Zimbabwe’s sustainable mango surplus, digitally preserving Urdu, children bridging Middle Eastern divides

| Posted on February 17, 2021 |

Photo: sarangib / pixabay (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re looking at a processing centre drying mangoes to reduce waste and increase local income, developing a font to foster the Urdu language and how a museum initiative brings Israeli and Palestinian children together.

Processing centre helps to manage mango surplus and reduce waste in Zimbabwe

A new fruit processing centre in Zimbabwe is helping local farmers dry and preserve the fruit to be sold later, ensuring no mango goes to waste.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation

Developer digitises Pakistan’s Urdu language for future generations

Technical devices lacked a sophisticated font for his mother tongue, so Mudaseer Azeemi asked Apple’s Tim Cook for help and then developed his own.

Source: rest of world

Children bridge the Israeli-Palestinian divide at the border

A small museum is inviting ten-year-olds from both sides to meet and learn about each other’s lives.

Source: The New York Times

Civil initiative rejuvenates Goa’s ponds with help of migrant workers

Battling with water scarcity in spite of heavy rainfall, citizens of the Indian state took matters into their hands by cleansing its water bodies while employing stranded migrant workers.

Source: Mongabay India

Smart weather app helps Kenya’s farmers find new grazing grounds

Shepherds are using the app to brace for droughts and share information with colleagues who do not have internet access.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation

Early stage biodegradable display aims to reduce world’s e-waste

Researchers at Karlsruhe’s Institute of Technology have designed a prototype for the world’s first biodegradable display, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.

Source: Reset

Fund from the 19th century continues to assist tiny businesses in Philadelphia

In times of crisis, the fund created by individuals and supported by the department of commerce provides grants to local businesses in need.

Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful

Grass roots organisation boosts minority voter turnout in US

Before the decisive run-offs for the US senate, Georgia’s domestic workers from Care in Action reached out to 5.85 million voters.

Source: Mother Jones

Kangaroo care: carrying children on skin can nurture premature newborns

Mothers who carry their children in a pouch directly on their skin can improve the development of premature newborns whilst reducing pressure on medical facilities in developing countries.

Source: BBC

How a Spanish town pioneered dolls with Down’s syndrome

The Doll Factory founded by Francesco Herrera in the small town of Onil uses clay from nearby mountains to open children’s perceptions of human diversity.

Source: The Guardian