Many of us feel helpless when faced with the seemingly endless pain and poverty in the world. We are paralysed by the immensity of the problem, thinking, 'What can I possibly do?' Yet sometimes the smallest actions have the biggest consequences. There are people among us who devote themselves to improving the lives of others, and in Making a World of Difference filmmaker and author Miles Roston tells their stories.

Miles has collected stories from around the globe, from Darfur to China, Cambodia to outback Australia. Each story is unique, yet common themes emerge – these are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Making a World of Difference is an insightful look at the motivation of these saints and heroes, a motivation that, more often than not, is simply that helping others gives their own lives richness and meaning. This is a powerful book whose positive message is a beacon of hope, shining light into the darkness. A must-read.

Every once in a while, a book comes around that reminds us of what is best about being human. This is one such book, and the stories will leave you crying, laughing, and ultimately moved to change your world and the world around you.

Many of us feel helpless when faced with the seemingly endless pain and poverty in the world. We want to help, yet are paralysed by the immensity of the problem, thinking, 'What can I possibly do?' Yet sometimes the smallest actions have the biggest consequences. Making a World of Difference tells the inspiring stories of heroic individuals the world over who are saving lives and solving problems. Within each of their communities, they saw a problem and with their own unique skills and perspectives, set about solving it. Their remarkable stories suggest that the act of giving takes many forms and emphasise that the simplest ideas, executed with commitment and compassion, can be just as important as contributions of money.

What unites the people in Making a World of Difference is their passion, compassion and integrity. They are problem solvers, revolutionaries and creatives – and they're all real people, just like you or I. Their stories, as told by Miles Roston, tell of how they discovered their passion, what inspires them, their personal highs and lows and ultimately, why it is and how it came to be that they do what they do.

This is the perfect book for these times. Through sharing the stories of these incredible people, Miles reminds us all of the best of our human nature, gently, with humour and absolute joy.