Agents for Change Dec 31 Arid Middle East faces political battles over water shortfalls The Middle East is facing a water crisis, and the divisions between Israel and Palestinians have only exacerbated the problem. But whereas Israel is a pioneer in desalination and produces much of its own water, in Gaza, Palestinians struggle with…
World Aug 28 Resisting the African ‘brain drain’ that has created a health care crisis A "brain drain" is sending many of Africa’s highly skilled workers abroad--and leaving a painful void in their absence. But an organization called Seed Global Health is training new medical professionals and encouraging them to remain in their native countries,…
World Aug 13 African food businesses get nurturing from well-known giants Volunteers from some of the world’s biggest food producers, who decades ago took food-making from kitchen to the factory, are offering guidance to African entrepreneurs and helping nations become less dependent on imported food. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro…
Agents for Change Aug 03 How tech is putting the needs of impoverished Kenyans on the map At least 50 percent of Nairobi's population lives in slums, yet until a few years ago, many busy neighborhoods were blank spaces on official maps. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Kenya on the ways mapping technology is…
Science Aug 01 Does solar power offer a brighter future for off-the-grid Navajo residents? Bypassed in the ‘30s and '40s, one third of homes in Navajo Nation still have no access to grid electricity. Yet ironically, it's a huge electricity exporter, with one of the biggest coal-fired plants churning out power sold to millions.
Science Jun 20 How off-the-grid Navajo residents are getting running water Lack of access to running water is an issue in many developing countries, but it is also a problem in the United States. Nearly 40 percent of the homes in the Navajo Nation lack running water or sanitation, and many…
World Jun 07 Getting books from the U.S. feeds these students’ love of reading Books For Africa has sent more than 41 million books over the last 30 years to 53 different countries, where students say the variety of titles have made them enthusiastic readers. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.
Arts May 29 This school in India proves music can change lives In a remote Himalayan community in India, admission to a school set up by a Canadian Jesuit priest meant more than a meal ticket for the children on the lowest rung of the traditional social hierarchy; each student was also…
World Apr 23 India’s struggling farmers find seeds of hope in heritage crops About two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion people live on small subsistence farms, struggling to eke out a living. Many farmers have felt left behind as crops have failed or diminished due to disease, degraded soil and drought. Not thousands are…
World Apr 19 In India, this group helps turn wasteland into greener pastures Most rural Indian parents dream of an education and job in the city for their children, rather than a life spent farming. But with a growing migration to cities, there is concern India might not be able to produce enough…