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“Disability is the inability to see Ability” - Vikas Khanna
COMMUNITY HERO:
VIKAS KHANNA
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| 'No Butts' Measure Inspired by Ingenious Woodbridge Siblings | 'Repair Cafes' reject a 'toss it out' culture | 'Stove Man' videos aim to light a fire | 'The Hunger Games' movie attracts campaigns to fight real-world hunger | A Powerful Noise promotes the global empowerment of women | A quirky, tiny grass-roots effort backs only 'Awesome' projects |
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| Ablaye is a talented artist with an ambitious career planned, despite his physical disability. | After Boston Marathon blast, many show kindness to runners | Alex Hill helped to bring medical supplies to a Ugandan village. | Alice Baum and her husband Don Burnes left behind their careers to help the homeless. | Alvaro Cogollo uses popular music to entice Colombians to love nature | Ana Dodson formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education. |
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| Andrew E. Lieberman works to preserve indigenous languages and cultures. | Andrew Greene Jr. of Sierra Leone teaches the world about peace. | Angela Brooks is an architect who works to create sustainable and affordable housing. | Anshu Gupta brings 'clothing for dignity' to India | Anthony Dale Leanna donates 'Heavenly Hats' to cancer patients under treatment. | Antonio Roman-Alcala and Alemany Farm is a gardening activist seeking a sustainable food system. |
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| Apps for Good: technical innovation from the minds and thumbs of disadvantaged youths | Art Miles Mural Project uses art to create a more peaceful global community. | Ashley Rhodes-Courter is an advocate for foster children and adoption rights. | Azie Morton valued education and gave back to her community. | BAFTA LA brings Shakespeare to life for South LA students. | Barbara Stuart Rabinowitsch was a member of the Laguna Beach Greenbelt and of Ballet Pacifica. |
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| Barefoot College and Microformers shine as innovative power solutions | Beau Doherty is the president of Special Olympics Connecticut and the creator of the Unified Sports Program. | Becky Matkov works to preserve Miami's indigenous history. | Bilaal Rajan is the founder of Making Change Now and Canada's child ambassador to UNICEF. | Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes to bring shoes to children who don't have them. | Bob Geldof is known for his anti-poverty work for Africa and is a Nobel Prize nominee. |
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| Bono (Paul Hewson) is a musician, advocate for AIDS victims and a humanitarian. | Brandon Keefe provides books to underfunded libraries in his hometown. | Brian Cox is the recreation director at South Central Park in Los Angeles who has given hope to the children and neighborhood. | Brian Mullaney is the founder of Surgery for the Poor. | Bringing quicker, easier solar power to rural Africa | Budi and Peggy Soehardi Roslin Orphanage provides a loving home to care for displaced and orphaned children in East Timor. |
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| Bunker Roy has dedicated his life to improving the lives of the rural poor in India. | Cameron Sinclair is the founder of Architecture for Humanity, which brings services to communities in need. | Camila-Batmanghelidjh: Giving London street kids - even teen gang members - a safe (and colorful) home | Camille Zamora & Monica Yunus are best friends who founded Sing for Hope | Canal Futura is a Brazilian television channel which provides access to education. | Catchafire matches talented volunteers with opportunities to serve |
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| Cesar Chavez was a tireless advocate for migrant farm workers. | Changing the face of aid, literally | Charlie Weingarten finds fresh ways to champion selfless acts of philanthropy | Chelsey Barrios and her peers collected thousands of books to give to Read to Grow. | Chepe Ubaque survived Colombia's mean streets. Now he helps others do the same. | Chi Nguyen was honored for helping street children in Vietnam. |
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| Chief Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. | Child's Play Touring Theater performs worldwide works written by kids. | Christian Bryan Alexander Harvey visits schools to talk about social justice and how to stop bullying. | Clara Hale was foster mother and founder of the Hale House. | Cle Ross is bringing youth baseball back to an inner city | Clotilde Dedecker provides educational opportunities for girls in Afghanistan. |
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| Coluche is a French humorist who created an organization to feed the poor | Confronting bullying, one drumbeat at a time | Connie Siskowski follows her true passion to care for the youngest of the caregivers. | Corinne Almquist volunteers to restore the tradition of gleaning. | Craig Kielburger is an activist for childrens' rights and has founded 'Me to We' and 'Free the Children'. | Dana Reeve was an actress and advocate for the disabled. She was the heroic wife of Christopher Reeve. |
