Africa Factbook

Artisanal and Small-scale mining (ASM) refers to unlawful mining in Africa and other countries by miners using low technology or minimal mining machinery usually under dangerous conditions. Workers in artisanal and small-scale mine. Workers in artisanal and small-scale mines dig, crush, grind and wash gems, gold , silver, copper, and mine coal and uranium.  In Africa, Artisanal and Small-scale mining or ASM’s has been linked to a decline of agriculture, conflicts and civil war , natural disasters, and economic crisis.  Individuals rarely carry out artisanal mining; it is often a family activity where children of all ages engage in various types of mining activities where their parents work. Poverty is the most important reason for the age of 15-24 population to quit school and go to work. Children may enter mining work for lack of alternative options such as school or other employment opportunities.   Youth une

Goat cheese can easily be made at home.   Goat cheese is easier to digest than cow's milk making it a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant. Goat cheese can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 1 week. How to Make Fresh Goat Cheese the Easy Way at Home Ingredients 8 cups pasteurized goat’s milk 1/8 teaspoon direct-set mesophilic starter culture 1/8 teaspoon liquid animal rennet 1 tablespoon cold water 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt Directions Slowly heat goat milk in large saucepan over low heat, stirring often, until the temperature is 90 degrees, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, sprinkle culture over surface of milk and gently stir until combined. Dilute rennet in water, then stir into goat milk until well combined. Cover and let sit, undisturbed, at room temperature until mixture fully separates into solid curds and translucent whey, 12- 24 hours. Line a colander with cheesecloth and ladle curds into prepared colan

Climbing a Rope to Heaven Short African Folklore Story Climbing a Rope to Heaven is a classic African folklore story from Mozambique in which a long braid rope connects heaven and earth to give riches to the good and misery to the evil. Climbing a Rope to Heaven Short African Folklore Story Climbing a Rope to Heaven There was once a girl who was sent by her mother to fetch water from the river. On the way, talking and hiding from her little brother, she lost him and could not find him anywhere. "Oh, what shall I do now?" she cried, in great distress, as little babies are not so easily replaced, and she knew there would be trouble awaiting her on her return. She screamed, "Bukali bwa ngoti! Oh, that I had a rope!" and looking up, sure enough she saw a rope uncoiling itself from a cloud. She seized it and climbed, and soon found herself in the country above the sky, which appeared to be not unlike the one she had left. There was what looked

Instead of using smelly rubs and decongestants which may raise blood pressure, to clear nasal and sinus congestion try chamomile flower steam. Chamomile is an age-old medicinal plant used by everyone from the ancient Egyptians to modern-day naturists. In ancient Egypt, chamomile had a religious use as the plant was consecrated to Ra, the God of the sun. In ancient Egypt, chamomile had a religious use as the plant was consecrated to Ra, the God of the sun. The flowers are harvested for the extraction of essential oils. The dried chamomile flowers are used as a medicinal tea and for potpourri. Chamomile Flower Steam Ingredients Two handfuls of dried chamomile flowers Four cups of boiling water Directions Place dried chamomile flowers in a large bowl and pour boiling water over flowers. Place your head over the bowl and place a towel over your head so that it also covers the bowl and inhale deeply for 2-3 minutes. About Chamomile flowers uses, growing and drying Chamomile flow

Five key facts of the Zika virus according to the Worldwide  Health  Organization (WHO) as of January 2016 Zika Virus Five Key Facts ·         A virus transmitted by Aedes  mosquitoes  causes the Zika virus. ·         People with Zika virus usually have a mild fever, skin rash and conjunctivitis normally lasting for 2-7 days. ·         There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. ·         The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites . ·         The Zika virus is known to circulate presently in North and South America, Asia, and the Pacific. The only  country  in Africa known to have a Zika transmission is Capo Verde. Zika transmission areas Introduction Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. Signs and Symptoms The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus dise

Risk and Reward Proverbs from Africa. These reward and risk proverbs from Africa reveal that life is worth living with the right balance between reward and risk, no reward without risk. Understanding Risk and Reward in Life Proverbs from Africa. When you go in search of honey, you must expect to be stung by bees is a valuable quote to take heart in your personal life, business and spiritual existence . Risk and Reward Words of Advice to Remember You will never influence the world by trying to be like it. To live a long time is to see much. Suffering is a teacher. If you heal the leg of a person, do not be surprised if he uses to run away from you. Truth crosses fire without getting burnt. The one who does not ask does not learn. Days look alike but yet they are not the same. The beginning is hard. Do not bargain for a cut that is still hidden in a bag. Every town with its way of cutting a chicken. The chicken is never proven innocent in the court of the ha

What is a hero? A hero is a person who is admired for their courage, successes, and honorable ideals and talents. The list of African heroes is long however,  Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Wangari Maathai, Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and Jomo Kenyatta are six black African heroes from Africa's history who have changed the course of Africa. Kwame Nkrumah In Africa, Ghana was the first to achieve independence in 1957.The new nation's most influential figure was its prime minister, later president, Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana's route to independence became the model for the rest of the continent.  "We face neither East nor West: we face forward." - Kwame Nkrumah Patrice Lumumba  Patrice Émery Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected leader of the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) calling for national unity and overall African independence.  “Third World is a state of the mind and until we change