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Goats to the Rescue for Dublin’s Fire Risk

Working in the fields around Dublin, Melissa Jeuken has one of the most effective wildfire crews under her direction. Her team are focused, dedicated to their work, and produce amazing results with fire breaks and fire prevention. They’re goats.

Melissa might chalk the synergy up to being a good leader for her team, but the reality is, her goats just go along with her wherever she takes them because there’s always a good amount of food for each. Aside from the errant individual who likes to jump into Melissa’s arms for a lift, most of her four-legged friends get along pretty well and understand Melissa’s role as the herder of the team. And, when let loose on the Irish countryside, they don’t waste any time trimming down a local hillside to reduce its fire risk, especially during the drier part of the year.

One wouldn’t expect to see goats at work in the particular area of Dublin that they operate in. Howth has an elevated vantage point over Dublin downtown, and most of its residents hum around the tech centers of Google as well as the local Facebook corporate campus as well.

The goats have a straightforward job. Their task is to cut down on vegetation and wild growth so the locals don’t have a repeat of the 65 acre fire that blackened the sky over Dublin earlier in July 2021. While it might not seem to have been a big fire on a grand scale, the burn was a wakeup call on how difficult it was for local firefighters and air brigade to put out a wildfire incident in their backyard.

Goatherding isn’t for everyone, however. The animals are very picky about whom they accept as a herder. Melissa realized early on the animals had a mind of their own and were not just going to be poked and prodded around. Gaining their trust was key and a primary reason why she works so well with the goats now.

Originally, the Howth Council tried a modern approach to the issue, using mechanical vehicles and tractors to churn up the surrounding area and provide for a fire break.

For Melissa, experience and animal knowledge were her advantage for the herder job. She had prior experience working on a farm and with goats before, she was studying veterinarian science, and as it turned out (no surprise), Melissa was a woman, which the goats prefer over a man. Animals can in fact be sexist towards humans. The job does require Melissa to live on site at the home base for the goats, but it all works out with an enjoyable job and projects that have her outside all over greater Dublin.

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Heart Warriors: The Inspiring Journey of Twins Albert and Benson Tass

Kevin Wells

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Ten years ago, twin boys Albert and Benson Tass from Mackay faced a life-threatening challenge. At just 3-4 weeks old, they underwent open heart surgery due to valve problems. Their case was unique and left a lasting impression on their surgeon, Dr. Nelson Alphonso.

“It’s very, very unusual,” Dr. Alphonso said. “Having two twins at the same time with a related heart defect is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

The journey was tough for the twins and their family. Their mother, Maria Tass, recalls the emotional turmoil of not being able to hold her babies for a month. “I was sad all the time, but trying to be positive,” she said. The twins were immediately taken to Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) after their birth, and it was a challenging time for the family, especially when Benson had to be readmitted due to complications.

Despite the hardships, the twins pulled through. “It was all very touch and go, but he [Benson] came out on top … we’re very lucky,” Ms. Tass said. Now, ten years later, Albert and Benson are living life to the fullest. They have even taken up rugby league, with approval from their medical team.

Their father, Mr. Tass, admits that upcoming check-ups still bring back difficult memories. “I feel sad because I reflect on what they’ve already been through,” he said. However, the family remains positive and focuses on letting the boys enjoy life while still keeping them safe.

Benson has a unique way of describing his surgery. “When I was a baby, I had surgery and I’ve got a cow’s vein put into me,” he said. Dr. Alphonso clarified, “Not quite. It’s bovine pericardium, which is used in cardiovascular reconstruction.”

The family is looking forward to reuniting with Dr. Alphonso next month for the twins’ check-up. “I won’t recognize them, because they were small babies, but they’ve grown up and are running around playing footy … it will be good to talk to them,” Dr. Alphonso said. He is impressed by their resilience, saying, “They surprise me with their toughness.”

Albert and Benson’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of medical science. They continue to inspire those around them with their courage and zest for life.

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A Billion-Dollar Gift: Transforming Lives in The Bronx

Renee Yates

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In an incredible act of generosity, Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a dedicated professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, has made a groundbreaking donation that will change the lives of many aspiring doctors. Thanks to her, students at this medical school will no longer have to worry about tuition fees. This story isn’t just about the enormous amount of money given; it’s about the hope and opportunities it brings to a community in need.

Dr. Gottesman, at the age of 93, decided to donate $1 billion to the medical school where she spent many years teaching. This isn’t just any donation; it’s the largest gift ever to a medical school and one of the biggest to any educational institution in the United States. What makes this gift even more special is its destination: the Bronx, New York’s poorest borough. This area, often in need of support and resources, is now home to a beacon of hope for many.

The money comes from the legacy of Dr. Gottesman’s late husband, David Gottesman, a Wall Street financier who was a protégé of Warren Buffet and made a smart early investment in Berkshire Hathaway. Known affectionately as Sandy, his financial success has paved the way for this monumental donation.

Dr. Gottesman’s goal is to remove the heavy burden of medical school debt, which often exceeds $200,000, allowing students to start their medical careers without financial worry. More than that, she hopes to open the doors of medical education to those who, due to economic challenges, wouldn’t even consider the possibility of becoming doctors. “We have terrific medical students, but this will open it up for many other students whose economic status is such that they wouldn’t even think about going to medical school,” Dr. Gottesman remarked.

