Saint Lucia is a small Eastern Caribbean island with a population of less than 200,000 people. Saint Lucia’s poverty rate rests below 25% with a middle to upper-income economy. Its youth population is more than 40,000. Saint Lucia produces fresh fruits and crops such as bananas, avocados, yams and sweet potatoes. Tourism is a major contributing factor to the economy and the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) with more than 430,000 tourists yearly. The Government of Saint Lucia spends 3.7% of its GDP on education. Despite these positive results, the small island country suffers from societal and educational issues such as a teacher shortage, domestic violence, low wages and job-force instability. To continue improving the lives of Saint Lucia’s youth, progress must continue in higher education in Saint Lucia as well as sports.
The Education Act of 1999 gave young men and women of Saint Lucia access to educational opportunities, apprenticeships, study abroad programs and work opportunities for youths who choose the workforce once completing secondary school. Before the Education Act, Saint Lucia’s literacy levels were below 85% in the late 1990s. However, with the Act, the literacy rate increased to 90.1%. Between 2018 and 2019, boys had a higher secondary graduation rate at 96% compared to girls at 88%.
Higher Education in Saint Lucia
The Ministry of Education focuses on encouraging first generation Saint Lucians to graduate post-secondary. The First Generation Scholarship Program focuses on the mandate that Saint Lucia’s government prioritizes for one university student graduate per household. The Ministry of Education’s goal is to reach a 20% college graduation rate by 2030.
Saint Lucia’s post secondary institutions like Monroe College offer scholarships through the First Generation Scholarship-Program to help students pursue bachelor’s degrees. The Minister of Education, Shawn Edward, praised Monroe College for bringing over 150 students through the First Generation Scholarship Program.
In November 2024, Minister Edward announced plans to add more improvements to the country’s education department through adding a Special Education Needs (SEN) section to provide teaching and vocational resources for special needs students and young adults.
Local universities and institutions in Saint Lucia such as Sir Lewis Community College and the University of the West Indies offered tertiary education where students gain job specific skills to be prepared for the work force. However, in 2019, the gross enrollment rate for students was 15%.
The Uni-PASS initiative, which the Government of Saint Lucia implemented, offers a one-time grant to students who require funding for their university studies. It offers up to $10,000 to cover accommodation, airfare, transport, visa processing and tuition fees.
Study Abroad
Study abroad programs provide young men and women of Saint Lucia an opportunity to learn about other countries, gain professional skills and pursue their field of study. Saint Lucia collaborates with Caribbean countries like Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and other nations such as Taiwan.
On August 12, 2025, the ambassador of Cuba, Yenileys Linares, presented government-sponsored bi-lateral scholarships to 11 Saint Lucian recipients in their pursuit in the field of medicine. Saint Lucia’s partnership with Cuba in their pursuit for higher education in the medical field has stood since 1979. The program includes studies in medicine, specialization in medicine and health technologies for undergraduate studies. Requirements for this program include being from a low-income family.
On August 4, 2025, the ambassador for Taiwan, Nicole Y.C. Su attended the ceremony and presented the study abroad scholarships for 44 Saint Lucians. Thirty-seven of them received the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Taiwan Scholarship which provides room and board for students in the undergraduate, master’s or doctorate program. Seven received the International Cooperation Fund Development (ICFD) Scholarship which provides tuition to cover students pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree while attending any school in Taiwan.
Sports
On August 2, 2025 one camp under the Saint Lucia Football Association (SFLA) Technical Centre in Mabouya Valley focused on the young male and female athletes ranging from ages 14-24. Anthony Roy, founder of Anthony Roy Collegiate Placement Services, oversaw the activity at the camp. He focuses on getting players scouted for scholarships at universities in the United States to pursue higher education and compete. These types of programs bring out the best of Saint Lucia’s athletes.
Arnicka Louis and Joshua Boland, two athletes who benefited from Roy’s camp, currently reside in the United States, attending their respective universities and competing collegiately in football. Currently, Louis, a sophomore, attends Indian Hills Community College in Otthuma, IA. Boland, a sophomore, attends Point University in Atlanta, GA.
Saint Lucia’s first Olympic champion in the women’s 100m and silver medalist in the 200m, Julien Alfred, is another example of success abroad. Alfred transferred to St. Catherine’s High School in Jamaica to continue her training in the sport. Through a scholarship, she went to the University of Texas to further her education and continue her athletic career.
