Game Changer

Helping a city recover from one of Latin America’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks

July 28, 2019

A Colombian student helps stop blast fishing to protect the environment

Blast fishing is a form of fishing in which explosives are used to increase a fisherman’s catch. Meet Our Game Changer Yassandra Barrios.

July 21, 2019

Former FARC fighters getting “back-on-track” creating backpacks

In Colombia, one community of former guerrillas is using the skills they acquired in the jungle as tailors – making uniforms and tents – to launch a new enterprise. And their business is taking off. Our Game Changer is Andres Zuluaga.

July 14, 2019

Breeding exotic frogs to curb illegal animal trafficking in Colombia

In Colombia, the international trafficking of rare frogs is threatening the survival of some species. Our Game Changer has come up with a way to save them from that fate.

July 8, 2019

A biologist protecting Peru’s Giant Manta Rays from being at risk

Giant manta rays can live up to 40 years and weigh over 2200 kilograms. They’re under threat from getting entangled in fishing nets or being caught for their gill plates, which are used in Chinese medicine. Meet biologist Kerstin Forsberg.

June 30, 2019

American football helps rehabilitate prisoners in Mexico

One man began coaching a football team in unusual circumstances and today the team is generating buzz in the local leagues. Formed by prison inmates, the team is called “The Evil Machine.” Meet our Game Changer Coach Mateo Zambrano.

June 23, 2019

A social experiment in a Bogota school helps eliminate prejudice

A doll in a Bogota classroom is behind one of the country’s most successful program’s against racism. Our Game Changer is Colombian teacher Carmenza Novoa.

June 17, 2019

A 14 year-old bank CEO from Peru teaching kids how to save

Jose’s bank serves over 2,000 clients and offers a variety of financial services. Today he is 14 and the CEO of the Bartselana Student Bank in Peru. Meet Game Changer Jose Quisocala.

June 9, 2019

Prisoners receiving therapy in a new rehab program in Colombia

According to Colombian authorities in Bogota, 75 percent of imprisoned youth return to a life of crime once they complete their sentence. It’s a validation that receiving effective rehabilitation can be a challenge.

June 2, 2019

Love Futbol gives at-risk kids in Mexico safe places to play

Cartel violence in Mexico has made outdoor recreation dangerous for children. Our Game Changer is someone who is very aware of the social impact a healthy upbringing can have on society.

May 26, 2019

Improving the nutrition of Guatemalan children with goat milk

Nutritional deficiencies can hinder physical and mental development in children. But an organization started a program to help eliminate malnutrition. Their idea was to provide families with a goat.

May 19, 2019

“Could you spare an hour?” gives medical treatment to those in need in Argentina

A doctor is donating his time to give medical attention to Argentina’s most vulnerable. Our Game Changer is Doctor Mariano Masiocchi.

May 12, 2019

A fossil hunter in Colombia who offers his private collection to the world

Andres Felipe Vanegas became a full-time explorer with a collection of hidden treasures so large that he was able to open his own Natural History Museum. He is our Game Changer.

May 5, 2019

Nature is the key to a happy kitchen for an eco-friendly chef in Ecuador

Rodrigo has created workshops in Ecuador with his partner from Netflix’s “Final Table.” He and Charles Michel teach their method of sustainable cooking and show participants how to transform overlooked local ingredients into fine cuisine.

April 21, 2019

Instilling values and citizenship in Colombian kids with rugby

In Colombia, a rugby player has been teaching the sport to kids from a working-class town and is seeing the same results. For our Game Changer on “Americas Now” meet Lucas Marroquin.

April 7, 2019

Profuturo finds a “smart” way to engage kids from Guatemala in the classroom

In the rural highlands of Guatemala education is considered sub-standard. A non-profit organization is enriching the education system by providing classrooms with smart computer tablets. Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is Profuturo.

March 31, 2019

Teaching girls in Guatemala to empower themselves with education

More than 50% of the population is indigenous in Guatemala. Karla Rax is trying to provide underprivileged girls with the knowledge they need to move forward.

March 10, 2019

Former Dreamer lends a hand to U.S. deportees arriving in Mexico

Israel Concha was taken to Texas by his Mexican parents when he was just four years old. Thirty years later he was deported. Our Game Changer is former Dreamer Israel Concha and his organization, New Beginning.

March 3, 2019

A doctor of Chinese medicine improves the lives of ill children in Peru

For the last eleven years, a doctor has led a non-profit organization to help such citizens. For our “Game Changer” meet Doctor Ricardo Pun Chong.

February 10, 2019

A man in Mexico conducts artistic workshops while using recycled rubbish

The trash millions of people discard each day is being collected to create opportunities. An artist has opened a workshop to turn the trash into art. Meet Thierry Jeannot.

January 20, 2019

Dance instructor gives those with disabilities a chance to tell their stories

A ballerina, and student of psychology, combined her two passions to push people with disabilities to re-think their limitations. Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is the founder of Mexico’s Inclusive Contemporary Dance Company Lorena Nieva.

January 13, 2019

An ancient crop brings sweet rewards to residents in Guatemala

Our Game Changer is teaching women in her community how to cultivate chocolate. It’s a way to stabilize the land and provide extra income to their families.

December 30, 2018

Empowering kids with Down Syndrome through photography

Several years ago a photographer in Sao Paulo had an innovative idea. She gave her son a camera and brought him along on one of her shoots. Her son has Down Syndrome and the camera boosted his confidence and helped him discover a new world.

December 23, 2018

A Bolivian boy with “special abilities” proves nothing is impossible

A boy born with one hand who created his own prosthesis is now making artificial hands for others.

