All Episodes
Recyclers of waste
Farming Flies to Save our Planet
If black soldier fly larvae could enter competitive eating contests, they would excel, especially when it comes to eating nasty stuff that we don’t want around or wouldn’t think of eating ourselves. The ability of the black soldier fly to convert low-grade organic waste into high-quality nutrients has opened-up a ground-breaking prospect for the large-scale production of animal feed. The […]
Jaboya – fishing in dangerous waters
Sex for fish, a common practice around Lake Victoria
When Cavin Odera’s parents and oldest sister died of HIV/AIDS, he was mocked and discriminated against. This experience eventually triggered his willingness to empower girls and young women. So he created WA-Wa, to equip them with skills to earn sustainable livelihoods without falling victim to “sex for fish”, a common practice around the Lake Victoria. Wa-Wa trains this woman in […]
We are here
Empowerment for the disabled in Afghanistan
Last Summer, as for 2021, Afghanistan was again everywhere in the news. The Taliban captured Afghanistan's capital Kabul 20 years after they were ousted from power. Most of us, still remember the horrifying video, showing two people tragically falling down from a plane in Kabul, as they tied themselves to the wheels of the aircraft to fly out of the […]
Taliban in Afghanistan
Power consolidated yet helpless
First an Apologie. It's been a while since we published an Episode of this Podcast, but I had strong reasons. I explain everything in the first two Minutes of this Episode. Now, today´s Podcast: one of the lesser known facts of 20th-century world history is Cuba's military help in Afghanistan during the critical years of the Saur Revolution of 1978. […]
Grenzgängertum und die Verkürzung der Strecke
Giraffe Hero Hubert Maria Dietrich
Hubert Maria Dietrich, one of the new commended Giraffe Hero, is a very nice, very straight guy. We all know, Giraffes are known to need a big and strong heart to pump the blood all the way to the head – Humadi’s heart full of helpfulness, attention and generosity is an impressive example. We at the foundation call him Humadi, […]
Breaking out of binary concepts
Niwas Kumars Gender-Free Learning Centre
As children, gender bombards us in more ways than one – the clothes we wear, the toys we buy, the way we express ourselves…From the moment we're born, our gender identity is no secret. We're either a boy or a girl. We are pink or blue. Today I'm talking to a recent kanthari alumni: Niwas Kumar. For some children, what's […]
VitaNetz – Podcast in German
Katharina Lehmann and the innovative society
Giraffe Hero Katharina Lehmann, a psychologist with her own practice, had a permanent position on the police force in Zürich. She could truly have had a quiet life. However, Katharina was not willing to compromise on the truth, stepped out of her comfort zone and put her employment and public reputation on the line. She co-initiated the VitaNetz Foundation. VitaNetz […]
To hell and back
Precious Hearts Haven rescue and shelter victims and survivors of domestic violence
Violence against women in Zimbabwe is partly accepted as a fact of life, especially by elderly “counselors” that traditionally perceive women as the property of their husbands. My guest today Precious Kiwiti was known as a strong woman, running restaurants and catering services successfully, and starting a kindergarten for single mothers. But hardly anyone knew about her well-hidden tragedy. Precious […]
The Khoj
Khoj in hindi means search, and this is what this episode is about.
Dear listeners, are you looking to come out of your comfort zone? Are you ready to challenge your fears, for an adventure? Then get ready for the great Indian treasure hunt. today in our Podcast we are hunting a treasure in Kerala with my guest, kanthari participant, Abhilash John. Locked in a cage of constraints and expectations, Abhilash was not […]
Life is too important to get stuck
Paul Kronenberg: A small chili making a HUGE difference
„Life is what you’re happy for getting up for.“ - if not, there is something wrong in your life”. Giraffe Hero Paul Kronenberg is cofounder of the kanthari program for social change makers in Kerala. About a year ago, we had the pleasure to listen to his partner Sabriye Tenberken on this podcast. Today we have Paul sharing his vast […]
Stand up and speak!
How “alarmo” is going to save our environment
Akhina Mohan from Kerala India, plans to start alarmo, a youth driven, Kerala based task force that nudges people to act immediately. Nothing makes her more furious than the mistreatment and irresponsibility towards the environment. Participating in relief work during the 2018 Kerala floods, helped her to break out of her shell. Now, she knows, her actions can make a […]
When time runs out…
Is there a shortcut?