Conclusion
Higher education in Saint Lucia continues to see progress as the country seeks out opportunities with neighboring Caribbean countries and nations and invests into local institutions. Programs like the Anthony Roy Collegiate Placement Services is one example of the country working towards elevating the potential in young Saint Lucian athletes in sports like football and track and field.
– Gene A. Lambey Jr.
Gene is based in Washington D.C., USA. He focuses on the Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Zero Maternal Deaths Goal: Women’s Health in Honduras
Women’s Health in Honduras
The health of young women and those living in poverty is critical, as it not only shapes their own lives but also affects their families and the wider Honduran community.
In Miskito communities, limited health care resources leave mothers at risk, with preventable deaths during childbirth often caused by prolonged labor and severe bleeding. High transportation costs to hospitals like Puerto Lempira further prevent many impoverished families from accessing essential medical care. Some families lack the funds to send women to hospitals during emergencies, often viewing it as a heavy expense.
Women in Honduras face higher poverty risks than men due to limited job opportunities. As of 2024, only 39.5% of women participate in the labor force, compared to 74.9% of men, a 35.4% gap highlighting barriers women encounter in securing work. This economic inequality makes it harder for women to escape poverty. As a result, their health needs are frequently deprioritized within impoverished households.
The Zero Maternal Health Model
In 2021, skilled physicians and birth professionals attended only 52% of births in Honduras. The new Zero Maternal Health Model seeks to change this, aiming for no mother to die during childbirth. Now the national standard for women’s and obstetric care, the model introduces a practical methodology that has transformed how hospitals manage obstetric emergencies.
Instead of simply revising protocols on paper, it has reorganized hospital systems with a “code red” response, enabling faster, coordinated action to save mothers’ lives. The plan was first introduced in Intibucá, where its success led to rapid adoption nationwide. Today, all 28 hospitals in Honduras’ national health system have implemented the Zero Maternal Health Model, significantly improving women’s health outcomes.
As part of the 2022–2026 National Mortality Reduction Plan, the model and its “code red” system have delivered remarkable results, including a historic 27.4% drop in maternal mortality in 2024. The initiative now ensures access to specialized, life-saving care for women in poverty and those in remote areas without the burden of long and costly travel.
Dr. Nuri Bonilla, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Gabriela Alvarado Hospital, highlighted the transformation brought by the new model. “We went from a hospital where each emergency was chaotic to having organized teams, rapid response alarms and protocols that truly save lives,” she said.
This model has been made possible because of the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Government of Canada. Thanks to these efforts, thousands of lives can be saved in Honduras and more women now have access to improved health care.
Initiative Strengthening Women’s Health in Honduras
The partnership between PAHO and Global Affairs Canada is accelerating progress in women’s health in Honduras and strengthening maternal care in five other South American countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru.
The project has expanded health care access for women across these nations and provided critical support for survivors of gender-based violence. It has also advanced the health of women and adolescent girls in vulnerable situations by increasing access to gender-sensitive, rights-based and culturally appropriate services.
Across the six countries, the project has trained 64,000 health care workers in maternal care, neonatal care, adolescent pregnancy prevention and response to gender-based violence. This project has been in effect from 2021 to 2024. It has helped fight the persistent inequalities affecting the health of women and adolescents, not only in Honduras but also in other neighboring South American countries.
World Renew Grants
World Renew is an organization that addresses global hunger and poverty through community development and disaster response programs. Reports indicate that in Honduras, a woman is killed every 16 hours. Between 2005 and 2016, the female homicide rate increased by 263%, highlighting the country’s severe gender-based violence crisis.
World Renew has given a grant to women in Honduras to help them improve their skills and provide small business management. This is significant as it has helped women in Honduras grow food in their gardens. Schemes like this have resulted in healthier diets and a financial income from selling produce that will help them escape poverty. Not only has this grant improved their health, but it has also given them an income source.
– Alice Haston
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Preserving Tomorrow: Senegal’s Commitment To Fighting Hunger
Due to the extreme climate in Senegal, food preservation is vital for staying nourished. However, with limited access to ice and cooling methods, many Senegalese rely on sun-drying, solar drying, canning and fermentation to preserve foods. These challenges have never stopped Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.
Food Preservation in Senegal: Hot Water-Bath Canning
Despite its intense climate, Senegal is rich in food diversity, offering meals that include fish, beef, lamb, chicken, vegetables and rice. However, access to these foods can vary by region, making preservation essential. Commonly preserved foods in Senegal include fish, such as African catfish and fruits and vegetables.
