I am in Jinja, Uganda to meet with Victor Kimey. He is FK participant from Tanzania, currently working with Busoga Forestry Company in Uganda. Victor has a clear answer to my rather provocative question regarding taxpayers’ money and FK exchanges.

- You know, he says, it is a good way of helping third world countries. Human capital is the most important resource we have and through investments in human capital you can really contribute to development of countries in the south.

Victor is normally working as a FSC Program Officer (Forest Stewardship Council) in Green Resources Tanzania Ltd and has swapped work place with one employee in Busoga Forestry Company for a period of 10 months. As FSC officer he works with the process leading up to Busoga being given the FSC certification. – This is important to companies working within the forest industry Victor says. When a company is meeting the standards needed to receive the certification it will also receive higher price for its products.  I have the experience from this work in Tanzania and it is a great opportunity and challenge for me to use my experience in helping Busoga Forest Company in this process.

FK invest in human capital

- For me personally this is also an opportunity to improve my skills and get new experience that will help me build my career in the years to come. After finishing his work Uganda Victor will return to his employer in Tanzania, Green Resources Ltd. – I am sure my experience from Uganda will be of great importance to the company I am working for in Tanzania he says. - The FK exchange will improve the performance of our company. A lot of development aid is given to countries in the south. Often through great investments in buildings, vehicles and so on - and after a while something is broken or there is an urgent need for maintenance. FK is investing in human capital and for sure knowledge and skills do never die!