"Allowing for the book, after all, being a parody, something like 1984 could actually happen. This is the direction the world is going in at the present time. In our world, there will be no emotions except fear, rage, triumph, and self-abasement.” George Orwell. In today's Podcast you get to have a deep theoretical and philosophical insight of the Giraffe […]
Sarita fights back
Prayatna Nepal empowers blind and visually impaired girls and women.
Please make the effort to follow our talk with Sarita Lamichhane who is talking about her experiences in Nepal being a daughter, and blind. What does it mean for the family? She shares with us how she grew up, through the quota got engaged in a government job, went for training at kanthari and founded her own project Prayatna Nepal. […]
Invisible Women
The vulnerabilities of widows in Zimbabwe
Being widowed can be one of the most overwhelming traumatic experiences that women and also men face in their lives. Loneliness significantly affects those who’ve suffered the death of a husband. Widows can become some of the most marginalised groups in society. Yet they are often in greatest need, whether in terms of physical or mental, emotional or practical adjustments […]
Restoring faith in Humanity
Sticking the neck out!
One year ago today we started this adventure called “Stick your neck out!” - The podcast to restore your faith in humanity. It’s crazy to think that a year could have gone by so fast, but yet it seems like we’ve been together on this journey forever. Thanks for joining us every Tuesday! This time, I'm telling you my reasons […]
The Giraffing
Presentation of Giraffes Heroes nominees
Today's podcast is not a Podcast, at least not as you, dear listener, are used to, every tuesday. Today, we´re bringing to you the latest event of the Giraffe Heroes Foundation as a Podcast. Let me tell you what you are about to hear. In today's Podcast event, Giraffe Heroes Foundation founder Tom Ammat, is going to welcome you, with […]
Kaanthi: Raising awereness
How Satya Illa saves farmers from electrocution
India has one of the world’s highest numbers of fatalities due to electrical accidents. Especially among farmers. kanthari alumni Satya Illa founded kaanthi wich means light, a social enterprise that addresses the lack of awareness , and response preparedness among villages in Telangana. Through practical training on safety, Satya has been able to save the lives of many farmers and […]
Kaanthi: Raising awareness
How Satya Illa saves farmers from electrocution
India has one of the world’s highest numbers of fatalities due to electrical accidents. Especially among farmers. kanthari alumni Satya Illa founded kaanthi wich means light, a social enterprise that addresses the lack of awareness , and response preparedness among villages in Telangana. Through practical training on safety, Satya has been able to save the lives of many farmers and […]
Marveling roots
Early Intervention centre for children with Cerebral palsy
Kerlinda War finds joy and satisfaction in her years of work in rehabilitation for children with slow growth and physical impairment. Marveling roots in Meghalaya, India provides training on early identification for the rural population, referral services, and prepares children for schooling and socialisation. https://www.facebook.com/marvelling.org/ https://www.facebook.com/kerlinda.war further information Cerebral Palsy: https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/ https://scholar.google.de/scholar?q=early+intervention+children+cerebral+palsy&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart https://www.cerebralpalsy.org/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4173665/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.14855 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323578029_Early_Intervention_for_Children_with_Cerebral_Palsy living root bridges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0I7x1YRq4 […]
Dreaming again
Bashiru Adamu: Hope for society outcasts
Bashiro Adamu is the founder of the Dream Again Prison Academy. The 2013 kanthari alumni from Nigeria, aims to ensure that the very high recidivism rate is drastically reduced through qualitative education. His education program begins in prisons, and as soon as his students are released, he reintegrates them into the labor market. Bashiru Oyahkilome Adamu is a firing social […]
Gateway to Elation
A gateway to the world for the blind
Robert Malunda is opening a gateway to the world for the blind with his organisation Gateway to Elation. he does this by providing training in computer literacy, daily living skills which include mobility and orientation, as well as social interaction. He was born in Makokoba, Bulawayo; in southwest Zimbabwe. At age 3 he was affected by glaucoma and became totally […]
Transgender realities
Gumisayi Bonzo: If you want to fight HIV - include us!