The Borgen Project spoke with Dr. Rudd, an Agricultural, Leadership and Community Education professor at Virginia Tech, about his experiences with hot water bath canning in Senegal. “Hot water-bath canning is relatively easy to do with low-cost inputs,” explains Rudd. “Pressure canning is another option, but [it] requires specialized equipment and expertise.”
The Illuminate Project
Rudd shared his experiences with the Illuminate Project, a USDA-funded initiative that trains selected undergraduate students from Virginia Tech and Tennessee State University in proper hot water bath canning techniques. The project also partners with the University of Bambey in Senegal, where students work with local communities to teach food preservation methods such as canning tomatoes and mango sauce.
The Illuminate Project, a four-year effort, has supplied the University of Bambey with more than 1,000 jars and 10,000 lids to support the education of hot water bath canning in Senegal. When asked about the impact he has seen food preservation have in Senegal, Rudd answered, “Women are adopting the technology and using it in their homes and some have actually started selling canned products. It adds months of availability of preferred food to households.”
Policies in Senegal That Support Food Preservation
Senegal has implemented many policies in support of food security, preservation and general safety. With agriculture being recognized as a staple in Senegal’s economy, policies have significantly increased, reinforcing its importance. These policies further solidify Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.
The Food Security Support Project (PASA) was created to combat climate instability and the lack of government assistance, two components significantly affecting Senegal’s agriculture. Established in 2013, this project has assisted more than 30,000 farmers, providing them with methods to increase production, resulting in higher sales.
Over four years, rice farmers have seen their yields almost triple, allowing them to invest in other aspects of life. Although PASA does not directly help with food preservation, it creates conditions for effective and efficient food preservation, further supporting Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger.
Senegal’s Food Safety Law 68-48 and its 1999 Decree establish regulations to ensure the safety of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products. Under this policy, fresh produce is required to meet minimum safety requirements. This also encourages farmers to use proper food preservation practices, prioritizing the safety of consumers.
Final Notes
Food preservation plays a key role in ensuring stability in communities. With external factors such as extreme climates and limited resources, food preservation becomes even more important to Senegal’s commitment to fighting hunger. Preserving foods results in extended shelf life, consistent nutritional value and reduced waste.
– Casey Relyea
Photo: Pxhere
Pathway to Ending Poverty: Renewable Energy in Montenegro
EU-Backed Programs
In partnership with Montenegro’s government and Eco Fund and with support from the U.N. Development program, the European Union is funding an Energy Efficiency Incentive Program that focuses on improving renewable energy for not only the lives of day-to-day citizens, but also for the poverty across the country. With the program support, things such as window replacement, thermal insulation, solar panels and energy-efficient heating systems are receiving upgrades to improve not only living standards, but also boost air quality indoors and outdoors, which in turn is helping households cut costs and improve living standards.
More than 2,500 applicants have received approval this year and the number could rise in the next months to come.
Zero Upfront Solar Model
In the process of increasing renewable energy in Montenegro, what sets them apart is not just the number of panels, but the way households have been brought on board. The requirement for large upfront payments for solar systems would have excluded many families and vulnerable groups. Instead, the company EPCG installed photovoltaic systems, which households would repay the cost through monthly instalments alongside their existing electricity bills. Families will end up paying no more than before and, in some cases, less. With the program’s impact, families will be able to avoid energy poverty and stabilize expenses, while the country benefits from reduced emissions.
Montenegro’s Renewables Act
On August 31st, 2024, while bringing the country in line with European Union Energy rules, the government introduced the Renewable Act, aiming to promote the production and use of green energy while implementing the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive. Under this act, renewable facilities may be able to qualify for either a feed-in-tariff or a market premium, with a transitional period before the latter is fully implemented.
Such products will include those generating power from solar, wind, hydropower of up to 10 megawatts from wastewater treatment plants and biogas. By supporting renewable projects, the law will help make renewable energy in Montenegro accessible to cheaper, locally produced electricity.
Over time, this can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, shielding families from global price spikes. New solar, wind and small hydro projects require installation, maintenance and technical expertise, which could create jobs that benefit local workers, especially in rural and undeveloped areas.
Takeaway
Renewable energy programs in Montenegro and the 2024 Renewable Act are helping households cut energy costs, reduce emissions and create jobs, while making green power accessible to families across the country.
