If You need an example for dedication, passion and optimism then we would like to offer the story of Alakanani Itireleng. She is 36 years old, is married, has had two children and is very enthusiastic on Bitcoin, its regular use and general introduction to the economy of Botswana. She is naming herself a Bitcoin Representative, Botswana’s Bitcoin Ambassador. Even though the Internet was accessible only since 2006, Itireleng has at once recognized the importance of the instrument and learned very fast the basics of online finance, marketing and ordinary everyday use for communication.
In case You have not been to the country, allow us to lift the veil of Botswana. The territory is located in southern region of the African Continent. Boarders with several countries among which is South Africa – an example in many spheres and branches, a higher developed economy and society. Internet access is afforded only by humble 11,5% of the population. The basic income source is mining, but not of cryptocoins, but of tangible valuables – diamonds. The narrowness of the specialization of the country has formed the third most unequal country of the world. The level of unemployment is very big and even this factor does not impact the high GDP or the fact that the country has a living standard comparable to Mexico or Turkey. It also has a very high level of economic freedom, a very competitive market and finance sector, but it does not make happy the biggest part of people. The medical care is on a very poor level, as well as education.
Itirelend has suffered from the most drawbacks of the region. Her four year old son dies last year due to a heart disease. The local doctors were unable to make the diagnostic of the illness and provide the necessary help and care. Alakanani is a mother knew much more and even consulted the doctors, but the fatal destiny could not be changed. Her whole time now is concentrated around her youngest son Bakang Kgosi, husband and studying at the Master's program in business administration at Amity University (India) via extramural e-learning facility and, of course, the popularization of Bitcoin.
Her husband, Anderson, is very skeptic about modern technologies. He represents the most common and widespread attitude of the people of Botswana. Even though Alakanani describes the use of local banks as humiliating, but keeping of money at home as unsafe, virtual currencies are still unable to break through to the auditorium. She admits that “The bank can question why I have a certain amount of money in my account, a whole lot of bureaucracy and all.” She appreciates the most determining principles of the coin environment – freedom and no regulation. The disappearance of funds also seems a smaller problem to her as the position of the banks. Itirelend supposes that as long more countries get involved in the environment, the safer will become the network; more instruments to provide reliability of the transactions will be introduced and maintained.
Iterelend herself would accept a life online; she sees clear perspective of Bitcoin in Africa as a method to manage existing funds and to earn something in addition. Sometimes she seems very naïve – she has participated in many doubtful projects, like the F5m Millionaires Club, but the work she completes on education and popularization of the coin is irreplaceable. She runs a Facebook group encouraging other Bitcoin ambassadors and collects information and experience from other activists and entrepreneurs.
Her incendiary story was concluded as: “If people see a change in your life, they will ask how you do it,” she said. “Of course, when I answer Bitcoin, everyone will want to know more. So I guess seeing is believing for a lot of people.”