“A 34-year-old Albanian who survived the ethnic violence in Kosovo in the 1990s, has reached out to her Serb neighbors. She founded a multi-ethnic organization to try to heal the wounds of war. The group facilitated the return of some displaced Serbs to their homes in Kosovo — which led to death threats from Kosovar Albanian militants. However, it also led to an International Woman of Courage award.” (National Public Radio photo, audio, and text)
UPDATED w/ Video- Dolphin Rescues Stranded Whales, Leads Them Out to Sea
A caring dolphin guided two stranded whales to safety after human attempts to keep the animals off a New Zealand beach failed, a conservation official said Wednesday. “I’ve never heard of anything like this before, it was amazing.” (Thanks to Rose Marie for the link!)
The Charity That Announced It Had Raised Enough
“Has a charity ever announced that it had enough money?” Kiva.org did.
Their website, which allows visitors to fund start-up ventures for women in third world countries with micro-loans as little as $25.00, announced in January that every business in its database had been fully funded.
Almost a quarter million people with one click have funded $19.5 million worth of loans.
But don’t worry, a new batch of loan-seeking entrepreneurs have been added to Kiva.org, and the funding goes on.
(READ the story in the New York Times story)
Wrong Number Leads to Love
A man sends a text message to the wrong number and ends up engaged! “Michelle Morris mistakenly thought his flirty message was from a male friend of hers and fired off a cheeky reply, reports the Daily Mirror.” (dailymail)
Kitty Survives Far-flung Journey Crossing Ocean as Stowaway (Video)
A scrawny black and white kitten was the only survivor of her family which made a trip across the Pacific Ocean in a shipping crate. She was found inside a spooled steel coil when the crate was opened in Cleveland.
Thrift Store Worker Returns $30,000 Found in Donated Clothes
“A thrift store worker in Southern California found an envelope amidst a pile of donated clothing that contained $30,000 in cash. She didn’t think twice about returning it — and was rewarded for the good deed.” (Associated Press) Thanks to Gisele for submitting the link!
How to Build a House for £4,000
“A £24 million funding package was put together earlier this year to help first-time buyers in Scotland to build an eco-friendly home for as little as £4,000.” (BBC News)
Jon Stewart Hosts a Comedians Benefit for Autism
“Jon Stewart will host the second “Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education” on April 13 at the Beacon
Theater in New York. The show will air live on Comedy Central (8 p.m. EST).” Download the show on iTunes for a $1.99 fee with all proceeds going to charity. (Associated Press story)
Brazilians Promote Good News ‘Day of Light’ March 9
On March 9th, if you see a newpaper or magazine with any good news published, buy it. This is The Day of Light, a day that asks people to stop and choose their attitude, making there needs to be more positivity in the media.
Created in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Day of Light began as a conversation among a group of DJs, videographers, advertisers and journalists who noticed that the public gets hit too often with negative news. The way out, they decided, was to regain power over the news by actively influencing the stories that shape the lives of those who read them.
“Bad things do happen, and they do have to be brought to people’s attention,” says Fabio K. Guimarães, who ignited the idea. “But there is also good news, which can inspire people and generate positive initiatives. We intend to make people aware of the fact that good news attracts good things and to propose more balance to the media.”
The initiative is supported by Cláudio Lins, Eduardo Moscovis, Natália Lage, Ingrid Guimarães and other well-known local TV personalities.
The Day of Light is not, however, just a day to read good news. On the same day (March 9th), at 11 a.m., a group will leave from Posto 6, in Copacabana beach, and walk as far as Leme – in a collective act to raise awareness for the cause.
The organizers are inviting others to do the same, wherever they are. Watch the video below. (If you speak Portuguese, choose that option on YouTube, since it has more nuance in the original.)
Grand Canyon Flush Aims to Revive Colorado River
The Grand Canyon will get a bath Wednesday — literally. The federal government hopes a 60-hour, controlled flood will help revitalize the Colorado River and replenish backwaters for several of the river’s endangered species.” (Photos, audio and story at National Public Radio)
Ugandan Government, Rebels Sign Cease-Fire in Latest Step Toward Peace Deal
Ugandan rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army signed a formal cease-fire with the government on Feb. 24 and are moving toward a March deadline for the final peace deal that would disarm the group, ending an insurgency that has lasted more than two decades and killed thousands. (Original story from the Associated Press, Feb 24) photo-Child Soldiers go back to civilian life in Uganda. More about the March agreements below…
Doctor Takes on Plight of Women Around the Globe
Today is International Women’s Day, which recognizes the contributions of women around the world, like Dr. Helene Gayle, president of CARE, an aid group fighting global poverty in Africa by helping women change their financial circumstances one dollar at a time. (Listen to the radio segment on National Public Radio)
Chinese Worker Survives Death by Meditating
A Chinese man was buried alive in an accident and survived with only little air by calming his mind and slowing his breathing through Buddhist meditation techniques. (UK’s The Daily Telegraph) Thanks to Jessica for the link!
Call for ‘1-year Political Cease Fire’
In the Philippines a call went out from upper levels of government two weeks ago urging politicians to “abandon the politics of hate and go for the politics of hope and progress, where we practice human decency and respect for the dignity of our fellowmen.” It may be just a speech but it sounds encouraging — like that which we are hearing from some US politicians. (GMA news in Manila)
Then I found you
I was just at one of the big news websites and thought “these people make it seem like the end of the world is coming.” Then I found you. – John
Thanks for the good news medicine
Thanks for the good “medicine”! I love the Good News Network: It is helping me become “me”. -Jackie B.
I just needed some good news for a change. Thank you. You’ve taken a bit of the edge off a blue day. -Trevor in Canada
Health Concerns Have Improved
I am just getting into the swing of things after some health concerns. Reading your site daily in the past few months was important for me and a great resource. I am back in fine form, and your site really helps me stay positive and focused on my business. It’s exactly the type of effective positive strategy I teach in my seminars.
– Gisèle Guénard RN BScN MEd, CEO of VisionarEase Inc., visionarease.com
Church Minister uses stories as centerpieces for sermons
I’ve begun using your Good News stories as centerpieces to my Sunday sermons at church. A Christian message is one of “good news’ and our congregants thrive hearing these news items from the real world. It takes our Christian message to a new height.
-Herb Pierson, Crystal Coast Unity Church, Morehead City, NC
Hero Miner to be Godfather of Baby He Saved
“The hero miner who risked his life to save a mother and her baby from raging floodwaters near Rockhampton last week has been asked to be the child’s godfather.” The hero, Mark Pacey, 41, insisted he was not special: “There’s no heroism here, I’m just an average guy.” (Read the inspiring story at Australia’s Courier Mail)
Man Collects Used Medical Equipment to Give to Those in Need
Mack Staley, 74 , was inspired at the dump when he saw a perfectly good wheelchair being discarded by its owners. He got the idea of collecting used medical equipment and giving it to people in need. Now 81, his distribution center in San Rafael, California is called Home Cares Equipment Recyclers.
“Staley, who has been picking up and delivering items in his 1985 Chevy truck for more than six years, said Home Cares received 1,953 items from 281 donors last year alone, and gave out 2,015 items to 393 recipients.”
“People think we’re great,” McConnell said. (See the full story online at Marin Independent Journal)
Thanks to Sapphi S. for sending the link to the Good News Network!