When we use the word transgender, we are referring to an inclusive umbrella term, that consists of binary trans people (trans men and trans women), as well as non-binary people and people who cross dress. There are a lot of ways that transgender people can describe their identities. Understanding the words and labels people use encourages respect. Today’s Episode offers […]
Sapphire Early Intervention Center
Pynhoi Tang: a story of change
kanthari alumni Pynhoi Tang was brought up in the Khasi tribal community in North Eastern India. She went to a local school but was thrown out because she was visually impaired. That moment influenced the rest of her life. Pynhoi Tang, is empowering the persons with disability through her Sapphire Early Intervention Center and Community Based Inclusive/Inclusion Development program, as […]
The Hummingbird
How to heal from domestic violence and achieve change
In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Carolina Ortiz with her Centro Colibri supports people who suffer from domestic violence – to participate in programmes, to heal, to learn how to speak up, look for help and gain self esteem. Centro Colibri offers a support system for victims of sexual violence, and it also runs Advocacy campaigns in Bolivia, the most violent country […]
(re)Cycled
Where others see garbage, Ayoola sees opportunity
Connecting informal waste collectors to the source. This app does it – cycled. Today we have a very enlightening talk with our friend of the Giraffe Heroes Foundation, Ayoola Brimmo. We talked about waste in Nigeria, smart bins and the Cycled App. This App helps users who want to recycle more, and reduce their General Waste collection bill, by using […]
Knock Knock… Who’s There?
Changemaking: the superpower of the 21st century
In the hopes to establish a cross-border collaborative platform for kanthari graduates and friends to share ideas, challenges and solutions. In March, kanthari started the initiative “knock”, as for kanthari network of change and knowledge. „A network can only sustain if each person is contributing something“. My guest today, Meghana Raveendra took on the job to coordinate kantharis all over […]
A shared sentence
GNE: breaking the circle of crime
When parents are incarcerated, their children are punished, too. Prisoners’ families, particularly their children, are often termed the ‘innocent victims’ of crime. Since 2012, the Global Network for Equality, founded by kanthari alumni K.R. Raja is doing an impressive job for the children of incarcerated parents. They are successfully breaking the circle of the crime. In our talk, Raja gives […]
Dangerous life by the Tracks
Sanoj NT: The Child in Rail
Running away from abuse, violence and poverty, or simply being left behind, lots of Children use India's extensive railway network to get to the cities, where they hope to find a better life. The stations are perfect for predators. With over 11 million children living on the streets in India, there is a lot at stake. This is another Episode […]
Peace crops for Cameroon
Njeke Joshua Egbe: using agriculture as a peace-building tool
While talking to Joshua, I have to say, it's incredible how witnessing everything he has experienced, he is still able to bring hope to the children in an unstable Cameroon. According to him, organic farming on its own has a lot to do with peace. This set of young farmers PEACE CROPS is training will be part of a new […]
The strength to live
Sherin Noordheen: When life becomes a choice… Let´s Live
Sherin Noordheen is from the 2017 generation of kantharis. She is a mental health activist and founder of Let’s Live. She experienced depression and suicide ideation at a young age and knows the value of emotional support to those who need it. Sherin is sharing with us very impressive projects she's running. She explains how to get conversations started when […]
Leading to the light
Tiffany Brar and the Jyothirgamaya Foundation
Tiffani Brar is a tough woman, who knows what she wants and is going to go for it. Todays talk is really encouraging and uplifting. A delight. Tiffany Brar. An Indian community service worker who has been blind since childhood. A social activist and trainer, working to create awareness on disability. She is the founder of the Jyothirgamaya Foundation, a […]
OMLA, creating a new Africa
Lawrence Afere and the One Million African Leaders
Taking into account what my guest today, Lawrence Afere shared, According to UN projections, the population of Africa is going to increase to around 2.5 billion in 2050. All key sustainability challenges, social as well as environmental, will be on full display in Africa in the decades to come, and the most vulnerable people are likely to suffer the brunt […]
To fly like bats
Accompanying blind children on their way to independence
kanthari alumni Anja Pfaffenzeller started 2013 the Project "Bats in Action" in Sobral, a town in the north-east of Brazil. She realised how much blind people in Brazil are excluded from education and decided to get involved. She wanted the brasilian blind kids to fly like bats, to manage their own way. In todays podcast Anja tells us in a […]
A message of inclusion and equality
Lorena Julio and the Foundation Comparlante
While studying, Lorena already was very active trying to make the world a better place, volunteering for different organisations whenever she could. But there was one turning point, when she decided, she couldn’t just go on like that but really had to get engaged, change something and fight for the rights of all disabled persons. Let’s try to change our […]
Harriet´s Rhythm of life
Working in a Red Light District
