Stories about Good News from September, 2014
Art & Education in Suriname
Referring to English art critic Sir Herbert Read‘s book Education Through Art, Carmen Dragman, via Srananart's Blog, looks at the value of art in education, suggesting that the current Caribbean model is shortchanging students by not recognising the power of art as a creative outlet and learning tool: Teachers and...
What it Means to be Puerto Rican for Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera
Oscar López Rivera has been imprisoned in the United States for over thirty years because of his political beliefs.
Non-Japanese Who Stayed in Sendai After 3.11 Earthquake Walk for Recovery
Despite being uncertain of what the future might bring, dozens of non-Japanese people decided to remain in their adopted home of Sendai, a coastal city located in the north of Japan hit by massive tsunami triggered by the earthquake of March 11, 2011. Sharing the footsteps to recovery, those standing together...
This Organization Is Fighting the Long Battle Against Poverty in Mexico
The international organization TECHO has helped build more than 3,000 houses in Mexico's poorest areas. Global Voices looks at the inequality TECHO uncovered in Xochimilco.
How Climate-Smart Villages in Bangladesh, India and Nepal Are Preparing Farmers for the Future
As part of the effort to help farmers adapt to changing climates, text and voice messages were sent to 1,400 farmers in 60 Indian villages with important farming information.
Ukrainian Band Blows Up YouTube with Wild Apple-Inspired Music Video
A little-known Ukrainian indie rock collective has captured the hearts of YouTube users—and Apple fans—with a cleverly shot music video that now has over half a million views.
Using Mobile Phones to Connect Pregnant Women and Midwives in Timor Leste
Liga Inan is using mobile phones to connect pregnant women and health workers in Timor Leste. The innovative program provides mothers with vital information and health advice to ensure the safe delivery of babies. Since its launch, almost 2,000 mothers have been already enrolled in the program.
Togolese Bloggers Poke Fun at President for Over the Top BillBoard
Someone sure wanted people to know that he was thankful for Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé generosity. This week, a giant billboard was raised in Lomé, Togo that praised the president's action in favor of providing lunch for school children. The billboard seen below reads in french :” Thanks Daddy Faure for...
A Group of University Students in Kyoto Want Japan, China and Korea to Just Be ‘Happy’
Relations between the three countries are often prickly because of territorial and historical disputes. A group of students made a 'Happy' video to promote a message of friendship.
Building Sustainable Peace in The Central African Republic
As the UN launchs its peace keeping mission with the arrival of 1,500 troops in the Central African Republic (CAR), a few observers were wondering why it took so long given the extent of the casualties. Les Cercles nationaux de Réflexion sur la Jeunesse (CNRJ) is an NGO in Bangui, CAR that...
Less Than 10% of Rural Sub-Saharan Africans Have Access to Electricity. What's Being Done to Change That?
Fifteen percent of the world's population lives in Africa, yet they represent only 3 percent of global electricity consumption. Organizations are carrying out various electrification projects to wire the continent.
How a Group of Squatters Convinced Brazilian Authorities to Seize a Vacant Building for Public Housing
Over the years, the building changed owners but remained empty. The National Movement to Fight for Housing has organized various occupations of the building over the years.
Traveling Duo Visits Macedonia for 3 Months
Traveling duo Jürgen Horn from Germany and Mike Powell from the United States wander around the world by picking a country and staying there for three months, or about 91 days. During their three-month stays, the two globe-trotters attempt to experience life in their new location more thoroughly than a...
Blogger Puts a Naturally Formed Face of Buddha in Bhutan on the Map
Blogger Passang Tshering, a high school teacher from Wangdue, Bhutan, wrote in his blog on 31 August, 2014, about an image of Lord Buddha's face formed out of natural rock located on the elephant shaped hill on which the famous Wangdue Dzong is built. He posted photos of the site...
Activists and Bloggers Worldwide Ponder Lessons Learned From the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
There is no denying that more people are now more aware of ALS than ever before, but critics have accused the campaign of focusing on self-congratulating deeds.
The National Gallery of Jamaica Celebrates 40 Years of Home-Grown Art
The National Gallery of Jamaica is in the midst of celebrating its 40th anniversary and the gallery's blog has been sharing information about its history and accomplishments: When the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) opened its doors on November 14, 1974 it was the English-speaking Caribbean’s first national gallery, and...
Fashion Trends in Trinidad's Capital
The way people dress offers a glimpse into the culture of a place; Maya Cozier manages to capture the urban vibe of Trinidad's capital city in a short video which interviews several fashion forward young people who live and work in and around Port of Spain. Blogger Ceola Belix is...
These 8 Ice Bucket Spinoffs Challenge Hunger, War and Politics
From the “Lather Against Ebola” campaign against Ebola in Côte d'Ivoire to the Rubble Bucket Challenge for children in Gaza, people are repurposing the viral phenomenon.