Worldview Global Activism

Global Activism: Chicago doctor brings eye care to Haiti

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:55:00 -0600

On today's Global Activism, we hear from a Haitian American doctor who's trying to change the way eye care is delivered in Haiti. The Caribbean country is still reeling -- politically, economically and emotionally -- from the earthquake that took place in Port au Prince two years ago this month.Haiti has only 45 trained ophthalmologists in the entire country, making it hard for people to get any quality eye care. A member of the American Academy of Opthalmology's Haiti Task Force, Dr. Mildred Olivier has been seeing patients in Haiti for the past 20 years ago. When she's not in Haiti, she teaches at the Rosalind Franklin Medical School in Chicago.Dr. Olivier tells Worldview about her bold plans to build eye care clinics in all nine departments of Haiti. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Global Activism: Combatting HIV in Togo

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:17:00 -0600

On today's Global Activism, we talk to Beth Skoroshod, who works on HIV prevention for Population Services International (PSI).The organization runs a host of health programs around the globe. These include an HIV prevention project in Togo that targets men who have sex with men. The program uses peer to peer education to encourage men to use condoms and get tested. The Togolese government invited PSI into the country despite the fact that it is illegal for men to have sex with men. Beth tells Worldview how things have been going. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Global Activism: Local architects work on pro-bono projects in Chicago and around the world

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:30:00 -0600

On this week's Global Activism, Worldview talks to two women who lead the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity. Katherine Darnstadt is co-founder of the chapter and Laura Bowe is its current co-director.The organization's slogan is “design like you give a damn,” and they do just that. Uniting architects, designers, engineers, community leaders, and construction workers, Architecture for Humanity provides pro-bono design services to communities in need. In the past, the Chicago chapter has worked here at home, in Des Plaines and Chicago, and around the globe, in Aruja, Brazil and Nyegina, Tanzania.Katherine and Laura tell Worldview what their chapter is up to, and how design is becoming a crucial tool in uplifting communities. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Global Activism: Clean water brings big changes to village in Kenya

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:04:00 -0600

On this week's Global Activism, Worldview talks to Aliya de Grazia. After graduating high school at 18, she decided to put off attending an honors program at Purdue University. Instead, she headed off to volunteer in rural Kenya so she could, as she says, “give something back.” Aliya ended up starting her own organization to help bring clean water to the village of Mulot, the place where she'd been volunteering. It’s called Small Planet Big Plans. She tells Worldview about the big changes that have come about from a bore hole and clean water. Watch this video of Aliya's return trip to Mulot after her organization helped bring clean water to the village. What ensues is an impromptu party.

Global Activism: Chicago neonatologist returns home to India to do development work

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:02:00 -0600

Worldview talks to Dr. Anita Deshmukh, the executive director of Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research, an organization based in Mumbai. Her research focuses on the relationship between poverty, social equity and health – all through the lens of urban youth.A physician and neonatologist by trade, Anita taught and lived in Chicago for 20 years. Anita tells Worldview why she decided to leave her life in Chicago and relocate to Mumbai to work with disenfranchised young people.Note: Some listeners wanted to get their hands on a song we played briefly on last week's Global Activism, which focused on a couple that's battling sickle cell disease in Cameroon. For your listening pleasure, here is "F.J.K. Anthem":F.J.K. Anthem.mp3 To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Global Activism: couple fights sickle cell disease in Cameroon

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:11:00 -0600

A genetic condition, sickle cell disease disproportionately affects those of African descent. Here in the U.S., one out of 12 African-Americans has the sickle cell trait, and one out of 400 contracts the disease.Dr. Michael Neba is executive director of the Father John Kolkman Sickle Cell Foundation. In their native Cameroon, Michael and his wife Florence recently helped form the first ever international conference on sickle cell disease. It drew experts from diverse fields in North America, Europe and Africa.The Nebas' objective is to raise awareness of sickle cell and its impact on society — and to disperse the myths that surround the disease. In Cameroon and many parts of Africa, sickle cell carries a deep stigma and is often associated with witchcraft. The series depends on listener recommendations. To suggest a person or organization for the series, go to the Global Activism page or email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org. Make sure to put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast.