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| Danielle Gletow lends a helping hand to children in foster care | Dave Congdon is a Special Olympics athlete and an inspiration to many facing barriers and difficult times. | Dennis Ryan Lawrence and Tara Ann Lawrence raise funds to fight cancer. | Detective Luis Rosa volunteers to make the lives of people with disabilities better. | Devin VanCleave was the Ambassador for a campaign to collect toys for children's hospitals. | Diane Challis Davy directs the Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters. |
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| Diners go 'Halfsies' to fight hunger and obesity | Divine Bradley: Team Revolution encourages kids to become involved in their communities and become leaders. | Dominic Deng Diing, a refugee in the U.S., educates 3,000 children back in South Sudan | Doug Miller Is an iconic artist and musician in Laguna Beach, Calfifornia. | Dr. Ed Gragert works towards peace and global education. | Dr. Ella Mae Piper helped young people and the elderly in her community of Fort Myers. |
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| Dr. Felton Earls treats communities through his work. | Dr. Fred Barnett is a wise and compassionate pediatrician known for his caring ways. | Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy cares for the eyes of millions of people in India. | Dr. Larry Thomas is the founder of the Tropical Health Alliance Foundation. | Dr. Madan Kataria has started a revolution of joy and laughter that is spreading around the world. | Dr. Philip Zimbardo - Psychologist has created the Heroic Imagination Project to foster the belief that we are all heroes in waiting. |
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| Ed Grant is passionate about helping others better their lives. | Efren Penaflorida helped create Dynamic Teen Company | Elizabeth Daley has created an outstanding multi media educational program that serves as a model for the world. | Elizabeth Glaser created the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. | Elizaveta Glinka: 'Dr. Liza' heads a free clinic that helps Moscow's homeless and hopeless | Ellen Lee DeGeneres is a comedienne and advocate for disadvantaged children, animals, and cancer survivors. |
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| Emily Pozo created ICE to assist and educate residents of the Galapagos Islands | Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah rode a bike across Ghana to challenge the stigma of being disabled. | Engineers Without Borders are working to change the world. | Eric Maddox breaks bread - and barriers - one virtual dinner at a time | Eric Samuel established Community Food Enterprise to reduce food poverty in East London. | Erica Fernandez gave a voice to the voiceless and saved her neighborhood. |
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| Eunice Kennedy Shriver dedicated her life to raising awareness and creating opportunities for the intellectually disabled. | FilmAid International educates, informs and to brings hope and joy to thousands of refugees. | Five microcredit programs innovate to break the cycle of poverty | Five poverty-fighting women to watch | Five reasons to serve others | For Boston Marathon's charity runners, resolve and camaraderie unshaken |
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| Franco Majok fled Sudan - but returned to build a school | Fred Batley gives young and aspiring actors and actresses a chance to shine. | Friends of the Sea Lion rescue, treat, and release these mammals back into the ocean. | From gangs to gardens: Community agriculture transforms a San Francisco neighborhood | Funkor Child Art Center workds with many national and international organizations around the world to provide children with art and books. | Games for change: How digital fun is becoming a way to better the world |
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| Geoffrey Canada is an educator, social activist and president of the Harlem Childrens Zone in New York. | Girls for Gender Equity, Inc. encourages girls to live self-determined and healthy lives and to contribute to their community. | Gleaning for good: an old idea is new again | Global Kids Leaders volunteer to help their schools and communities. | GoodGuide and others use technology to help turn consumers green | Grace Lee Boggs has advocated for marginalized people for over 70 years |
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| Greg Mortenson persevered to build a school in a remote village in Pakistan. | Guillermo Ojeda-Lajud is a Mexican teacher who helps his students gain filmmaking skills to make a statement about their environment. | Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Cleanup Team work hard to return the Gulf to a healthy state. | Hany El-Miniawy is an Egyptian architect who uses architecture to help alleviate poverty. | Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician and worked to gain equal rights for the LGBT community. | Hazviperi Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to transform lives. |