“Equity in health means access to healthcare, regardless of who you are, regardless of what you do. I’m convinced health is everyone's right…” Harriet Kamashanyu in today's Podcast. As it is the case almost all over the world, women in Africa, including Uganda, are an economically disadvantaged group. The lack of economic power of these communities, especially among young women, […]
TCM – Prevention and Treatment for COVID 19
Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine on COVID-19
The Coronavirus disease pandemic has been rapidly spreading globally and has caused worldwide social and economic disruption. As scientists race to develop a vaccine for Covid-19, China has been championing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a way to treat the disease. Todays podcast is a Special. We want to enrich the Media world with some really enlightening information on how […]
Ecological Balance for Cameroon
Conserving Natural Ecosystems helps rural populations
My guest today is Limbi Blessing Tata, a trained Botanist/Conservationist, who has been working in the field of forest conservation over a decade. After graduating from kanthari in 2018, she started the organisation Eco Balance which is valuing forests as a deposit of natural wealth accumulated over generations. Eco Balance is combining education and participation with active restoration efforts, thus […]
Addressing Taboos
Talking about things we’re taught not to talk about
kanthari alumni Aparna Gopan and Ruangtup Kaeokamechun (Ruang) do an amazing job in questioning taboos – talking about the things we’re taught not to talk about and therefore giving, especially children, an important tool to get information. Aparnas “Elephant in the room” in India and Ruangs “Little Firefly” in Thailand are dealing with taboos in their societies. In our very […]
Why nonviolence is stronger than violence
Giraffe Hero Dilip Simeon on the Indian farmers' protest
Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, are staging a sit-in protest along Delhi borders. The farmers are demanding a complete rollback of the new farm reform laws and a guarantee on the Minimum Support Price system being retained. In today´s Podcast Giraffe Hero Dilip Simeon is giving us a thorough evaluation on the farmer’s protest in New Dehli. […]
The power of books
Yoshimi connects books to people and people to books. After the kanthari scholarship, she started “Always Reading Caravan”, a unique nonprofit that brings books, fun, and hope to rural communities in Northern Thailand. A mobile library for children and adults, both with, and without disabilities in rural Thailand, founded by a Japanese woman who happens to be blind. For Yoshimi, […]
Being black in a white skin
Jane Waithera: The positive Exposure
People with albinism have been persecuted, killed and dismembered, and graves of albinos dug up and desecrated in some eastafrican countries. At the same time, people with albinism have also been ostracised and even killed for exactly the opposite reason, because they are also presumed to be cursed and bring bad luck. In today's Podcast I'm talking with Jane Waithera […]
Sristi Village: changing attitudes
kanthari alumni Karthikeyan and his village community for the disabled
Sristi Foundation was founded by Karthikeyan, known as Karthik, a psychologist born and raised in Pondicherry generally known as 'Pondy' situated on the East Coast of India. Karthik, a 2012 kanthari graduate spent 15 years in an inclusive orphanage where disabled and non-disabled children lived and grew up together. The projects Kartik has founded with Sristi Villiage are absolutely admirable. […]
Reverse Inclusion
How Ability Sports Africa is providing social Interaction
Social Changemaker and kanthari alumni Faruk Musema explains us his concept of reverse inclusion. As an inclusive sports coach for children with disabilities at the Gulu Disabled Persons Union, Faruk is a passionate sports man and social Changemaker in his community in Northern Uganda. He is also passionate about sports and has set himself a goal: Ability Sports Africa (ASA) […]
A world without gender
Kapila Rasnayaka - founder of Voice of Humans in Sri Lanka
kanthari alumni Kapila Rasnayaka promotes a genderless society. Not sure, what’s that about? Kapila explains: “Genderless means just representing yourself as you, without masculinities and feminities – it means you’re free to fly, anywhere…” A great joy talking to Kapila, who gives us a 360° insight of his vision and engagement to promote gender equality and create a genderless society. […]
Living to support Refugees
Giraffe Hero Jaz O´Haara, founder of The Worlwide Tribe
Human rights activist and commended Giraffe Hero Jaz O’Hara founded „The Worldwide Tribe“ in a bid to highlight the humanity behind world issues and inspire positive social change. She is uplifting refugee voices and celebrating human differences. Founded in 2015, the Worlwidetribe has grown into an organisation and online community which raises awareness about the refugee crisis whilst also supporting […]
“Out of sight”
Hive Uganda - making changes last
Ojok Simon is from Uganda. The 2012 kanthari graduate, is a beekeeper, an environmentalist, a human rights activist and also almost blind. At age thirteen, Ojok survived an armed attack to his village that led to his blindness. But also made Hive Uganda possible. Enjoy listening about Ojoks activities and how he has managed to create a sustainable enterprise with […]
More than just sex
Purple Hands Africa: fighting for LGTBQI rights in Zimbawe
Trevor Molife, founder of the organization Purple Hand Africa is giving us a broad insight about how life might be for someone forming part of the LGTBQI community in Zimbabwe. Note, that this topic comes with traumatic stories – which makes it not less important to listen to his, on the contrary, one should raise attention and get engaged. To […]
Beyond sight: Blind rocks!
