GlobalGiving is excited to present stunning photos from the winners of the 2017 Photography Contest. Take a look and learn more about the incredible impact our partners are making around the world.

1. Rats have day jobs, too.

This giant rat is hard at work detecting landmines. That’s right—APOPO HeroRATs can quickly and accurately detect landmines using their extraordinary sense of smell. They can also sniff out tuberculosis! Learn more.

2. Financial freedom—definitely a reason to smile.

Women from disadvantaged communities in India have new hope thanks to Seva Mandir. The nonprofit helps women in rural areas attain financial freedom through education, inter-loaning, and self-help groups. Learn more.

3. Check out the look on that little boy’s face.

Pure glee! Did you know studies have shown that children who are connected to nature are healthier, happier, and smarter? Inside the Outdoors Foundation provides hands-on environmental education through field trips, in-class visits, week-long summer camps, and student-led community action projects. Learn more.

4. They restore hope, one smile at a time.

Approximately 900 children in Colombia are born with cleft lip or palate every year, but only a small percentage of children get the care they need. FISULAB wants to change that. Learn more.

5. Each balloon sends a message to a child—you’re not alone.

The Palliative Care Program by PILLS Charity Fund provides direct assistance to Ukrainian children who cannot overcome cancer. The nonprofit provides medicine and financial support to terminally ill children, and does everything it can to make their last days comfortable. Learn more.

6. There’s no mistaking the look in this dog’s eyes: gratitude.

There are thousands of homeless dogs living on the streets of Dharamsala, India, many of them sick, injured, or starving. Dharamsala Animal Rescue helps stray dogs at its clinic, providing vaccinations and sterilization to prevent rabies and animal overpopulation. Learn more.

GlobalGiving sends a big thank you to every nonprofit partner who participated in the 2017 Photo Contest. This year, we hit an all time high of 255 entries. Wow. We can’t wait to share more beautiful photos from our partners next year!