All People Making a Difference
Removing Colombia's landmines, one by oneSince 1990, more than 10,000 Colombians have been wounded or killed by landmines, including 982 children. Britain's Halo Trust expects to be one of the first NGOs to start clearing mines in the next several months.
To tackle polluted runoff, cities turn to 'green' strategiesUrban stormwater runoff is a serious problem, overloading sewage treatment plants and polluting waterways. Now, many US cities are creating innovative green projects 鈥� such as rain gardens and roadside plantings 鈥� that mimic the way nature collects and cleanses water.
The man who stopped the desertFor decades Yacouba Sawadogo has been using a traditional method to replant trees and help stop the Sahara Desert from overtaking Burkina Faso.
Difference MakerRachel Goble helps stop sex trafficking of impoverished childrenThe SOLD Project helps young girls in Thailand avoid becoming prostitutes through mentoring and education.
'Solar Mamas': Barefoot College women turn on the lights in off-grid villagesBesides learned to install and repair solar equipment, rural women at India's Barefoot College can learn about clean water, health care, handicrafts, communication, and more.
A new approach to suicide prevention: promote happinessInstead of talking about death and depression, Samaritans, a Boston-based suicide-prevention group, is focusing on the opposite 鈥� life and happiness 鈥� in a publicity campaign.
'Jollywood' film school shines spotlight on HaitiFollowing the lead of 'Bollywood' in India and 'Nollywood' in Nigeria, 'Jollywood' hopes to become a center for filmmaking and film education in Haiti.
National Day of Service calls on Americans to help othersOn Saturday Jan. 19 in Washington, D.C., as well as around the United States, a National Day of Service will find Americans volunteering in myriad ways to serve others.
Difference MakerRandy Grim and Stray Rescue reshape a city's approach to animal controlGrim, a passionate dog lover, and thousands of his Stray Rescue volunteers rehabilitate stray dogs in St. Louis and place them in loving homes.
Using Hollywood to teach people about disaster givingMike Rea latched onto the release of a Hollywood film on the 2004 tsunamis in Asia to help spread his message about how to effectively support charities engaged in disaster relief.
Nonprofits respond to the Delhi gang-rape caseGroups are using blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and in-person events to marshal resources and stand up for women's rights.
In India, SELCO brings solar power to the peopleSELCO founder Harish Hande set out to dispel the myths that poor people can't afford or maintain solar technologies.
Reviving Europe鈥檚 biodiversity with exotic animalsScientists are bringing back long-lost species, such as water buffalo, to encourage the spread of native plants that fare poorly in Europe鈥檚 human-dominated landscape.
SOCCKET energy-generating soccer ball powers up poor villagesUncharted Play has designed a soccer ball called the SOCCKET, which generates electricity for an LED light. One minute of kicking produces around six minutes of light to read, do homework, or help illuminate a home.
Difference MakerEric Schwarz and Citizen Schools give inner-city kids a leg upCitizen Schools helps level the playing field for students who grow up in low-income households by extending and enriching the school day with hands-on projects and citizen mentors.
Trapped killer whales freed by shifting ice?A pod of killer whales, trapped by a sudden freeze since Tuesday, may have found a path to freedom, thanks to warmer weather and winds that shifted the ice floes around the orcas.
Neighborhood initiative in D.C. wins federal backingThe D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative, which aims to lift children out of poverty, involves marshaling schools, nonprofits, and other community organizations to help children in troubled neighborhoods from 'cradle to college.'
In Kenya solar lamps reduce childbirth risksInstead of relying on moonlight or dangerous and smoky kerosene lamps, midwives now use solar-powered lamps to make childbirth safer in remote regions of Kenya that are off the electric grid.
The 'gift economy' offers a rule-breaking way to relate to othersWhat鈥檚 better than turning a profit by selling your work? Filmmakers, cafe owners, and even corporations like Panera Bread point to the satisfaction that comes with giving it away.
Healthy food carts for kids in Indonesia get a boostThe KeBAL street food concept is an innovative way of reaching young children in Indonesia with affordable, nutritious meals that help reduce malnutrition.