs (in this case, wheels).

I needed a true African education: a good ten years on the ground, unshielded by the glamour of safaris and tight itineraries. Something like that. The pain of postponing that contract was a call to growth, and I finally had vehicles that could carry me.

Three vehicles, one equation

I packed up my life in Canada, went home to see my parents, and booked my ticket. The pieces had finally lined up for me to make good on that soul contract.

Online writing + Bitcoin + motorcycle = Africa.

Each one is a vehicle: writing funds the days and accelerates learning on whatever you are willing to face. Bitcoin is the storyline, the game-changer, and the instrument that pointed the work at Africa. The motorcycle is how I actually show up on the ground.

Taking on Africa’s teachings is the rest of the story. Together, these three vehicles unlocked a lifelong dream.

Wandering w/ Purpose — Ww/P, if you met it mid-stream — is the publication I write under from the road. If you arrived mid-journey, you now have the origin: three vehicles, one continent, and skin in the game.

Motorcycles, online work, and Bitcoin can be liberating, and they were for me. They turned a soul contract into something I could finally pack a bag and leave with.

Gerrit Pieter

How far from home can one wander before the heart turns back?

While my Polaris quad bike sputters—likely a carburetor or oil pressure issue—it hits me where I am: alone in this vast flat expanse of white. Somehow, in contrast to the heat and colour of Africa, I find myself on a solo rescue mission on Keeley Lake in subzero temperatures. How am I here? This was not part of the plan.

I love adventures—surely this is one for my stash of campfire stories—but I thought I would be somewhere in Gabon, Togo, or wherever in Africa if asked where I thought I would be right now when I started this journey in 2023. I can’t believe Africa brought me back to Saskatchewan.

A Very Big “Full-Circle” Moment

This is one of the biggest full-circle moments I have experienced. I was playing hockey in Namibia (inline hockey is very popular in Namibia) when I met someone whose company runs a lodge in Northern Saskatchewan. We soon established a skills and mutual needs match and, next thing I know, I’m the manager of their hunting/fishing lodge on the shore of Keeley Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada. I’m here on a quick contract.

My family moved to Saskatchewan the same year I was born in Cape Town. I grew up in the snow and on the ice for my first decade of life. Most of my time on ice was spent playing ice hockey, but I’m no stranger to ice fishing, snowmobiling, and hunting in the prairies. Still, I never thought that following my roots in Africa would lead me back to the frozen land home to my earliest memories. I haven’t spent a winter in Saskatchewan in two decades. That’s a big loop to close.

My Little Rescue Mission

This surprise solo mission on the lake started with a call from the RCMP (Canada’s police) on Saturday morning. I was going about my managerial routine when the officer called to notify that someone had placed a distress call — their truck is stuck on the ice. The police station in Meadow Lake is a one-hour drive away, so the officer asked that I go have a look in the meantime. I quickly left to put on all my warmest clothing and get the quad fuelled up.

Trepidation hit upon realizing how far on the lake I would have to go. I haven’t been out that far. The officer had sent gps coordinates of where they’re stuck. It was easy to triangulate the location on Google Maps based on the geographical layout of the lake. I wouldn’t need to bring a gps to find them. We don’t have one, anyway. Thankfully, the snow conditions should allow for me to go with the quad without getting stuck.

On my previous trip on the ice, there were areas of slush where my quad was breaking through the top layer. I felt like I was going through the ice. The reality was not so dire, but I was quickly reminded how long it had been since I was on a frozen lake, and that there is much to recall and relearn about reading ice conditions. Traveling kilometres onto the ice is no joke.

I was at the furthest point away on the ice that moment in the 360 degrees of whiteness with my Polaris sputtering. There was no sign of the distressed truck. This was all quite fun and challenging, though concerning for the distressed folks. This was a true mini adventure, just the way I like it, but I longed painfully for Africa at that moment.

Each day here, Africa calls me back. Africa sent me here in the first place. Why? Sure, I’m here to work and make money, but the serendipity of being here doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m very grateful to be in Saskatchewan. However, Africa is where my heart is. This much is clear.

I saw a group of ice shacks huddled together in the distance, so I took a detour to see if they had any observations to share. They hadn’t really seen anyone, but one of them offered their spotting scope so I stood on the quad to do a scan. They called this “glassing” during my days at a hunting outfit in Northern British Columbia. Still no sign of them. This made no sense.

I soon surmised they must have gotten unstuck already. I never found their tracks, but surely I would have seen signs had they broken clean through the ice. This seemed unlikely. I backtracked the way I came, cutting through another group of ice shacks toward a particular truck I noticed through the spotting scope. The truck and the woman inside matched the original description. My speculation was confirmed. She casually mentioned, “oh, we cancelled that emergency call”. Some folks on snowmobiles helped them get unstuck.

The officer was waiting on the shore by his truck when I returned. The false alarm had made him too wary to drive onto the ice. He was unaware of any cancellation of the distress call.

Appreciation

Despite the anticlimax, I felt like I had learned something on my little tour of the lake. I had gained a new confidence to navigate the ice and appreciated getting away from the lodge.

I especially enjoyed that moment of alone in the white expanse. There was a jolt of clarity there that was exhilarating. It grounded me in where I was while echoing my heart’s desire. In that moment, I had calmed down enough to stop the quad and appreciate the view. Until then, I had been tense about the search effort and too nervous to stop on the ice. Now I could really drink in the dichromatic landscape of blinding white and cerulean blue. I was at ease now.

I can’t believe I grew up here. What a simple place with a strange name—”Sas-katch-ew-aan”. It is as foreign-sounding as any place I’ve visited in Africa. What will it be like to think back to this experience when I’m back in the vivid colour and heat of Africa, reflecting on my old home from my new home?

Much gratitude to Saskatchewan. Much thanks.

What full-circle moments is life leading you to these days? Feel free to share.

//

G

In June I wrote about our new goal on Geyser to pay for transportation of the Oil Press from Windhoek, Namibia to Nakawa in Zambia. We’re already on our way. We just have a little further to go.

We have some good news…you don’t need Bitcoin to help out! Credit card contributions are now open! Geyser made this possible by adding a feature on their platform that converts credit card payments directly into Bitcoin. We still receive your contribution in Bitcoin, which is going to make a significant difference for an upcoming goal to integrate Nakawa with nearby Livingstone (see details below).