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| Heather Martina's Aunt Heather leaves everything to help others. | Heather DeWitt is a devoted conservationist. | Hector Morales teaches students to be self-sufficient environmentalists. | Helping New Orleans make a comeback is her personal passion | Henry Red Cloud: a solar warrior for native America | Herb Alpert is a musician and artist who inspires young people to reach their potential. |
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| Holly Carter gives kids and others the tools to tell their stories. | Hortense Miller created a botanical garden on her hillside property and bequeathed it to her town of Laguna Beach. | Humanitarian Hero Abdul Sattar Edhi is Pakistan's Mother Teresa | Ikal Angelei: A Kenyan woman stands up against a massive dam project | INSIDEOUT WRITERS D'nA eBus Project bring tools of expression to juvenille hall. | Is Rio de Janeiro the world's first 'smart' city? |
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| J.A. and Geraldine Reynolds Founded 'Bruce's Garden' in NYC which honors Bruce, a victim of 9/11. | Jack Sim has started a worldwide campaign for clean public toilets and better sanitation standards. | Jacob & Isaac Seigel-Boettner film stories of how bicycles can change lives for the better. | Jacob Komar and Computers for Communities refurbishes computers and helps inner city residents obtain IT skills. | Jacqueline Edelberg believes every child deserves a great neighborhood public school | Janet Miller is a teacher who stepped up to prevent bullying of LGBT students. |
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| Jeneece Edroff is a determined fundraiser who raises money to help children with serious illnesses. | Jennifer Staple: Unite for Sight works to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness worldwide. | Jessie Christopherson helps the physically and mentally challenged accomplish things they never thought possible. | Jim Dilley was the founder of the Laguna Beach Greenbelt. | Jimmy Woodard helps community groups with his knowledge of media and technology | Joe Brown gave up his ocean front home and created a park for everyone. |
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| Johann Olav Koss: Right To Play is a Norwegian Olympian who founded Right to Play | John Denver was an American songwriter/singer and activist for the environment. | John Tighe inspired his neighbor with his big heart and the way he cared for people in their community. | John Wood founded Room to Read, which works to increase literacy and educational gender equality in developing countries. | Jon Rose founded Waves for Water, which works on the front-line to provide clean water. | Jorge Munoz prepares and delivers meals to the hungry in Queens, New York. |
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| Josee Sutton helps girls learn to read and is a caring role model to those in her girl scout troup. | Joseph Marcel Shook Jr. is a compassionate community leader and a hero to his son, Joseph. | Josh Vander Vies is a determined and amazing athlete. | Josue and Chrismedonne Lajeunesse work together to provide access to clean water for their village of La Source, Haiti. | Joze Pleenik was an architect from Slovenia who made his community beautiful. | Julie Leven brings classical music to homeless shelters |
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| Karen Tse is an attorney dedicated to ensuring basic legal rights for Asian citizens. | Kathryn Cunningham founded the nonprofit 'Power Up Gambia' to provide solar energy to the hospitals and clinics. | Kathy Eldon inspired by her son, works for peace and tolerance. | Katie Simon founded Minga to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of young children. | Kennedy Odede grew his childhood dream of creating outreach centers for poor children like him. | Kimmie Weeks survived the war in Liberia and now works to rebuild communities in war-torn countries. |
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| Kjerstin Erickson and Forge help refugees in Africa achieve economic self-sufficiency and empowerment through education. | L'Abbe Pierre devoted his life to helping the poor and homeless in France. | Latino Environmental Activists are shaping an urban agenda with smog, foul water among priorities. | Len Stanmore mixes adventure with helping others | Leonard Abess is known for his generosity to others and commitment to caring for the environment. | Lisa Markham is a passionate and committed volunteer to the Special Olympics. |
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| Lisa Nigro works to help the homeless in Chicago through the Inspiration Cafe. | Liz Squibb knows how to help foster children - she was one herself | Ludomatica offers technology and creative learning to disadvantaged Colombian youth | Luis Soriano Bohorquez started the Biblioburro Library in the mountains of Colombia. | Lula Mae Walker has been a foster parent to 300 kids. | Lyndon Harris: People Making a Difference founded The Gardens of Forgiveness Project. |
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| MacGillivray Family founded the non-profit MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation | Magic Johnson inspires others with his basketball talents and philanthropic work. | Major Moogy Sumner is an aboriginal Ngarrindjeri elder who understands the importance of preserving and passing on his culture. | Malaria Campaign 2009 Students join together to eradicate malaria. | Malika Sanders was born into the Civil Rights Movement and continues work today. | Marcia Levitas co-founded an art endeavor which raises funds for cancer research and education. |