Global Activism: Clinic in Nicaraguan highlands provides reproductive health care for women

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:58:00 -0600

Affectionately known as "Mama Licha," Alicia Huete Diaz has a clinic in Esteli, Nicaragua that's trained 3,000 midwives to date and has raised the quality of reproductive healthcare in the entire highlands region.Mama Licha is joined by her passionate supporters, Angie Rodgers and Jean Paschen, to discuss her work. Angie is co-founder of Juntos Adelante, an organization that helps sustain Mama Licha’s clinic. And Jean is a WBEZ listener from Evanston who first heard of the clinic on Worldview in 2007, was inspired by the story, and recently held a fundraiser for Mama Licha's efforts. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Global Activism is also a podcast.

Global Activism: Helping destitute Afghan women become artisans

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:10:00 -0600

Every Thursday in our Global Activism series, we introduce you to a local individual who’s trying to change the world.In Dari, the word arzu means “hope.” It’s also the name of an organization that employs Afghan women in remote provinces to weave fair trade artisan rugs. ARZU helps women build a better life through access to education, healthcare and job training.This holistic support is desperately needed. Afghanistan was recently named the world’s most dangerous country in the world for women, according to a survey by TrustLaw, part of the Thomas Reuters Foundation.ARZU founder Connie Duckworth says she's trying to apply her private sector experience to grassroots development. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Global Activism is also a podcast.

Global Activism: Paddling down the Ganges to fight cervical cancer

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:01:00 -0500

Thursdays on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s trying to make the world a better place.When diagnosed with a terminal illness, many people switch course. In that respect, forty-five-year-old New Mexico resident Michele Baldwin is no different. When she received her diagnosis of terminal cervical cancer, she too made a change of plans.But, her new plan is extraordinary. Baldwin, who’s a river guide, decided to embark on a 700-mile journey down the Ganges River in India on a standup paddle board. She’s using the expedition to raise money for the Global Initiative against HPV and Cervical Cancer.Her voyage began on October 17. She stopped by our studios on Navy Pier before she left.Michele’s big idea was, in part, inspired by paddling on the Rio Grande. To hear more stories of people making a difference, check out the Global Activism page, where you can also suggest a person or organization for the series. Or, email your suggestions to worldview@wbez.org and put “Global Activism” in the subject line. Global Activism is also a podcast.

Global Activism: Combatting HIV-AIDS and poverty in Lyantonde, Uganda

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:58:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism, we hear from a local individual who works to make the world a better place.Ahabwe Michael is executive director of the ICOD Action Network, based in the Lyantonde district of southwestern Uganda. His organization responds to socioeconomic challenges in his society like HIV/AIDS, high unemployment, insufficient health care, poor sanitation and famine. He says he began his work because he wanted make a difference. Be sure to download the Global Activism podcast. You can also suggest someone you think we should include in the series.

Global Activism: WGN's Randi Belisomo travels to Haiti in memory of her late husband

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:36:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism, we hear from a Chicagoan who works to make the world a better place. Today, we focus on two individuals steeped in the world’s water crisis.Water plays a central role in global poverty. Every 20 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease. When an individual takes a five-minute shower, he or she uses more clean water than a typical person in a slum uses in a day. Access to sanitation is so underdeveloped that more people in the world own cell phones than have access to a toilet.No event in our hemisphere put the water crisis front and center more than last year’s cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti. The tragedy also highlighted one central truth of the global water crisis: the problem is an issue of access, not scarcity.Today we meet Michael Mantel, president & CEO of Living Water International, an organization that implements water solutions in 25 developing countries. We also speak to Randi Belisomo, a reporter for WGN-TV who just returned from a reporting trip with LWI in Haiti. While in the earthquake-ravaged country, Randi visited a memorial well built in honor of her late husband, Chicago reporter Carlos Hernandez Gomez. She will chronicle her trip all next week on WGN’s News at Nine.Michael and Randi join us to discuss water, both as a solution and central problem, in international development.You can read Randi’s blog posts from Haiti here.We invite listeners to suggest locals who we should feature include in Global Activism. Special thanks to Megan Moriarity for suggesting Living Water International.

