What this song means for the world is that no matter how dark things get, no matter how hopeless and pointless you may feel when you’re going for gold in what you do, remember only when it gets dark can you see the stars shine brightly. I hope this personal track gives you an insight into my life to remind you that we all at some point in our lives go through things, but we go through them to make us stronger and better.
After working in and travelling through a number of different countries where white people are in the numerical minority, I’ve come to realise that there is one place being white is not only a hindrance, but negative  -  most of the developing world. Seven years later, I think we’re finally doing aid right, and I’m not there.
Our guest blogger today is Serginho Roosblad from Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Their My Song series is a weekly multimedia show that tells the personal story behind Africa’s most inspiring songs.  In April 2011, when Ugandans began ditching their cars and public transport to protest disputed elections and rising food and gas prices, Burney MC was getting inspired. The Ugandan rapper wrote the song “Walk to Work” for the same-named movement. In this video edition of My Song, the rapper talks about the urge he felt...
As Bill and Melinda Gates said in their 2014 Annual Letter earlier this month “By almost any measure, the world is better than it has ever been. People are living longer, healthier lives. Many nations that were aid recipients are now self-sufficient.”  Yet despite this fact, you’ve probably heard a lot of myths that paint a more depressing picture, especially around food and agriculture. “African countries can’t grow enough food to feed themselves” or “All farmers in Africa are poor”....
Our guest bloggers today are Blair Glencorse, Executive Director of the Accountability Lab and Nora Rahimian, an organiser who uses the power of music to effect change. Hip Co artists performing at the 2013 Hip Co Festival in Liberia. Photo: Morgana Wingward “If we don’t speak up against the ills in society, who will?” asks Takun J, Liberia’s Hip Co King, in front of thousands of screaming fans at a concert in Monrovia. He then launches into “Police Man” a song about police corruption,...
In partnership with One Acre Fund, we are following Anne, a smallholder farmer from Kenya, for a whole growing season. From planting to harvest, we will check in every month to see what life is really like for a farmer in rural Kenya. Written by Hailey Tucker. L-R: Loice Wachiye, Leah Wachiye, Joshua Wachiye Agnes Makokha, Anne and Phanice Wangila take a break from harvesting. Many of Anne’s family members and neighbours came to help her harvest. Photo: Hailey Tucker It’s a...
By Hannah Elansary, ONE US marketing intern Ricky Lee Gordon at work on a new mural. Photo: oxeloskateboards.com Ricky Lee Gordon is on a quest to prove that art can make a difference. His artwork has been exhibited all over the world from the Gambia to New York, and featured on the BBC and National Geographic alongside world-famous graffiti artist Banksy. Inspired by his hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, his creative alter ego Freddy Sam is a forever-young, fearless romantic who still...