This year, while most of us were dwelling on ourselves, feeling the funk of the recession and the consequential spiritual depression, a few exceptional ASMALLWORLD members were busy turning lemons into lemonade, risking their lives to make the world a better place. Their stories of innovation, bravery and determination are an inspiration to us all. Here is a quick review of our community's real-life heroes.

Nearly two billion children in the developing world don't have access to adequate education. Nicolas Negroponte's non-profit organization, One Laptop Per Child, provides the word's poorest children with cheap laptops with built-in wireless and software to facilitate learning. Now they can feel connected to the world wherever they are.

Jacqui Rosshandler, the entrepreneur behind eatwhatever's kissable breath, travelled to the Algerian desert with her husband Dean Bialek, a UN Representative, to visit the forgotten people of the Sahrawi and bring their story to us first hand.

As Vice Chairperson of the Young Arab Leaders organization, Muna Al Gurg tackles the biggest problem that the Arab world faces, unemployment, by encouraging and funding the education of the next generation of Arab leaders.

Photojournalist Iason Athanasiadis was arrested, beaten and jailed for “illegal activities” whilst covering the presidential elections in Iran in June 2009. After his release, this fearless storyteller spoke exclusively to ASMALLMAGAZINE about his experience.

Since it began a little over three years ago, Scott Harrison's Charity: Water has completed over 1,500 projects including installing wells and rain water harvesting systems in impoverished communities where fresh water was otherwise unavailable.

Sean Carasso, founder of Falling Whistles, made a weapon a symbol of peace and freedom by donating 100% the proceeds of the whistles he sells on his website to programmes that help children affected by the war in the Congo. Wear the whistle, share the story, become a whistleblower for peace in the Congo.

Blake Mycoskie's for profit company, TOMS, gives a needy child in the third world a pair of shoes every time a pair of shoes is sold. Blake's story of TOMS shows is told in the documentary For Tomorrow: The First Steps of the Revolution.

Anne Wells lead a group of Western doctors and volunteers into Tanzania on her POSTAfrica tour, to direct volunteer health clinics and medical training workshops on AIDS, women's health and other vital survival tools.

Mishele Wells, Creative Director of the Waterkeeper Alliance, launched "The Dirty Lie" campaign to educate people about the destructiveness of coal and encourage them to spread the word and take action.

Sasha Eden and ,Victoria Pettibone started WET, Women's Expressive Theatre, to create opportunity and equality for women in film, TV and theatre by producing, developing and promoting female generated projects. Their Risk Taker Film series is a free programme that educates and empowers hundreds of NYC teenage girls.

Investment banker turned social entrepreneur Alicia Polak's Khaya Cookie Company not only produces delicious baked goods from local ingredients in Western South Africa, but also supports and creates sustainable opportunities through job creation and job skills training for the men and women of the local community.

Elliott Bisnow founded Summit Series, a series of invitation-only events that inspire young business leaders across the globe to connect and be more philanthropic, socially responsible and eco-friendly. Created a little over a year ago, Summit Series has already brought together over 500 entrepreneurs from around the globe.

Yodit Eklund's African beach lifestyle brand Bantu manufactures all its garments in sub-Saharan Africa where the company ensures socially responsible work practices, contributes to the growth of local economies and brings the bright, colourful African beach culture to overseas markets.

Julian Jackson is the 2009 LA Engineer of the Year winner and CEO of Jules Electric, a for-profit company which produces a zero-emission electric scooter and educates people and municipalities around the world about zero emission vehicles.

This past fall, model/actress Veronica Webb ran the New York City Marathon on behalf of Harlem United, an AIDS service provider with over 3,600 clients from the most disenfranchised populations facing the battle against HIV/AIDS.

What will you do to make the world a better place in 2010? Share your stories with us by emailing editor@asmallworld.net.