Monday, August 11, 2008




It is hard to explain the juxtaposition of joy and suffering in Africa. But you can feel it through beautiful music and dancing.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Sanitation Salvation



When I was traveling through the Mozambique backcountry during the flood season last February, one of the biggest concerns in the displacement camps was over sanitation. Thousands of people lived in and around the murky stagnant waters, their latrines seeping into their wells. They used the nets given to them by NGOs - to protect against bug bites and malaria - for fishing in the putrid ponds. It was a disease disaster waiting to hit. A week after I left five people died of cholera.

Now Manuel Miandica - my guide, translator, local aids educator - is taking action. He is building a public toilet for people to use but also to educate them about sanitation safety. If this one is successful, we'll help him fund raise for more.