Global Activism: Battling HIV/AIDS on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria, Kenya

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:01:00 -0500

Chas and Marco Salmen are the founders of Organic Health Response, or OHR. Started in 2008, OHR represents the vision of Kenyan organic farmers, teachers and health workers on Mfangano Island in Kenya’s Lake Victoria. The island's population of nearly 20,000 has one of the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the world.OHR employs an innovative combination of information technology, social networking and environmental science to turn the tide against the spread of the disease. Chas and Marco tell us about the island's population and shares the fascinating story behind the origins of OHS.

Global Activism: LemonAid Fund does development work in Sierra Leone

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:41:00 -0500

In 1996, Dr. Nancy Peddle was working on her dissertation in war-torn Sierra Leone when she found herself in the middle of a bloody coup. As the violence mounted, Dr. Peddle was evacuated from the country, leaving behind close friends – many of whom lost their homes or were forced into hiding.The struggle between the Revolutionary United Front and the national army - which penetrated the Western imagination through the 2006 movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio - ultimately claimed 50,000 lives. After witnessing the coup’s destructive violence, Dr. Peddle decided to transition from academics to action. She founded an organization called the LemonAid Fund, a deliberately optimistic endeavor aimed at improving the lives of Sierra Leone’s children.Today, more than a decade later, the organization oversees a network of 16 schools, two foster care homes and ten libraries around the country, and focuses on children’s access to education. According to UNICEF, only 30 percent of boys and 20 percent of girls there continue their education into secondary school. We talk to Dr. Peddle and her colleague from Sierra Leone, Francess Browne, about their work on the ground.

Global Activism: Local student starts organic farming in China

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:51:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who's trying to make the world a better place.In China, food safety is a serious issue. Minxu Zhang is a Chinese student from Lake Forest College, who was in her home country this summer to establish a direct line of purchase between Chinese organic farmers and consumers. She started an organization called EcoBite, which attempts to make Chinese consumers aware of risky food production practices. EcoBite connects small farmers with consumers in order to cut out the middle man and reduce the costs associated with healthy food.

Global Activism: A high school in Kenya for AIDS orphans

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:23:00 -0500

More than one million people live in Nairobi's squatter community of Kibera, including 30,000 orphans of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. On today's Global Activism segment, we talk with Father Terry Charlton, co-founder of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a unique Catholic high school designed specifically for young people affected by AIDS in the Kibera slums.We spoke to Father Terry back in 2007, when St. Aloysius Gonzaga opened as Africa's first high school for AIDS-affected youth. This time, he tells us how the school has grown and evolved in the past four years. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Preschool teacher shows her students how to help children in Swaziland

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:49:00 -0500

Today on our Global Activism segment, we talk to Ziomara Perez, a Chicago preschool teacher. “Ms. Zio,” as her students call her, teaches her preschoolers to make a difference in other children’s lives in small but impactful ways.Zio is founder of SwaziKids International, an organization that raises money to send kids in Swaziland to school. In addition to paying children's school fees, SwaziKids sends school supplies, books, classroom furnishings and uniforms to under-served schools in the country. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Woman leaves Tinley Park roots behind to educate mothers and children in Peru

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:48:00 -0500

It’s Thursday, and time for our Global Activism series. Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Today we hear from a woman who left her Tinley Park roots behind in her early 20s and moved to the Huaycan community of Peru to help impoverished families.Lara DeVries is the founder and executive director of the Light and Leadership Initiative. Her group assists mothers and children in their struggle out of extreme poverty by improving access to quality education. She tells us more about her work. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Stories from the Peace Corps

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:10:00 -0500

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. In 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.That speech laid the foundation for what became the Peace Corps. Since its founding, more than two hundred thousand Americans have volunteered to serve communities in need all over the world and to help promote a better understanding between Americans and other cultures.Today we mark the anniversary of the Peace Corps with a few former volunteers who've been featured on our Global Activism series: Amy Maglio, founder of the Women’s Global Education Project; Patsy Mertz, founder of Ivory Coast Mothers and Children; and Barbara Janes, who belonged to the first group of volunteers in 1961.

