Islamist militants fighting in Somalia are trying hard to recruit young Somalis. But a young refugee, Shiine Ali, is determined to turn his peers away from Islamic extremism – with his hiphop music.

Listen to the report by Zoe Flood in Eastleigh, Kenya:

Somali refugee combats extremism with hiphop

The Woodstock neighborhood in Cape Town was once a thriving industrial area, but as the factories closed down it became more known for crime, gangs and drugs. Now the area is changing once again – this time for the better. Responsible for some of the more colorful changes is a young artist known as FreddySam who is working to uplift the area one mural at a time.

Listen to the report by Kim Chakanetsa in Cape Town:

 

Cape Town artist beautifies local quarter

Eric from northern Spain defied the odds by reaching his second birthday. Now the 23-year-old with spina bifida shows other disabled kids that they can exceed expectations, too.

Listen to the rerport by Ashifa Kassam from Lleida, Spain:

Spaniard with spina bifida a hero for disabled kids

Visit the Down Lleida website (in Spanish).

DW’s correspondents profile local leaders, activists, artists, musicians, rich and poor, ordinary and extraordinary people from around the globe, whose lives tell us more about the world we live in.

This week, read about May Chidiac, who was one of Lebanon’s star TV anchors and one of the most outspoken journalists in her country. One day, as she was getting in her car a bomb exploded underneath her. Against all odds, she survived.

Here’s May Chidiac’s story.

What’s your story?

Indian musician Delhi Sultanate travels to rural regions to record the music tied to struggles that rarely make the news. He integrates the untold stories and unheard sounds into his Jamaican dancehall sound for a new audience.

Listen to the report from Delhi by Henry Peck and Meara Sharma:

Delhi musician tells untold stories of suffering

Check out more from Delhi Sultanate on YouTube.

Here’s Delhi Sultanate’s website.

Letter writing, entertainment and friendship – no job is too small for Liza Oleskina and Marina Kochevalova when it comes to taking care of the elderly in Russia. They are members of Starost v radost, or “It’s nice to be old.” Founded in 2006, its young women volunteers provide much needed companionship for the older generation from the Urals to Siberia.

Listen to the report by Geert Groot Koerkamp in Moscow:

GCRussia

 

 

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was torn apart by war. Twenty years later, the city is still getting back on its feet. One young architecture student, Ervina Muftic, is helping to make a difference in her neighborhood by painting colorful murals with the help of enthusiastic local schoolchildren.

Listen to the report by Pavel Sraj in Sarajevo:

Listen to the report by Pavel Sraj in Sarajevo:

 

 

Forget the “Shit Girls Say” Youtube meme. American comedian and actress Francesca Ramsay a.k.a. Chescaleigh’s parody spanning a mere two minutes got over nine million hits. Infusing humor into the serious issue of race relations in America, she’s encouraging others to speak out.

Listen to Rachael Bongiorno’s report:

Listen to Rachael Bongiorno’s report:

Two young Germans believe dance can change lives and are bringing a holistic dance program to prostitutes in Kenya with an organization called Maua. They not only want to restore the women’s self-confidence, but also meet their medical needs.

Maua co-founders Amrei Krings and Maren Haferkamp join Pulse hosts Kate Müser and Helen Whittle in the studio:

Dance empowers Kenyan prostitutes

 

Visit Maua’s website for more information.

Follow Maua on Facebook.

Birmingham’s youth got a bad wrap after the 2011 riots. Rochelle Roberts is determined to win back her generation’s reputation. She mentors her peers who are trapped in drug-dealing and violence – but want to change.

Listen to the report by Ashley Byrne in Birmingham:

At home on the streets of Birmingham

Check out Rochelle’s music on Soundcloud and YouTube.