All People Making a Difference
How farmers in Africa are finding ways to sustainably use wetlandsA range of organizations in Africa have recognized the way in which wetlands can be important for poverty reduction, improved livelihoods, and resilience in the face of climate change.
In Rome, a pensioner feeds 250 people in need four days a weekDino Impagliazzo's charity uses ingredients that are close to their expiration dates, supplied by grocery stores and wholesalers that would otherwise throw them away.
Difference MakerThis man won鈥檛 sleep in a bed. Not until everyone is able to have a mattress.After learning that many poor people lack basic furniture in their homes, Mark Bergel founded the nonprofit A Wider Circle in Maryland to tackle poverty.
An author troubled by war invites veterans to 鈥榃rite Peace鈥�Maxine Hong Kingston came up with the idea for The Veteran Writers Group after she had a devastating month herself in 1991. More than 800 people have answered her call.
Amid a tough winter for refugees, charity turns old blankets into coatsA Greek-German charity called Naomi has collected blankets from a refugee and migrant encampment that's now closed. Volunteers in a northern Greek city are using sewing machines to repurpose the items.
How we discovered the world鈥檚 largest tropical peatland, deep in CongoA team of three scientists and five assistants found 33 billion tons of carbon locked up in a Congo ecosystem 鈥� the equivalent of 20 years of current US fossil fuel emissions. The discovery is a key step in ensuring this carbon-storing area is protected.
For seniors fighting grief or depression, Friendship Line is a listening earPatrick Arbore saw a need to give older people an alternative to traditional suicide prevention hotlines 鈥� one that offers a conversation rather than potentially a confrontation.
Difference MakerDogs need this South African woman. People need her even more.Cora Bailey is the founder of an animal shelter in Johannesburg, South Africa. Many of its neighbors are undocumented migrants who rely on the shelter for services they cannot 鈥� or are too afraid to 鈥� seek out from the government.
In India, low-caste Dalit women take up journalism, have different focusAn all-women, all-Dalit team works for Khabar Lahariya (News Wave), a regional-language weekly that reports from disadvantaged areas that do not generally make the news.
A high school junior in Indiana takes the initiative to hold prom dress driveClare Mangin says it would be 'awesome' to simply make one girl happy by giving her a prom dress. Clare's enthusiasm and attention to detail have impressed the school employee she's partnered with.
In Latin America, women code a better futureLaboratoria is a web development and coding academy for underprivileged women in Peru, Mexico, and Chile. Once they graduate, the women can be considered for jobs at Laboratoria鈥檚 tech partners, which include Google and Microsoft.
Difference MakerAlmost all girls were cut in her Ethiopian village. Not anymore, thanks to her.Bogaletch Gebre cofounded an organization that鈥檚 credited with virtually eliminating female genital mutilation in the part of southern Ethiopia where she grew up. A key reason for the organization鈥檚 success has been its focus on 鈥榗ommunity conversations.鈥�
In Brazil, a new tool to cut illegal wood from supply chainsA digital platform analyzes data to make sure companies have the correct permits and aims to follow the timber from forests to sawmills and export markets.
During repairs, this restaurant kept employees and encouraged them to volunteerPart of El Moro Spirits & Tavern in Durango, Colo., was damaged by a fire in October. The restaurant's management urged its workers to give back to a community that has supported the business since its opening 3-1/2 years ago.
How bots can help fight online trollsTwitch, the platform that allows people to play video games and stream their activity, has implemented one of the most recent efforts to combat trolling. But in general, the use of such bots raises some larger questions.
How Russian pensioners are teaching foreign students their languageLinguaLink of Generations was launched by three individuals who鈥檝e studied at a school in Moscow. The program pairs retirees and students for language lessons using Skype.
Difference MakerShe鈥檚 turning schools around, at high speedsTiffany Anderson, who arrived in Topeka, Kan., in July to be superintendent of the public schools, is making a name for herself as one of the best at standing up for the neediest students.
From legislation to technology, five key tools to combat trafficking in 2017As pressure and awareness builds, some say this year could be the tipping point in the global battle against human trafficking.
In Asheville, volunteer computer programmers seek to help the most vulnerableAmong other projects in the past year, members of Code for Asheville have lent their expertise to address issues involving formerly incarcerated people and homeless individuals.
From a former sex slave to a climate poet: five unsung heroes of 2016Thousands of people around the world work to defend human rights聽鈥� risking their lives to expose abuses against women, children, minority groups, and others.