All People Making a Difference
A former dropout reinvents the job searchAli Mahlodji launched the Whatchado Web service, which has more than 1 million users across several European countries. It matches users who have similar characteristics and also features video profiles.
Yes, New York City has sea turtles and seals, and here's who's rescuing themThe Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation picks up stranded seals, dolphins, and sea turtles from New York State鈥檚 2,625 miles of coastlines, beaches, bays, and estuaries.
Youth orchestra provides an oasis from San Salvador's gangsThe Don Bosco Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus aims to keep teenagers off San Salvador's streets and away from the gangs. Being part of the orchestra gives the youths a sense of identity and purpose.
Your old clothes can help Malala send girls to schoolIn the 'Pass the Bag' campaign, people can send clothes to a San Francisco-based program that sells the clothing online and gives 40 percent of the proceeds to the Malala Fund.
Difference MakerAfter fleeing Syria, a musician reunites other refugees to perform in EuropeRaed Jazbeh has created the Syrian Expat Philharmonic Orchestra, which is helping to shatter stereotypical images of refugees, instead offering a portrayal of them as having much to contribute to society.
One woman鈥檚 outreach in US: 鈥楳eet a Muslim鈥� eventsSince the attack in San Bernardino, Calif., Moina Shaiq has invited people to join her in a conversation.
In Cameroon, a bid to fight flooding creates jobs, reduces plastic wasteCoeur d'Afrique is paying young people to collect plastic litter, which is clogging rivers and blocking gutters. Cameroon's capital has seen some of its worst flooding on record in the past two years.
Tired of conditions in their city, Romans adopt a 'do it yourself' approachRome's residents are filling potholes, yanking weeds, and bagging trash. In doing the work, they're experimenting with what is a novel concept for many Italians: a sense of civic duty.
As immigrants move outside big cities, more US schools create welcome programsForeign-born students now make up 6 percent of the total US public school population. Experts say schools can be a place for integration.
Shipping containers make headway as housing options (yes, with windows)With many people struggling to pay rent, a surprising solution could be as close as the nearest port. But shipping-container housing is a sore subject for some local governments.
Now we're cooking: Course shows families how to make affordable, healthy mealsAlmost 370,000 families across the US have taken part in Cooking Matters' programs, which are part of the national No Kid Hungry campaign.
To reduce child abuse, one group teaches inmates about child safetyThe hope is that the inmates will pass their knowledge on to friends and bring lessons to a wider environment, says a member of a child abuse prevention group in Indiana.
Modern beekeeping offers Ethiopian youths a sweeter futureA recently launched program aims to provide work for about 12,500 Ethiopians in beekeeping and silkworm farming. It's supporting out-of-school and unemployed young people between ages 18 and 24.
Difference MakerWith World War II museum, a collector wants to get people to thinkKenneth Rendell has spent more than 50 years collecting World War II artifacts. More than 7,500 objects are on display in Natick, Mass.
Bakers, teachers, painters line up to volunteer to save lives in SyriaThe Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, describes itself as the largest civil society organization operating in areas outside of government control. It is often the first in when the shells hit.
Difference MakerA former street child in Afghanistan, now giving back where he found helpHashmatullah Hayat works at a school in Afghanistan for street children, and his life story is an inspiration to the kids studying there.
In teaching self-defense, a taekwondo champ builds young women's confidenceLina Khalifeh created SheFighter in Jordan to help prepare women to defend themselves, especially in parts of the world where there are repressive attitudes toward women.
Hiding in plain sight, a hair salon reaches Mexican trafficking victimsA hair salon in Mexico City, which keeps women coming back with rock-bottom prices, is in fact a front for a charitable operation aimed at rescuing sex trafficking victims and giving them the chance at new lives.
How two students in the South are helping to feed hungry kidsTwo friends 鈥� Jack Henslee in Georgia and Jack Dudley in Alabama 鈥� have developed Food4Kids chapters to give meals to a combined total of about 280 children.
鈥楽esame Street鈥� in Afghanistan debuts new puppet with big dose of girl powerZari is the first Afghan character in 'Sesame Street' history and will focus on empowerment as well as health.