Grateful News October 2016

This month’s Grateful News focuses on teaching kids the value of volunteering; the discovery of billions more galaxies; transforming a school with meditation; improving Syrian refugee camps in Turkey; a new idea for peaceful patrolling of the streets; and a progressive and beautiful part of Pakistan…

This College Student Started Mowing Lawns for Older Residents Free of Charge

After seeing an older person cutting grass in the heat of a sweltering Alabama summer, Rodney Smith Jr. founded Raising Men Lawn Care Service in Huntsville. It enlists young volunteers whose parents want them to learn about giving back.
» Full Story

Two Trillion Galaxies, at the Very Least

The scale of the universe, already unfathomable, just became even more so: There are about 10 times as many galaxies as previously thought. Once you get past a couple of hundred billion galaxies, who’s counting? But the finding has important implications for understanding how the universe has evolved. » Full Story

Baltimore Elementary School Teaches Meditation

Instead of sending kids to detention when they misbehave, the students meditate and then discuss their behavior with an instructor. After implementing the new program, the school hasn’t had to issue a single suspension. » Full Story

Turkey Builds Communities for Syrian Refugees

In the Hatay province, which hosts 6,000 refugees, 100 acres of land have been transformed into a residential neighborhood. More than 700 homes have been created from converted shipping containers.  » Watch Video

Community Patrol ‘Spreading Love and Kindness’ to Curb Violence in Roanoke

Dressed in white or black shirts with “100 Fearless” emblazoned on the front, the group is like a step up from a neighborhood watch. Born out of recent bouts of shootings in the city, the men and women hope their community patrol will cut down on violence by acting as a deterrent and helping people resolve disputes before they escalate. » Full Story

This Remote Pakistani Village is Nothing Like You’d Expect

Ismaili is a moderate branch of Islam whose imam is the Aga Khan, currently residing in France. There are 15 million Ismailis around the world, and 20,000 live in the Gojal region of northern Pakistan. With these photos of this area, Matthieu Paley hopes to add nuance to our understanding of Pakistan, a country many Westerners associate with terrorism or violence. » Full Story and Photos