All People Making a Difference
Sun-powered phone charger helps migrants in GreeceA team of students from Edinburgh University designed the charging station, keeping in mind that Greece gets plenty of sun.
Difference MakerThis tribesman planted a forest in India that鈥檚 bigger than Central ParkJadav 鈥楳olai鈥� Payeng began planting seedlings in 1979, and the forest has grown so big that it has sheltered tigers and elephants.
Global standard to measure food waste aims to put more on platesCompanies and countries often lack details about the food that disappears from the supply chain. The new standard is the first set of international definitions and reporting requirements for the problem.
At senior living facilities, 'students in residence' programs catch onSenior living centers are providing college students housing for free or reduced rates in exchange for them hanging out with the residents. One program just launched in Iowa.
In one Cincinnati neighborhood, a start-up gives local entrepreneurs a chanceWhen neighborhoods develop, longtime residents are often left out of the boom. MORTAR is designed to provide the information and resources that residents need to start businesses.
Amid Venezuela food shortages, tropical fruits provide lifelineWith many people saying they cannot afford three meals a day, they're turning to Venezuela's lush mango, coconut, and papaya trees.
Difference MakerViolence plunged after he brought the arts to a Tijuana neighborhoodRa煤l C谩rdenas Osuna has dedicated his life to creating social change through community-driven art initiatives. His outlook helped transform Camino Verde into a neighborhood of hope and promise.
With exhibit, migrants in Europe hope their experiences are better understood'I felt this was the way I could help,' says British art curator Sue McAlpine, whose exhibition features discarded life jackets used by refugees who arrived in Greece, as well as paintings and photos by migrants in Calais.
Are 'income share agreements' a good way to pay for college?Under these plans, students agree to pay a percentage of their future income to a private company or lender in exchange for additional money to cover college expenses. For some, the agreements might make sense.
Why young black men in Waterloo, Iowa, are receiving college scholarshipsDennis Harbaugh and Juanita Williams were concerned with the achievement gap faced by black males in Waterloo schools and how it related to dropout and graduation rates. So they created an Education Promise Fund.
Are polystyrene homes a good option for Kenya's expanding housing sector?Polystyrene construction offers good insulation and uses less water and wood. But the technology has yet to be fully embraced by homeowners and housing developers.
Difference MakerMeet the woman who helps disabled and homeless artists sell impressive workLiz Powers, who cofounded the brokerage ArtLifting, refuses to let hardship define her clients. ArtLifting represents 80 artists in 11 cities and has made large corporate sales.
One man鈥檚 odyssey as a rookie cop 鈥� at age 50Mark Johnson was a United Way executive but wanted a more hands-on job. He quickly came to realize that he had more to learn than to teach.
How Soccer Without Borders can help young refugees and immigrants adjustSoccer Without Borders emphasizes team building as well as cultural exchanges among participants and civic engagement. It was recently awarded a prize for innovation in addressing social problems.
A quilt club gives its work to a shelter for abused womenA queen-size quilt could fetch as much as $350 at consignment stores or arts and crafts festivals, but The Satilla Quilters aren't in it for the money.
Difference MakerHow a volunteer came to lead 鈥� and transform 鈥� a group 鈥榞leaning鈥� fresh foodAs the executive director of Boston Area Gleaners, Laurie 鈥楧uck鈥� Caldwell is helping collect surplus crops so those in need can benefit from fruits and vegetables.
At London flower show, one garden aims to raise awareness about modern slaveryThe garden presents human trafficking in a creative, nonconfrontational way to an audience that may not be aware of slavery's existence in Britain, says Juliet Sargeant, the garden's designer.
To help homeless, students make the 'Backet' 鈥� a backpack and jacket in oneHaroon Pasha came up with the idea by drawing on his experience during the hajj. The team of students developing the product has been named a regional champion by Enactus, a social entrepreneurship organization.
How Twitter helped eighth-graders at a Vermont school learn scienceA recent experiment explored whether Twitter could be an effective way to extend classroom learning and link students to 'real world' science. The results were promising.
How tech companies are pitching in to support crisis responseThis will be a key theme at the World Humanitarian Summit in Turkey next week, where a Global Alliance for Humanitarian Innovation will be launched.