The Changemakers community has big ideas for supporting positive rural development around the globe. From farming “affinity groups” in India to technologically connected health care providers in remote corners of the United States, solutions abound. See some of the best initiatives here

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Eric Glustrom and Ashley Shuyler are firm believers in the liberating powers of education.

Ken Banks jokingly and lovingly calls SMS technology "software with an attention deficit disorder." He’s referring to Short Message Service – also known as text messaging -- and he knows it’s no joke that SMS can help make social happen quickly, profoundly, and in very hard-to access locations.

A woman is raped every 17 seconds in South Africa, according to estimates by Interpol, the international police organization. Through her program Girls and Football South Africa (SA), Jos Dirkx believes that teaching girls to have strength over their own bodies will decrease rates of pregnancy and HIV, give them knowledge about prevention and how to get help if they need it, and help them avoid trouble plus give them confidence not to blame themselves if they do become victims of sexual assault.

Stigma and disbelief prevent many of the victims from reporting rapes. Jos Dirkx, the founder of Girls and Football South Africa (SA), believes that South African girls will continue to be plagued by sexual assault, HIV/AIDS, and unwanted pregnancy as long as they lack support, accurate information, and confidence.