Good News Stories - part IV [Blogpost 103]
As 2019 draws to an end, it seems apt to share some more good news stories. These stories from places as diverse as Australia, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Sweden, and The US, do much to lift one’s faith in humanity. These stories fall into three broad categories and one can not but help think of Margaret Mead’s famous quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” As shared in the Good News Stories (June 2019), Good News Stories - part II (July 2019) and Good News Stories - part III (October 2019) blog posts, these stories lend themselves to education [see: etymology thereof] in the broader sense.
KINDNESS & COMPASSION:
In The Irish Post’s December 2019 article Irish school replaces homework with acts of kindness: "Be the reason somebody smiles today", Vice Principal Íde Ní Mhuirí - in speaking about acts of kindness in lieu of homework in December - states that “Our message to the children is very simple: they can be the reason somebody smiles today and they can definitely help make this world a better place for others and for themselves.”
In July 2019, BrightVibes reported on a community in the Australian Outback coming together in Novelty Barrel Train Helps Keep Remote School Attendance Rates On Track In Outback. Mindful that previously community members struggled to get children to school and/or pick them up on time, the introduction of the barrel train has led to increased attendance at school.
LITERACY:
The Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (“Christmas Book Flood”) is based on the simple premise of giving a book to someone you love and then spending December 24 reading the new book(s). This tradition dates back to the early 1940s. While gifts for exchange during this time were limited due to the ongoing Second World War, paper was, however, in abundance and so the tradition of exchanging books and subsequently promoting literacy grew.
In NPR’s October 2016 article, Choose A Book And Read To Your Barber, He'll Take A Little Money Off The Top, highlights an ingenious way of promoting literacy. Such schemes have been particularly successful in communities where literacy has - for a variety of reasons - not always been a high priority.
The importance of ensuring people can - despite residing in a remote location - still access literature by virtue of a bokbåten (“a floating library”) is highlighted in Mother Nature Network’s July 2019 article, Sweden's bokbåten is a floating library that brings books to residents of remote islands.
In an article entitled, LEGO Converts Their Instruction Manuals into Audio and Braille, Inspired by Blind Man’s Website, The Good News Network (September 2019) reports a wonderful story of friendship leading eventually to Lego being more accessible, and hence inclusive.
ENVIRONMENT:
The climate crisis has - throughout this year - been in the fore due to the worldwide climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg. See Louise MacDonald’s Twitter post (September 2019) referencing the first strike in August 2018.
In November 2019, CNN reported, Italy to become first country to make learning about climate change compulsory for school students. As of September 2020, each year students will have 30 plus hours linked to learning about climate change.
As the world looks at other energy sources, it is interesting to note the last sentence of CNN’s December 2019 article entitled Africa's 'first fully solar-powered village' wants to be a model for a renewable future whereby it states, “For deprived communities seeking economic stability that won't hurt the environment, this solar village shines bright.”
Relating to kindness and compassion for our world and those who live here on Earth, what good news stories do you have to share?
References:
Guerra, J. (October 2016) Choose A Book And Read To Your Barber, He'll Take A Little Money Off The Top National Public Radio
MacDonald, L. (September 2019) Twitter post Twitter
Menezes., F (July 2019) Novelty Barrel Train Helps Keep Remote School Attendance Rates On Track In Outback BrightVibes
Mezzofiore, G. (November 2019) Italy to become first country to make learning about climate change compulsory for school students CNN
Nelson, A. (July 2019) Sweden's bokbåten is a floating library that brings books to residents of remote islands Mother Nature Network
O’Connor, R. (December 2019) Irish school replaces homework with acts of kindness: "Be the reason somebody smiles today" The Irish Post
Reynolds, E. (December 2019) Africa's 'first fully solar-powered village' wants to be a model for a renewable future CNN
Unnamed (September 2019) LEGO Converts Their Instruction Manuals into Audio and Braille, Inspired by Blind Man’s Website, The Good News Network
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