Global Activism: EdPowerment enabling education in disadvantaged communities in Tanzania

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:15:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who's trying to make the world a better place.Today we talk with Jillian Swinford, who volunteered as a teacher for a month in Tanzania. She left feeling she could do more for the community of Moshi, Tanzania. With the help of locals, she helped form an organization called EdPowerment to improve education in the region. Jillian talks about the organization, which supports local schools, provides scholarhips for students and reaches out to families facing autism and other uncommon circumstances. She moves to Tanzania for a year this September 2011. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: 'Malawi Matters' uses creativity to educate on HIV and AIDS

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:31:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who's trying to make the world a better place.Today we talk to Phyllis Wezeman, an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame and executive director of Malawi Matters, whose mission is to develop culturally-inspired HIV and AIDS education in the Southeast African nation. She’s also author of the new book Through the Heart: Creative Methods of HIV and AIDS Education, a handbook of activities and learning experiences that enable children and adults to understand the disease. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: ‘Hands with Hope’ brings dental care to the children of Honduras

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:21:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who's decided to work to make the world a better place.People’s teeth often go overlooked in development work. Annie Nardone, a dental hygienist, wanted more out of life. At 25, as she went through what she called a “quarter-life crisis,” Annie decided to use her dental skills to help impoverished communities in Honduras. On her first visit, she examined 500 kids. She tells us about her mission to bring dental care to children through her organization, Hands with Hope, with clinics in Nueva Suyapa and San Marcos, Honduras. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Chicago group provides training for autism services in countries where the disorder often goes undiagnosed

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:05:00 -0500

Recent studies estimate that globally, about 1 in 100 people have autism. But in developing countries, many know nothing of the developmental disorder and services are minimal. The city of Delhi, India has just two diagnosticians. That’s why autism educator Christopher Flint started the Chicago based Autism Awareness Campaign Through International Organizations Networking, or AACTION Autism. We’ll talk with Christopher about the organization’s efforts to improve perceptions and treatment of the disorder in developing countries. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Chicago doctor plans to build a hospital in his hometown in Nigeria

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:57:00 -0500

Every Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who's decided to work to make the world a better place.Nigeria-born Dr. Godwin Onyema came to the U.S. in 1974. For more than 30 years, he’s dreamed of providing quality medical care for the community he left behind in Nigeria's Anambra state. Godwin’s drive to make this hospital a reality began with his own early experience in medical school and his father’s emphasis on education. A few years ago, with the help of his son Afem, he started The GEANCO Foundation. The two share their plan to build a state-of-the-art hospital in Anambra. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Pictures help transform communities and connect kids around the globe

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:27:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Ryan Ansin is the founder of Every Person Has a Story (EPHAS). The organization runs photography clinics for people in developing countries so they can learn to document what is happening in their communities. Then EPHAS pairs them up with kids and schools around the United States who help support projects in those communities. It’s a unique way for American kids to learn about life in places like Rwanda or Haiti.Ryan got the idea while he was working in film production, making videos for non-profit organizations. He was asked to make a video for a foundation in Cambodia that worked with victims of sex trafficking. But in the process he realized that he wasn’t the best person to make the video.We talk with the founder, Ryan Ansin, about how his projects are transforming these communities. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Women reporters change their communities

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:18:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Cristi Hegranes is the founder of the Global Press Institute, known as GPI. It’s a non-profit media organization that trains women to be journalists. They currently have programs in 24 developing countries.Cristi herself is a journalist and the idea for the organization came out of her own experience reporting overseas. She was working as a stringer in Nepal and having what she describes as “the time of her life." But despite her knowledge of the country and the local language, she just couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t the right person to be reporting the stories. Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) has not independently investigated any persons or organizations that appear on the Global Activism series and does not endorse any such person or organization.

