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Nigerian Refugee Becomes Chess National Master at Age 10

When we were ten years old, our greatest struggle was trying to pick between Pikachu and Charmander. For a young Tani Adewumi, his tenth birthday party was anything but normal! The Nigerian refugee and his family would celebrate an enormous accomplishment this year when Tami scored a rating of 2223 en route to becoming a Chess National Master. One of the highest achievements a young chess player can pursue, Tani’s ascent to Chess Master has been years in the making if you can believe it!

Let’s go back in time a few years to see where Tani’s story first began, how he found momentum, and what led the refugee to such success in competition.

New York State Championship

While Tani is enjoying global headlines for his success, the work for the young man began a couple of years prior. Tani had made headlines for the first time while competing in the New York State Chess Championship — while living in a homeless shelter. At the time of his first competition, Tani had only been competing in the game of chess for a year.

Tani’s success would garner attention from a columnist for The New York Times by the name of Nicholas Kristof. Kristof would cover the young chess master in a column following Tani’s win in New York. The column would highlight a bit of Tani’s story while creating interest throughout the region. It wouldn’t take long for readers to get another dose of their favorite young chess master.

In 2021, social media users online would find out that Tani won another championship, this time in Fairfield, CT. As a fifth-grader, Tani would score a rating of 2223, landing himself a Chess National Master rating. Kristoff had continued to share updates about the young man, commenting that “talent is universal, but opportunity is not.”

Opportunity and Success are Not Always Equal

Tani’s story really highlights the need for social services at a foundational level. Kristoff pointed out in his column that Tani was able to succeed in chess not just because of his natural talent and hard work, but also because he was located in a shelter that had a school district offering chess programs.

When Tani’s teacher at school realized that the young boy was without family resources, the teacher waived the fees. This would allow Tani to explore an opportunity that might not have otherwise been available. Kristoff says of this chess teacher’s decision, “We need more of that!”

On Kristoff’s Facebook page, social media users shared overwhelming support for Tani. One user suggested that Tani’s success was indicative of America’s promise to the world, that everyone can have an opportunity. Another user wrote that a true sadness plaguing developing countries is the loss of talent that gets overlooked without the ability to develop.

Asylum and Reinvention

Tani hadn’t made his way to the United States out of choice. His family had fled Nigeria in 2017 upon becoming targets of the Boko Haram terrorists. After obtaining asylum, Tani and his family would flee to Manhattan where they would begin living in a shelter. After moving to the city, Tani would get the opportunity to unlock his potential by joining the local chess program.

Since finding public fame and attention for his efforts in school and chess, Tani’s fans have raised more than $250k in support for his family. Granted another chance at life through hard work and dedication, Tani and his family have finally settled into their own home in New York City and the future is wide open and waiting for them to embrace!

Amazing

Rescue Dog Leads Police to Injured Owner, Hailed as a “True Hero”

Renee Yates

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A loyal rescue dog named Gita is being celebrated for saving her elderly owner’s life after leading a police officer to a remote cabin where the man lay injured.

In rural Stevens County, Washington, Gita, a 13-year-old rescue dog, refused to leave her owner’s side after he suffered a serious fall. Police were unaware of the situation until Deputy Wright, on a routine patrol two weeks ago, spotted Gita sitting in the middle of the road with no homes in sight.

The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office shared the remarkable story on their Facebook page, emphasizing the critical role Gita played in the rescue. After attempting to coax the dog into his vehicle with no success, Deputy Wright sensed that something was wrong. He searched the nearby area within a mile radius but found nothing and trusted his instincts to keep following Gita.

“Gita is a 13-year-old rescue and best friend to the man in trouble,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Had it not been for her, the outcome could have been much worse. We owe this rescue to Gita’s loyalty and quick thinking.”

When the dog led the officer down a lesser-known roadway, Wright discovered a small summer cabin. It was there, not far from the cabin, that he found the 84-year-old man on the ground, injured and calling for help. The man had fallen, hurt his leg, and required his regular medication due to other health issues.

While the sheriff’s office hasn’t released further details about the man’s condition, they praised both the deputy and Gita for their actions, concluding their post with: “Thank you, Deputy Wright, for your dedication, and thank you Gita, for being a good girl and a true hero.”

A family member of the elderly man shared her gratitude online, noting that he is her 91-year-old mother’s cousin. “We are so thankful to Deputy Wright and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. And of course, Gita, for being there when it mattered most.”

The story quickly gained attention, with many applauding both the officer’s instincts and Gita’s heroic behavior.

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Utah Woman Donates Kidney to Man She Met on a Hike

Renee Yates

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In an inspiring turn of events, a Utah County woman donated her kidney to a man she had only recently met on a hike.

