"The majority of my sisters and daughters in the Central African Republic don’t know their rights so they can’t defend them. But we who know our rights can help them. We must always help them: the battle is always to promote and protect the rights of women." ~ Catherine Samba-Panza (President of Central African Republic).

DAY 2: What do you take for granted?

The Idea: We human beings are remarkable creatures of habit. We quickly grow accustomed to the things in our lives, and though that can be a helpful trait, at times it renders us numb to our daily blessings. Every so often it can be incredibly powerful to look at your life from the outside, and to examine each facet of it that you ordinarily take for granted. The food you have access to in your fridge, senses of perception that enable you to read this email, little luxuries that surround you, and ordinary capabilities you don't ordinarily think of, but that not everyone can claim. Take a few moments to reflect on the things you take for granted today. Write them down in a journal, in a list or a poem, or perhaps share them with a friend in conversation. When you look at your life, really look at it, you start to realize how nothing is really ordinary at all.

For inspiration from women that make things happen, read the articles below:
A feature on the Chief Prosecutor for The International Criminal Court: Fatou Bensouda

A feature on the South African judge for the Oscar Pistorius trail, Thokozite Masipa

REFLECT AND SHARE

Share your reflection on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.

With gratitude,

Joyce Sarpong

Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle

"The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough." ~ Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

The Idea: Let's kick-off this challenge by reflecting on our dreams and a women who has inspired. Be honest with yourself and the time you have to pursue your dreams. Deepen you appreciation of that person by describing in writing your relationship with this person and how they have inspired you.

For inspiration, read this article that features the Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee

REFLECT AND SHARE

Share your reflection by commenting on this post here on our our website AfricaOracle.Com and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.

With gratitude,

Joyce Sarpong

Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle

If you are reading this article, chances are you have a lot to be grateful for. You’ve most likely achieved a lot in your life and most likely to have been inspired by some amazing women.

Optimism may keep you happy, but gratitude keeps everything in perspective. However, cultivating gratitude can be particularly challenging in the societies we live in.

8th March 2015 was International Women's Day and the African Union has declared 2015 as the year of African Women Empowerment and Development. Therefore, AfricaOracle has decided to launch a 21 day gratitude challenge that focuses on and celebrates African Women in order to inspire other women and bring about change within organisations, society and self.

Starting March 9th, we will send you a daily email featuring the suggested gratitude prompt for the day, along with some inspiration and tips for putting it into action. You can also share your stories as well as interact with other participant through on our website. By becoming aware of inspiring and influential African women, and making a daily practice of expressing our gratitude for them, in thought, word or action, we begin to rewire our habits of thought / perception, enabling us tune in to a deeper sense of joy and connection we can operate from.

Subscribe to our 21 Day Campaign to celebrate African women, be a part of our community and let us contribute to build the image of brand Africa.

I am grateful that we have International Women's Day and look forward to a shared journey together!

With gratitude,

Joyce Sarpong

Founder and CEO of AfricaOracle

Innovation Africa 2014
Africa’s Number One Education & ICT Forum
Dates: 18-20 November
Location: Kigali, Rwanda

AfricanBrains is delighted that Innovation Africa 2014 is being hosted in Kigali under the official patronage of the Ministry of Education, endorsed by the Rwanda Development Board and supported by the full weight of the Rwandan Government Cabinet. Previous editions of this premier meetings-based event in Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Gaborone have attracted over 1400 delegates, 60 ministers, 300 partner companies and 400 senior government officials for basic education, higher education and ICT.
The Premier Event for Doing Business in Africa
The central feature of Innovation Africa is the opportunity for partners and delegates to book pre-scheduled meetings with their preferred countries and government officials. The 2014 summit will have over 40 African ministries and a slick organisation that allows for 800 pre-scheduled meetings connecting industry leaders with ministers and officials. Attendance is essential for anyone serious about doing business in Africa’s booming education and ICT sectors.
Website – www.innovation-africa.com/2014/register
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Below is this week's round up of recent events - news, sports, stories and conversations on Africa - for the Week Ending 17th January 2015

Features: Launch of the Third Edition of the Africa CEO Forum Awards. African entrepreneurs reveal their resolutions for 2015. David Oyelowo & Lupita Nyong'o in talks to star in 'Queen Of Katwe' for Disney. Funke Opeke launches West Africa’s largest data center In Lagos. Helios raises Africa’s first $1 billion + private equity fund.

Events: Liberian Girl, 7 January - 31 January, London, United Kingdom.

Offshore West Africa, 20 January - 22 January, Lagos, Nigeria

Powering Africa: Summit, 28 January - 30 January, Washington D.C.

It wasn't all bad: Leading vaccines for Ebola show real promise. 2015 Nations Cup: Eq Guinea president buys tickets for fans.

Below is a round up of recent events - news, sports, stories and conversations on Africa - for the Week Ending 20th December 2014

Features: Top 10: Africa's most prosperous countries. Made in Ghana, bass-ed in London: the Ghanaian rhythms that are shaking up London's clubs. Selma's David Oyelowo set to join Lupita Nyong'o in journey to Americanah. Lessons of a Social Enterpeneur: Don’t be afraid to dare.

Below is a round up of recent events - news, sports, stories and conversations on Africa - for the Week Ending 13th December 2014

Features: African Dream: Zambian entrepreneur's cash tips. Organic cosmetics king wages war on skin bleaching. A Paradigm Shift: Entrepreneurship taking precedence over public jobs in Ethiopia.