The joy Dr. Gottesman feels about her donation is evident. She’s not just providing financial support; she’s transforming the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and, by extension, the Bronx community, in a way that will have lasting impacts. Her decision came from a simple yet powerful desire to make education free for aspiring doctors, a wish that was immediately embraced when she shared it.

Dr. Philip Ozuah, involved in the discussions about the gift, shared that when asked what transformative action she wished to take, Dr. Gottesman immediately chose to eliminate tuition fees. The other ideas didn’t even need to be mentioned.

Dr. Gottesman often reflects on what her late husband would think of her decision. With a light-hearted chuckle, she hopes he would be pleased, acknowledging that it was his success that enabled her to make such a generous donation. She believes he would be happy, supporting her decision to make such a significant and positive impact on the world of medicine and the lives of those in the Bronx.

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From Jail to Harvard: The Inspiring Journey of Aurora Sky Castner

Shannon Jackson

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Imagine being born in a place where hope seems distant, and then, years later, finding yourself on the path to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. This is the story of Aurora Sky Castner, a remarkable young woman from Texas, who has done just that. Aurora was born in Galveston County Jail but didn’t let her challenging start define her future. Now, she’s heading to Harvard University to study law, after finishing third in her class at Conroe High School.

Aurora’s life changed significantly after her birth in jail. Her father, stepping in as a single parent, picked her up from the jail and raised her on his own, as Aurora had no connection with her mother. Growing up in Montgomery County, Aurora moved around but stayed in the area, showing resilience and adaptability from a young age.

Teachers early on spotted Aurora’s potential. In elementary school, she was paired with a mentor, Mona Hamby, through the CISD’s project mentor program. Mona learned about Aurora’s interests and values from a simple piece of paper that included her admiration for Rosa Parks, her love for Dairy Queen tacos, and her passion for reading. This paper was a window into Aurora’s bright and curious mind, which Mona still treasures.

Mona Hamby didn’t just assist Aurora with academics; she was there for personal milestones too, like choosing glasses and getting haircuts. These moments were crucial building blocks in Aurora’s life, teaching her valuable lessons outside the classroom. Aurora appreciates every experience, acknowledging the importance of both the hardships and the guidance she received from Mona.

The decision to attend Harvard became clear to Aurora after a visit to the campus with Mona and her husband, Randy, in March 2022. The visit, which was meant to explore the university, ended up cementing Aurora’s desire to study there. Her excitement and determination only grew stronger after the trip, as noted by Mona.

Aurora’s journey to Harvard was not just supported by Mona but also by James Wallace, a professor at Boston University. He played a crucial role in helping her craft her application essay, which began with the powerful statement, “I was born in prison.” This sentence alone captures the essence of Aurora’s story—overcoming adversity and rewriting her destiny.

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Kindness in the Sky: Flight Attendant and Passengers Save Flamingo Eggs

Renee Yates

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In August 2023, a heartwarming story unfolded aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle, where a flight attendant and compassionate passengers came together to save six precious flamingo eggs. The eggs were being transported by a Woodland Park Zoo keeper from Atlanta to Seattle in a portable incubator, but midway through the flight, the incubator malfunctioned, putting the eggs at risk.

When the zookeeper sought help from the flight attendant, named May, she sprang into action. May quickly gathered rubber gloves and filled them with warm water, creating a makeshift nest to keep the eggs warm. Passengers nearby also offered their coats and scarves to help maintain the eggs’ temperature. May monitored the eggs throughout the flight, replacing the gloves with new warm ones as needed.

Thanks to May’s quick thinking and the kindness of the passengers, the flamingo eggs survived the journey. Joanna Klass, a Woodland Park Zoo animal care manager, expressed gratitude for the creative solution that ensured the safe transport of the eggs.

The six flamingo chicks hatched at the Woodland Park Zoo in September, marking a significant milestone as the first Chilean flamingo chicks to hatch at the zoo since 2016. Following their hatching, the chicks were carefully hand-raised by expert bird keepers, who fed them and took them on daily walks for exercise.

Months later, May received a special invitation from the zoo to meet the flamingos she had helped save and to name one of them. She chose to name the male flamingo “Sunny,” in honor of her newborn granddaughter. The other five flamingos were named Bernardo, Magdalena, Amaya, Rosales, and Gonzo, bringing a heartwarming conclusion to a remarkable story of compassion and cooperation.

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Cambodian Entrepreneur Transforms Plastic Waste into Brooms

Kelly Taylor

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In Cambodia, a man named Has Kea has found a creative way to tackle plastic pollution. He recycles tons of plastic into brooms, helping his community and the environment.

Every day, the city where Has lives produces up to 38,000 tonnes of waste. To reduce this, Has collects plastic strips from empty bottles. He bundles these strips on a machine, softens them in hot water, and slices them evenly. Then, he sews them with metal wires onto bamboo sticks.

The result is a sturdy broom that doesn’t easily break. Suon Kosal, a 26-year-old monk, bought 80 of these brooms for his temple. He appreciates that they help reduce pollution and encourage people to collect plastic bottles. By selling these bottles to Has, they can earn more money for a better living.

Has Kea’s innovative idea not only cleans up the environment but also creates economic opportunities for people in his community. His story shows that with creativity and determination, we can find solutions to big problems like plastic pollution.

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