Welcome to the Good News Roundup for February 23, 2026
Sierra Leone opens first NICU with $50 million from John and Hank Green
Sierra Leone has celebrated a historic milestone with the opening of its first neonatal intensive care unit at the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence, through Partners in Health.
Brothers John and Hank Green, best-selling authors and content creators, contributed a combined $50 million from both their own pockets and their Project For Awesome charity, funding the 166-bed centre to provide life-saving care for mothers and newborns.
Since 2014, Partners in Health has trained hundreds of local staff and prioritised women in both construction and clinical roles. The centre welcomed its first baby this Valentine’s Day, giving families hope and a stronger start to life.
Read the full story here
Artist wins $1 million for bringing education to marginalised communities
Artist and educator Rouble Nagi has won the prestigious Global Teacher Prize, receiving $1 million for transforming underserved communities into vibrant learning spaces.
Through her non-profit, the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, Nagi brings education to children through art-based learning and colourful educational murals.
She has established more than 800 free learning centres across India, proving that classrooms do not need four walls.
Selected from 5,000 nominations worldwide, Nagi plans to expand her work even further, showing that creativity can open doors and change lives.
Read more here
Emotional support plant initiative for Winter Olympic athletes
Amid the intensity of the Winter Olympics 2026, figure skaters are finding comfort in an unexpected place. A pot plant on the windowsill!
Through an Olympic Village initiative, athletes can adopt a low maintenance Monstera to care for during their stay, before leaving it behind for local residents to plant.
Beyond boosting emotional wellbeing, the initiative is also eco-friendly, replacing disposable décor with living greenery that can be reused and enjoyed long after the Games conclude.
Find out more about the ‘emotional support plants’ here
Stockholm’s ‘flying’ ferry is changing city travel
A new electric ferry is making waves in Stockholm, offering a faster, quieter and smoother way to cross the city’s waterways.
By gliding above the water, the hydrofoiling Candela P12 Shuttle cuts emissions dramatically while creating a more comfortable, eco-friendly commute.‑12 Shuttle cuts emissions dramatically while creating a more comfortable,
Passengers are loving the cleaner, greener, and more efficient travel, signalling a smarter era for the city’s waterways.
Read the full story here
