Witnesses: Annalena Tonelli, Mother Teresa of Somalia
An Italian lawyer and social activist, she volunteered to the service of the poor and sick for 33 years in Africa. At an early age, Annalena Tonelli (1943 – 2003) was attracted by the example of the radical Christianity of Blessed Charles de Foucauld and, in an extraordinary way, imitated his example. Her life also […]
Oral Literature: the Hare, the Hippo and the Fire
The hare and the hippo were great friends. They walked together in the veld and visited each other in their homes. The hippo was very proud of his hut on the edge of the forest, and every day he gathered soft dry grass to add to the comfort of his very large bed, for he […]
Peru: Opening New Paths
The Franciscan missionary and Bishop of the San Ramon Apostolic Vicariate (in the Central Peruvian forest), Gerardo Zerdin, a Croatian national, took part in the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region, held in October 2019 in Rome. He spoke to us about his commitment and experience at the Synod. He is the most senior […]
Corporate Responsibility in times of COVID-19
The economic system imposed by globalization has progressively ignored the real concerns and needs of citizens. In the European Union, the governments of member states have been adopting labour rights cuts, the privatisation of health care system, salary cuts and promoting private pension schemes into their economic policies following the advice of the market economy. […]
Youth on the frontline against COVID-19
In the time of Coronavirus, young people have organised to support their communities and to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. In Cameroon, Achalake Christian, the coordinator of Local Youth Corner, has launched the “One Person, One Sanitizer” operation to prevent the spread of coronavirus, especially among the poor. He’s working with young people to produce and […]
Herbs & Plants: Hibiscus Sabdariffa, highly valued as herbal tea
It is an annual or perennial herb with leaves which are deeply 3-5 lobed and arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal and a stout fleshy calyx at the base which becomes more enlarged, fleshy and bright red as […]
Oral Literature: The Leopard’s House
The leopard, lord of the jungle, which is the domain of the animals, wanted a new house for himself. All the animals said that they would help build it. The tortoise dug the foundations; the lion cut the posts to the right size; the hyena placed them in the post-holes which the tortoise had dug; […]
The Nubian people: between Egypt and Sudan
The legacy of the time of the Pharaohs of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty is being ransomed after the silence caused by intentionally misrepresented history. Now, researchers and institutions are recovering the splendour of the Nubian civilization. The fascinating culture, history, monuments and religion of Egypt have often overshadowed another not less remarkable and surprising civilization that […]
Bolivia: Rainmaking Ritual
Quechuas perform a special ritual to ask for rain from the God of life. According to the narration of the old people of the K’isi k’isi community, in the department of Ouro in the south of the country, the custom of performing the ritual to ask for rain dates back to ancient times. That is […]
Bangladesh: A Day in the Life of a Doctor
Sister Roberta Pignone is a doctor who manages the Damien Hospital, the only specialized facility to treat leprosy, tuberculosis and AIDS in all of southern Bangladesh. Sister Roberta is part of the Sisters of the Immaculate Congregation missionary. She spoke to us about her work and faith. Khulna is the third largest city in Bangladesh. […]