Uthango also exists in SL as a way to provide exposure to the beauty and wealth Africa shares with the world. In 2008, the new SL Africa will be released so that residents can see, not just the hardship and pain so many people have seen and heard through mainstream media, but to show all that Africa has to offer. Recreant says, "Africa has much to offer on equal par with the world, but often lacks the opportunity and the resources to do so. We want to play a small meaningful role to bridge that gap, if we can." Second Life residents are justifiably cautious about donating money in Second Life, because there is often no paper trail to show where their money is going. Recreant explains that donating through SL Africa is a safe and trustworthy way to empower real people. "We applied to the South African Reserve Bank to ensure they know we will be receiving funds. We separated (immediately) all staff avatars - including my own and opened a separate avie for receiving funds and owning vendors. Donations go via WilberForce Rau and that record goes to our auditors."Even with that framework in place, residents who are still concerned about the security of SL vendors, and donation jars, may donate via secure payment systems at http://www.uthango.co.za/ .[e]bizikile's are available to purchase at Uthango Social Investments in Sunset Commerce, or through affiliated vendors across the grid. Residents can purchase these virtual African bicycles designed by Shukran Fahid of !BooPeRFunK! for L$250. In 2008 there will be a grid-wide virtual bike-a-thon. SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sunset%20Commerce/36/96/24
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