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Kenya’s top journalist works as a mortician while covering the news

He's a newsroom mortician where the stories are deadly and funerals are feared.

Empowering communities in Iraq with manual washing machines

Due to the partition of India, our family was eternally displaced. We lost everything. I have an affinity for refugees who lose their homes due to mindless hate and violence.

Crime & Corruption

Nobel Peace Prize winner survived torture by Argentinian police

In his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speach, Aldolfo Perez Esquivel said "The lights and shadows of life must be shared".

Racism

Dr. Kafeel Khan at the Gorakhpur hospital in 2017.

Muslim pediatrician tortured for raising his voice in India

The cops stripped me naked and beat me with sticks and belts. I'd cry, scream, beg — urinating was severely painful. They didn't give me water and food for five days. I had to chew my clothes. I was in so much pain I could have eaten grass.

Orato is Latin for 'Speak'

As traditional news media organizations become more polarized or implode altogether, the number of people seeking objective news sources grows. The confluence of this desire mixed with emerging and proven revenue models create a tipping point for Orato.

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After climbing Everest 25 times, Sherpa faces another perilous ascent

I became a Sherpa, leading climbs on the mountain because we were poor, and I had to provide. Climbing Mount Everest is how I support my family.

Racism

Former racist emerges from the dark

Racism wasn't about hate, as one living on the inside of this story as a brainwashed kid.

Crime & Corruption

Ex-gang leader faces reckoning for years of killing, rape, and terror

I became heartless and could do anything to anyone, including killing if that was my mission.

Health

Wantjiku Waithere was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was six

Kenya DJ drops the beat and the stigma

My hand movements are slow and jerky, but I DJ using my feet. I do everything from selecting songs to mixing and scratching on the decks.

Notable Quote

Someone has to come by and see us, we thought. Instantly my mind repeated, You are not destined to stay on this island forever, Julia. There is still hope.

Julia in Trio survives 33 days on remote island after shipwreck

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Girl who escaped female genital mutilation graduates with honors

After Graduating with a First-Class Honors in my Bachelor of Education, I am now a champion for women’s rights in West Pokot.

Sex & Gender

I was traumatized, but I came out with pride in Mumbai

I was teased, scorned, and labeled. I was bullied and humiliated in public. My 'friends' reacted in the only way they were taught to: with disgust.

Sports

Hugo Carabes, amputee professional footballer. | Hugo Carabes

Pro amputee footballer makes a living playing Mexico City streetball

Five years ago Hugo Carabes was in a car accident and lost a leg, setting him on a path to become an amputee professional footballer. Now the Covid-19 pandemic has put him out of work and he earns a living dominating streetball in Mexico City.

Crime & Corruption

Iliana Hernandez is under house arrest for protesting the Cuban government.

Iliana Hernández imprisoned by Cuban guards

I fight with the dictatorship so that my people can be free.

Arts & Culture

Dagoberto Huerta doing what he loves the most: dancing. Photo by Sexta de artistas.

From garbage to great music

Conflict

Philippines communist resistance fights deep in the jungle

Conflict

Noor Hassan Shinwari, 36, served with the British Armed Forces 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare Signal Intelligence Squadron) for seven months from March 2010 to September 2010. He was denied resettlement to the UK on June 25, 2021. His face is blacked out to protect potential retribution from the Taliban, but his real name is being shared to highlight his bid for asylum.

Two interpreters for British Armed Forces trapped in Kabul

Immigration

Spanish national police checking the containers where the bodies were found alive.

Spanish National Police save refugees from cargo containers

Conflict

Omar Bekali has made the liberation of Uyghurs his lifelong mission.

Omar Bekali survived the Uyghur genocide in Xinjiang, China

Crime & Corruption

Jenny Meizas escaped a sex trafficking network in the Bahamas

Venezuelan woman escapes sex trafficking in the Bahamas

Sex & Gender

Richard Muasya, also referred to as RM in court documents, is an intersex person who was wrongfully convicted and abused in prison.

