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Hello everyone! This week, we're stunned by a wide array of examples that showcase life's cyclical processes of regeneration, resilience, and renewal. Embedded in encounters of tragedy, setbacks, or uncertainty is one constant: change. As we move through all the sour lemons and sweet treats that life tosses our way, there is an indelible pattern that each situation will inevitably change. Across the distances of life's peaks and valleys, that potential for change becomes fuel for transformation. This week, we are witness to such stories of renewal -- where children, athletes, scientists, and everyday citizens raise the ceilings of human potential simply through acts of caring. May we never stray far from the insight that the road never ends; but how, with a small gesture of compassion, it simply bends into a new possibility.
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British School of Brussels
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When it arrived in Bodhanivka, Ukraine, there was a cuddly toy on each seat in the school bus sent by Belgian students who had raised €50,000 to buy it. Disturbed that the Bodhanivka school, which served 450 students and 50 kindergartners in a suburb of Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, had been destroyed by Russian shelling, the students set out to help. Charlie and Diego, students at The British School of Brussels, and four others from schools around Belgium, learned that with a bus, the students could attend schools in three neighboring villages. "We are the 'Covid Generation,' so we know what it is to be confined and isolated to do home schooling," said Diego and Charlie. "We go to school every day by public transportation, by car, by school bus, by bike or walking…but at least we have a way to get there. We all felt that we had to do something. We had to find time in our busy lives to help these students in need. "
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Jeffrey F Lin | Unsplash
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In the biggest campaign of its kind in the history of soccer, players competing in the current Women's World Cup are taking climate action to offset their flight emissions. Led by Sofie Junge Pedersen, a player for Denmark, players use scientific methodology to calculate the carbon emission tonnage of their World Cup-related flights and then donate money to initiatives by WWF Australia, WWF New Zealand and DanChurchAid. The players hope to inspire fans and influence officials to consider carbon emissions when considering future tournament locations.
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Francesco Ungaro | Unsplash
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The Tara Pacific expedition is a two-year research mission to study the conditions for coral life and survival. The expedition, involving 70 scientists from eight countries, collected over 58,000 samples from a hundred coral reefs across the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the largest genetic inventory in any marine system to date. The research reveals that global microbial biodiversity in coral reefs is much higher than previously estimated. The coral reefs contain all the globally estimated bacterial biodiversity, emphasizing their significance as biologically diverse marine ecosystems. The research also shows that the impacts of the environment on evolutionary adaptation in corals are species-specific. Furthermore, the study revealed that important genes in corals are duplicated, potentially contributing to their longevity and ability to survive harsh conditions. The Tara Pacific expedition's extensive data collection, including physical and chemical measurements, is freely accessible and serves as a valuable resource for future coral reef research worldwide.
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miraclemessages.org
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In the San Francisco Bay Area, US, there is a new approach to address homelessness, since approximately 38,000 people are experiencing homelessness. The approach involves using phone calls to provide support and connect with those on the streets. A 61-year-old homeless U.S. Marine Corps veteran named Stephen Hardy ended up on the streets after losing his job during the pandemic. A non-profit called Miracle Messages pairs him with a volunteer phone buddy named Nancy, who offers emotional support and understanding. The founder of Miracle Messages, Kevin F. Adler, believes that relational poverty, defined as a lack of supportive relationships and severe isolation, is a significant factor contributing to homelessness. His organization utilizes "digital detectives," tech-savvy volunteers, to help reconnect homeless individuals with their loved ones. Additionally, the organization has been running a year-long basic income program, providing $750 per month to people experiencing homelessness with no strings attached.
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In Carlisle, Cumbria, there is a unique boutique that operates on a kindness-based model to support local charities called The Kinder Shop. Instead of traditional prices, all the goods in the shop are labeled with the number of volunteer hours they are worth at nearby charities. The shop was made possible through the Kinder Cumbria campaign by the Cumberland Building Society, which aims to promote kindness and understanding in the community. Various charities and community groups participated in the initiative, and the response from the public was overwhelming, with 1,143 hours pledged to help local charities in just one day. The Kinder Shop has successfully connected people with volunteer opportunities and encouraged them to contribute to their community in meaningful ways. It has also inspired other businesses and communities to adopt similar kindness-based initiatives, further spreading the concept across the UK. Pop-ups in other towns have opened, raising hours for local charities, and more events are planned for the future.
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