Good News Tuesday for Sept. 8, 2020: It Takes a Village, From Homeless to Law School, Wild Birds, and Tech for Good

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Alaska Residents Used Car Headlights to Land a Medevac Plane

In the remote village of Igiugig, Alaska, a Medevac team was attempting to land to transport a child to a hospital in Anchorage. Normally in Igiugig, a pilot can turn on the runway lights from the aircraft. But on this night night that system failed, and so did trying to turn the lights from the ground. Working together, the people of the village made phone calls and coordinated with the medevac team in the air. Within 20 minutes, 20 vehicles showed up to light the runway. Read more on how it happened from CNN.

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From Homeless to Law School

Kevin Lee always wanted to go to college. Now he’s made it to law school and wants to be a judge.
“After losing their house in Pittsburgh in a flood, Lee and his mom spent a year bouncing from shelter to shelter. Soon after, his uncle, who was his biggest role model, was murdered.” Sean Giggy WCNC

Here’s more on the story.

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Farmer in India Provides Half an Acre for Wild Birds

“I love this atmosphere where such a large number of birds come from long distances to eat the food I have grown for them. We take so much from nature and I believe it is our duty to give back as much as we can. Every farmer must save a small piece of land to grow food for birds.” Muthu Murugan

 Muthu Murugan, a 62-year-old farmer in has provided half an acre of his land to grow food for hundreds of wild birds some of which are on the verge of extinction. Here’s more on the story.

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Tech For Good: Blind Runner Competes in Ultramarathons

Simon Wheatcroft has shown how the wrist device that helps him run marathons can also help with everyday movement of people experiencing blindness.

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Good News Tuesday: Filling Pot Holes, Edible Water Pouches, Legal Gangs, and Saving Snow Leopards

Bringing Balance One Tuesday at a Time

12 Year Old Fills Pot Holes on His Street

Monte Scott was tired of the pot holes on his Michigan street, so he took it upon himself to start fixing them.  For some reason, the video doesn’t seem to be showing up, but please click on one of the links below to be impressed by this young man’s spirit.

https://youtu.be/hwCY_YA2uGI

https://youtu.be/eCPh6ZBhDx8

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London Marathon replaces plastic bottles with the edible water pouches

The Good News Network reports that the London Marathon became the first full marathon to replace plastic water bottles with Ooho pouches made of seaweed. The fluid holding packages can be eaten like a cherry tomato and cost about 2 cents to make. Read more and watch the video at the link below:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/first-marathon-to-swap-plastic-bottles-for-seaweed-pouches/

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Ecuador’s Murder Rate Dropped after Gangs were Legalized

Ecuador “legalized” gangs to allow them to become cultural associations and apply for assistance.  Their murder rate dropped significantly over the next decade. Sociologist David Brotherton studied the process and its effects. He gave some examples of how inclusion worked:

“The minister of culture set up a train that went to the poorest communities in Ecuador to do street graffiti and art. There was a job training grant, and a grant to set up a community center. The Catholic University of Quito paid for 15 Latin Queens to study to become nurses. They never would’ve been able to do that before legalization.”

You can read more in this article from Vox and watch the video

https://youtu.be/knxL10CnN3s

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Saving Snow Leopards

Bayarjargal  Agvaantseren was awarded the 2019 Goldman Enviromental Prize for her work in saving Mongolia’s Snow Leopards from “runaway” mining operations.  Here’s the inspiring story of courage and hard work:

https://youtu.be/_ppIyqnequI