Collateral Casualty
“I believe the perception caused by civilian casualties is one of the most dangerous enemies we face” General McChrystal Earlier this year Wikileaks caused outrage when they released a video of US aircrew falsely claiming to have encountered a firefight in Baghdad and then laughing when they launched an airstrike which killed a dozen civilians…. … Read more
49 Up – A social experiment
Documentary of the week: Director Michael Apted follows a cross section of English society. Beginning at the age of 7 he revisits each person every 7 years to see where their lives are at and whether they have fullfilled their childhood dreams… not just a documentary but a fascinating social experiment – It’s pretty old school, … Read more
Eipheba Sakhotora – the forgotten diamond of yemen
While searching for stories on Indigenous issues in Yemen I came across this fascinating island – once unheard of it’s, it’s now becoming increasingly popular, you only have to look at the photos to understand why… Situated approximately 450 km south off the coast of Yemen lies pristine Socotra Island dubbed ‘the Galapagos of the … Read more
The reluctant nomads of Afghanistan
Continuing my research into indigenous people I found this sad story about a section of Afghan society shunned to the outside… The Kuchi’s have never had a voice in Afghanistan – we’ve been locked out of society”- Ashraf Ahmadzi Drought, modernization, land wars- the Kuchi nomads of Afghanistan are living at the peril of a … Read more
Tourist Haven?
With so much negative press on Afghanistan i decided to find something more positive… ‘There is extreme risk to your security in Afghanistan and we advise against all travel. The hostile security situation and frequent kidnapping of foreigners presents a significant risk to New Zealander’s in Afghanistan’ Sounds like an ideal getaway. But this is … Read more
No place like home
In the town of Raydah, Yemen there’s a community bearing the brunt of politics, war and hatred… The ancient Yemenite Jewish community has dwindled in population from 60,000 to just 300 in recent years. Targets of Islamic extremists – the ‘Al Houthi Rebels’ the Yemenite Jews are facing increased hostility by the day. Although many … Read more
A Climate of Terror
Yemen – It’s one of those countries that seems too far away to care about. This year, however it’s well and truly earned itself a place on the map, but for all the wrong reasons… A failed attempt to bring down Northwest Airlines flight 253 on Christmas Day propelled Yemen into the spotlight with a … Read more
Afri-CAN cafe project
In a project of epic proportions The Fair Facts Fund has a goal: To build 200 cafe’s across Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa- all by 2010… The whole notion is that the cafe’s and other projects will empower local people to dig themselves out of poverty. If successful they will change the lives … Read more
Black Magic
We may live in the 21st century but believe it or not, so-called ‘witches’ are being persecuted in villages in India. Over the past 15 years an estimated 2,500 Indian women have been killed after being branded as witches. In 2003 a mob of villagers burnt witches alive, others have been hung or beaten to … Read more
Ashodaya Restaurant (The dawn of hope)
In keeping with my research on India I discovered a new dining experience… A restaurant run by male, female and transgender prostitutes has been set up in Mysore (India). The restaurant, which had humble beginnings as a community kitchen in 2008 is supported by the World Bank Development Marketplace Fund and backed by Ashodaya Samithi, … Read more
