Being a teenage mum is not easy. But innovative projects around the world are trying to help.
We hear from Sierra Leone, where the 2 Young Lives project supports teenagers who've been rejected by their families for getting pregnant. They link them up with older women who step in to look after them.
Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally. But the mentors are making sure the young mums get the medical support they need.
After giving birth, the early years of motherhood can be problematic for teenagers too.
We also hear from Brazil, where a team of researchers and nurses is teaching young mothers the skills they need to form strong attachments to their children.
By getting their mothers to do things like read to their toddlers, the researchers say they can improve the children's future development and give them better life prospects.
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporters: Amelia Martyn-Hempill and Marcia Reverdosa
Producer: Daniel Gordon
Executive producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: Tamires Salviano and her child
5/24/2022
24:08
Turning mud into ‘clean’ concrete
A young scientist has developed a white powder which gives waste soil concrete-like properties.
Gnanli Landrou grew up in Togo, helping his neighbours dry out soil to make bricks, and his big dream is to help people like them build stronger, cheaper, houses.
But the European building industry is also excited about his new, low carbon building material.
We talk to Gnanli about his ambitions for this extraordinary powder, and meet the Swiss architect who is about to build a luxury apartment block with it.
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporter: Jo Mathys
Executive producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: Gnanli Landrou
5/17/2022
24:03
Robots fixing sewers
Robots that navigate sewer pipes are being used to find leaks and blockages in an ancient water system.
They’re being put to work in Pune, India, to access dangerous and noxious spots that otherwise would be checked by people.
The sewage systems are more than 100 years old and the maps have been lost or are just outdated. So the robots are being used to update the maps, which should eventually lead to less leaks and so less contamination in the water.
But the machines also replace manual work that is done by some of the poorest members of Indian society. We explore what it will mean for their wellbeing and livelihoods.
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporter: Chhavi Sachdev
Executive producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: The sewer robot in Pune
5/10/2022
24:08
Using lotteries to make us better people
Lotteries aren’t just about winning money. They’re also being used to nudge people to change their behaviour.
In the UK we try out a mobile app that enters users in to a £25,000 lottery every time they pick up a piece of litter.
We see how heart patients in the US can win smaller prizes for taking their pills… and if they don’t take their medicine, are told what they could have won.
And we look at receipt lotteries, where customers are encouraged to get receipts as each one is an entry to a big monthly draw. The scheme started in Taiwan but has been replicated in a number of countries, helping governments find the businesses avoiding tax.
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporter: Claire Bates
Producer: Francois Wibaux
Executive producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: Illustration from Getty Images
5/3/2022
24:17
Work: Access for all
La Casa de Carlota isn’t like most workplaces. The design studio, based in Barcelona, Spain, employs creatives who have intellectual disabilities, autism and schizophrenia.
Working together with non-disabled colleagues, they produce striking graphics for campaigns and packaging, as well as original works of art. This isn’t a government-backed scheme to help out a disadvantaged group, but a winning formula that is helping the studio forge a unique brand.
In this programme we look at two companies who have realised there is strength in neurodiversity and hear from Natalie Duo from the charity Mencap. The vast majority of people with learning disabilities are unemployed, so how can other businesses follow suit?
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporter: William Kremer
Executive producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Penny Murphy
Image: Casa de Carlota