You might think your daily commute is difficult. But let me tell you about the car and truck drivers in Madagascar and many other countries in Africa – their situation is truly challenging. The roads regularly become impassable, especially during the rainy season. These brave drivers face obstacles every day […]
Different Countries – Different Customs
You may be familiar with the expression that “one cannot dance at two weddings”. However, during my last assignment with organizer Denis and his team, I was able to participate in a very special event… Once again, we were on a mission on the Bemaraha Plateau. We were accompanied by […]
My assignment was to fly a pastor to visit a remote ministry post so that he could bless a newly married couple there. The village of Karikuluk lies at an altitude of almost 8000 ft. Since a helicopter’s power decreases with altitude, it is important to reduce the load accordingly. […]
The Korowai tribe on the Indonesian island of West Papua became known to the world around the beginning of the 1980s, significantly later than the tribes in the Baliem Valley in the highlands. These people live very isolated, in the predominantly swampy and flat jungle area. Many of the Korowai […]
In Switzerland and throughout Europe, we are still doing relatively well during the Covid pandemic. In other parts of the world, people are suffering far more from the lockdowns. In our country, the state helps in many cases with compensation for closed businesses or short-time work. In addition, almost everyone […]
My friend Mona Lisa and I went to the hospital to visit a patient we knew. When we arrived, we saw another friend, Ibu Dolce who was very badly injured and sitting on her own in the hallway. For years she has been coming to my house to sell her […]
Third culture kids (TCKs) live very exciting, but also challenging lives. Every day they have to master the balancing act between different cultures and languages. Friendly relationships do not usually last long, as there is frequent coming-and-going on the field. All these circumstances often cause Barbara and me to think. […]
When I go shopping for fresh vegetables or fruits here in Wamena, I can’t get them in a grocery store, only at the market. So I pack my big Noken (net bag) and stroll through the market. I am greeted with “Mama Amelie” (after my first child) and have a […]
As a sign of their tribal affiliation, many children have the skin on their body, face and arms cut open with a sharp knife.
Madagascar is a very diverse country in many ways; not only in terms of people, animals and landscapes, but also regarding transport.