I underwent sexual abuse as an intersex person in Kenyan prisons

Sex & Gender

Pragya, who survived an acid attack in New Delhi, started a foundation to support victims. | Pragya Singh

Woman in India doused with acid by jilted man

Crime & Corruption

Three thieves sought for Kenya bank robbery

Education

Sex & Gender

Paxton Smith pictured at her graduation ceremony at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas.

Paxton Smith reflects on graduation speech swap, starting college, and new book deal

Environment

Cape Town fire threatens student residents

Education

Chaos erupts in Johannesburg streets following student protest for financial inclusion

Students face death fighting for financial inclusion

Sex & Gender

Elizabeth Muriuki was a teen mother in Kenya who helps young women in Kenya through Serene Haven Secondary School

‘Second chance at life’ for Kenyan teen mothers

Environment

For veterinarian Leila Peluso López, a day at the office includes boating down the Paraná River to tend to patients.

Veterinarian runs mobile clinic on Argentina’s Paraná River

Environment

Around 40 tourists gathered at the tower and were taking selfies when out of nowhere, a bolt of lightning hit Jaipur's Amer Fort. | Prashant

I survived a lightning strike that killed my friend in Jaipur

Environment

Fallout from the collapsed mine. | Kelly Ogome

Gold mine collapse in Kenya killed my brothers

Immigration

U.S. Coast Guard drops supplies to the stranded trio

Trio survives 33 days on remote island after shipwreck

Health

Debra Daisy with her baby at her sister's house. She now lives with her sister after her father kicked her out of their house for being pregnant. | David Bett

Nairobi teen facing poverty during pandemic turns to sex trade

Health

The photo is of young children who through civic education and fear of child trafficking, held peaceful demonstrations to call for immediate action on the criminal act of child trafficking.

Kenyan mother grieves child stolen in hospital

Health

Helping women deliver babies safely in Kenya

Health

Marcos reflects and tells what happened in his book, "I will celebrate my death." | Marcos Hourman

I kill suffering, not patients when I perform euthanasia

Immigration

Racism

A Rohingya camp at the outskirts of New Delhi. | Salamullah

I am a Rohingya refugee in India, not a terrorist

Immigration

Wanja and other detainees at Sakan deportation facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Most of them have been forced to dress in hijabs as an absolute rule by their employers

Kenyan woman trapped in Saudi Arabia

Immigration

Keiver spends more than 10 hours per day at a renowned shopping center trying to earn money to allow him to buy bread for his family. Photo by Maivy Gómez

Venezuelan refugee walks over 500 miles for freedom; left hopeless

Conflict

Said Yousef Mohammad Odeh, 16, was shot to death by an Israeli soldier on May 5.

West Bank child killings investigator battles horror

Policing

Crime & Corruption

Rapper imprisoned for insulting Spanish king

Policing

Gilma Vianna, the first woman ever to be named as head of an Operational Zone in the capitol city of Uruguay, sits at her desk. | Leonardo Carreño

First woman to assume a senior position in Uruguay’s police force

Crime & Corruption

Man accused, then exonerated of child rape, speaks out

Policing

A photo shows Jean Carlo with a group of police officers before he was killed.

Searching for my husband’s body

Racism

The top U.S. military leaders in October 2019 | Department of Defence

Deep-rooted racism, discrimination permeates U.S. military

Racism

From racism to one race: the Jane Elliott story

Conflict

A protest sign made out of a white bed sheet.

Fighting for the land: Life of a Mapuche activist

Racism

Miss Albinism Zimbabwe wears a tiara and holds a bouquet

Zimbabwe albino community faces rituals, oppression

Science & Technology

Health

Luis “Lajos” Arregui Henk sells Crypto art, like the piece shown here, to earn money toward his cancer treatments

Argentinian sells Crypto art to pay for cancer treatments

Visionaries

First electric handcart, Climate change, Kenya, Handcart business, Kenneth Guantai, Mkokoteni sector

Kenya’s first electric handcart creates potential for green transformation

Education

A black gaming laptop shows a zoom call.

Philippines not ready for online learning

Viruses

Transparent masks give window to communicate

Sex & Gender

Cecilia Torres Mana suffered psychological and sexual abuse by her former partner, golfer Ángel "Pato" Cabrera.

