As we take a brief glance at the world at the end of 2012, we see the immense problems there are right across the globe. The USA are considering the Fiscal Cliff that could be in their future amidst a recession, Syria is experiencing a civil war that has killed tens of thousands, the European Union faces the prospect of some 12 million people descending into poverty, Israel and Gaza continue to live with rockets as a daily reality and an unknown future, South Africa continues its fight against HIV/AIDS amidst political corruption and infighting, while, at the other end of the scale, small Malawi is trying to live with the consequences of a 50% devaluation of its currency and a desperate hope that the next six months will see the first normal rainfall after three years of drought in the Southern region.