Do something good every day, says Romania activist

Valeriu Nicolae and his team visited villages at the foot of the Carpathian mountains, northwest of Bucharest, to deliver aid. Photos: AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru

A gentle hero to many in Romania, Valeriu Nicolae says that, at heart, he is more like former NBA star Michael Jordan - highly competitive and eager to improve in what he does best. In Nicolae’s case that is helping others.

The Romanian rights activist has earned praise for his tireless campaign to improve the lives of the Balkan country’s poorest and least privileged residents, particularly children.