You can donate directly, and/or buy pre-sale copies of the Nakawa children’s book, and/or get yourself a 1-year subscription to the Afrika Ascending Podcast. The choice is yours! Click below.

Donate/purchase now by clicking here :)

We’ve had some minor delays, but the Oil Press is almost on its way from China. The shipping container is being loaded as we speak. If all goes as planned, then it should be leaving the port in early September for arrival in Windhoek by the end of October. There will be some import duties at Namibia and Zambia’s borders, so the sooner we reach our second goal, the better :)

Nakawa in October

I’m going to a Bitcoin Mining conference in Lusaka at the end of September, so I will go spend some time in Nakawa afterward. I will likely be there for all of October.

Something BIG is happening

Something incredible has been happening near Nakawa. Bitcoin adoption by merchants in the nearby town, Livingstone, has been accelerating at an incredible pace. This is beyond exciting and is a huge break for Nakawa! I can’t wait to check it out. I’ve even arranged to rent a motorcycle, paid in Bitcoin.

Follow Bitcoin Victoria Falls on X to see what’s happening in Livingstone.

This is huge for Nakawa because it makes it so much easier for Bitcoin contributions to help them. The Bitcoin that Nakawa receives and generates acts as a tool to integrate them into Livingstone’s circular economy. They can spend their Bitcoin directly on the goods and services they need. The possibilities are endless. Oil from the Mongongo Press can be included for sale, and the collaborative effort of the Livingstone community will eagerly integrate Nakawa into their intiatives.

Click the image below to watch how Bitcoin is used in Livingstone.

A renowned open-source Bitcoin education program has been operating in Livingstone, called “My First Bitcoin”. Nakawa residents, and even children, can go participate, and I hope to arrange one of their programs at Nakawa’s own school.

Kids in Zambia learning how to pay with Bitcoin. Click the image to watch.

This type of grassroots financial and social liberation truly empowers people to be innovative and break free. People underestimate the power of financial literacy and inclusion, and being free from the hinderances of banks and politics.

Bitcoin circular economies cultivate exactly this. The value people create (the work they trade their precious time for) no longer leaks to outside interests like VISA/Mastercard, banks, and illogical taxation (stay legal, folks). Not even exchanges take a cut from Bitcoin/fiat conversions in Livingstone because most conversions between Bitcoin and Kwachas (Zambia’s currency) are done peer-to-peer by residents. Just watch what comes from Livingstone and Nakawa. I can’t wait to see how this unfolds and tell you all about it.

My goals for October

When I visit in October, one of my main goals will be to get my friends at Nakawa set up and educated on their own Bitcoin Lightning wallets. This is the infrastructure needed to make day-to-day payments and will allow contributions to go directly to them. I’m going to announce a new Geyser goal along these lines sometime soon.

I will be spending the rest of my time in Nakawa getting familiar with the network of merchants accepting Bitcoin at their stores and journaling for the Nakawa children’s book. In November, I’ll probably go fetch the machine in Windhoek, then make my way back to Nakawa.

Just in case you missed it, click the link below to contribute to Bitcoin Nakawa (Bitcoin/Credit Card). Grab yourself a pre-sale copy of our children’s book and/or a 1-year subscription to the Afrika Ascending Podcast while you’re at it.

Donate/purchase now by clicking here :)

//

Thanks again everyone. We are winning.

G

Therefore, as you can surmise, I chose to deflect my being’s attention in January of this year. I had to take a break from Africa. I was searching for answers, directing my attention abroad in search of refuge while still moving forward with my life’s mission. A “side quest” was afoot. My purpose was to wander me elsewhere, as it were. While I remain well-grounded in Africa, it was time to return to familiar terrain on a different continent.

India

I’ve written about India in the past. It provides a useful economic contrast to Africa and I have fond memories from traveling there for 6 months during a gap year I took upon graduating University. Since I’ve been in Africa, I’ve kept India in my back pocket, knowing that flights there from Africa are inexpensive and that the cost of living is affordable. It would be useful as a backup plan while gathering information that would continue to serve me back in Africa.

How the game plan evolved to jump to India in January was unexpected. I had been tinkering with AI software development over the holidays with mixed success when I learned that good friends of mine from Canada would be situated in India, staying with family while they work and raise their young toddler. They are both career software developers, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to consult with them on my AI software project while meeting the delightful new addition to their young family. My e-visa was granted within a week and I was on a plane to Mumbai in no time.

Anyone who has been to India knows that India isn’t exactly the easiest place to take a break. You can’t escape the overwhelm of India and its charms, but for me, it has remained a slice of home in a far flung corner of the world. It served as an escape for me back then, too. Four years of University left me more confused than I had ever been in my life, and India is where I regained a taste of what it felt like to be myself.

Here I was, back in India, in an acute sense of the same reason. I stayed in a hostel for a night before being received by my friends. I remember that one night in the hostel vividly. The pain of post-Mozambique was much too fresh, and it’s all-too-easy to feel alone amongst the millions of Mumbai. I arrived after dark and roamed the streets to withdraw some cash and get a bite to eat before settling into that balmy, dark, and mosquito-ridden hostel. Feverish and confusing dreams made for a fitful sleep.

Seeing my friends the following morning was a significant relief. It seemed so unlikely to see familiar faces amongst the infinite strangers of India. The holidays had been an ordeal and this felt like finding water in the desert. I was on the road constantly my first time in India, but this time I had friends welcome me into their family home, showing me a much different perspective of India. I had been enthusiastically welcomed by multiple Indian households my first go around, but I was amongst people who differed from me drastically in language and culture. This time, staying with people I knew gave me a heartwarming insight into modern Indian (Maharashtran) family life.

A Lightbulb Moment

Time had scarcely eased into a new flow when a conversation with my friend triggered a lightbulb moment. We had gotten to know each other as colleagues in the Bitcoin context. Our conversations revolve around work and ideas that stretch our minds. I would often end up in awe as I puzzled over the conclusions our dialogues would present to us.

We were discussing how to navigate the conundrum of starting a company. Where to start? To this, my friend responded, “start the pressure cooker”. What he meant by this is that the clock starts ticking once you START the company. You can wait forever for everything to be just right, but when the company is in motion, then priorities soon reveal themselves. As soon as he said it, I knew immediately the business I wanted to start.

