In the last third of her book, Wangari goes into greater detail about the importance of over reaching national identity and the micro identity of the African tribes. With Africa, a government is a very unstable institution because on day it can exist and another it may be overtaken by a rival faction. Thus, the author encourages there to be more communication between the factions, which would potentially resolve any misunderstandings or issues they might have with each other. If the factions know where they belong within the country and the continent, they will use each other as resources more efficiently. Wangari thinks that is the only way to unite the divided continent again.

I tend to agree with her on most of the subjects she touches upon. Mainly because I think that as much people think of a government as an untrustworthy institution, without it is hard for the country to prosper. Not only will it not be able to develop, without a centralized power, the country will cease to exist. Without government, there is nobody to protect the citizens from human rights abuse, nobody will care about enriching the quality of life and there will be no access to education. Kids that don't go to school will have too much time on their hands and will most likely get involved in criminal activities. Because that would be the only way to sustain yourself. 

"Africans must make a deliberate choice to move forward together toward more cohesive macronations, where all can feel free, secure, and at peace with themselves..."

I never realized how much I relate to everything Wangari says in her book until I started reading chapter six. After that it just dawned on me that the leadership problem not only exists in Africa, but practically in every country there is. Come to think of it, even in the United States people suffer because of poorly elected officials who's interests are not to lead, but to profit off of their position. Very few have ideals and principles, and are willing to take a stand against the impossible odds. 

Before reading Wangari's book, I always thought that landlocked countries with limited natural resources are destined to never become a developed country. But, come to think of it --  Austria and Switzerland are landlocked, and Japan doesn't have a plethora of natural resources, yet they still manage to be one of the wealthiest countries. It's like a game of poker, you have to play the hand you're given. Even if you have a terrible hand, if you play right, and at least you won't finish last.

Wangari also mentions public involvement. It is a crucial part of any democracy. Without people saying what they want, the government -- left unchecked -- will do whatever they think is the best for the country. Yet, their idea of the best for the country is not always right, and people know better. Even in the US, without people speaking out against variety of issues -- racism, sexism, and discrimination -- there would be no change for the positive. People need representation, and if the government fails to do its job, then it should be in the citizens' rights to change it.

As I read the Challenge for Africa by Wangari Maathai, I could not forget professor Hansen's impression of South African accent. "Grrrin, the grass is grrrin". However, jokes aside, the author raises very compelling points about what kind of callenges is Africa facing and what are some of the way of dealing with them. She dares to talk about things we do not usually want to talk about -- from Darfur to HIV/AIDS, unbearable debt and election fraud, to cross-border conflicts and environmental degradation. Instead of just portraying Africa in a typical way that the media covers it -- the poverty stricken village with starving children -- she analyzes roadblocks to development, including the absence of peace and security, the lack of technological developments, the absence of fair international trade, population pressures and enduring hunger, the silencing of native languages and the evisceration of traditional cultures, and the dearth of genuine political and economic leadership.

Wangari Maathai presents a different vision, informed by her three decades as an environmental activist and campaigner for democracy. She illuminates the complex and dynamic nature of the continent, and offers "hard-headed hope" and "realistic options" for change and improvement. With clarity of expression, Maathai analyzes the most egregious “bottlenecks to development in Africa” occurring at the international, national, and individual levels—cultural upheaval and enduring poverty, among them—and deftly describes what Africans can and need to do for themselves, stressing all the while responsibility and accountability.

Have you ever wondered what Halloween is? Why is it celebrated on this day, and where did these rituals and traditions come from? Why people dress up in costumes and try to scare each other? If you do not know anything about this holiday, you are in luck. Let’s break it down.

The roots of this wonderful holiday predate the Christian era. Celtic tribes, living in England, Northern Ireland and France, divided the year into two parts - winter and summer. October 31 they considered the last day of the year. From that day, according to Celtic tradition, winter begins.

Celebrating the New Year occurred on the night of November 1. On this night, according to the ancient Celtic belief, the worlds of the living and the dead opened their doors, and the inhabitants of the other world made their way into ours. The Celts called that day Samhain, or the night of Samhain. In order not to become victims of spirits and ghosts, people put on animal skins to deter uninvited aliens and left treats outside for them. The symbol of the holiday was a pumpkin. It not only marks the end of summer and the harvest, but also scares away the evil spirits because the fire ignited inside the pumpkin was considered sacred.

This tradition was passed from generation to generation until the first century AD After the invasion of the Romans, Celts living in the British Isles were forced to abandon most of their pagan rituals and customs and embrace the Christian faith. However, the people remembered Samhain and passed the stories to their descendants.

According to the order made by Pope Gregory III in the ninth century, the feast of All Saints' Day was moved to November 1. The Christian church wanted to eradicate all pagan traditions, but the opposite happened - Samhain was being celebrated again. Pre-night in Old English, it sounded like All Hallows Even (All Saints Evening), or in short - Hallowe'en, is even shorter – Halloween.

Halloween is still celebrated in the tradition of Samhain. That night, people wear different costumes, masquerades and organize competitions. The main symbol of the holiday remains to be the fearsome pumpkin head with a lighted candle inside.