Global Activism: Chicago area architects offer their skills on projects around the globe

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:02:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Katherine Darnstadt is the co-founder of the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity. The charitable organization brings architects, designers, engineers and people in construction together to help provide architectural solutions to communities in need. The Chicago chapter works on both local and international projects. Current projects range from building a mobile fresh fruit and produce store in Chicago to reconstruction of an earthquake-ravaged school in Haiti.

Global Activism: Operation Asha expands its TB treatment program to Cambodia

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:31:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Sandeep Ahuja is the co-founder of Operation Asha. The organization works to eradicate tuberculosis. They began in India. Sandeep returns to tell us about their expansion to Cambodia.

Global Activism: A community centre in Zambia helps keep a village employed

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:57:00 -0500

Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe is the founder of the Tikondane Community Centre. She’s been on the show before, and when she was in town for the Global Activism Expo, she stopped by to give us an update on how things are going at Tikondane.The center is located in a small town called Katete in the eastern province of Zambia. Tikondane sponsors a community school, adult education and eco-tourism programs. They also offer a number of income-generating activities for people in the village.Elke first went to Zambia as a nurse, with plans to teach basic healthcare, but she found herself doing a whole lot more.

Global Activism: Bringing up communities to eliminate poverty in Ghana

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:59:00 -0500

Dr. Naana Agyemang-Mensah is the country director of The Hunger Project-Ghana. The organization works to end hunger and poverty around the world. Naana has been running their Ghana program for the past decade. She says that despite the name, The Hunger Project tackles more than food security issues.

Global Activism: Helping kids get an education in Guatemala

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:16:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Julie Coyne is the founder and director of Education and Hope. The organization works in the western highlands of Guatemala and provides scholarships so kids can go to school as well as other social services that help those kids stay in school. It can cost as little as $15 a month for a child to attend school in Guatemala.Julie was on the program six years ago and she returns to discuss the inroads her organization has made. This is the story of Erik Maldonado, the first student to receive one of Julie’s scholarships:

Global Activism: Competition offers new model for bringing flood relief to Pakistan

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:57:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism we hear about individuals who’ve decided to work to make the world a better place.The U.S. Agency for International Development estimates that the flood which hit Pakistan in August 2010 affected more than 18 million people. Many people died and thousands more became ill with flood-related diseases. The endless rain damaged or destroyed some 1.7 million homes and is perhaps the worst flood in the country’s modern history.Nicholas Duque is the director of operations for the student-run group, Road to Innovative Social Entrepreneurship. They’re based at the University of Chicago and they’ve organized a social entrepreneurship competition to help develop ground breaking projects that will aid flood relief efforts in Pakistan. Nicholas tells us how the competition, called RISE Pakistan, will bring students together from all around the globe.

Global Activism: Repaired bikes provide economical means of transporation in developing countries

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:02:00 -0500

On this week's Global Activism, we decided to catch up with one of the 90 some groups that will be at the Global Activism Expo on April 30.If you show up at the Expo with an old bike to donate, it's certain to put a smile on the faces of the Working Bikes folks. The Chicago-based group takes old bikes, fixes them up and sells them at their warehouse in Pilsen. They also send donated bikes to people who need them in the developing world.Working Bikes board memeber Sue Shannon and general manager Raul Gonzales give us an update on their organization.

Global Activism: Local librarian helps rebuild libraries in Haiti

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:14:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Deborah Lazar is a librarian at New Trier High School. She's been involved with New Trier’s Haiti Project, which has been supporting the St. Joseph School in Petit Goave, Haiti. The school was completely destroyed along with many other buildings during the earthquake that hit the country in January 2010. Deborah has also started another project, Rebuilding Haiti, Rebuilding Dreams, to help reconstruct the libraries that were damaged in the quake, including the library in Petit Goave. Video of the earthquake damage to the National Library of Haiti:

Global Activism: Organization provides integrative healthcare to patients in Nepal

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:26:00 -0500

Each Thursday on our Global Activism series, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Grainne McKeown is the founder of Mindful Medicine Worldwide. The organization provides integrative healthcare services to people in Nepal.McKeown had spent a year in Nepal studying Buddhism. While she was there she discovered a local integrative care clinic that was completely staffed by volunteers. They had a Tibetan medicine doctor and a homeopath on staff but they didn’t have an acupuncturist. They also had lines and lines of patients waiting to be treated. So when she completed her studies in oriental medicine and acupuncture, she started Mindful Medicine Worldwide and headed back to the clinic to provide acupunture treatment for patients.Mindful Medicine Worldwide will be holding their Spring Into Wellness Day on May 20, 2011 from 6-9pm at Flourish Studios at 3020 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.