December 9, 2018

Birdwatcher in Brazil uses webcams to raise awareness of the rainforest

A Brazilian birdwatcher switched on the country’s first wildlife streaming webcam, so that enthusiasts all over the world could watch the extraordinary wildlife in the Atlantic rainforest, from the comfort of their homes. Meet Luciano Breves.

November 18, 2018

Creating green spaces to improve quality-of-life in Mexico

Mexico City is notorious for its congestion and air pollution. But one man is convinced the tide can change. For our Game Changer meet the founder of the Via Verde program Fernando Ortiz.

November 11, 2018

A social crusader using the natural resources of her community to promote tourism

A social leader in one of Colombia’s national parks is using ecotourism to benefit her community. Meet our Game Changer… Josefina Klinger.

November 4, 2018

Beekeepers in Colombia witness a decline in their honeybee colonies

In Colombia, beekeeper Jairo Velandia says he’s not going to sit back and let bees die.

October 21, 2018

A Bolivian woman transforms trauma from abuse into hope and healing

At the age of 15, Brisa de Angulo was raped by a member of her extended family. She is the founder of “A Breeze of Hope,” and our Game Changer.

October 14, 2018

A Guatemalan man empowers coffee growers who have fallen on hard times

Our Game Changer is from Guatemala but is now living in Japan. And he’s making a difference for the small producers of coffee. Meet Carlos Melen.

September 15, 2018

Eco-friendly homes that are earthquake-resistant

The inventor of a new building material is offering housing solutions to Mexicans made homeless by earthquakes. Meet the founder of “Echale a tu Casa”… Francesco Piazzesi.

September 9, 2018

An environmental activist in Mexico speaking out to protect the planet

Meet Pati Ruiz Corzo, founder of the Sierra Gorda Ecological Group, who was a music teacher before becoming a conservationist.

August 26, 2018

Teaching ecological awareness to students in Mexico

One man realized the key to a better future lies in educating future generations and instilling a culture of environmental awareness.

August 18, 2018

From shining shoes on the streets to wearing soccer shorts

One young mother has taken on the task of organizing soccer games to provide a healthy distraction for some of these working boys.

August 5, 2018

A chef who comforts victims of natural disaster with comfort “food”

Natural disasters make access to meals difficult and in some cases almost impossible. One chef has made it his mission to feed all of them. Meet our Game Changer Chef Jose Andres.

July 22, 2018

An innovative replacement for the wood-burning stove

Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” invented a clean alternative for cooking. It’s called the Glatt Stove.

July 15, 2018

Celebrating the fifteenth birthday of some special senoritas

In Latin America, a girl’s fifteenth birthday is considered a momentous occasion. The country’s National Police Department has been arranging “Sweet 15” birthday parties for girls who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

June 17, 2018

A survivor of domestic violence regains her identity with graffiti art

A rising star known as “Brazil’s Graffiti Queen”, was once a victim of domestic violence. Meet our Game Changer Panmela Castro.

May 27, 2018

A restaurant owner from Mexico provides nourishment to those in need

San Juan Cosala, a small village in Mexico, attracts a lot of North American retirees. About 30 years ago a couple set up a program called Operation Feed to provide nourishment to the poorest families in the area.

May 18, 2018

A human-trafficking hero helps other victims heal

Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is an activist from Buenos Aires who was forced into prostitution. She currently works at a university organizing events and giving speeches about her experience.

May 6, 2018

A visionary whose company helps change Haitian lives every step of the way

Julie Colombino runs an ethical fashion business training Haitians to make footwear from tires. She is this week’s Game Changer on “Americas Now.”

April 29, 2018

What’s old becomes new in Mexico when it comes to ballgames

A Mexican coach named Iván Yerena has co-founded a national league to preserve the game. He teaches teenagers what’s known about the rules and how to play it.

April 22, 2018

Hairdresser’s Alley in Cuba alters appearances

It’s called Hairdresser’s Alley. And it was the creation of a hairstylist who had a barbershop on the street. He worked with his neighbors to revitalize the thoroughfare. For our Game Changer meet Gilberto Valladares. Better known as “Papito.”

March 18, 2018

Mayan midwives getting acknowledgment for their work in Guatemala

It is estimated that in Guatemala a medical professional attends only 25% of births.

March 11, 2018

A badminton program in Brazil gets its “swing” from Samba

When it comes to sports, you probably wouldn’t equate Brazil with badminton. But in one of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, the game is producing the country’s top players.

March 2, 2018

A shot-gun guitar helps heal the wounds of war

Lopez plans to give the Escopetarra to other musicians as well so they can help him on his crusade to promote peace.

February 25, 2018

A Colombian farmer moves from “coca” to “cocoa” crops

Coca is a crop that’s seen steady growth in Colombia since 2013. Now, they’re trying a new approach: persuading farmers to replace the plant with a sweeter alternative.

February 18, 2018

Making beautiful music with an instrument that boosts brainpower

Not all children have access to instruments. In Colombia, one man is trying to give them that access. He’s invented an instrument called the Ludofono. Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is David Hernandez.

February 11, 2018

A Mexican teenager designs a bra to detect cancer

At only 18 years old, Julian Rios has invented a new device to spot breast cancer. Julian and his team are also turning their attention to finding more reliable methods to detect testicular and pancreatic cancer.

January 28, 2018

From Peruvian street acrobats to dance professionals

Ballerina Vania Masias is making a big difference in the lives of young Peruvians with artistic talent. Vania got her inspiration for the dance school when she saw kids doing acrobatics on the streets of Lima.

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