No, no, that is the wrong takeaway! It is not a brave thing at all, that is the point I'm trying to get across. The end result may seem big, but it was from many small steps, no bigger than you are capable of. My advice, just take that first step, get involved in software taking place in the developing world, see what you can do to help. It's just a matter of small steps from there.

Right. But from where I'm sitting I see the end result of all your little steps and that end result blows me away. I know that you can do stuff like this (Emigrated to Canada, not exactly the developing world but you'd be surprised at the poverty there in some places, worked and lived there for 5 years to mixed effect).

The brave bit to me is to leave your comfort zone in such a decisive way. Feel free to disagree, I'll call you modest and brave ;)

Just do it! I really can't imagine regretting it, even if everything goes South.

Are you entertaining visitors? If so that's something that I just might do. Long term move is right now out of the question due to other commitments.

Hah, sure! shoot me an email (username @gmail) and we can talk. It isn't cheap flying here but you can definitely crash at mine.

Ok, mail sent.

I agree that you guys are brave. I have been thinking of making an important step for a while now, basically moving into software development/startups from a finance/accounting job, and I just can't wrap my head around such a change. I lived in many places, so that is not my silver bullet, but gosh leaving my 9-5 life seems so risky.

How do you do it? What scares the hell out of me is the future. What happens if things go sour? How do I know I can actually be a good programmer or entrepreneur? How do I save up for my pension (I am 27, that might seem premature I know) if things go bad?

For me, moving from Seattle to Kigali was all about just deciding to do it. After the decision was made it was far, far easier. I've got a wife and kids too. I think if this is something you want, just taking the plunge without thinking too hard about it is the only way it can really happen.

As for the climate, I can say that in Rwanda it is amazing. Pretty much beautiful weather every single day. It's near the equator, but at elevation. So it hovers around 80 degrees most days with a gentle breeze. It can get hot in the middle of the day, but not uncomfortably so. Rainy season brings torrential downpours for an hour or so twice a day -- which is always welcomed.

You've got me sold :) How old are your kids? (mine 1, 3 and 19...). If you want to make some quick money you should take out a life insurance on me just before I explain the plan to my s.o.

Kids are 7 and 9. But Nic is spot on above. It really is just a bunch of small steps except for maybe a biggish one to get started. Thankfully that's the only hard one. But ya, the other thing you can do is reach out to the folks in the region you are interested in and just see how you can get involved. Relocating may in the end just seem like a natural next step.

To be honest, Kigali is one of the easiest places to do this in Africa (if not the easiest) when looking at all factors, so we are bit spoiled in that regard. I was surprised, when talking this over with my wife she was on board right from the beginning and even moved here sight-unseen. So, I'm grateful for that. Having kids also adds the extra hurdles of finding schools and such, but nothing too difficult.