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| Marisol Lizelle Salvador lost her brother, but found a life - helping kids in the Philippines | Mary Lou Naso & Harry visit hospitals to spread smiles. | Matthew Cohen raised $5000 for the Solar Oven Project for the people of Haiti. | Maura Welch was recognized by NetAid for her work to spread awareness about child labor. | Maxine Waters is a Congresswoman who works fervently for her community. | Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity. |
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| Mister Rogers television host, teacher and kindly neighbor to generations of children. | MIT Open Courseware Project makes education accessible worldwide by offering free MIT courseware online. | Mohamed Sidibay is a youth reporter who is committed to making a difference in the world. | Molly's Film The Story of a Young Filmmaker is the winner of the 8th Annual MY HERO Film Festival. | Mory Sanberg makes bag lunches for the homeless people in her city. | Mrs. Nirmala and the Eradication of Malaria Project are working in India to educate the public. |
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| Muhammad Yunus started a bank for poor people in Bangladesh. | National Day of Service calls on Americans to help others | Navyn Salem manufactures success by helping to feed the world's hungry | Nawaraj Baskota is working to improve the education of the poorest children in Nepal. | Nick Vujicic went from a life without limbs to a life without limits. | Nicole Dewing and Curtis McCormack joined the Peace Corps and started a waste recycling project in Joal, Senegal. |
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| On International Women's Day: 12 innovations that are lifting women out of poverty | OPEN VISION YOUTH PROJECT strives to provide technology to students in Uganda. | Our Hero Barack Obama instills inner city youth with confidence to get involved and make a difference. | Pam Smith-Rodden helped turn a dream into a reality for an author and a community. | Park, Won-Soon advocates a stronger Democracy for South Korea. | Patrons praise restaurant staff near Boston Marathon blast |
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| Paul Cummins has devoted his career to finding ways to provide all children equitable access to a quality education. | Paul J. Adams III is a passionate educator who built a nationally renowned prep school for African American students. | Peace It Together empowers youth to promote peace. | Pedal = Sight tells how a bicycle can change a life. | Pete Carroll is a successful coach who founded A Better LA to help gang members live a better life and plug into their communities. | Photo Essay of Boston Marathon aftermath - Christian Science Monitor |
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| Playing For Real Reggie McBride & Mark Johnson make Peace through Music with Playing for Change- | Police Chief Richard Lamunyon founded the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Program. | Powering Potential puts technology in schools in Tanzania while respecting local cultures | President Obama's address for Inauguration 2013 | Puppies Behind Bars benefits both inmates and dogs. | Queen Noor passionately works for peace, human rights, and wildlife conservation. |
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| Queen Rania of Jordan is a crusader for the rights of women and children. | Question Box helps people Google can't reach | R. Sargent Shriver 1915 - 2011 Outstanding Public Servant Remembered for Directing The Peace Corps | Ralf Hotchkiss is an engineer, inventor and humanitarian, and the founder of Whirlwind Wheelchair International. | Ramani Sankaranarayanan and Geeta Vaidyanathan founded CTxGrEn to show villagers how to turn native materials into fuel for electricity. | Ravi Gulati has created learning centers for children with special needs in India. |
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| Rhonda Alvarez Licona is the founder of Dream Catchers. | Richard Avery is a beloved Scoutsmaster who has volunteered at home and overseas. | Richard Proudfit founded Kids Against Hunger to feed starving children around the world. | Rick Hansen broke boundaries and records as a disabled athlete. | Roberto Saviano wrote a best selling book denouncing organized crime. | Robin Lim devotes her life to improving the birth experience so that all humans are born with an intact capacity to love. |
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| Rose Marie Thomas donated time and effort to combatting childhood catastrophic diseases. | Rosemarie L. Poeppelman is a foster mom and an adoptive parent who has changed the lives of many children. | Roxanne J. Coady has a love of books that has enhanced the community and brought literature into the lives of thousands of families. | Ruth DeGolia: Mercado Global works to help poor communities that have seen the collapse of prices for their locally grown crops. | Sabriye Tenberken helps to educate and better the lives of blind people living in Tibet. | Saeed Awan developed a new carpet loom that reduces child labor in Pakistan. |
