The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has donated 2 billion satoshis (about $475,000) from its Bitcoin Development Fund to assist ten global activities. One of the beneficiaries is Africa’s Qala.
Several African software developers do not see a direct roadmap to a career as a Bitcoin developer, therefore it remains an unexplored option. This is the problem that the Qala Africa team is attempting to solve.
Qala is a program that aims to train the future generation of Bitcoin and Lightning Network engineers from Africa.
The purpose is to locate, train, and connect African developers with Bitcoin companies from across the world.
The Qala program is designed to provide developers with a conceptual foundation and solid foundations in Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, with a strong emphasis on developing the most in-demand skills sought after by businesses.
The fellowship program has trained the emerging generation of African Bitcoin and Lightning developers and has been awarded $100,000 to continue the 13-week fellowship and to sponsor six Qala fellows to participate in the Oslo Freedom Forum.
The Africa Bitcoin Conference, Africa’s biggest Bitcoin conference, has also secured a $75,000 grant from the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).
HRF reported in January 2023 that it had offered $15,000 in travel funds to students, activists, and developers attending the Africa Bitcoin Conference in December 2022.
William Cascarin for his contributions to Nostr, Bitcoin for Fairness and Vasil Dimov working on Bitcoin protocol’s continuing development and stability all received $50,000 each.
While $25,000 each was received by Emmanuel Bronshtein for his efforts in wallet examination, Exomunia for his improvement on Bitcoin’s educational resources, Ekenimoh Elyan for his EasePay venture and Bitcoin Myanmar to foster financial independence education and awareness.
“Bitcoin is a tremendous instrument for human rights activists around the world,” and these grants reinforce their stance that “financial independence is a human right. We are happy to support the incredible work of these individuals and groups using Bitcoin to fight for human rights and freedom, particularly in countries where it is most needed,” commented Alex Gladstein, HRF’s Chief Strategy Officer.
Since the start of 2020, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has granted over $2.2 million in BTC and USD to support more than 70 developers, educators, and open-source initiatives worldwide.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is presently soliciting more contributions to the Bitcoin Development Fund, with the next round of funding set to be announced in May 2023.
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