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Tamarindo Revives and Transforms Abandoned Lots With Projects for the Community

Noelia Esquivel

September 25, 2018 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, Tamarindo

The Tamarindo Integral Development Association (ADI) has achieved success in a seemingly mundane task: taking charge of vacant lots. The ADI first borrowed use of vacant lots to start a farmers market and a soccer school. The group then mapped 40 vacant lots across the Tamarindo area. Now, the group is successfully working on reviving public spaces for the common good all across the town.

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The Last Straw: How the Travel Industry Is Phasing Out Plastic

Jessica Colley Clarke

September 25, 2018 |

AFAR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

The reduction of plastic at any scale plays a vital role in improving the environment, and the travel industry is the latest sector to join ranks of those aiming to reduce the substance. From banning straws to using refillable shampoo dispensers in place of mini bottles, hotels and airlines are taking a stand.

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A Grassroots Call to Ban Gerrymandering

Erick Trickey

September 23, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lansing, Michigan

In Michigan, a group of people decided they were done with gerrymandering: a political process in which district maps are redrawn to favor one party over another. They formed a group called “Voters Not Politicians,” and did what no one thought they would be able to do. “The crowdsourced campaign held 33 town-hall meetings in 33 days, wrote a ballot proposal to give redistricting powers to a citizens’ commission” and “collected 425,000 petition signatures in four months to secure a spot on Michigan’s ballot—a rare feat, usually accomplished only by hiring paid signature gatherers.”

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The town that gave the world Spam is proud to be ‘autism-friendly'

Amy Ellis Nutt

September 23, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Austin, Minnesota

In order to reduce autism stigma, the city of Austin, Minn., became an autism-friendly town. A system was created to label businesses as autism-friendly, if they implement specific requirements that reduce autism triggers like lowering the lights and diminishing loud noises, among others. Employees must also go through educational training's. So far, 15 businesses are designated as autism-friendly. The move, was “a grass-roots effort to improve our community. “Having this autism-friendly movement — it’s incredible to have people who want to understand.”

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This new coalition protects protesters' right to civil disobedience

Ben Paynter

September 19, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Protect the Protest is an initiative created by more than 20 of the world’s largest nonprofits to address SLAPP lawsuits. SLAPPs often target nonprofits and activists in order to derail them from protesting. “The goals are to communicate about common types of SLAPP suits and how to avoid or dismiss them, campaign together when such salvos are lobbed against both Protect the Protect members and smaller pods of activists or organizers that might not have the resources to defend themselves.”

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Lango women find wealth in shea tree

Bill Oketch

September 19, 2018 |

Daily Monitor |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Uganda, Otuke

In a town in Uganda, women are taking control of their financial stability by joining together to market shea butter. Through a team effort, the women are able to make and sell lotion, bathing soap, edible oil and jelly from the shea butter they harvest from the local forest. This has allowed the women to both educate and provide housing for their families.

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Nosara Firefighters Manage to Respond to 260 Emergencies This Year With Their Cell Phones

Noelia Esquivel

September 18, 2018 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, Nosara

In Costa Rica, a group of volunteer firefighters use donated equipment, gear, and their own cell phones to fill in a big gap in emergency services. More residents are now accustomed to calling them directly for fires and other emergencies, and the community supports them financially. The firefighters are trying to integrate their work into the country's emergency alert system and to build their own fire station.

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Simple but effective: The community mobilisers driving immunization in Borno State

Bashar Abubakar

September 17, 2018 |

Nigeria Health Watch |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Borno State

In Nigeria, a lack of immunizations has contributed to increased rates of childhood mortality. However, Volunteer Community Mobilizers are actively changing this trajectory by conducting in-home visits and providing resources that aid in mobilizing families to have their children vaccinated at local clinics.

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Where a Sore Throat Becomes a Death Sentence

Denise Grady

September 16, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Kigali

In poor countries, where strep throat is not diagnosed, a seemingly harmless bacteria eventually causes the immune system to attack the heart valves. In order to help, the humanitarian group Team Heart, sends 40 to 60 volunteers of cardiologists, heart surgeons, and nurses, to Rwanda every year. Together, they help around 16 people get a new heart valve, and a chance to live a longer life.

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From prison to college: Consortium puts inmates in a positive ‘pipeline'

Morgan Hughes

September 15, 2018 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Inmates who enroll in higher education programs during their sentence are 43 percent less likely to return to prison than their peers who don't, according to a study by the RAND Corporation. A consortium of Massachusetts colleges and state law enforcement agencies are taking action in light of this finding - 13 colleges will offer bachelor's degree programs to offenders either when they are in prison or once they have left.

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