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| Samaritan's Purse helps feed those in need worldwide | Samuel Mockbee is an architect and teacher who builds homes for the poor. | Sandra Kay Yow is a groundbreaking women's basketball coach and founder of Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. | Sanjit 'Bunker' Roy encourages villagers to have the confidence to succeed. | Santosh Thorat: After seeing Mumbai's slums bulldozed, he now works to save and restore them | Sasa a young doctor in Burma keeps his promise to his village. |
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| Seiji Yoshimura rushes to natural disasters to help | Sergei Abramov's goal: an educational blog that doesn't bore his fellow Russian teens | Shirley Blair helps bring education to Tibetan children from Nepal. | Simon Velez is a prize winning architect who uses sustainable materials. | Sindhu Ravishankar created the Vivid Vision Project to provide accessible eye care to impoverished communities in India. | Sir Elton John is a successful musician who is also a champion of LGBT and AIDS issues. |
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| Sister Margaret Scheetz founded Beatitude House for homeless women and children. | Skip Blumberg successfully campaigned against City Hall to re-open a section of historic City Hall Park in NYC. | Skye Malik founded the Paco Project to empower those with dyslexia. | Soedati Warsito Rasman is a motivated activist for Indonesia's needy. | Solar power: cheap electricity for world's poor | Somaly Mam has dedicated her life to finding and mentoring children who have suffered from human trafficking. |
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| Special Olympics Tennis: Love Regardless of the Score | Sports to Share teaches teamwork, fair play, and tolerance | Studs Terkel The author who captured the stories of everyday people celebrates his 95th birthday. | Tatiana rossman: Books flow from an American teen to African schools | Teach Twice shares stories with the world | Temple Grandin is a professor, doctor of animal science and an autism activist. |
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| Tendol Gyalzur provides a home and family for Tibetan and Chinese orphans. | Terram Foundation brings job growth, community involvement, and local solutions to larger environmental concerns. | Thais Corral gives women a voice in their communities through access to communication technology. | The Community College Foundation eBus brings technology to underserved communities and schools. | The Daffodil Project through the generosity of B&K Bulbs in the Netherlands, brought hope to NYC after 9/11. | The Heifer Organization works with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. |
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| The Train Guy - Eric Clemons reflects on how an anonymous hero helped shape his life. | The VH1 Save the Music Foundation is a hero to Libby for its dedication to keep music education in the public schools. | They opened their home - and hearts - to South Africa's abandoned babies | To fight hunger, donate 'Just One Can' | Tony Boursiquot rushed home to Haiti to become a 'defender of the weakest' | Tori Degen is a cancer survivor who helps others with MAKE A WISH Foundation |
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| Tri Mumpuni Iskandar builds small hydro plants to bring electricity to Indonesian villages | Two worlds, one classroom School that Reaches Out to children and families from the nearby slum in India. | Tyler Russell began a community radio station and goes out of his way to find, promote, and interview indie artists that don't get commercial recognition | UCLA students dance ′til dawn, raise millions for pediatric AIDS | Unconventional Charity: Water aims to raise $2 billion for clean water | Using Hollywood to teach people about disaster giving |
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| Valentina Mindoljevic is a science teacher who helped to provide aid to women and child refugees in Croatia. | Van Jones has found an effective way of addressing environmentalism and social justice by linking both issues. | Versatile engines power up rural African villages | Vicky Colbert de Arboleda is a leader in the movement to transform education in Colombia to provide equal access to all children. | Vikas Khanna is a chef, restaurant owner, and humanitarian who uses food to bring together a global community. | Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa. |
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| Visaka Dharmadasa works to ease the horrors of war in Sri Lanka. | Vy Higginsen brings gospel music to at risk teens. | William Henry Gates III co-founder of Microsoft, is devoted to humanitarian causes around the world. | William Kamkwamba designed and built a windmill, at the age of 14, for his family in Malawi, Africa. | World Water Day 2012: Two innovations for purifying water | Wyland is an internationally recognized artist and marine life conservationist. |
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| Young@Heart is a chorus of senior citizens that sings classic rock and pop songs. | Zainab Rezai leads her community towards progress. |
