All People Making a Difference
Curacao looks at using ocean water for powerCuracao, an island nation in the southern Caribbean, may use cold seawater to generate power, taking an innovative step toward clean, local energy.
Difference MakerRestaurant mogul George Schenk melds the needs of people, planet, and profitsServing nutritious food, following ecological principles, and helping his community in Vermont make George Schenk a businessman with a social conscience.
Nonprofits work to help legal immigrants become US citizensThe costly, lengthy, labyrinthine path to US citizenship can take two years to complete, dissuading many from trying. Nonprofits are jumping in to help.
Giving back: Eight innovative philanthropists around the world The global face of philanthropy is changing. Donors no longer just open their wallets. They're actively involved in causes, use savvy business practices, and leverage what they give to achieve more good. Meet eight innovators.
Volunteer Square matches willing helpers with charitable tasksA Connecticut website provides a place where people find volunteer opportunities, and nonprofits find new volunteers.
Len Stanmore mixes adventure with helping othersHe's about to set a world record by climbing the highest peaks on seven continents and crossing the four most inhospitable deserts. But when he added a charitable aspect to his quest he made it even more meaningful.
Confronting bullying, one drumbeat at a timePrograms that get junior high school students drumming together cut down on bullying in Utah and Australia.
A 'paper rain' of political ads doesn't discourage one young BrazilianThe author's host 'sister,' Luciana, hasn't given in to cynicism about the electoral system in Brazil. 'He won! He won!' she shouts as she learns her candidate is elected.
Difference MakerRuben Garcia sought his mission in life. He found it helping the 'poorest of the poor'Ruben Garcia founded Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, which aids immigrants fleeing violence in Mexico and Central America.
A second chance for Johnny Cash's childhood homeUnder the guidance of Arkansas State University, fund-raising and restoration is well under way with the ultimate goal of returning rundown Dyess, Ark., to some of its former glory.
One by one, Vietnam deals with unexploded bombsSince starting work in Vietnam in 1999, the Mines Advisory Group has destroyed an average of 15,000 unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War era each year that continue to kill or injure thousands of Vietnamese.
Difference MakerKebedom Mengistu's little newspaper gives hope to Africans who've fled to IsraelUsing his laptop, Kebedom Mengistu publishes Hadush Zemen (New Century), a newspaper for refugees from Eritrea who've survived the perilous trip and settled in Israel.
Zimbabwe turns to drought-resistant cropsScientists are developing faster-maturing and drought-tolerant varieties of corn and cotton, holding out the hope of much-needed relief for thousands of farmers across Zimbabwe.
Incubating women's businesses in the Palestinian territoriesTomorrow鈥檚 Youth Organization based in Nablus, on the West Bank, helps promising new women's businesses survive.
Red Cross urges countries to relax rules for forced migrantsIssuing temporary work visas, allowing easier border crossing, and helping forced migrants integrate quickly into local communities could help ease the plight, the IFRC says.
Want teens to do volunteer work? Make it social.Half of American teenagers volunteer, largely because their friends do.
Kenya islanders rehabilitate their environment, and their livesResidents of Rusinga Island in Kenya experiment with renewable energy innovations, environmentally friendly farming, tree planting, and other efforts aimed at improving the island鈥檚 environment, creating jobs, and overcoming shortages of food and water.
Difference MakerJohn Bergmann runs a special zoo for older, exploited, and abused animalsJohn Bergmann manages Popcorn Park, a special zoo in New Jersey that gives a home to distressed wildlife and exotic and domesticated animals.
Mobile, solar schools bring power to the powerlessFour examples show how solar-powered mobile schools can bring computer education to some of the world鈥檚 poorest children.
Gates Foundation rebootsThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic foundation, is undergoing a 'global redesign' overseas and listening to critics of its efforts to improve US schools, says Gates CEO Jeff Raikes.