Today in Squirrel News, India helps reintroducing convicts into society through 88 open prisons, emotion coaching helps children tackle trauma and develop resilience, and Nigeria invites children in Lagos’ slums to schools by training them through chess.
The convicted felons of Sanganer’s open prison, one of 88 in India, can leave the premises of the prison for 12 hours a day, can visit families pursue careers – all based on mutual trust.
Emotion coaching could improve attention span and resilience of children
Having constructive difficult conversations early in life can foster children’s attention skills as well as impulse control according to Diana Leyva, Professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.
First active UK professional football player to come out as gay in 30 years
17-year-old Jake Daniels plays for Blackpool FC in England’s Championship League. By openly communicating his sexuality he has decided to be a role model to inspire others to follow.
Pollution-mapping tool prevents emissions in California
CalEnviroScreen not only monitors the state’s pollution, but also maps the correlation to further socio-economic factors. It has been fundamental in law suits preventing the construction of large pollution-creating facilities in the US state.
Scientists hail a breakthrough that could maximise catches while reducing damage caused by fishing. The ‘disco lights’ specifically target scallops and their more than 200 eyes with a success rate of 99.6%, leading to more specialised fishing and thus less damage to seabeds.
Batteries using gravity could provide alternative storage solutions
The gravity battery functions similar to energy storage through water slowly driving down a large cement block in a 20 story building to provide energy when demand is high. Gravitricity, a Scottish start-up, created a demonstrator to provide 750 households with power.
Volunteer group reopens schools during pastoral conflict in Nigeria
In the country with the highest rate of out of school children, a volunteer group called Jebbu Miango Reads reopens schools amongst a violent pastoral conflict, providing necessary education to now over 200 pupils.
Kenyan cooperation provides platform for homeless musicians
Mzizi Africa Radio is a plattform for the homeless and marginalised people of Africa, founded by former homeless musician Timothy Kimathi and millionaire George Mburu. It strives to give a voice to talented musicians who do not have the means to be heard.
From pawns to kings: young chess champions play in the slums of Lagos
In Makoko, one of the world’s largest floating slums, most people are illiterate and many children cannot afford to go to school. The charity, Chess in Slums Africa, uses the game to inspire children to come to class.
