2015 is soon coming to a close, and it’s not hard to forget all of the not-so-great, sad happenings of the year. But instead of doing that, let’s end the year on a high note and remember all of the good things that happened over these past 12 months. Maybe your faith in humanity will change a little.
January 2015: The tiger population in India increased by 30 percent
Since the early 20th century, world tiger populations have decreased by about 96 percent. The Indian government, as well as the National Tiger Conservation Authority, have been working hard to keep the tigers around. Their conservation efforts have been paying off, as the tiger population has increased by about 30 percent since 2010.
February 2015: A ski school in Pakistan was reopened
After a ski school in Pakistan was shut down and destroyed by the Taliban in 2009, it has been reopened thanks to generous donations from people all over the world. The ski instructor, Matee Ullah Khan, told BBC News, “My students were so happy. All different sizes of skis, snowboards, poles, ski shoes, warm clothing and helmets—each and everything properly packed and in good condition—it was like a dream come true.”
March 2015: A blind man could see New York City
Larry Hester, 67, was able to see New York City with the help from a bionic eye from the Duke Eye Center. Though he could not see clearly, the bionic eye allowed him to better see brightness and shapes. He told People magazine, “To be here at the most famous park in this amazing city and actually see some of it is the best feeling in the world.”
April 2015: Actor Chris Pratt helped to raise money for a child with cancer
Pratt found out that one of his wife’s friend’s children had fallen sick with brain cancer, and he didn’t hesitate to share Joe Henson’s story with his social media followers. Soon, donations to help the family with medical expenses began pouring in, raising over $90,000.
May 2015: Red Nose Day raised over $10 million for children living in poverty
The First Red Nose Day was held on May 21, 2015. The day campaigns to raise money in a fun and lighthearted way, designed to make people smile and laugh. Money raised on Red Nose Day was donated to the Red Nose Day Fund and gets distributed among various charities to help children escape poverty.
June 2015: High school graduate invited a fireman who saved her life to her graduation ceremony
Dawnielle Davison was rescued from a burning house when she was nine months old by firefighter Mike Hughes. Until she was in seventh grade, she did not know about her near-death experience. The two met when she was in seventh grade, and Hughes soon became friends with Davison and her family. As a way to repay him and thank him for saving her life, Davison invited Hughes to her graduation. Hughes told Today news, “It was really cool for her to invite me. For her to acknowledge me, and be happy about it, that’s just really special.”
July 2015: Malala Yousafzai opens a school on her 18th birthday.
The young advocate for women’s rights to education celebrated her 18th birthday on July 12 in a special way. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize opened a school for Syrian refugee girls in Lebanon. Her school can educate up to 200 girls ages 14-18. In a speech that she gave, she said, “Today on my first day as an adult, on behalf of the world’s children, I demand of leaders we must invest in books instead of bullets.”
August 2015: Taxi driver returns money found in his cab
Mohammad Khawaja, a taxi driver in Calgary, has been recognized for his honesty when he returned a bag containing over $10,000 found in his cab. The money belonged to a woman and his son, who had been dropped off at a hotel the previous night. Because there was an ID in the bag, the taxi company was able to track them down and return the money. Khawaja told Metro News Calgary, “To be honest, I feel so good. I’m happy for my company, too. I did something good for the company and the city of Calgary.”
September 2015: Pope Francis eats lunch with the homeless
While on his visit to Washington, DC, Pope Francis declined an invitation to lunch with American politicians to eat lunch with some of the homeless population of Washington, DC.
October 2015: Lost stuffed animal in the Toronto-Pearson airport gets reconnected with its owner
Ra Ra, a stuffed bear, got separated from his owner, Phoebe, at the airport in Toronto. However, thanks to the airport security, the two were reunited. Sometimes, it's the little things that can make someone's day.
November 2015: Woman creates special yarn wigs for children with cancer
Holly Christensen creates wigs for children with cancer, however, they are different than traditional wigs. The wigs are made to look like Disney princesses. Christensen started the Magic Yarn company to supply wigs for the kids, free of cost. Much of the money for the wigs has been donated on her GoFundMe page. Christensen said, "Just to see that a little bit of magic can be brought back into their life, that makes a difference for them and it makes a difference for their family."
December 2015: Arson victim’s Christmas wishes get granted
Sa’fyre Terry lost her family and suffered serious burns as a result of an arson fire in 2013. Her biggest wish this Christmas season was to receive Christmas cards from around the world. Once her story was received by social media, letters started pouring in from around the world. She has gotten so many letters that a semi-truck has been needed to haul the letters and gifts from a storage facility to her home. Among the gifts that she has received, students from the University of Albany sent her a 3D printed hand, as hers had to be amputated from the severity of her burns. Among the letters she has received were letters from the Obama family and Beyonce. Sa’fyre’s family also received a trip to Disney World. Christmas wishes truly do come true.
Let's remember some of the good things that happened this year, big or small, and start the new year off on a high note.
