Extraordinary tales of everyday heroism have been illustrated beautifully by renowned US photographer Steve McCurry in the new 2015 Lavazza Calendar. The calendar which has been created in collaboration with the Slow Food movement, features twelve breathtaking pictures, capturing the spirit, strength and humanity of the Earth Defenders – women and men who protect their land and projects in Africa with passion and bravery. The proceeds from sales of the calendar and all donations will be contributed entirely to create 10,000 food gardens in African schools and villages by the end of 2016. (Photo by Steve McCurry/2015 Lavazza Calendar)

Yak near Yamdrok lake, Tibet. It is a long-haired bovinae found throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau and as far north as Mongolia and Russia. The Tibetan economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture. Due to limited arable land, the primary occupation of the Tibetan Plateau is raising livestock, such as sheep, cattle, goats, camels, yaks, dzo, and horses. The Tibetan yak is an integral part of Tibetan life. (Photo by Dennis Jarvis)

Hopeful models together after their casting call for the 2008 for the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at the Prahran Town Hall on January 23, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

A baby bush-baby in a set of scales at London Zoo shortly after birth. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 10th August 1938

Female soldiers with their faces painted in the colours of the Venezuelan flag, march during a military parade to celebrate the anniversary of Venezuela's independence in Caracas, July 5, 2015. (Photo by Jorge Dan Lopez/Reuters)

A pilgrim walks on her knees to fulfil her vows, as pilgrims attend the 99th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children, at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, Portugal May 12, 2016. (Photo by Rafael Marchante/Reuters)

People in an illuminated cycle rickshaw look at a light installation at the Old Royal Library during the opening day of the "Festival of Light" show in Berlin, Germany, October 9, 2015. (Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)