Welcome to The Good News Collective, a feature we hope to bring you every week where we scour the news of the world to find, you guessed it, some good news! Hopefully the following tidbits will help take your mind off of what’s happening ‘out there’, even for just a few moments!
Soccer Player Makes an Impact
Sadio Mane, a soccer player in Liverpool, has used his position as a world-class athlete to impact the lives of many, particularly in his home country of Senegal. Mane has helped build schools and hospitals, regularly helps out families, and has provided much needed support to various health authorities. He was questioned as to why he was using an old phone with a cracked screen, given how much money he earns per season. His response? “Why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches and two jet planes? What would that do for the world? I starved, I worked in the fields, I played barefoot and I didn’t go to school. Now I can help people. I prefer to build schools and give poor people food or clothing.”
Plastic Bottles = Technology?
A company in Hungary released a video earlier this month showing a residential solar paneled driveway made out of recycled plastic bottles. In development for the past five years, this could be a new way of bringing solar technology into urban spaces. It takes 400 compressed bottles to produce each paver. A 20-square meter system is said to have the capacity to cover the energy consumption for a household for one year. The driveway systems are available in brown, red, blue and green.
Brothers with Blankets
Four years ago, two brothers in New York City quit their jobs to pursue something that would leave them feeling more fulfilled. They saw a need for blankets after walking past so many homeless people on their way to work. They launched Blankets of Hope to provide warmth to those living on the streets. But it's more than a blanket. They partner with schools and ask students for handwritten notes to provide connection and inspiration. The brothers send the blankets to the schools, students add the notes and then deliver them to homeless shelters in their community.
Play Game Shows at Home
An interactive game show is bringing people together while keeping them apart here in Saskatchewan. ‘Big Time LIVE!’ is the creation of Preston and Richy Roy, based out of Weyburn, and contestants can play for free every Wednesday night. The only requirement seems to be a Facebook account, and in order to win, contestants answer 25 multiple-choice questions by typing their answers in the Facebook comments section. Host Richy Roy says, “With so much uncertainty we felt bringing a fun game show to Canadians would help encourage people to stay at home and reduce at least a little stress and boredom from being isolated.” Not only are bragging rights up for grabs, but the hosts have partnered with a number of Saskatchewan business sponsors to provide prizes. See if you’ve got what it takes to win by visiting bigtimegameshows.com or follow @BigTimeGameshows on Facebook.
