This clip, produced by the Playing for Change movement, combines a number of delightful human characteristics in a way that just makes you feel downright happy. Musical talent, individual artistic interpretation and diverse locations all come together to produce one of the all-time great covers of Ben E. King’s classic ‘Stand by Me’.

Imagine if you could tell about actually getting to drive a rickshaw. Yes, today it is possible to get your hands on the steering bar of this ever-popular mode of transport. In which case it’s game over: Your tale would triumph, hands down. Get ready to tell the best stories about your time as a rickshaw pilot, because we’ve found the top five rickshaws that you are actually allowed to drive.

I was given a chance to volunteer for six weeks in Knysna, South Africa, with an organisation called EDGE of AFRICA. Committed to responsible travel, EDGE of AFRICA provides “volunteer and internship placements in South Africa for gap years, career breaks, university internships, school groups and corporate team building projects.” Their aim is to make a direct positive impact on the local community and environment, while allowing travellers to gain firsthand exposure to the local heritage, culture and traditions.

As a follow-up to our blog post about how you can help Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake, the most urgent plea at the moment is for temporary shelter for estimated one million homeless and displaced people. Information from people actively helping to direct donations to the right places have relayed a call made…

The devastation and tragedy are heart-wrenching following the 7.3 earthquake that leveled most of Port-au-Price, Haiti. The dispiriting pictures and tales of loss reach to the depth of our sorrow, just as the living, breathing bodies pulled from the rubble are reason for quiet celebration. I watch in horror, helpless from my distant perch (Sydney,…