Reported LRA involvement in illegal ivory trade
The recently published LRA Crisis Tracker 2012 Annual Security Brief highlights the past 12 months of LRA activity. Included in the comprehensive analysis is the alleged LRA involvement in illegal ivory trade based on reports from numerous escapees. Officials in Congo’s Garamba National Park believe the LRA is deeply engaged in the illegal trade, with the groups’ […]
Walking Out of Eden
About 60,000 years ago, our ancestors took the first steps out of their prehistoric African “Eden” to begin exploring the earth. Writer Paul Salopek has set out to recreate that epic journey on foot, starting in Ethiopia and ending at the southern tip of South America. Impressed by his dedication? Be even more impressed when […]
The Super Bowl’s dark side
The Super Bowl is one of the most widely celebrated sporting events in the world, and each year the U.S. city selected to host the event benefits with a huge boost in its economy. Even with all of the excitement surrounding the game, there is a dark and often overlooked tragedy surrounding the event. According to […]
Nesting a community of hope for artisans
so·cial en·ter·prise – noun: an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders. We believe in cultivating a culturally rich world so we invest in social programs that help sustain communities. While you may think we’re talking about our favorite social enterprises MEND and VSLA (and we are) but we recently stumbled upon a similar […]
Makerere University’s research is charging Uganda’s economy
Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa. Located in Kampala, Uganda, it’s been providing students with first-class education for the past 90 years, including my beloved Ugandan teammate Komakech Lawrence, who graduated from the university in 2005 and boasted about it’s academic superiority throughout our tour this past fall. Makerere […]
A spotlight on HEAL Africa
Invisible Children treasures organizations that join in the fight against social injustice and actively address the needs of those who are overlooked by the rest of the world. HEAL Africa is a non-profit organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is making a difference by addressing disease, poverty, and the oppression of women. In […]
Breaking bread to turn a page
In less than a year, El Salvador’s culture has socially and economically transformed because of a truce that has carried on since March 2012 between two of it’s largest gangs—Bario 18 and MS-13. With 50,000 active gang members and 10,000 in prison, the region is considered one of the dangerous places in the world. In a collaborated effort […]
A global perspective
Something uniquely special happens when you’re traveling. Lives intersect, cultures collide, adversity happens, and soon you lose count of all the unforgettable moments. But no matter what happens, you’re left with something that will be with you beyond the exploration and adventure — experience. Being globally connected through technology easily causes us to forget how “unconnected” the world could […]
Bridging the gap on African economics
The continent of Africa is on the rise, and while the majority of today’s headlines may indicate the opposite, many of its countries may be in a position of economic power before the halfway point of this century. In the late 1800s the Berlin Conference and King Leopold’s quest for global dominance crippled the continent […]
Five former LRA escape to Mboki
Many people who are currently in the LRA were abducted as children and based on information from members who have escaped, are constantly expressing a strong desire to leave. There are three major obstacles for LRA defectors who want to escape: 1) Fear of being killed during their escape or by the community when they […]