Federico was something of a wanderer in his early days, and describes himself as having been a “pre-hippy.” His father, intent that his son be something other than a vagabundo, probed Federico for any hint of passion, any calling. “It’s called archeology!” he yelled upon hearing that the young man enjoyed exploring ancient ruins.

If you are not yet a fan of Señor Doig, you don’t have a pulse! His jungle expeditions have led to the discovery of everything from the anatomically-blessed Pinchudos statues to the giant upright mummies found in a site known as Carajía. We’re ready for an expedition!

Federico Kauffman Doig has received the highest title the Peruvian government gives in honor of cultural achievment, Amauta. Sweden and Austria have also bestowed him with awards and titles. So is he ready to join the ranks of jubilados? No way! He still explores cliffs 4000 meters high and has far too many unfinished essays to even consider it for un momentito.

Joan Planas’ documentary, Con ánimo de lucro (With Intent to Profit), launches with a list of the UN’s objectives for development in the new millennium. While the UN plan calls for cutting poverty in half by 2015, it’s off to a terrible start. So we’re off to explore what’s gone wrong in Nicaragua, one of the countries with the most NGOs and the highest levels of poverty in Latin America. 

Continuing their trip through Nicaragua, Planas’ film crew stops in San Nicolás and discusses the lack of potable water. A group of Spaniards have offered to remedy the situation. Why does the problem still exist? Could the elected officials actually be standing in the way of progress?

Trying to figure out why he wouldn’t approve the water project, the filmmakers try to track down the mayor, but they can’t find him at home. They do find children with containers making the trek to the water source from home and back.

The film crew met with a team from Ayuda en Acción, and it appears that its organizational heart is in the right place. Yet, despite the presence of over five hundred NGOs working to improve the lot of Nicaragua’s poor, their plight worsens every year. Many local activists and intellectuals do not trust the non-profits, and accuse them of having their own enrichment as concern numero uno.

That literacy will directly contribute to the health and well being of a people few can doubt. But are a literate people more likely to care for the environment? One man thinks so, and has started a grassroots neighbors teaching neighbors project for the good of both la gente y la tierra.

Does graphic and violence-ridden television news that presents the worst aspects of a society also bring out the worst in its audience? Our filmmaker seems to think so, and believes that it is young viewers who pay the price when spectacle trumps thoughtful analysis and measured presentation.

Does broadcast media really have a responsiblity to promote and defend human rights? Or is it to simply make shows that people like and that attract ratings? Several Nicaraguan journalists and media producers discuss these ideas in a round table discussion.

Born Juan Esteban Aristizabal in Medellin, Colombia, Juanes may become the first musician to “crossover” (winning fame in the English speaking world) without ever bothering to release an album, nay, even a song, in English! A Dios le pido, “I ask God,” has been on the top of the charts in 12 countries on three continents, and spent 47 weeks in Billboard’s Latin Tracks chart.

Oye, Vivanativa puts the effee in funky! This grupo boricua has been taking the island, and now the world, like a category five hurricane heading straight for San Juan.

In English “forever” is a really long time, it’s also, you’ll notice, written as a single word. In Spanish “for ever” is expressed as “for always,” also a long time, and is written as two distinct words, para siempre. Zurdok has been infecting Mexico, and the world, with its catchy tunes since 1994.

Most people agree that there’s nothing quite like a tasty wood-fired grill, but because the traditional stove of the Peruvian highlands lacks adequate ventilation of the home and kitchen, serious health problems can arise. A team of researchers have identified this unique regional problem and worked with a clever team of engineers to design an affordable and elegant safer alternative that will be accepted and used by the local people.

Daily exposure to wood smoke can really wreak havoc on the body. It affects the eyes, the skin, and, of course, the lungs. With small material investment, kitchen smoke is minimized through a cleverly designed, well-ventilated, stove.