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Bill Gates Funds Futuristic Toilets: No Piped Water, Sewer or Electricity Needed

Poop in, clean water out. Bill Gates has invested more than three million dollars on behalf of the 2.6 billion people around the world who don't have access to modern toilets. Yesterday, the three winners of his "next-generation toilet prize were announced, showcasing innovative designs that capture and process human waste without piped water, sewer or electrical connections. Even more impressive, the toilet prize-winners all transformed human waste into useful resources, such as energy and water.

Microfinance Effort Matches Tiny Lenders with Kids Who Yearn for College Worldwide

Although microfinancing usually raises funds for small businesses, the Seattle-based non-profit Vittana has been helping students around the world graduate from post-secondary schools by asking donors to pay for their tuition. Like the business loans, money for education can immediately steer a family out of poverty. And, so far, the Vittana record has been stellar.

Israeli Man Funds Tennis for Arab Youth, Promotes Co-existence

An Israeli tennis enthusiast noticed in the 1990s that very few Arabs living in Israel had any chance to play his beloved sport. He dreamed that a tennis court could provide a common ground between Jews and Arabs and Christians alike, so in 1998 he started building or supported tennis courts and programs in nine Arab neighborhoods all across Israel.

High-end Jewelry Made From AK-47s, for the Greater Good

To combat the devastation caused by illegal assault rifles in Africa's war zones, founder of Ethos water, Peter Thum, announced this week the launch of Fonderie 47. Based in New York City, Fonderie 47 removes AK47s from war zones and transforms them into rare watches and $32,000 cufflinks.

Haitian Cancer Survivor Turns Life Around to Help Kids

After a deadly cancer diagnosis, he dedicated his life to helping hundreds of kids from Haiti's slums. After nine months of treatment and recovery, he returned home determined to start living the life he'd always wanted: helping children from Haiti's poorest slums.

Chinese Flock to Free Lectures on Happiness, Justice

When one of China's most popular Internet portals started offering Open University–style lectures in English last October, eager Chinese netizens flocked to subjects that surprised most observers. Instead of Marketing, Computer or Robotics courses, two contemplative courses — one on happiness, the other on justice — trumped all others.

American Girl, 12, Builds 27 Homes in Haiti

In three years, Rachel Wheeler raised more than $250,000, which helped build brand new earthquake-proof homes that have given shelter to 27 families that were still living in tent cities after Haiti's earthquake.

Teens Trudge in Frigid Cold for Kids on Other Side of Globe

All throughout December, high school students walked to school in the frigid Minnesota temperatures (zero degrees) to symbolically walk in the shoes of thirsty children who have no clean water access near their homes, and to raise money to do something about it. It's called the Wayzata Walk for Water.

Sunflowers Planted in Japan to Absorb Radiation and Lift Hopes

To combat excessive radiation levels in the agricultural regions surrounding the Fukushima nuclear plant, monks at a Japanese Buddhist temple began growing and distributing sunflowers, which are known to absorb radiation. Hundreds of thousands of flowers are now in bloom, spurring deeper connections between people in Fukushima and the rest of the country.

Goodwill Summit Ends 50-year Korean Cold War

The first meeting ever between the leaders of North and South Korea sparked friendship between former foes and produced an historic accord that pledges both countries to "work independently" on common ground issues to achieve "national unification".