I stayed with my friends and their family for almost a month before it was time to move on. While in Mozambique, I had learned about Workaway, a travel volunteering website, and I was curious to give it a try in India. Click here to read more about my Workaway experience and how I made my way back to Namibia via Eswatini.

Under Pressure in Namibia

Leaving India left me with a new resource in my back pocket. This time, it was a sleek document holder with a magnetic latch and “Republic of Estonia” printed on the cover.

In my search for which jurisdiction to register a company, I narrowed down that Estonia’s e-residency program, with fast-tracked company registration, would be the best fit for me at this stage in my plans. A friend from Germany was helpful with his recommendation of this option, based on his own positive experiences. The application was quick and easy. All I had to do was make a stop at the Estonian embassy in New Delhi to pick up the e-residency kit before leaving the country, because the nearest Estonian embassy to Namibia is in Nairobi, Kenya. This kit would allow me to register and manage my company remotely, which suits my semi-nomadic lifestyle.

What is the business? Bitcoin mining. What’s the hardest part about it? At this stage, I would argue that getting the visa, as a non-Namibian, to operate in Namibia. That being said, I’ve heard from multiple Bitcoin miners that you don’t want to start this business if you’re not fully committed. I’m sure the hardest part is yet to come.

I didn’t come to this decision overnight. It has been on my mind ever since I’ve been in Africa. My main client for my previous company, a copywriting agency tailored to Bitcoin companies, was a supplier of the machines used for mining Bitcoin, known as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). It was through this relationship that I had the privilege of interviewing Bitcoin miners from around the world. It involved a lot of research, and it wasn’t until I made certain connections in Africa that I realized that I had all the ingredients I needed to take action.

I haven’t started my Estonian company yet, but I have registered my Namibian company - a requirement for the Namibian visa application and for doing business there. It’s a bit complicated to explain due to legal/tax/corporate jargon, but my operations are intended to be split between the Namibian and Estonian companies.

The requirements for getting registered in Namibia have helped start a fire under my a**. I’ve spent the last month running around Windhoek going to all the different government ministries to obtain official documents required for my application. Namibia, and Africa more broadly, has hardly digitized any formal process. Africa loves paperwork, and the weight of bureaucracy is unlike anything you’ve ever seen - I’ve really had to improve my patience after all the hoops I’ve jumped through lately.

Pressure Cooker Imminent

The true pressure cooker is yet to initiate - that will happen when the Estonian company is registered. In the meantime, I’ve jumped back to Canada while I prepare more of my visa documents.

New Ways to Support Wandering w/ Purpose

I’ve been receiving requests to allow one-time credit card donations. This is now possible, thanks to GeyserFund. It’s an interesting feature, because the credit card payment is converted into Bitcoin and deposited as such.

If you’re interested, thank you! Click the following link to be directed to the contribution page:

Donate to Ww/P with a Credit Card

If you prefer to donate directly to Bitcoin Nakawa, then you now have the same option. You can click the following button.

Donate to Nakawa with a Credit Card

If you’re reading my posts via email, then you can always donate with Bitcoin or credit card by clicking the “Donate to Wandering w/ Purpose” or “Donate to Bitcoin Nakawa” buttons at the bottom of the email.

My AI software projects

Another way to support Ww/P is to use one of my app/websites. Only the first (Zapnotes) and third (Island Turning) offer products in return for payment.

The first is Zapnotes. This is a little encrypted note-taking app I made for myself. It has been quite useful to help me write and keep track of my projects.

The second is Q, The Questions Game, a very simple little game that I helped develop for a friend. Try it to see how people respond to unexpected questions. It’s fun!

The third is Island Turning (still in development), a website I made for my mother. She is incredible with woodcraft; her main focus being wood-turning.

Fun in Namibia

Despite how often I travel, I rarely take time for vacations that aren’t blended with work. That’s the life of an entrepreneur. There’s a quote I like that illustrates this well:

This captures the idea of trading a standard 40-hour workweek for a much longer one to gain autonomy and freedom from working for someone else. This is me. I’ve never been happy, or fully turned-on, by the standard 9-5.

This is why it was a welcome change of pace to link up with my father on two hiking trips while he passed through Namibia in June/July. We hiked the Fish River canyon and Königstein at Brandberg, Namibia’s highest peak.

//

Talk soon,

G

1. The Checklist Manifesto by Dr. Atul Gawande
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

2. The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

3. Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

4. Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

5. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

6. The Algebra of Wealth by Scott Galloway
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

7. The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

8. Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

9. Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

10. The Energy Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

11. Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

12. Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

13. Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

14. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

15. Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

16. The Only Skill That Matters by Jonathan Levi
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

17. Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

18. Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

19. The Courage To Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist
—> Get the book

Bonus 1/4: Top 5 Insights from 25 books on Building Better Habits by Nathan Lozeron
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist

Bonus 2/4: Top 5 Insights on Optimal Time Management by Nathan Lozeron
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist

Bonus 3/4: The Top 5 Insights on Achieving Deep Focus by Nathan Lozeron
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist

Bonus 4/4: Top 5 Insights from 25 books on Purpose by Nathan Lozeron
—> YouTube link
—> Summary-checklist

Announcing Goal #2: Transporting the machine

Please have a look at our new goal on the geyser fund website. The sole purpose of this goal is to transport the machine from Windhoek, Namibia to Nakawa in Zambia, a distance of about 1,400 km.

The costs are estimated based on the value, weight, and volume of the machine for transport, customs clearance, and duties.

Our first goal is still helping us purchase the machine. Have a look to see our progress.

We appreciate you!

Until future updates,

G

Summary

Why Slow Productivity Matters
In Slow Productivity, Cal Newport challenges the belief that constant busyness equals good work, arguing it leads to burnout and mediocre output. For knowledge workers, success hinges on creativity and judgment, not frantic activity. Newport’s philosophy—do fewer things, obsess over quality, work at a natural pace—creates space for extraordinary results, allowing you to prioritize meaningful projects and relationships over relentless task overload.

How Slow Productivity Works
Newport’s three pillars are achieved through tactics like creating busyness buffers (e.g., office hours, reverse task lists) to limit distractions, releasing pressure to experiment freely, and embracing leisure to spark insights. These strategies, inspired by figures like the Beatles and John McPhee, reduce unnecessary tasks, foster innovation, and prioritize quality, ensuring sustainable productivity without sacrificing well-being.

