Ethiopia
Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, its thought to be the birthplace of humanity.
Konso, Ethiopia
Konso is a town on the Sagan River in southwestern Ethiopia. Konso is known for its dry, hilly environment at the edge of the Rift Valley in Southern Ethiopia. Life is simple there and has remained largely unchanged for the last 400 years. The people live in closely packed communities of wood and mud huts with woven thatched roofs. The Konso people grow a variety of crops on terraced farms, such as moringa, teff, corn and sorghum. Many of the small communities are surrounded by attractive and artistically designed rock walls. They create a striking image. It is a vibrant place with a rich and fascinating culture.
Ghana
Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-region of West Africa. Ghana is relatively small in both population and area. In addition to being known for its lush forests, diverse animal life, and miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast, Ghana is also celebrated for its rich history—its habitation possibly dating from 10,000 BCE—and as a fascinating of cultural heritage. During the 1400s, a myriad of castles and forts were built during the heyday of the Gold Coast. Sadly, these castles were pillaged by various European countries and became the last thing many Africans saw of their continent as they were boarded on to ships and stolen away to be slaves. Today many people make the pilgrimage back to these castles, some of which are now museums to honor the many Africans stolen and forced into bondage.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DROC, or simply either Congo or the Congo, and historically Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. It is, by area, the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the second largest in all of Africa, and the 11th-largest in the world. Much of the population is currently living in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 a day. Despite this, it is a country rich in natural wonder and beauty. It is home to Nyiragongo, an active volcano that soars above the city of Goma. Those who have made the 5-hour climb to the top are rewarded with an unparalleled view of Virunga National Park. Tourists can also visit Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary, one of the only sanctuaries for Bonobos, an endangered species of monkey. These fascinating animals share 98.7% of human DNA and are a non-aggressive matriarchal society. Although DR, Congo has an incredibly tumultuous history, it is a place filled with stoic and brave people who seek a brighter future.