Viola in the Netherlands gave up her high-level job to start making a difference in the world. She and the organization Masterpeace are mobilizing people all over the world ahead of the 2014 International Day of Peace.

Listen to the report by Jessie Wingard:

Peace, one person at a time

Check out Masterpeace’s website for more info.

Writing can sometimes be like pulling teeth, especially if you’re a kid. Luckily there’s a creative writing place for children where missing teeth is no big thing. Welcome to 826 Valencia, a nonprofit organization (and pirate supply store) where 23-year-old Amy Langerer shares her own passion for writing.

Amy is one of many volunteers at 826 Valencia, which helps teachers inspire students to write, through after school programs, in-class tutoring, evening and weekend workshops, and collaborative story-writing sessions. Any one can help and any kid can sign up. In its 10th year, 826 Valencia has generated so much buzz and a lengthy waiting list. Other cities across the United States have also adopted the same model, with 826 National programs in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, DC.

Listen to the report by Melanie Sevcenko:

The power of words

Learn more about 826 Valencia on its website.

A year ago, 23-year-old Mathew Jose found out that only 20 percent of the waste generated in India is recycled. This was despite the unique system of door-to-door rag-pickers in India who buy waste from households and sell it to recyclers at a higher price. This inspired Mathew to start a recycling revolution by reviving the unorganized sector of rag-pickers – and raise funds through recycling, too.

Mathew’s passion and faith in his cause is contagious, and that’s plain to see at all his campaigns. But Mathew is quick to insist that the real hero is the movement itself, and the ones who make it all possible – the rag-pickers.

Listen to Pia Chandavarkar’s report:

India’s Paperman recycles waste to fund education for girls

Listen to the report by Geert Koerkamp:

Russian student works toward honest democracy

For a long time, Russians were thought to have little interest in politics. Opposition rallies used to draw only a handful of activists. All that has changed since the parliamentary elections held on December 4, 2011. Frustrated by evidence of widespread election fraud, tens of thousands took to the streets in Moscow alone.

Belonging to the opposition has become fashionable again in Russia, and a growing number of young people are talking part in the protests. Among them is Anatoly Bulgakov, a 25-year-old student who felt he had to take action to show his discontent. DW’s Geert Koerkamp met him at one of the meetings against election fraud in Moscow.

Anatoly helps distribute white ribbons, which have quickly become a symbol of the new movement for democracy in Russia. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin only boosted their popularity by alleging that he first thought they were condoms used to draw attention to the fight against aids. The awkward statement was skillfully used by activists in a call to join the protests.

Student activists responded to Putin’s condom mix-up with this Youtube video:

One-tenth of Morocco’s prison population is made up of children and teenagers who are often convicted and sentenced without any legal representation. Now steps are being taken to help these young people.State-run child protection centers work to prevent children and teenagers from winding up in prison in the first place. The children who live in the centers often have very painful pasts – many are homeless, or have first-hand experience with drugs and violence.

Listen to André Leslie’s portrait of Kim Michel for Pulse here:

Equine therapist opens doors for disabled children

Treating disabled kids is no easy job. But one young woman – Kim Michel – has been doing it on her own now for 5 years. The 29-year-old is one of the few exponents of equine therapy in Germany.

It’s believed that through their interaction with horses, disabled children can improve their body movement, self-confidence and general wellbeing. Most of Kim’s patients are young children who have a disability of some kind.

We went to visit Kim on her farm in Reichenberg in southwest Germany and watch her at work. Take a look at the video here. (Film by Chiponda Chimbelu)

Julia Titova wants to promote social engagement in Russia – and to do that, she opened the first charity shop in St. Petersburg almost a year ago.The 24-year-old photographer came up with the idea after visiting London. Her store, called “Spasibo” (Thank you in Russian), sells second-hand clothing and used household items. She’s already been able to donate the equivalent of 6,500 euros to youth organizations.

Emily from Kenya protects the butterfly species that are native to the area. She works with the local young people, raising awareness of the butterflies and of the importance of protecting the environment.

Kenyan environmentalist gives butterflies a future

Learn more about the Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) here.

This report is part of Deutsche Welle’s Learning by Ear series. For lots more informative and inspiring stories, visit the Learning by Ear website.

The Utrecht-based group MOVE reaches out to children in disadvantaged neighborhoods of the Dutch city. Meet MOVE’s 28-year-old founder Hanneke Schreuders and find out why she believes small gestures can make a big difference.

Laura Postma interviewed Hanneke Schreuders:

Hanneke Schreuders

What kind of project does your community need the most?