Key Insights:

• Busyness buffers like office hours streamline communication, reducing task overload.

• Releasing pressure allows experimentation, leading to high-quality breakthroughs.

• Leisure time fosters profound insights, as seen in John McPhee’s Pulitzer-winning work.

• Slowing down prioritizes meaningful projects over reactive busyness.

Checklist (6 items, ~60 seconds)

• Set Office Hours: Block one hour for communication (e.g., “10 AM Zoom”).

• Share Task List: Note one task for a public to-do board (e.g., “Trello update”).

• Pick Key Project: Choose one task to slow down for quality (e.g., “refine report”).

• Delay Deadline: Plan to extend one project timeline (e.g., “extra week”).

• Schedule Leisure: Add one thinking break (e.g., “20-minute walk”).

• Assess Quality: Check one task for improvement (e.g., “edit proposal”).

Notes: Review weekly to cut low-value tasks. Balance quality with progress. Designed for knowledge workers to enhance creativity and impact.

Our third summary-checklist under the belt!

If you’d like a 1-page PDF download of this summary-checklist for Slow Productivity, click the button below:

Download 1-page summary-checklist

Get your own copy of Slow Productivity by clicking the button below:

Slow Productivity book

Until next time,

G

Quote from Slow Productivity by Cal Newport:

"The way we are working no longer works…The relentless overload that’s wearing us down is generated by a belief that ‘good’ work requires increasing busyness—faster responses to email and chats, more meetings, more tasks, more hours.”

– Cal Newport

Thank you everyone who has been along for the journey!
If you’re just joining us now, refer to this post to learn what this project is all about.

We’re not done yet

The full story is …

Read more

Summary

Why Working Genius Matters
In The 6 Types of Working Genius, Patrick Lencioni introduces a model to maximize team productivity and engagement by aligning tasks with innate strengths. The WIDGET framework—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity—identifies six genius types. Assigning work matching each person’s two strongest types boosts enthusiasm and loyalty, while mismatched tasks lead to burnout. Leaders who map these strengths create thriving, balanced teams.

How Working Genius Works
Lencioni’s model requires assessing team members’ genius types through project phase preferences (Ideation, Activation, Execution) and activation styles (responsive or focused). A working genius team map reveals misalignments and gaps, enabling leaders to reassign roles or hire strategically. By leveraging strengths, leaders minimize frustration, enhance collaboration, and ensure projects progress smoothly from vision to completion.

Key Insights:

• Aligning tasks with genius types (WIDGET) increases engagement, reduces burnout.

• Each person excels in two of six types; mismatching causes frustration.

• Team maps identify gaps and misalignments for better role assignments.

• Wonder: Curious, Invention: Creative, Discernment: Analytical, Galvanizing: Motivating, Enablement: Supportive, Tenacity: Persistent.

Checklist (6 items, ~60 seconds)

• Assess Phase: Ask one teammate their favourite project phase (e.g., “ideation”).

• Identify Genius: Note their top genius type (e.g., “Wonder for brainstorming”).

• Check Fit: Confirm their role matches their genius (e.g., “vision for Wonder”)

• Spot Gap: List one missing genius type (e.g., “no Galvanizer”).

• Adjust Role: Reassign one task to align with strengths (e.g., “Tenacity to execution”).

• Plan Hire: Name one genius type to recruit (e.g., “Invention for planning”).

Notes: Update the team map quarterly. Discuss genius types in team meetings. Designed for leaders to optimize team performance and engagement.

Our second summary-checklist under the belt!

If you’d like a 1-page PDF download of this summary-checklist for The 6 Types of Working Genius, click the button below:

Download 1-page summary-checklist

Get your own copy of The 6 Types of Working Genius by clicking the button below:

The 6 Types of Working Genius book

Until next time,

G

Summary

Why Checklists Matter
In The Checklist Manifesto, surgeon Atul Gawande tackles the challenge of errors in complex work. As tasks grow intricate, even experts make avoidable mistakes—like surgeons skipping hand-washing, contributing to 75,000+ annual U.S. surgical errors. Gawande discovered checklists, inspired by aviation, as a simple yet powerful solution. They ensure consistency, catching lapses in memory or attention, and drive remarkable results across industries, from medicine to finance.

How Checklists Work
Checklists don’t replace skill; they enhance it by enforcing discipline. Gawande shows that well-designed checklists are triggered by specific moments, focus on critical “killer” items, and evolve with experience. Though some resist checklists, viewing them as unheroic, Gawande argues they redefine excellence by preventing costly oversights and fostering reliable performance under pressure.

Key Insights:

• Checklists drastically cut errors (e.g., 0.00002% building failure rate in construction).

• They boost outcomes (e.g., 47% fewer surgical deaths, 45% higher returns for checklist-using investors).

• Resistance to checklists reflects an outdated “heroic” mindset; discipline is the new heroism.

• Effective checklists are concise (5–9 items, <60 seconds), practical, and updated with lessons learned.

Checklist (5 items, ~60 seconds)

• List Key Steps: Write 5–9 must-do items to avoid errors (e.g., “check meeting agenda”).

• Set a Trigger: Choose the critical moment to use the checklist (e.g., “before sending email”).

• Keep Items Brief: Use short reminders, not guides (e.g., “verify budget” vs. “how to check budget”).

• Include a Past Mistake: Add one item from a prior error (e.g., “confirm team notification”).

• Tick Each Item: Read and check off every item manually to ensure focus.

Note: Revise the checklist after use with new insights. Checking items reinforces discipline.

That’s it; our first summary checklist under the belt!

Rest assured, all upcoming checklists in this series will follow the format we learned from this book.

If you’d like a 1-page PDF download of this summary-checklist for The Checklist Manifesto, click the button below:

Download 1-page summary-checklist

Get your own copy of The Checklist Manifesto by clicking the button below:

The Checklist Manifesto Book

I will be sharing three book summary-checklists every week. This schedule should provide enough time to digest each volume while keeping up the momentum on our productivity growth. Good luck!

