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)

A Japanese twenty-year-old woman enjoys a cigarette during the annual Coming-of-Age Day ceremony at Toshimaen Amusement Park on January 11, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. 1.27 million young people celebrate their passage into adulthood on the day while they become eligible to drink alcohol, smoke and vote at the age of 20. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Debutantes Amira Rayner, 19 (L) and Eliza Lewis, 17 (R) prepare at Boughton Monchelsea Place ahead of the Queen Charlotte's Ball on September 9, 2017 in Maidstone, England. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

The 27th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade was held on October 21, 2017. Thousands of costumed canines and spectators marched on Tompkins Square Park to participate in the countrys largest Halloween. (Photo by Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A woman carries a Persian cat during the “SuperCat Show 2017” on November 11, 2017 in Rome, Italy. Considered the Super Bowl for all things feline, the two-day exhibition features beauty contests, information sessions, shopping and interactive games. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP Photo)

Janet Layug walks off stage during the Bikini International competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center during the Arnold Sports Festival 2017 on March 4, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Young performer at The Lal Kach festival, an event well known in the local community for more than hundred years in Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 13, 2017. (Photo by Mushfiqul Alam/ZUMA Wire/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

This combination of pictures created on April 30, 2017 competitors posing before a beard and moustache competition at the Ecomusee d'Alsace in Ungersheim on April 30, 2017. (Photo by Sebastien Bozon/AFP Photo)