Tell us: Who are the voiceless in the world today?

Vaccine hesitancy in China; new sleeping sickness cure [View this email online]( [NPR]( Goats and Soda editor's note Who are the voiceless of the world today? There are many communities facing crises and desperate situations – far too many to count. Sometimes attention is paid to those who need the world’s support. And sometimes they are overlooked. Their voices are not heard. A war or a famine or a disease outbreak in one country may get headlines – and a global response. But media space is limited. Resources are limited. As the year of 2023 dawns, we want to cast a light on those whose voices are not heard as they face health and humanitarian crises. Who would you nominate as one of the world’s “unheard communities” – facing a problem to which attention is not paid. Please be very specific and name a specific community in a specific location rather than an overarching category – refugees, orphans, etc. Please submit your comments by Monday, December 19 so we can prepare a post to publish in early 2023. The email address is: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=). Please put the word “voiceless” in the subject line. Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda pandemic Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images [Why vaccine hesitancy persists in China — and what they're doing about it]( The reluctance of many citizens — especially the elderly — to get vaccinated is a problem for a government facing intense pressure to roll back strict COVID policies. [When COVID closed India, these women opened their hearts -- and wallets]( Sangeeta Siwan lost her job and wasn't able to pay rent or feed her family. Her neighbors helped her survive. A study of giving in India during the pandemic shows she wasn't alone. best of 2022 Laura Gao for NPR [From COVID to mpox to polio: Our 9 most-read 'viral' stories in 2022]( It was a big year for viruses, which simply refused to be ignored. And unlike the previous two years, COVID had to share the spotlight. new drugs Xavier Vaheed-DNDi [With one dose, new drug may cure sleeping sickness. Could it also wipe it out?]( This often fatal disease found in many African countries is painful and lengthy to treat. But a single oral dose proved incredibly effective in a clinical trial, raising hopes of eradication. development Luis Tato/Bloomberg via Getty Images [China lends billions to poor countries. Is that a burden ... or a blessing?]( China doles out much cash for infrastructure. It must be repaid. Is that frustrating for recipients? A new survey has a surprising answer. But skeptics wonder: How honest were the participants? [What's the secret sauce that lets some poor countries prosper?]( In his new book, Gambling on Development, economist Stefan Dercon argues that the key to a low-resource country's success is not what you might think. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- links we like - Throughline, an NPR podcast, explains ["How Qatar became this year's World Cup host.]( - ["Destroying Maya treasures to build a tourist train"]( is the subject of an interactive Washington Post report. - CBS's 60 Minutes reported on how one man's efforts to [restore Gorongosa National Park]( in Mozambique from the ravages of 28 years of war has been good for wildlife -- and for the local residents as well. - [The South African comic Trevor Noah]( in his final appearance as host of The Daily Show, gave thanks to those who have taught, shaped, nourished and informed him: "My mum, my gran, my aunt -- all the Black women in my life." Read the BBC's report. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [goatsandsoda@npr.org](mailto:goatsandsoda@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]