Until next time,

G

Quotes from The Checklist Manifesto by Dr. Atul Gawande:

"(Checklists) not only offer the possibility of verification but also instill a kind of discipline of higher performance.” – Atul Gawande, MD

“(T)he volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefits correctly, safely, or reliably.” – Atul Gawande, MD

“Four generations after the first aviation checklists went into use, a lesson is emerging: checklists seem able to defend anyone, even the experienced, against failure in many more tasks than we realized. They provide a kind of cognitive net. They catch mental flaws inherent in all of us—flaws of memory and attention and thoroughness. And because they do, they raise wide, unexpected possibilities.” – Atul Gawande, MD

While navigating life with an eye on innovation and personal development, pain can be seen through the lens of progress. Whether it's discomfort from pushing the boundaries of technology, or the personal challenge of aligning one's actions with deeper incentives, pain is often the precursor to significant growth.

Consider the journey of creating something truly useful, like an app that resonates with its users. This process is rarely smooth; it involves countless hours of debugging, rethinking, and overcoming the resistance of the mind to venture beyond the known. Each setback, each moment of frustration, is not merely an obstacle but a lesson in resilience, teaching us to refine our vision and strengthen our resolve.

Consider the people dearest to you. Our relationships are rarely smooth; each setback, each moment of frustration, is not merely an obstacle, but a lesson. The people closest to us are often the ones who can inflict the most pain, and vice versa. Perhaps the greatest pain of all is delivered by death when it steals our opportunity to rejoice in what we've learned with the ones that mattered most. Take heed of pain when it knocks on your door, the longer you resist, the greater the pain at a later date.

In this light, pain becomes a teacher. It teaches us that resistance, whether internal or external, is not a sign to retreat but to advance with wisdom. The growth we are destined for in our lives isn't handed to us; it's carved out of our responses to the pain we encounter. Every challenge, every moment of doubt, is a stepping stone towards a more robust version of ourselves.

Thus, embracing pain as an indicator of our resistance means acknowledging it as part of the journey towards personal mastery. It's a signal that we're pushing against our current limits, striving for something greater, something more aligned with our true potential. In this journey, pain doesn't just signify that we're resisting; it signifies that we're on the path to becoming who we are truly meant to be.

Here's a review of our activity over the last two weeks or so...

Ww/P Geyser fund & Postcards

Wandering w/ Purpose started its own geyser fund to offer more perks to our followers. Check out our latest reward. It's a post card from wherever we are in the world to wherever you are in the world :)

Bitcoin Nakawa

Bitcoin Nakawa is currently featured on the front page of the geyser fund website. We're very thankful for the steady stream of sats coming from the exposure.

Here's a contribution and thoughtful comment from one of Geyser Fund's co-Founders.

We also recently announced a children's book being written about the Nakawa story. Each purchase will gift a free copy to a student at the Nakawa school. Pre-order is available now :)

Here is an infographic of all current Bitcoin projects in Africa. Hopefully Bitcoin Nakawa will soon be included!

Mozambique protests update

We are currently in Mozambique. If you haven't heard, the country is going through a significant transition. Mass protests are taking place to rebuke against the stagnation of 50 years of corrupt political monopolisation.

We are safe from the violence, thankfully. It's just a matter of patience to wait for our opportunity to leave the country. Hopefully this happens before our visa expires...then it's a mission to get to the border however possible.

Public transport in Mozambique is painfully slow, and even more so due to the protests. 10-12 hours to travel 500km is commonplace.

Our Substack activity

Recent(ish) posts:
Mass protests in Mozambique
Our most popular post thus far

Recent notes:

Stacker News

Our recent posts on Stacker News

Closing thoughts

I'm currently preparing an Investment Memoranda intended for Hedge Funds, Family Offices, Institutional Investors, etc. looking to invest into Bitcoin mining machinery and associated hosting services.

During my research, I found a report titled, "Leveraging Bitcoin mining to improve access to electricity in rural Africa" by Tikula Research Network to be especially interesting.

Thanks everyone! Stay safe out there.

Ww/P

No, this has nothing to do with Bitcoin. The people of Mozambique are protesting in the wake of the recent election on October 9th. The ruling party, Frelimo, has been in power since Mozambique's independence more than 50 years ago, and the people are rejecting their alleged victory in the election.

It's no secret that Frelimo is corrupt. Everyone I've spoken to expected them to win this election even if they didn't get the most votes. From what I've heard, they've done it before and now they've done it again.

A precarious position

I've been in Mozambique for almost 2 months now. It has been an incredible experience and I'm fairly isolated from the protests here in Tofo.

Things are getting a bit tricky though. The capital, Maputo, is a no-go due to the protests. That's OK. We can exit Mozambique a few other ways. Apparently, protests have sprung up in the North, so we'll have to be careful if we take that route. Thus far, the quickest exit to South Africa remains open.

The government has also been meddling with the internet. I couldn't call home due to internet outages a few days ago. Today, WhatsApp and Facebook are inaccessible. The leader of the opposition, and clear favourite, Venancio Mondlane, is fuelling the people's discontent by sharing his broadcasts from a secret location through Facebook. WhatsApp is Africa's most popular communications platform, so it's clear Frelimo is trying to stifle the people from organising their protests further.

We've also been advised to start stocking supplies. Tofo is a small town that relies on food and other goods from Maputo that are being restricted. I’m already having trouble buying a coffee in town for this reason.

Friends of ours have already tried and failed to leave the country because their flights were booked through Maputo. The pressure is building in Mozambique, and we're being patient to make the right moves.

This is as far as I can update you, for now. I'll be writing soon with further developments.

I'll soon be conducting an interview with a friend with some interesting insights into Mozambique’s current purported "revolution".

Until then,

G

Reward #1: Nakawa Children's Book

Reward #1: Nakawa Children’s Book

I've been wanting to write a children's book for a while and Nakawa has inspired me to do so. I will soon be spending more time there to research and write this book.

This is a pre-sale on a limited collection of 1000 copies. Expected delivery is April, 2026.

With each order, contributors receive both a physical and digital copy, and a physical translated copy will be donated to a student at the Nakawa school.

We hope you're as excited about the Nakawa children's book as we are!

Reward #2: 1-year Afrika Ascending Podcast Membership

Reward #2: 1-year Afrika Ascending Podcast Membership

Learn more about the Afrika Ascending Podcast

We recently launched the Afrika Ascending Podcast to accompany the Wandering w/ Purpose publication. We are now offering contributors the opportunity to support Bitcoin Nakawa and receive a 1-year discounted membership to the Afrika Ascending Podcast.

