In our SolarAid special, we told you of a bite-sized device that’s revolutionising health and education in African communities. A simple lamp sold by SolarAid’s social enterprise Sunny Money saves families around 10 per cent of their household income compared with dirty kerosene lighting and allows children to continue studying into the evening. Now that Sunny Money has sold more than 1.6 million lamps across Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Uganda, we thought this was worth celebrating! GoDoSeeBuy.com/2015/08/11/do-4/
Artist Luke Jerram is the brains behind Play Me, I’m Yours – the smile-raising scheme which sees beautiful street pianos popping up all over the globe as far afield as Hong Kong, London and the US for passers-by to play. After starting with just 15 instruments, the project has now received hundreds of old pianos from people who wanted to be part of this feel-good musical movement. GoDoSeeBuy.com/2015/09/11/do-clown-around/
The Big Issue’s Fill ‘Em Up campaign really got people talking in 2015 and we were delighted that it wasn’t just us who were angered and frustrated by unused (and under-used) buildings up and down the country. So we asked you for your ideas about how to get empty buildings back into use and stories of communities who are taking matters into their own hands. It’s something we’ll be returning to in 2016. GoDoSeeBuy.com/2015/11/25/make-a-noise-about-empty-homes/
Just in time for the festive season, we had some timely tips on how to pour the perfect tipple. We took our cue from social echo brand Elephant Gin, which uses its profits to back foundations that protect elephants from poachers and also teach communities how to use wildlife to support livelihoods. We’ll drink to that! In our bite-size special.