Global Activism: Providing healthcare services in Haiti

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:55:00 -0500

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Sue Walsh is the founder of Little by Little. The organization provides primary healthcare services to families in Haiti. Sue’s a nurse practitioner and also teaches at the University of Illinois College of Nursing in Chicago. Several years ago she had the opportunity to start a service learning project at the school and that’s how Little by Little got started.

Global Activism: getting young kids involved in service

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:35:00 -0600

Each Thursday on Global Activism we hear about individuals who’ve decided to work to make the world a better place. Mary Roth and Lisa Axelrod are the founders of The Kindness Connection. It’s an organization that helps create service learning projects for Chicago-area kids. The idea is to help children develop an interest in volunteering from an early age, making it more likely they’ll be involved in service projects later in life.

Global Activism: Helping to build the new South Sudan

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:32:00 -0600

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Kenneth Elispana left Sudan in 1992, fleeing from the civil war and the ongoing persecution of Sudanese Christians. He made his way to India for his undergraduate studies and eventually came to the University of Southern Illinois for graduate school.Kenneth felt he needed to do something for those still suffering back home so he started the organization South Sudan Voices of Hope for Relief and Development. Last month, South Sudan voted to secede and become an independent country. Now he is hoping his organization will be able to help build a new nation. EVENT: Birth of a Nation The celebration of South Sudan’s independence will feature speakers, displays, African drummers, food and music. Saturday, March 19 from 3-8pm Gary United Methodist Church 224 N. MainWheaton, IL For more information contact 708-705-8669

Global Activism: Providing occupational therapy for people with disabilities in Taiwan and Ukraine

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:04:00 -0600

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Susan Meyers is an occupational therapist and founder of the Resource Foundation. Her organization provides occupational therapy and professional training in Ukraine and Taiwan, where people with disabilities are often not given the chance to become active members of society.

Global Activism: Chicago attorney heads to Iraq to train a group of trial lawyers

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:13:00 -0600

Each Thursday on Global Activism, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Matt Rooney is a partner at the Chicago law firm Mayer Brown. He oversees the firm’s pro bono projects around the world. Rooney recently returned from Iraq, where he trained a group of trial lawyers via a program developed by Heartland Alliance International, a Chicago organization that provides a range of services for vulnerable Iraqis.

Global Activism: Vanavevhu assists orphaned children who head households in Zimbabwe

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:58:00 -0600

It’s Thursday, and time for our Global Activism series. Each Thursday, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Today, our segment is about Zimbabwe. And with us is one of our former Global Activists, Elizabeth Mhangami. She’s Founder and Executive Director of Vanavevhu Children of the Soil. And they support families where children, who mostly lost their parents to AIDS, are now running their households.Join Vanavevhu at Mars Gallery for an evening of live music, videos and photos. Enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers. Hear about its first year in Bulawayo and their vision for the future. Go to this link for RSVP info. Mars Gallery 1139 W. Fulton Market Chicago, IL 60607 Wednesday March 2, 2011 7pm - 10pmTickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Global Activism: Stories from the Peace Corps

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:54:00 -0600

Each Thursday on our Global Activism series, we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. On today’s segment we thought we’d do something a little different.In 1960 Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. That speech was the beginning of the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps was Kennedy’s idea but it was his brother in law, Sargent Shriver, who would establish the agency and serve as its first director. Earlier this month Sargent Shriver passed away. We thought we’d remember his legacy today with several former Peace Corps volunteers. Amy Maglio is the founder of the Women’s Global Education Project. Patsy Mertz is the founder of Ivory Coast Mothers and Children. Barbara Janes served as part of the very first Peace Corps class in 1961, in Pakistan. They have all been featured on the Global Activism series and they join us to reminisce about the Peace Corps.