Sristi KC: enthusiastic and empowering
With Sristi KC, founder of Blind Rocks! in Nepal one can really feel the vibe and what she wants to transmit with her organisation. One of her most important statements: "There should be more of us all around the world dancing, more blind people who rock the world, so people can see us and realise that we're just as able […]
After Guantánamo…
Giraffe Hero Mohammed El-Gharani
We have great respect for today's giraffe - someone who literally stuck his neck out when being imprisoned, without having done nothing. We know these things happen - yet it seems so incredible at the same time. In today's talk we get an insight on what it's like, to bear this destiny and at the same time, what lessons it […]
Waste is the future
Tony Joy, founder of Durian in Nigeria
Tony Joy is doing impressive work in Nigeria. With her organisation Durian, she's helping out the most marginalized people in rural areas, transforming the image and comprehension of rural equals poor and marginalized towards rural is creative and cool. How she's managing to do this, she explains in a very straight forward, precise way in today’s podcast. Tony Joy is […]
Learning naturally
DEFY: challenging conventional mainstream education
In todays Podcast Abhijit Sinha is making a clear point: coming from a high education system doesn't automatically mean that it's teaching you how to make the right choices, regarding humanity. The kanthari alumni is introducing us to Project DEFY. Project DEFY is helping communities in India to create their own schools, using Nooks, learning spaces to enable the participants […]
Kanthari: Empowering the marginalised
Giraffe Hero Sabriye Tenberken
A kanthari is a plant that grows wild in every backyard of Kerala, a small but very spicy chili with a number of medicinal values. A kanthari is also a symbol for those who have the guts to challenge harmful traditions and the status quo, who have fire in their belly and a lot of innovative ideas to make a […]
A new hope for corals
Restoring reefs: Giraffe Hero Aki Allagholi
“If we manage to get a stable ocean, there won’t be so many drastic climate changes and we will all look at a brighter future”.
Challenging an unkind world
Ann Medlock - Founder of the Giraffe Heroes Project
Today's episode is sort of a special, since you get to listen personally to the one who started with the whole idea of nominating people sticking their necks out almost forty years ago. With Ann Medlock the Giraffe Heroes Project was born.
Not YOUR Bee
Giraffe Hero Dimi du Mortier
The Giraffe we want to introduce you to today is Dimi. Dimi is a filmmaker who has produced several documentaries on shoestring budgets. About his most recent one, which is still in the making Not your bee, he will give some fascinating insights in this talk. He’s asking the right questions, like who do insects belong to and what might […]
Imaginal Cells
Giraffe Hero Chris Malins
Chris is an educator and researcher in sustainability issues with a special interest in how today’s separation of people from nature is affecting their ability to cope with conflict, this especially with a view to younger generations. And he has developed methods to remedy this situation by reengaging us with nature.
Don´t stop till you drop
Giraffe Hero Hendrik Haers
Todays podcast is taken our look to a green desert– meaning an area without diversified culture – meaning no food for insects to survive. Hendrik Haers, my guest today, is living in the centre of a village built in such a green desert – where there’s hardly any ground left that the village autorities don’t sell for building.
Free the bees!
André Wermelinger. A Giraffe Hero, a beekeeper
Did you know you can train a dog as a beekeeper? Did you know that the bees need your help? What is the connection between the Bees and COVID-19? In today’s Episode Tom Amatt is talking with André Wermelinger, founder and leader of the NGO Free the Bees, Fribourg, Switzerland. He’s also a Giraffe Hero and will be talking among […]
Stick your neck out!
A direct encounter with NGO founder Tom Amatt
In this Episode you get insights from the founder Tom Amatt and get to know the particular vision this NGO has. We walk you through the process how to find and nominate people that stick their neck out and create a network among all of those, fighting for the common good, to make a difference.
