On Common Courtesy Day, Harnoor Gill, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, urges us to take the time to smile and offer kindness to those around us, especially newcomers. “Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American lecturer, …

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Diet has become a controversial topic but Lyn-Marie Blackman, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados, questions the need to criticize the choices of others.  We live in a world where everybody eats food. Some have chosen diets based on religion, home life or financial standing. However, some have chosen to be judgmental about dietary habits, in spite of their lack of …

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Smoky kitchen stoves endanger women’s health and use scarce resources, but Judith Akoth, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya, says cleaner and more efficient alternatives are becoming available. The kitchen is a place where we cook our daily meals. Due to the nature of activities that take place in our kitchens, it is essential for …

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Nigeria has passed a vital goal in the fight to eradicate polio, but as Obongifreke Friday, 27, a Correspondent from Akwaibom in Nigeria writes, there is still one more step in the battle. Friday 24th July 2015 was the day Nigeria celebrated its first year with no report of new polio cases. It could be …

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Improving levels of health among the world’s population is a critical goal, writes Harnoor Gill, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Georgetown in Canada, who says individuals can take effective action. Health is important for all of us in the world and it is imperative that everyone should always be concerned of his or her health. Living …

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Market women, artisans, and members of Buruku Community in Benue state, Nigeria, participated in a free medical programme. Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, participated in and reports on the event organised by the National Youths Service Corps.  Buruku is a riverine community, with prevalence of malaria, HIV and other concomitant infections. It has …

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Investing in the health of young people is the focus of a newly-launched program, writes Ibrahim Olalekan, 26, a Correspondent from Abuja in Nigeria, about a venture that involves NGOs and government. A non-governmental organisation called Education as a Vaccine (EVA) helped launch a five-year action plan for advancing the health and development of young …

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Concerted effort to reduce world poverty has made an impact, writes Humphrey Musila, 25, a Correspondent from Kenya now studying in the United States, who traces links among poverty, education, and hunger. The world has achieved a lot in combating poverty. At one point, more than a billion people lived in extreme poverty worldwide. Under-nutrition due …

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Hepatitis is a growing public health issue in Cameroon, writes Eyoh Fidel, 24, a Correspondent from Cameroon. Low rates of public awareness and drug availability are challenges in the fight against the virus. According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which can be self-limiting or can progress to a more …

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Delivering health care is a challenge for most countries, but Ronald Tukachungurwa, 24, a Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, argues properly crafted and enforced laws can be an important step in overcoming those hurdles. Most countries, especially the Low Developed Countries (LDCs), have faced a challenge of service delivery. One such hardship is the provision of health services. …

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