Have a look at the Afrika Ascending Podcast on Substack and Spotify.

Bitcoin is always preferred. Acquiring your Afrika Ascending Podcast membership through our Geyser Fund gives contributors a 33% discount compared to our fiat annual payment channel.

Making progress toward the Mongongo Nut Processing Machine

We are 24% of the way toward reaching our goal to purchase a Mongongo Nut Processing Machine for the Nakawa village. Not bad!

We would like to send a special thanks to our friends in Victoria, B.C., Canada. A good chunk of our contributions came from a Bitcoin event hosted in Victoria recently. I spent a few years living in Victoria, so these are likely from old friends.

If you guys are reading this, please send me your email so I can give you an Afrika Ascending Podcast membership. Thank you!

G

P.s. We are quite active on Stacker News. Click here to see this post on Stacker News.

More Bitcoin Nakawa project updates and Wandering w/ Purpose stories and articles are soon to come. We sincerely hope you've been enjoying our content! Be sure to follow our activity on Stacker News - one of the fastest growing Bitcoin Lightning applications on the internet.

Announcing another Wandering w/ Purpose project

As enthusiastic as we are about Bitcoin Nakawa, we have even more news to share with you.

We love writing to you about our adventures on the road through Africa. We've received incredible feedback, and want to do everything we can to bring you along for the ride.

This is why we are introducing an audio component to the Wandering w/ Purpose community. Sometimes you just can't replace hearing directly from the voices of the inspiring individuals we tend to meet. We want you to experience what we hear and feel. We want you to wander with us and feel inspired, too.

So, without further ado, allow me to introduce Wandering w/ Purpose's newest project, the Afrika Ascending Podcast.

This is Afrika Ascending

I was drawn to Africa for a few reasons. I'm overflowing with gratitude because it wasn't long ago that I felt like this was a far away dream. Today, I spent the day hiking barefoot through villages and mangrove forests along an estuary here in Mozambique. I'm blessed.

Nature is definitely a part of why I was drawn to Africa. I'm also exploring family roots and researching the state of money and technology on the continent. If it weren't for learning how to write online, I wouldn't have been able to blend these themes of my life into one grand adventure. To have the opportunity to explore Africa on my own terms has been a gift.

A key lesson

After almost two years, I'm learning a key new lesson: to trust the flow and learn from the people around me.

Africa has its own rhythm. If you don't roll with the punches, you're going to exhaust yourself very quickly. Its a challenging place. Many people struggle, but many have learned how to live a beautiful life here. I started wanting to find the people who have learned to flourish in Africa, and share what I learn from them.

I've been leading my own adventure here. The motorcycle gave me the autonomy and practical means to explore across the expanses of Southern Africa. I needed to go rogue for a while. I needed to go "bush" to connect a part of myself with the land. Those days on the road are precious to me. It didn't matter if I connected with anyone during that time. Despite this, the road has always been a consistent source of colourful characters.

Now I feel the drive to connect with people. Now I think I can spread some valuable knowledge and experiences. When we learn from each other, then we compound our ability to collaborate and build community. As a community, I think we can help a lot of people.

This is why I started Wandering w/ Purpose, and this is why we started the Afrika Ascending Podcast. I'm just one among many who have a vision for how life can flourish in Africa. I typically meet visionary people out of serendipity, teaching me a lot about myself and about how I can improve my skills for life in this world. I think our conversations can be of interest to you.

There's also one question I like to ask my guests. What is the most important thing Africa needs to succeed?

You might be surprised by what people say...

Sometimes Africa can make me feel like abundance is 1000 years away, but some days I feel like it's just around the corner. Living day by day is the name of the game in Africa, but I can't help but overflow with optimism at times. The inspiring people on our podcast keep my optimism topped up. I hope they can do the same for you.

Earlier this week I sent the first episode of the Afrika Ascending Podcast to all our free Wandering w/ Purpose subscribers. I hope everyone received it fine and was able to have a listen. All free subscribers get one free preview of the podcast, but please consider upgrading your subscription for access to our full collection of conversations.

On that note, we will soon be announcing a special new offer, and our free subscribers are going to be the first to hear about it. We want to do what we can to get you involved, so we hope you like what we come up with ;)

We hope to have you along on our adventure and invite you to wander with us and feel inspired.

This is Wandering w/ Purpose, this is Afrika Ascending.

G

I have been in Mozambique for about a month now. It has taken some time to get accustomed to the way of life here, but I'm more settled now. Now the logistics of withdrawing cash, finding transportation, and knowing where to shop have become an afterthought. I enjoy hitch-hiking, 20 Meticais "chiappa" rides, and playing with all the different forms of payments here (cash, MPesa, EMola, and Bitcoin).

We may be close neighbours to the relative luxuries of South Africa, but Mozambique feels quite isolated. The long stagnant economy and warm coastal lifestyle translates into a rather basic existence. Now that the irksome necessities have been ironed out, I get to focus on the pleasures of local life and new friends in the community.

Which community? Tofo. Tofo is a small village with plenty of seafood, great surf, and enough shops and entertainment to absorb anyone into cosy beach life. I traveled here by invitation from friends I worked alongside at Afrika Burn earlier this year. One of them is a Tofo local and was kind enough to offer their home during my stay.

Finding George

Aside from enjoying local life, I'm always on the lookout for people using creative ways to make a living. It wasn't long before I noticed a "Bitcoin accepted here" sign posted to a shopkeeper's pole at the market. I could see his colourful clothing for sale but, after two days of looking, I still hadn't met the shop owner.

It wasn't until I was recently scrolling through Twitter (X) that I happened to pinpoint the owner. A friend at Bitcoin Ekasi posted that it was their friend's birthday in Tofo, and was encouraging everyone to send him sats. That friend happened to be the shopkeeper I was looking for. I walked over the next day and finally met George.

George and I quickly jumped into lively conversation. I asked him about Bitcoin and how he knew my friend. It turns out they've known each other for years, discussing Bitcoin as they went and how it can be used to improve their lives. George was already quite excited, but his face lit up completely when I wished him happy birthday.

Bitcoin Ekasi's birthday post for George ended up providing up to USD $300 in Bitcoin donations straight into his wallet. Understandably, he started expressing overflowing gratitude for all the Bitcoiners around the world who sent him some sats for his birthday. I was also impressed at how much funding came his way.

