An estimated one billion people now live in slums on the fringes of cities in many parts of the world. That’s about one out of every six people on the planet. According to the United Nations, next year, for the first time in history, half the earth's population will live in cities.

The joy of mission

It was with joy I stepped on African soil in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1979. A childhood dream had been fulfilled. This dream was fuelled by the faith of my family and community in Ireland, inspired by the reading of missionary magazines, like Africa and the Far East and the ever present collection box for the black babies at home, in the parish church and in the local village shops.