I was abused by a PGA Tour golfer and I’m still afraid

Health

Sometimes I tell my son his mother is a star now. Then he replies, "Make me a star too." | Ravish Chawla

Pregnant doctor’s heartbreaking message before dying of COVID-19

Sex & Gender

Gay Imam in South Africa is happily married

Sex & Gender

Taxis for women by women a key to safety in Kenya

Sports

Marianis Salazar poses for a portrait in Barranquilla. | David Moran

5

Becoming the best youth cyclist in Colombia (Photo Gallery)

Sports

Joan Manga gets on the bus before anyone else each day on his way to the athletics stadium, an athlete and coach. Photo by David Moran.

Colombian government refuses sponsorship of top Paralympic athlete

Sports

Navigator Linet Ayuko, Driver Maxime Wahome, and Navigator Chantel Young during the Team Betika for the Safari Rally launch

Female crew breaks barriers in WRC Safari Rally debut

Sex & Gender

Women take the wheel and the tool kit

Travel & Adventures

Sports

Pandemic threatens world-record triathlon attempt

Travel & Adventure

33

Woman’s Everest speed-climb record came after near-death attempt

Viruses

Julieta Fernandez captured ghostly images during her quarantine at sea.

Stranded on cruise ship

Immigration

Camila Hernández stands at the waterfront in Sweden.

Life as an ex-pat during a global pandemic

Viruses

Shambhu Nath's younger brother Swami Nath died of Covid-19 the next day

India families forced to dump dead relatives in river

Health

Ramiro Merlo, a 15-year-old boy, suffers from cystic fibrosis.

Boy with cystic fibrosis pleads for Pfizer vaccine

Viruses

Shahnawaz Sheikh is working 24/7 to save as many lives as he can through his Unity & Dignity Foundation. | Shahnawaz Sheikh

India’s ‘Oxygen Man’ breathes life into region

Health

Death after botched diagnosis sparks push for new law

Visionaries

María Lucia is a fashion icon in Latin America. | José Colmenares

I became an influencer in Ecuador just like I always dreamed

Health

Lincoln Wamae, founder of Linccell Technology, based in Githurai, Kenya.

Kenyan innovator converts trash into electric wheelchairs

Health

Milka Hadida getting ready to hit the road with a bicycle distributing sanitary pads

Keeping Kenya’s girls in school one pad at a time

Sex & Gender

Leo Wolters Tejera is an openly gay, trans, non-binary Christian minister

Christian minister forges their own path

Whistleblowers

Crime & Corruption

Staff at Lake Alice Hospital's child and adolescent unit administered shock therapy and sexually assaulted at least 300 children. The unit was closed in 1978 following public outcry. The hospital was shut down in 1999.

Child torture victim endured shock therapy at New Zealand facilities

Crime & Corruption

Boys are made to lay face down at a Troubled Teen Industry compound. Photo courtesy WWASPS Survivors.

Thousands of children violently abused by troubled teen programs

Health

Deborah Kahan with Rocco and the rest of the family

Routine exam left boy with brain injury

Environment

Phyllis Omido stands with her arms in the air while surrounded by Kenyan protesters.

Decade-long fight weighs on Kenyan activist

Why Orato now?

Updates from the team on initiatives, latest updates and behind-the-scenes news

Fact or Fiction? Surviving in the age of misinformation

In 2021, some of the most advanced and democratic nations on the planet appear to be emblazoned in political battles between neighbors, fed by an abundance of competing misinformation.

From Africa to America, contributors tell their stories

As an avid reader of thrilling stories, I find Orato to be a place where one can learn about other communities, individuals, and their ways of life.

Latin American journalists feel respected, appreciated at Orato

The quality of the publication is excellent, and those of us who write feel very useful.

Orato captured the first-person story of Jack Musyoka who survived the attack on Garissa Moi University. | Photo by Grandmother Africa

Orato serves as a notary public of world events

No longer will borders, pigmentation, linguistics, or political separations pit us against one another. We will make progress together through truth. Orato is Latin for speak and that is what we do every day. We speak. Better yet, we pass the mic to the powerless and to those who are actively working to change the world.

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