All Change Agent
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.
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.
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 – Jack Henslee in Georgia and Jack Dudley in Alabama – have developed Food4Kids chapters to give meals to a combined total of about 280 children.
‘Sesame Street’ 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.
Project Wildlife helps creatures great and smallThe San Diego-area nonprofit group has helped to rehabilitate some 320 species of wildlife, about 10,000 birds and mammals annually.
Hydropower helps households in off-the-grid areas of PakistanSmall-scale hydropower plants are proving a key way to provide power in remote regions of Pakistan, while at the same time helping protect the environment.
In drought-stressed regions, 'graywater' recycling gains attentionSome households and businesses are reusing graywater – water from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, washing machines, and laundry sinks.
Nepal turns to bamboo to rebuild after quakesBamboo grows widely in Nepal, is easier to transport than heavier materials, and is relatively cheap to use, experts say. Twin earthquakes last year destroyed nearly a million buildings in the Himalayan nation.
Reaping benefits beyond better prison menus, inmates grow their own foodFrom New York to Oregon, prison gardening programs are providing a cost-effective food source – and are giving inmates opportunities for personal growth.
Mind Treasures helps adults and children take control of financesThe nonprofit group views 'treasures' as more than just material wealth.
An artist tries to create a beautiful image for food wasteAliza Eliazarov’s tableaux of rescued food highlight just how much Americans waste. Some of her projects, displayed for passersby, have encouraged them to think more about the subject.
A television exec wears a new 'flat hat' – park rangerAfter four decades in public TV, John Kerr found himself living his childhood dream, serving at Yellowstone National Park.
