Stories about Development from August, 2014
A Home-Grown Campaign in Bhutan Is Giving Refurbished Shoes to Thousands Who Need Them
Bhutanese entrepreneur Dawa Drakpa cleans and recycles old footwear and distributes them to those who can't afford a decent pair. Nearly 1 percent of the country's population have received shoes.
How To Find Happiness In Democracy
From Bhutan, the land of Gross National Happiness, blogger Passang Tshering shares how people can achieve happiness in democracy. He compares democracy to love marriage and says that there are three groups of people, the lovers, the haters and the concern citizens. The Lovers are the ones who swear by...
An Entrepreneur Rewarded for his Innovative Healthcare Work in Cameroon
The prize of Man of the Decade was awarded to Dr. Clément PETSOKO, for his capacity to overcome the numerous difficulties he has faced in recent years.
African Ebola Survivors Share Their Stories of Recovery and Stigma
"Thank god for the doctors. They gave me a certificate that indicates I am free of Ebola in case anyone would still doubt."
‘Behind the Wheel': A Look at the Women Tajikistan's Russia-Bound Men Leave Behind
"Behind the Wheel" is a short film about migration and an extraordinary woman named Nigora, who overcame betrayal and local gender stereotypes to set up shop fixing car tires.
A “Liter of Light” to Brighten the Poorest Homes
After downing a bottle of water, most people are probably inclined to toss it. Those people, however, don't realize that they're throwing away an ingenious means of lighting a home.
The Heroic Everyday Work of Lab Scientists in the Fight Against Ebola in Liberia
During the current crisis of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), many reports showcased stories about patients, medical staff, vaccines and the consequences of the disease on the affected countries. But rare are the reports about the daily work of laboratory technicians and of those who care for their daily needs. In...
Two Years Ago, Tens of Thousands of Macedonians Took to the Streets Against Poverty and Corruption
Macedonians are marking two years since the beginning of the "AMAN" protests that called for an end to social disparity and corruption in the country, one of Europe's poorest.
A Syrian in Brazil: An Interview With Global Voices Contributor Rami Alhames
From Syria to Brazil, from engineering to activism and finally Global Voices, Rami Alhames has an interesting story of his own to tell.
Video: Listen to Nairobi Coffee Shop Entrepreneur
Meet Peter Owiti, coffee shop entrepreneur in Nairobi, Kenya: The story of Peter Owiti, the brains behind Pete’s Coffee shop, speaks volumes of the great deal of effort that is spent when setting up a successful business. In the brief video below, Pete, who is a father of three, talks...
Can President Obama Change African Dictators’ Ways? Not Likely, Says Chadian Blogger
"The fundamental question remained: What steps can the American president take to change things around?"
4 Infographics on the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
4 infographics to know about the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
Religion and Spirituality Get Tech Savvy in India
Indian tech entrepreneurs and start-ups have taken on ventures trying to tap on Indians' passion on religion and spirituality. This raises issues like whether marketing “God’s” products are ethical.
Investment Deal with China Leaves Jamaicans With More Questions Than Answers
I AM SO FLABBERGASTED: WHO gives a FOREIGN government the RIGHT to CHOOSE WHICH LAND IT WANTS? As part of an investment exchange, the Jamaican government has agreed to give 1,200 acres of land to the Chinese government – wherever it wants. Cucumber Juice has critical questions that she feels...
More Than a Half Century Later, How Should Jamaica View Its Independence Day?
The learning curve for a people who historically never had a say continues to be a steep one, especially in a climate where corruption was already entrenched.
A Weibo Spat Hints at the Battle Brewing Over Journalism's Future in China
Lin Zhibo's appointment as dean of journalism school at Lanzhou University pitted the country's leftist nationalists against liberals pressing for more media freedom.
Students in India Have Developed a “SmartCane” for the Blind
"It feels great to be able to move around alone," says one happy customer. A new low-cost device, the SmartCane, overcomes the limitations of the traditional cane by using SONAR.
VIDEO: Development Master Plan for Brunei's Capital
This video shows the master plan to develop Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei's capital city, into a “livable, uniquely Bruneian, riverfront city.”
Trinidad & Tobago Sports Minister Resigns Amid Alleged Corruption in a Programme for Disadvantaged Kids
Trinidad and Tobago's minister of sport resigned after his LifeSport programme is alleged to be funding criminals. Learn why some have called his resignation "tears of a clown."