Contributor: Lisa Cicala

When child soldiers are rescued or escape from fighting in Colombia's long-running armed conflict, they cannot return home; the violence and drugs could catch up with them again.

Instead, they are placed into a government reintegration program, where they go to school and establish the resources they need to rejoin society. There, Mercy Corps helps the kids process their trauma, develop positive values, build self-reliance, learn entrepreneurial skills and prepare life plans so they can lead productive, healthy lives. Find out more about this life-changing project.

When child soldiers are rescued or escape from fighting in Colombia's long-running armed conflict, they cannot return home; the violence and drugs could catch up with them again.

Instead, they are placed into a government reintegration program, where they go to school and establish the resources they need to rejoin society. There, Mercy Corps helps the kids process their trauma, develop positive values, build self-reliance, learn entrepreneurial skills and prepare life plans so they can lead productive, healthy lives. Find out more about this life-changing program in our special report.

In Gaza, information technology is one of the only ways for educated youth to connect with a better future. Mercy Corps' Arab Developer Network Initiative helps young web entrepreneurs, especially women like Alaa, find jobs and launch startups with their technical skills.

As part of the program, we brought the first-ever Startup Weekend to Gaza, where Alaa and teams of colleagues competed to develop prototypes and revenue plans to turn web and mobile applications into viable businesses.

Infant mortality remains high in Indonesia, the result of acute malnutrition and illness. Breastmilk imparts key nutrients to protect babies' health, yet many mothers are misinformed and choose to feed their infants formula or other foods.

Mercy Corps works in both urban Jakarta and rural Indonesian villages to educate women about breastfeeding and proper infant care.

Meet Umi, who leads one of these Mothers Support Groups, which in just one year have increased breastfeeding rates by 23%.

Mercy Corps is providing $4 million in start-up loans and grants to small business owners in Japan's tsunami-ravaged coastal towns. Meet three entrepreneurs who are bringing important jobs and services back to their communities.

Read more about the economic recovery project in Kesennuma, Japan.