My Decision to Move to Rural Zimbabwe – it Just Felt Right!

“What are you doing?” said Marianne Knuth’s friends. “You’re moving in the wrong direction – to Zimbabwe!?” They called her foolish for wanting to move to Southern Africa and start an educational program — Kufunda Learning Village. There was no guarantee of support, infrastructure or financial help to make it happen. The decision to move […]

The Chinese Architect who Defied Centuries of Tradition to Build Something New

Kongjian Yu is a Chinese architect who defies the norms imposed on him as an architect. He promotes environmental thinking by building contemporary eco structures for urban developments while preserving cultural integrity. Here, he shares his journey. “I had a shock! I saw how rivers were being polluted, ancient cities were being torn down, trees […]

A Grassroots Activist Swims Against the Tide

At first glance, Marina Silva is a politician who served as the Minister of Environment in Brazil. At second glance, you realize that she is also a grassroots activist who has fought to protect local communities and against deforestation in the Amazon. “I had to swim against the tide in many situations- political and personal. […]