Now more than ever it may appear as if the world around us is slowly deteriorating. From religious persecution in the Middle East, to racist acts across United States universities, more and more people have begun to only focus on the world's faults. Due to this, we as a society have forgotten to acknowledge the fact that there is good out there, and it's definitely worth celebrating.
1. This Georgia teen spent his spring break cleaning up the beach.
19 year old Joshua Caraway pictured at Miami beach
After traveling from Atlanta, Georgia to Miami, Florida for spring break, 19 year old Joshua Caraway traded in dancing for picking up trash across Miami beach. When asked why, Joshua told reporters that "He loves animals and wants to take care of their home and ours." Caraway was able to fill up 3 trash bags and was eventually joined by several other tourists who helped him in his fight against pollution.
According to Devon, plastic litter on beaches has increased by 140% since 1994. However, thanks to people like Joshua Caraway, we are one step closer to reducing that percentage.
2. The 116th Congress now holds the most diverse amount of female members in history.
Women of the 116th Congress
n January of 2019, groundbreaking history was made as women of all different backgrounds were sworn into Congress. Here are a few notable female lawmakers who have managed to break barriers and offer representation on a much larger scale:
- Alexandria Ocasio Cortez: Youngest women ever elected into Congress
-Deb Haaland: First Native American women to serve in Congress
-Sharice Davids: The first openly gay, Native American woman a part of Congress
-Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar: First Muslim women in Congress
3. Australia is on it's way to developing the first cure for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer-causing HPV cell
According to the NIH, about 12,000 women are diagnosed while 4,000 women each year die due to cervical cancer in the United States. However, by 2028, Australia is set to eliminate the disease altogether. Through the introduction of a National Cervical Screening Program that is able to detect cell abnormalities from HPV infections, Australian scientists have been able to greatly advance towards developing a vaccine to combat the cancer.
4. This Austin community had built a village exclusively to help homeless people get back on their feet.
Located in Austin, Texas, Community First! serves a purpose of providing a support system for individuals coming out of chronic homelessness. This neighborhood includes apartments, churches, and recreational activities to all its residents. Moreover, a variety of employment opportunities are offered within the village to allow civilians to gain an income. Community First! has been able to allow Austin's homeless community to assimilate back into society in both a positive and reinforcing manner. For example, the neighborhood provides free clinics for struggling addicts and programs that continue to aid members each day on their journey to stabilize their lives once again.
5. An anonymous individual has been leaving envelopes with money in the mailboxes of village residents.
Spanish currency
Nicknamed "Robin Hood" by the civilians of the Spanish town of Villarramiel, Spain, this mysterious donor has placed envelopes filled with up to $130 in the mailboxes and on the doorsteps of unsuspecting people within the village. There has been no link connecting the recipients as each act of kindness is enjoyed by all types of people regardless of age or status. While the identity of the individual may never be revealed, the residents of Villarramiel are grateful each and every day for their very own Robin Hood.