In case you're curious and unaware, Bitcoin Lightning addresses are structured the same as email addresses. For example, George's Lightning address is georgetofo@blink.sv. "Blink" is the name of the custodial wallet provider for George's particular Lightning wallet. I also have a Blink Lightning wallet: gpvansat@blink.sv. I also have other wallets for different purposes. Another one is: g@getalby.com. Anyone with a lightning wallet and some sats can send money to any one of these addresses.

What is Lightning? It's a network much like the Bitcoin main network, also known as the Bitcoin "Mainnet", except with some tradeoffs. Without sacrificing too much of the security provided by the mainnet, the Lightning network allows for instantaneous Bitcoin payments for a fraction of a cent. While the Bitcoin mainnet is ideal for long-term storage and security, Lightning is ideal as a payments network.

Recording revolutionary beginnings

George had stories upon stories to share, so I invited him to join me for a podcast recording. Aside from wanting to hear more of his stories, I was thrilled to capture his story on audio and write about it so I can share it with you, and so I can look back on it in the future. I expect to see Bitcoin spread far beyond Tofo, and I like the thought of being able to look back at a special meeting during the early days.

I make this presumption because this is exactly the story line that played out in El Salvador. George is acting out the same plot that started in the beach town of El Zonte, now known as the beginning of what lead to Bitcoin being adopted as legal tender in El Salvador.

Essentially, Bitcoin eliminates state control over money. El Salvador is using (and succeeding) at using Bitcoin to pay off their USD-denominated debt, liberating themselves from chronic debt-based inflation and the whims of the IMF.

For a nation stuck in 50 years of stagnation at the hands corrupt authorities, Mozambique has a lot to gain by following in El Salvador's footsteps. Mozambique's currency, the Metacais, has dropped to a third of its value in 10 years, according to George. The banking system is also incompetent and in perpetual flux, making access to cash a constant headache amid electricity blackouts, service outages, and inconsistent VISA/Mastercard accessibility.

One thing I've noticed is that scarce cash means that merchants are constantly struggling to have enough change available to settle transactions with their customers. On a daily basis, I will pay a merchant and then wait while they run around the corner with my money so they can find a friend with the cash they need to settle our transaction. This theme of market friction is constant throughout the country, posing a real barrier to trade and prosperity.

Bitcoin is a technology that can unshackle Mozambique's people from the sludge of their country's disgraceful politics, unlocking the wealth stuck behind this country's broken financial infrastructure. Working with MPesa and EMola is not much different than working with Bitcoin Lightning. Therefore, Mozambique's people are more prepared to adopt a better future than they may think.

Thank you for being a part of Wandering w/ Purpose's first episode of the Afrika Ascending Podcast.

P.s. When George needs cash, he simply uses the Bitrefill app to buy Airtime on his phone using Bitcoin. He then sells the airtime to his friends to receive cash. I thought this was an excellent solution to a common problem. This is called a Bitcoin "off-ramp" (converting Bitcoin to cash). A Bitcoin "on-ramp" goes in the opposite direction. There are companies out there investing millions into building on/off ramps, whereas George has found an easy solution with existing resources.

Where has our funding come from?

After one week, we have six separate contributors. Who are they and where did they come from?

As suspected, most contributions came from a source outside this publication. If not from Wandering w/ Purpose, then where?

In short, Stacker News.

Stacker News is by far my favourite medium when it comes to writing in the Bitcoin world. Think of an online forum like Reddit, except where voting for popular posts are made with direct, instantly-settled Bitcoin micro-payments.

I often enjoy browsing the front-page of Stacker News. The topics are great for anyone either learning more about Bitcoin, or just staying on top of current events. I recommend connecting your own lightning network-enabled Bitcoin wallet for the informative experience of interacting with Bitcoin micro-payments on the web.

Remember, the supply of Bitcoin is fixed at 21 million coins and one Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million units , each of which is typically referred to as a "satoshi" or a "sat". Since even just one sat can be transacted for a fraction of a cent (or free) on the lightning network, then micro-payments, known as "zaps" on Stacker News, are feasible and encouraged.

Who contributed?

So far, the vast majority of our funding came from a single generous contributor who did so from an anonymous account. Their donation was for 100,000 sats (about USD $60, as of writing). Whoever you are, thank you!

The rest of our contributions came in amounts as low as 2,100 sats (about USD $1). These smaller amounts are more than welcome even if only as a gesture of enthusiasm and support for Bitcoin Nakawa. Had this been a fiat platform, small expressions like this may not be practical.

Here's a comment from a contributor on Stacker News

Bitcoin Nakawa wants to hear from you

In return for contributions, Bitcoin Nakawa would like to give something in return. We've prepared the following poll to learn what you might find appealing.

Loading...

Open to ideas

Do you have an idea for something you don't see in the poll? Please share!

Even if not relevant to the poll, please share any ideas or recommendations you may have for Bitcoin Nakawa. Likewise for Wandering w/ Purpose, too.

Additional Nakawa update:

Nakawa recently completed an assessment of the borehole that supplies water to the school. Looks like it'll need an update. For those interested, you can access the assessment here.

Thanks all,

G

P.s. Don’t forget to check out Stacker News. You can click here to see my activity on Stacker News.

(~6 minute read)

"We, not I", corrected Silumba. I nodded while our discussion brought me to compensate for Western biases in my thinking. I felt included in the project. A sense of ownership came over me, helping me understand how empowering this feeling can be among individuals in a community…

Zooming recently from Zambia to Namibia, I was preparing to cross the Kazangula border into Botswana; a shortcut that would take me to the Namibian border the same day. Just before crossing into Botswana, a homely sign caught my attention by the road side, "Nakawa Community Campsite".

I had been to enough organised and wild-camping areas to recognise that this wasn't an ordinary camping spot. It was rare to find a campsite organised by a local community. In fact, this is the only one I have come across since starting in Africa more than a year ago. Organised campsites tend to be an annex of a lodge that provides employment, but aren’t exactly empowering for locals.

I pulled in and was soon greeted by Cynthia and Silumba: a wife and husband duo taking initiative to create a better future for their community, “Nakawa”.

