First published 1998
Che Madyun stands in an empty lot surrounded by broken glass and weeds, but she sees something different. Where others see urban decay, she envisions gardens, playgrounds, and gathering spaces that could bring her neighborhood back to life. Madyun faces skeptical neighbors, bureaucratic obstacles, and limited resources as she fights to reclaim these forgotten spaces. Meanwhile, David Levitt tackles hunger in his own community, working to redirect surplus school food to those who need it most. Both discover that small acts of determination can spark larger movements of change. Their stories unfold alongside contributions from figures like Christopher Reeve, Mother Teresa, and Nelson Mandela, creating a tapestry of human resilience. At its heart, this collection reveals how ordinary people become catalysts for extraordinary transformation in their communities.
Genres: social-issues, non-fiction, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, small-acts-of-change
Setting: Africa, Urban
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
436 pages · Paperback · Conari Pr