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Bringing the Dream of an Elite College to Rural Students

Anemona Hartocollis

May 21, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Recent college graduates are working as full-time college counselors in low-income, rural communities across the country. The program, College Advising Corps, aims to provide students with ready access to information about deadlines, school options, and financial aid forms. In one North Caroline school equipped with a young advisor, the college enrollment rate has increased by 10 percent over the course of two years and is projected to continue to rise.

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Turning Goats into Water

Mukul Devichand Dougal Shaw

May 16, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Pakistan, Pathan Goth, Sindh

Fariel Salahuddin was determined to tackle the extreme lack of access to fresh water she encountered in rural Pakistani communities, but she wanted the model to be sustainable, not dependent on donations. Most of the communities didn't have regular access to rupees to help sustain their solar water pump micro-enterprises - what they did have, however, were goats. Salahuddin set up a scheme where villagers could pay for their clean water access with livestock instead of cash, which she then sells using Facebook at high rates during Muslim festivals to generate a sustainable revenue source.

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Library hotspots can help those in internet deserts

Noah Jones

May 12, 2017 |

Richland Source |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Rural areas struggle to have internet, which can be a problem for everyone including students. Mansfield/ Richland County Public Libraries have started lending out hot spots, which has been very successful and useful for residents.

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Guatemalan deportees get fresh start as volcano guides

Martha Pskowski

May 12, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Guatemala, San Jose Calderas, Chimaltenango

The United States deported more than 100 people to the farming village of San Jose Calderas in 2008. Money lenders and gang members quickly descended on the deportees, demanding payments and taking property. Some deportees and their families are now working as tourist guides on the nearby Acatenango volcano, carving out a new way of making a living.

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Printing A Solution to the World's Biggest Problems

Wendy Williams

May 11, 2017 |

Pro Bono Australia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Solomon Islands, Honiara, Guadalcanal

A research fellow at Deakin University’s School of Engineering in Australia has developed a world-first technology 3D printer prototype capable of printing plumbing and sanitation supplies using discarded plastics - and what's more, it runs on solar power. They are partnering with NGO Plan International to implement this technology in the Solomon Islands, where locals will learn to print the parts they need, thereby solving the dual problems of plastic rubbish and a lack of access to vital mechanical parts for clean water supply. The model gives these communities tools to solve their own problems.

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In Kenya, Phones Replace Bank Tellers

Tina Rosenberg

May 09, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Building on the widespread use of mobile phones in Kenya, applications have been developed to provide people with financial services. Through these applications people can securely receive money, save money, and make payments increasing their fiscal stability and their ability to access assistance when adverse events happen. The applications also create a record of financial transactions resulting in people being able to establish credit, receive loans, and access pay-as-you-go programs.

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How do you solve half a century of bloodshed in Colombia?

Lucy Lamble Kary Stewart

April 27, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Colombia

Local civil society groups are at the forefront of rebuilding Colombia. With decades of armed conflict officially ended, efforts to support a lasting peace focus on inequality and land issues and work to advance sustainable rural development.

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Appalachia's new trail: finding life after coal

Zack Colman

April 09, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kentucky

Well-paying mining jobs used to be the bedrock of Appalachian coal country, but those jobs are increasingly hard to find. Local and national organizations are working together to help the region diversify economically by supporting local entrepreneurship with trainings and grant money.

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Kansas' Idea to Keep Businesses (and Small Towns) Alive When Owners Retire

Kaela Bamberger

April 04, 2017 |

Naked Capitalism |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Concordia, Kansas

RedTire is a program operating in Kansas that helps coordinate the selling and buying of businesses. The service has proven critical in rural areas that often only have a single key entity, like a pharmacy, and would suffer greatly if it were to shut down. RedTire serves as a "matchmaking" service to assist these communities in finding new owners to take over at a fair price.

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Rwanda's 'solar smart kiosk' provides digital solutions to rural mobile phone users

Christin Roby

April 03, 2017 |

Devex |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Kigali

Although an estimated 75% of the world's population uses cell phones, in places like rural Rwanda, the availability and costs of electricity to charge them can be patchwork at best. ARED's 'solar smart kiosk' provides a stand-alone cart that runs on renewable energy and serves not just as a charging station, but a digital and internet center for users at the base of the pyramid. The company also ensures training and monitoring support to keep kiosk operators current on the technology.

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