Tortoise Permanent Vacation
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July 7th, 2020
There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.
– Buckminister Fuller
Sweet 13th Birthday
This story of Tony Mutabazi is a touching reminder that sometimes, we just have to keep going. We may not see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but if we keep walking, it’ll be there.
The Story: When he was 11-years-old, Tony Mutabazi was abandoned by his adopted parents in a hospital. Before that, Tony had been in the foster care system since he was two years old. After being abandoned at the hospital, a foster care worker then asked Peter Mutabazi, a single parent, to look after Tony for a couple days. Peter Mutabazi had fostered 12 kids previously, so he was excited to meet Tony.
13th Birthday: After hearing Tony’s story, Peter knew he had to take care of the boy. Now, it’s been almost two years since Peter Mutabazi adopted Tony. Peter Mutabazi himself had gone through an abusive childhood in Uganda, where he grew up. Now, he’s dedicated his life to helping other children have a better life. Peter currently works with World Vision United States, a non-profit organization that helps kids living in vulnerable areas. As for Tony? Well, both father and son recently celebrated Tony’s 13th birthday together!
Retirement for Tortoises
Slow and steady really does win the race! The last 15 giant Española tortoises, who saved their entire species from extinction, finally get to enjoy retirement! These tortoises will be returning home to their native Española island with all of their offspring.
The Española Tortoise Program: The tortoises’ decline is attributed to sailors who often hunted the tortoises for food and the introduction of invasive species like goats to their island. By 1965, the Ecuadorian government formed the Española Tortoise Program to save the 15 remaining tortoises. As the tortoises reproduced, their offspring were relocated to the now protected island.
Numbers: For the past 55 years, the 15 tortoises produced over 1900 offspring. Those offspring then contributed another 400 individuals, totaling over 2300 children and grandchildren of the original 15. Now, all the tortoises are free to enjoy retirement. Saving an entire species is hard work!
Around the World
We need to all take better care of our planet. WIth these initiatives, it seems like we’re finally making small steps towards good progress!
United States: Thinking about throwing away your dinner leftovers in the trash? Think again! In Vermont, throwing food waste in the trash is now illegal. In order to prevent food waste from ending up in landfills, Vermont residents are now required, by law, to compost all their food scraps.
India:Amazon India will no longer use any plastic packaging. Instead, the company will wrap its packages with paper materials or biodegradable options. For a company that ships billions of packages, this change will make a great difference!
United Kingdom: A London family recently sold their home and moved to an island in the Seychelles. Why? To start a land-based coral reef farm! They hope their efforts will revitalize the coral reefs on the island. Saving the environment while “vacationing”? Count us in!
Germany: Starting July 3, 2021, all single use plastic products will be banned in Germany. That means no throwaway food containers, cotton buds and plastic straws will be available for purchase. The German government hopes to steer Germany away from a “throw-away” culture.
Australia: Reduce, reuse and recycle on a grand scale: Australian scientists have discovered how to convert waste, like plant fibers or sand, into construction materials. These waste materials, instead of ending up in landfills, can be used for a positive purpose, like building houses.
My Best Friend Is Food
I Heart Watermelon
The Never Ending Noodle
I Didn’t Steal Any Pancakes
Shower Thoughts
Accents are speakable fonts
If you close both your eyes, you see black. If you close just one eye, it sees nothing
Other people’s stairs feel more dangerous than your own
Yawning is your body’s 20% battery warning
Bubbles are dry on the inside and wet on the outside
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