Nakawa consists of multiple villages in an area known as "Kazangula" in South-western Zambia. Cynthia and Silumba refer to themselves as "game-changers" given their will to push back against cyclical African issues.

Upon moving from town to their rural land in Nakawa, Cynthia and Silumba’s journey started when they noticed insufficient educational opportunities for Nakawa’s children. Taking action, they gathered their community to build a school near their home, employing individuals from Nakawa as first-time teachers. Despite limited income, Cynthia and Silumba have managed to bootstrap their initiative; often from the support of inspired friends and allies.

I have become one such ally. Upon meeting Cynthia and Silumba, I quickly realised they are the real deal. After plenty of kilometres through Africa, it was intuitive to recognise the integrity in their grassroots effort. I camped at their site, and soon followed multiple thought-provoking stories and insights into African challenges and how we can work together to impact the future of Nakawa.

We started brainstorming ideas to leverage one of Nakawa’s key strengths: the traditional knowledge of their elders. It was a fascinating discussion revealing just how rich the land and people of Nakawa and Africa are, but how brainwashed and sabotaged the people have become due to the greed and influences of foreign interests and the domestically corrupt.

The Mongongo Nut

Our plan of action was soon clear: the Mongongo Nut grows abundantly in the area, the trees of which have proven resilient to persistent droughts. This nut has multiple uses, including dietary health benefits and agricultural uses (cooking oil, animal feed, food). By optimising the processing method, we can employ locals to supply the nut while we produce value-added Mongongo products. What Nakawa needs is a nut processing machine.

I quickly volunteered to provide funding for the machine. The decision was seamless. I already knew how I would do it; via a crowd-funding campaign. I knew which platform I would use and the community I would reach out to.

Launching today, “Bitcoin Nakawa”

It is my pleasure to announce the official launch of our community crowd source fund,"Bitcoin Nakawa", starting today.

Bitcoin Nakawa Geyser Fund

Funding the purchase of the Mongongo Nut processing machine is the first project for this fund. Upon its completion, Bitcoin Nakawa aims to fund further projects to support the long-term sustainability of Nakawa.

For many of you reading this newsletter, this project may prove tricky to support because the platform of our crowd-sourcing campaign, Geyser Fund, only accepts donations in Bitcoin.

I suppose alternative donations are welcome (send me a message). It's just that the ethos of Bitcoin as money, and the community surrounding it, aligns to counteract the type of systemic issues Nakawa is up against. This is also why Bitcoin payments are much preferred to support this publication.

Why would I go through the effort of jumping through the hoops of rent-seeking banks and private payment-processing middle men to accept fiat currencies (USD, CAD, EURO, etc.) that serve as instruments of monetary imperialism? Bitcoin is apolitical, and promotes the freedom of individuals as an instrument of humanitarianism.

I highly suggest exploring readings on fiat currency as extensions of imperial power. The CFA Franc (a pair of fiat currencies used in West and Central Africa) is an especially pernicious example of monetary colonialism in the modern age.

Suggested reading:
https://mises.org/mises-wire/africas-way-out-monetary-colonialism

I also suggest reading and listening to Alex Gladstein, CSO for the Human Rights Foundation, for more on how Bitcoin serves as a humanitarian technology.

Some Alex Gladstein articles:
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/authors/alexgladstein

Bitcoiners are a very supportive and tight-knit community. From my past-involvement and understanding, I'm confident they'll quickly understand the essence of this project.

Getting started

The idea may seem simple, but adapting with nature, instead of harvesting the trees for charcoal (a common local source of income), protects the environment, encourages traditional ecological knowledge preservation, and is a more sustainable and value-dense source of income for Nakawa. It’s a subtle, but empowering shift in their incentives to foster growth.

The Mongongo Nut is just one amongst a wealth of priceless pieces of wisdom I have learned from my time with Nakawa's elders. It has become evident that now it's just a matter of getting started.

I would like to thank everyone for their enthusiasm in supporting this project. Even for those who don’t contribute, your readership is a blessing.

I will be documenting and posting updates and developments in Nakawa through this publication, and through my X (Twitter) account.

G

Nakawa Links:

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Ai797NSoBe2emNj8

iOverlander: https://ioverlander.com/places/221610-nakawa-community-campsite

Website: http://nakawacommunityschool.org/ (pending...)

Where has our funding come from?

After one week, we have six separate contributors. Who are they and where did they come from?

As suspected, most contributions came from a source outside this publication. If not from Wandering w/ Purpose, then where?

In short, Stacker News.

Stacker News is by far my favourite medium when it comes to writing in the Bitcoin world. Think of an online forum like Reddit, except where voting for popular posts are made with direct, instantly-settled Bitcoin micro-payments.

I often enjoy browsing the front-page of Stacker News. The topics are great for anyone either learning more about Bitcoin, or just staying on top of current events. I recommend connecting your own lightning network-enabled Bitcoin wallet for the informative experience of interacting with Bitcoin micro-payments on the web.

Remember, the supply of Bitcoin is fixed at 21 million coins and one Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million units , each of which is typically referred to as a "satoshi" or a "sat". Since even just one sat can be transacted for a fraction of a cent (or free) on the lightning network, then micro-payments, known as "zaps" on Stacker News, are feasible and encouraged.

Who contributed?

So far, the vast majority of our funding came from a single generous contributor who did so from an anonymous account. Their donation was for 100,000 sats (about USD $60, as of writing). Whoever you are, thank you!

The rest of our contributions came in amounts as low as 2,100 sats (about USD $1). These smaller amounts are more than welcome even if only as a gesture of enthusiasm and support for Bitcoin Nakawa. Had this been a fiat platform, small expressions like this may not be practical.

Here's a comment from a contributor on Stacker News

Bitcoin Nakawa wants to hear from you

In return for contributions, Bitcoin Nakawa would like to give something in return. We've prepared the following poll to learn what you might find appealing.

Open to ideas

Do you have an idea for something you don't see in the poll? Please share!

Even if not relevant to the poll, please share any ideas or recommendations you may have for Bitcoin Nakawa. Likewise for Wandering w/ Purpose, too.

Additional Nakawa update:

Nakawa recently completed an assessment of the borehole that supplies water to the school. Looks like it'll need an update. For those interested, you can access the assessment here.

Thanks all,

G

P.s. Don’t forget to check out Stacker News. You can click here to see my activity on Stacker News.