Krissy Miller crossed paths with Shiller Joseph while hiking on Y Mountain, near Brigham Young University, in September 2023. During their chance meeting, Miller, a 49-year-old mother of four, learned that Joseph was in desperate need of a kidney. Without hesitation, she offered one of hers. Following medical tests, it was confirmed that they were a compatible match.

The story took an even more heartwarming turn when, after their initial encounter, Miller presented Joseph with what appeared to be a box of rolls. But inside the box was a sign that revealed her incredible gift — she would be his kidney donor.

On Monday, the pair reunited at Intermountain Health in Murray after a successful transplant surgery. Their emotional meeting came after months of preparation and surgery that gave Joseph, 45, a new chance at life.

Joseph, who has lupus, had been on the kidney transplant waiting list for some time. The average wait time for a kidney transplant in the U.S. is three to five years, with more than 90,000 people currently waiting for a life-saving organ. The National Kidney Foundation estimates that around 20 people die each day while waiting for a transplant, underscoring the critical need for organ donors.

Miller’s decision to donate her kidney without hesitation showcases the profound impact one person can make in the face of overwhelming need. This act of kindness not only saved Joseph’s life but also shines a spotlight on the importance of organ donation.

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A Young Hero for Hens

Renee Yates

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Harriet, a 12-year-old from Chart Sutton, Kent, is making a difference in the lives of farm hens. Every Saturday morning, she volunteers with Fresh Start For Hens, a local charity dedicated to finding new homes for commercial egg-laying hens.

These hens, typically 72 weeks old, are often destined for slaughter when their egg production declines. However, Fresh Start For Hens buys them from farms and rehomes them as pets.

At collection points like the one in Aylesford, Harriet helps transfer over 100 hens from farms to their new owners. The charity ensures potential adopters provide suitable living conditions for the hens, requiring photos of coops and runs, along with a minimum donation of £2.75 per bird.

Many of these hens arrive in poor condition, sometimes even bald from stress-induced feather pecking. Harriet explains, “They get quite bored, so they peck each other and rip out their feathers.” Remarkably, after a few weeks in their new homes, most hens regain their feathers.

Harriet’s dedication earned her the BBC Young Reporter award. She hopes her story will inspire more farmers to choose rehoming over slaughter for their hens. As Harriet puts it, “It makes me feel proud that I can do something for these chickens, save their lives and give them to these happy families.”

The charity operates entirely on volunteer efforts. Petrina Thomas, who leads collection mornings, believes they’re all motivated by a simple principle: “the love of hens.”

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Social Media Miracle: Stranger’s Selfless Act Saves Baby’s Life

Renee Yates

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Amazing human kindness helped give a six-month-old girl named Helin Dinlera second chance at life. It’s all thanks to the generosity of a stranger who responded to an urgent online plea. Helin, diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening liver condition called Biliary Atresia, faced a grim prognosis without a liver transplant.

When no family members were found to be suitable donors, Helin’s mother, Anna Shushura, turned to social media in a desperate attempt to find help. Her emotional appeal caught the attention of Letty Fenlon, a 27-year-old show jumper from Yorkshire, who felt compelled to act.

Letty, already registered as an organ donor, underwent extensive testing and was confirmed as a match for Helin. Despite the risks associated with major surgery, Letty’s determination to help prevailed. In May, she underwent a six-hour procedure to donate a portion of her liver to the infant.

The transplant was successful, and now, at nine months old, Helin is thriving. While she still requires regular medical check-ups, her progress has been remarkable. Helin’s family expresses immense gratitude towards Letty, whose selfless act has given their daughter a chance at a normal life.

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Trust and Perseverance: The Remarkable Rescue of Lessie from the Boundary Waters

Shannon Jackson

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A heartwarming tale of survival and rescue has emerged from Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, where a German Shepherd named Lessie was found after being lost for 55 days. This story highlights the importance of trust-building and community effort in reuniting lost pets with their families.

Lessie’s ordeal began when she escaped following a car accident on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais in late June. The Retrievers, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing dogs, immediately mobilized to assist in the search.

After a month of uncertainty, hope was rekindled when Lessie was spotted near Ham Lake, miles from the accident site. A Minneapolis-based volunteer, familiar with the area, stepped up to help. Armed with guidance from The Retrievers and his previous experience, he set up camp to search for Lessie.

The volunteer’s patient approach proved crucial. Using food and a trail camera, he gradually gained Lessie’s trust over several days. His persistence paid off when he finally managed to leash Lessie and lead her to safety, facilitating an emotional reunion with her owners.

Jennifer Cadigan of The Retrievers emphasized the intelligence and resilience of dogs, noting that Lessie likely survived on discarded fish remains from nearby campsites. This remarkable story serves as an inspiring reminder to never lose hope when searching for a lost pet.

The successful rescue of Lessie after nearly two months in the wilderness underscores the effectiveness of combining community involvement, expert guidance, and unwavering determination in resolving missing pet cases.

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