There is a general complaint in Southern Africa that there is a lack of laboratories, no science apparatus and no chemicals. But in this article, Keith Warren of the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique argues that this is the wrong way to view the situation. People have become accustomed to seeing problems and complaining, he says. But there is an alternative - to find opportunities. Warren describes how he and his colleagues have used simple local resources - such as a few nails and a yard of wire - to teach children basic scientific concepts and transmit some knowledge and confidence to the country's younger generation.

The Open Knowledge Network, is an initiative of the G8 Digital Opportunity Taskforce (DOTForce) linking together existing grassroots information and knowledge-sharing initiatives to promote both the creation and the exchange of local content as widely as possible across the South, supported by a range of different information and communication technologies (ICTs). The programme is coordinated by OneWorld International and its network of southern offices. The Africa Programme Manager will lead the development of the OKN, managing programme planning, coordination and implementation.