New to software development

I am a Visual Basic.Net (programmer) living in Segwaelane Village, Brits, North-West. As you can see above, I live in a very rural area that's under Bapo Ba Mogale Traditional Authority.

The introduction says it all: I haave no clients and therefore no experience. Though I produce applications for my typing and photocopy business, I don't really know what clients need.
Have I mentioned that I learned VB.Net by correspondence? Yeah, it was a one year program at Level 5. I don't even know what levels entail, but I'm always puzzled by degree requirements for anything programming.

Can I find a way out of this? I mean: to produce at least one project fpr a client; even if it is a freelance.

I really love the freelance. I was told the term means I can work at home most of the time. The thing is that I really love my fellow rural community and leaving has never been an option. Well, not that I have a choice. I can't afford leaving!
I live in a delapidated shack, but I hope my knowledge of Visual Basic.Net will help me put some food on the table.

I just want to know from those who are well established programmers if there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Your advice is very precious

A noble endeavour

Keywords: advice, programming, software development

Greetings

If you cannot move from your location, then you need to think of projects that are going to allow you to gain some experience. Why not create a small web-based application and host it cheaply in SA. Try and get friends and family to use it. Once you can show a potential employer something, then you have a step in the right direction.

I think it is commendable that you want to live where you are happy, that is something you need to hold onto. The world has changed and you don't need to work at an office any more. However, one word of caution... If you work from home, treat your day as if you are at an office. I have worked from home for the last few years, and still have a definite start and end time to office hours.

As far as development goes, look at other programming languages. This site was built on PHP. PHP is very easy to learn and there are endless resources and tutorials on line to help you.

Hope some of this advice helps

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