Conservation with community in West Sumatra
Local residents who want to combat the loss of their land and overexploitation of nature and natural resources often unite in small community organizations.
Towards interreligieus dialogue and peace in Sulawesi
While the violence is Poso has ended, signs of the conflict remain - in the form of hundreds of graveyards, burned buildings and distrust between people.
Helping all of nature thrive on the Tompotika peninsula
The work of the Alliance for Tompotika Conservation (ALTo) are centered Sulawesi, Indonesia–one of Earth’s most unique biological treasure-houses
How sensory gardens help people with dementia blossom
On average, more than 90 percent of nursing home residents with dementia stay indoors during the day. This doesn’t only lead to a reduced quality of life, but also to emotional and behavioral problems.
Indonesian-Dutch youths reflect on Independence Day
Indonesia’s Independence Day, known locally as Tujuh Belasan – the seventeenth, is a public holiday. I spoke to Indonesian-Dutch youths on how they view their history and how they experience this day in the Netherlands.
Ancient wisdom from a young herbalist
“Look, you can use this plant if you have an insect bite or a small cut,” says Dave Achula. He's talking about ribwort plantain. He crushes the elongated leaves until moisture comes out and places it on his finger. Then, like some sort of green band aid, he wraps another leaf around it.
The Robin Hood of the housing sector fighting landlords
Private landlords in The Netherlands are notorious for overpricing their rental properties. Shane White has made it his mission to help tenants who pay too much rent start cases against their landlords.
“It’s all about balance”, says this plant-based pioneer
Ella Mills started with a simple veggie recipe blog, a decade later she's spearheading a plant-based empire targeting a £25 million revenue this year.
Who helps the toad cross the road?
Every spring millions of toads, as well as other amphibians, migrate from their winter hibernation spot to the water to reproduce. Hundreds of volunteers in The Netherlands help these animals cross the road safely.
Saying adieu to Bert
Three months ago my stepdad Bert was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer: CUP - carcinoma of unknown primary. He will pass away in a couple of days.
An afterschool care completely run by men
Men are still underrepresented in the field of childcare. But not in this after school care in Scheveningen. Here, all employees are male.
Hedgehogs in need of human help
It was love at first sight for Sylvia Schootman (69), when she visited a hedgehog shelter 23 years ago. She’s been a volunteer ever since, rehabilitating hedgehogs at the shelter as well as in her home in Scheveningen.
VR to ease pain and anxiety
Acute pain is a combination of physical damage and the interpretation of that by our brain. What if we can occupy and immerse the brain to the point that it has little room left to notice and experience pain? That’s where virtual reality comes in.
Dogs’ negative impact on nature
Our dogs are our best friends, but they also have a negative impact on nature - according to new research from the municipality of The Hague.
Love, trade and illegal practices at the world’s largest reptile fair
After being closed for over 2.5 years due to the pandemic, Terrastika is back. It’s the world’s largest fair for lovers and traders of reptiles, amfibians and arthropods.
Schoonschip - sustainable living on Amsterdam’s water
Schoonschip is a floating neighborhood in Amsterdam North, where sustainability and community are the core values. Self initiated by a growing group of friends, it took over ten years to realize.
Forgetting, not forgotten.
Roos (59) is diagnosed with Alzheimer's in May 2020. The disease progresses quickly to the point where she can't live independently anymore.
Awra Amba - an egalitarian’s dream
Awra Ambra is a small, intentional, 'feminist' living community in Northern Ethiopia. In this rural village of +- 500 people, they live by a philosophy of egalitarianism; not just in regards to gender but also in their socio-economic perspective.
The Wiwa and indigenous women’s rights
We are visiting a Wiwa community in Colombia's mountain range the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Ramon (81), the spiritual leader or mamo of this indigenous group welcomes us on the edge of the village.
Mornings at the world’s second-largest Buddhist monastery
Bordering Tibet in the north and Bhutan on the West, Tawang boasts the second largest Buddhist monastery in the world. With the monsoon coming, dark clouds cover the area - but the monastery and its distinct yellow roofs still stick out.