Global Activism: Connecting rural Ugandans to the rest of the world

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:28:00 -0600

Grant Buhr is the country director for ProjectFOCUS, an all-volunteer organization that uses art to help facilitate development projects in southwest Uganda. Six months ago they started an internet café to benefit the rural town of Layantonde. Grant tells us what it took to get the café up and running.

Global Activism: Young Chicagoan helps Cambodia’s NGOs become more transparent and efficient

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:51:00 -0600

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.At age 21, Allie Hoffman left Chicago for Cambodia, where she started The Pari Project. The organization works with NGOs to help them raise funds, become more transparent and improve their services. Most of their work is based in Cambodia but they also have projects in Africa.

Global Activism: Chicago teacher helping expand sex education programs in Kenya

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:00:00 -0600

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who's decided to work to make the world a better place. Kathy Tate-Bradish has been working with Vumilia since she first heard about the organization on Worldview four years ago. Vumilia supports women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in western Kenya. It was started by a Kenyan woman named Rose Ayuma. Vumilia has also developed a peer run sex education program that they're in the process of expanding. Kathy has been a big part of that.

Global Activism: helping communities in Nicaragua to provide quality education

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:00:00 -0600

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Kevin Marinacci is the vice president of programs for Fabretto Children’s Foundation. Fabretto was started in 1948 by Father Rafael Maria Fabretto. The organization provides Nicaraguan children with educational and vocational training . They also have health and nutrition programs for the families they work with. Kevin stopped by to give us an update on some of Fabretto’s new projects.

Global Activism: reaching 100,000 AIDS orphans in Southern Africa

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:45:00 -0600

George Snyman is a white South African and a software developer in Johannesburg who'd never really seen life in the townships. Once he did, he co-founded Hands at Work. His goal is to reach 100,000 orphaned and vulnerable children by the end of 2010, offering food, shelter, water, education, clothing and healthcare. George is joined by Brooke Heubner, a volunteer for Hands at Work.

Global Activism: Rebuilding a village torn apart by civil war

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:51:00 -0600

Sam Kormoi is the founder of Pan African Rural Health and Social Services (PRHeSS). Sam left Sierra Leone to study medicine here in Chicago. Civil war broke out and his village was destroyed, physically and emotionally. He tells us about the organization he started to help rebuild his hometown and the rest of the country.

Global Activism: Recent high school graduate starts an organization to help bring clean water to a Kenyan village

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:10:00 -0600

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place. Aliya de Grazia just returned to the United States after spending six months volunteering in the village of Mulot, Kenya. And now she plans to go back next year. She’s started an organization, Small Planet, Big Plans, to help bring clean water to the village of Mulot. A year ago Aliya had no idea that any of this would have happened. She was a senior at Stephenson High School and was excited about being accepted into an honors anthropology program at Purdue University. But, she says, something just wasn’t right. You can read about Aliya's experience in Kenya on her blog.

Global Activism: Helping war victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:41:00 -0600

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Amy Ernst has been volunteering with the Congolese organization COPERMA in North Kivu province in eastern Congo. The region has been ravaged by war and many of the victims are women. The United Nations estimates that at least 15,000 women were raped in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last year. Ernst tells us about her experience helping some of these victims.You can read more about Amy's work in the DR Congo on her blog.

Global Activism: Spark Ventures works with vulnerable kids in Zambia

podcasts@chicagopublicradio.org (Chicago Public Media) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:00 -0500

Each Thursday we hear about an individual who’s decided to work to make the world a better place.Rich Johnson is one of the co-founders of Spark Ventures. One summer night in 2006, Rich and two of his closest friends went out to a movie. Afterwards they had a conversation about life-changing moments. By the end of the evening, they decided to take a trip to Africa and do a volunteer project. Johnson tells Jerome how he ended up in Zambia.