In the first post on this blog I mentioned that I was writing to a few email pen pals, two of which are men, P and J, in Africa. P sent some beaded jewelry to us and would like me to send a digital camera, a memory stick, etc. to him, but money would be okay too. J would like me to send clothes or money. I had an email from J this week, where he didn't write much of anything except that his education is expensive and he's hopeful that I will pay his 4-year university tuition, which is $3500 / year. I read that and shared that with Dolly. We both were stunned. Unbelievable. Um, NO. It's not like we are close or that I even feel are generosity toward him. I hardly know him. He's just some guy in Africa with whom I've exchanged a few, short, emails. If P hadn't sent that stuff, I would feel the same about him.

However, Dolly read an article in Newsweek this week about education for girls in Africa and how helping women in developing countries is a good way to improve overall conditions there. Educated women pay back to the community while men squander resources / money. I've read before about micro-loans for women to start small businesses because of the beneficial economic feedback they provide to their communities. Same idea. We might do that.