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

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.

Small Change for a Big World Darfur event

The Small Change for a Big World awareness and fund raiser for Darfur was a success. Caitlin, Mari, Shane, Aviva, Taylor and I raised nearly $4,000 at the Habit/Mo:Le event. The best part was having so many people who attended come up and say how much the speakers affected them. We look forward to planning the next one!

School children in Sena, Mozambique.... These kids are my heart. They remind me of the beauty, hope and community in even the most desperate places.

My stories about visiting the Alfazemas during one of Mozambique's worst flood seasons and the Kapasseni Society can be read here:

http://www.kapasseni.org/updates.htm