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On the Move With the Donkey-Powered Mobile Libraries of Zimbabwe

Christine Ro

October 02, 2017 |

Literary Hub |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Zimbabwe, Tsholotsho

An organization in Zimbabwe has taken a creative approach to libraries; the Rural Libraries and Resources Development Programme sponsors donkey-powered mobile libraries that travel around the country to brink books and Internet access to rural communities. Using donkeys to carry over 1,000 books across the country, the program has increased country-wide access to English learning resources and the Internet.

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Uber, but for Grandma

Kate Francis

September 27, 2017 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The way cities are built in the United States makes getting around without driving a car difficult. This means that, for an increasingly aging population, mobility can be a significant issue, leading to challenges such as missed medical appointments and loneliness that can actually decrease lifespan. But in the age of the sharing economy, ride services such as Lyft and Uber reach out to the demographic that arguably needs them most, partnering with medical centers and hospice providers to get smartphone technology - or more "old school" alternatives such as hotlines - into the hands of senior citizens.

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Green movement pivots toward minorities

Elizabeth Miller

September 26, 2017 |

Great Lakes Today |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The largely homogenous demographic of those working in conservation contributes to disparities in representation, which in turn can lead to issues like the Flint water crises. Now several organizations, including the Alliance for the Great Lakes in Cleveland and the Environmental Fellows program at the University of Michigan, are working to include the diverse voices of different races, ages, and backgrounds in the conversation.

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This Isn't Just Another Urban Farm—It's a Food Bank

Sammi-Jo Lee

September 26, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

In the United States, one in seven people are food insecure, and in Tucson, the number is even higher. Food banks increasingly find that their roles are not simply to distribute food, but to create sustainable change through "food literacy" - which is exactly how organizations like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona are tackling the issue. They establish urban farms that not only provide the needy with fresh, local produce, but create a classroom for students, green areas for families to enjoy, and event space for the community to gather and learn.

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Abandoned at Burning Man, bicycles now head for Houston and the Caribbean

Jessica Lussenhop

September 25, 2017 |

BBC |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Black Rock City, Nevada

Many argue that the Burning Man festival has become an exclusive and wasteful indulgence for the wealthy - an opinion that was exacerbated this year when thousands of perfectly good bicycles were left among the debris in the desert. But a few enterprising individuals and organizations saw an opportunity to aid the victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria by rescuing, fixing, and transporting the abandoned bikes to communities where many people had lost all other forms of transportation, stifling their recovery efforts. Now hope is being restored for some, two wheels at a time.

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Study suggests when mobile markets take wireless food stamps, more people buy healthy food

Michael D. Regan

September 24, 2017 |

PBS NewsHour |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

People living in food deserts have very limited access to healthy food, prompting 'Green Carts' (street vendors with vegetables and fruits) and other mobile markets to pop up. Critically important to the success of these markets is their provision of Electronic Benefits Transfer machines to allow customers to pay with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps.

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These Solar Farms Have A Secret Hiding Under Them: Mushrooms

Adele Peters

September 22, 2017 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Japan, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

As populations urbanize and the disparity between city and country grows, farmers in Japan are facing increasing economic challenges and a shortage of new farmers to work the land. But a new scheme may help farms to be more profitable by creatively doubling the productivity of their land. New projects allow farmers to grow produce or graze livestock beneath large swaths of solar panels, generating income from both energy sold to the grid as well as more traditional agricultural means.

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The Rx For Better Birth Control

Joseph Darius Jaafari

September 20, 2017 |

NationSwell |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Colorado views the cycle of poverty as being propelled by unplanned pregnancy. This led to their bipartisan supported funding program for birth control, that is especially useful in rural areas.

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The unexpected way that Bollywood could help millions

Priti Salian

September 20, 2017 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

In India, literacy advocates have found a captive audience for their programs; by adding subtitles to Bollywood songs and movies, tv shows are reaching millions of citizens who wouldn't otherwise learn how to read.

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Want a Better Health Care System? Check Out Japan

Noah Smith

September 19, 2017 |

Bloomberg |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

The USA is currently at odds over its healthcare system. Perhaps, a solution can be found by looking to Japan's system which is a public-private hybrid where most is covered by the government and a smaller percentage is covered by employment sponsored or private insurance.

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