– Joshua Pettis
Photo: Flickr
A Recent History of British Development Aid in Sierra Leone
Currently, the only regions the British government has confirmed will continue to receive aid are those affected by current humanitarian crises: Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. This means it is unclear whether countries like Sierra Leone, whose health care, water provision and education access have benefited enormously from British development aid, will continue to receive sufficient support. The following explores some of the most notable successes of British development aid in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone in Context
Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa. It is one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 185th out of 193 nations on the Human Development Index. About 25% of its 8.8 million people live in extreme poverty and its GDP per capita is $874.
A British colony until 1961, Sierra Leone’s recent history has been defined by crises. A civil war gripped the country between 1991 and 2002, killing between 50,000 and 200,000 people and precipitating long-term consequences such as dysfunctional infrastructure and generational trauma. The country was at the centre of the 2014 Ebola outbreak and in 2017, mudslides killed hundreds.
Despite the shocking statistics, many outcomes in Sierra Leone have been improving significantly. In the last decade, life expectancy has increased by 7 years, while the death rate of children under 5 has fallen by roughly a quarter.
British Development Aid in Sierra Leone
Emergency Aid for Mudslide Victims
Following the devastating mudslides of 2017, the British government delivered a £5 million humanitarian response package that enabled UNICEF to provide essential medicines and clean water for 5,000 people and an Oxfam-led group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide clean water and sanitation for 3,000 people. The U.K.-based charity Street Child provided bedding and clothing for an additional 3,000 children. The package also included supplies for Sierra Leone’s government, such as generators and tents.
Looking Ahead
The benefits of British development aid in Sierra Leone have been widespread, felt in the country’s education, health care and water services. As Sierra Leone continues to recover from past crises and build toward long-term development, sustained international support could help ensure that the country does not lose this progress and that future generations can thrive.
– Joseph Webb
Photo: Flickr
Combating Child Marriage in Belize
Key Child Marriage Statistics in Belize
In Belize, child marriage is more prevalent among girls, with 34% of girls marrying or entering a union before they turn 18 and 6% before they turn 15. However, Belize also has one of the highest rates of boy marriage in the world, with 22% of them marrying before the age of 18 and 5% before 15.
One of the key drivers of this high rate of child marriage is the education level. According to Girls Not Brides, 16% of the girls who had received no education were married before they turned 18. Additionally, 26% of girls who were married between the ages of 15 and 19 did not complete their education beyond the primary level.
Poverty is also a key driver of child marriage. About 11% of the girls who were married before their 18th birthday came from some of the most impoverished households in Belize, compared to 3% from the richest households.
Initiatives
The government is committed to combating child marriage in Belize. In 2024, it submitted a voluntary national review into the elimination of gender-based violence, of which child marriage is part. Furthermore, in 2020, the government developed the Road Map to End Child Marriage and Early Unions in Belize. It focuses on taking action in the health, education, child protection and economic development sectors as a holistic approach to combating child marriage in Belize.
Organizations such as the Spotlight Initiative have also been crucial in combating child marriage. This initiative, started by the United Nations (U.N.), is working to tackle gender inequality and violence in Belize by establishing mobile women’s centers. These centers provide crucial services to women, such as “sexual and reproductive health services, legal advice, psychosocial support and information on gender-based violence.”
Therefore, the women who visit these centers are not only more aware and educated about their choices, but also less vulnerable to gender-based violence such as child marriage. Because the centers are free, the underserved and most vulnerable women in Belize can now access services they previously could not afford.
Looking Forward
While the initiatives put forward by the government and the U.N. are a crucial step in combating child marriage in Belize, poverty, lack of education and ingrained patriarchal notions about the status of women and girls are key drivers of child marriage.
– Victoria Adrados
Photo: Flickr
Sports and Higher Education in Saint Lucia
The Education Act of 1999 gave young men and women of Saint Lucia access to educational opportunities, apprenticeships, study abroad programs and work opportunities for youths who choose the workforce once completing secondary school. Before the Education Act, Saint Lucia’s literacy levels were below 85% in the late 1990s. However, with the Act, the literacy rate increased to 90.1%. Between 2018 and 2019, boys had a higher secondary graduation rate at 96% compared to girls at 88%.
Higher Education in Saint Lucia
The Ministry of Education focuses on encouraging first generation Saint Lucians to graduate post-secondary. The First Generation Scholarship Program focuses on the mandate that Saint Lucia’s government prioritizes for one university student graduate per household. The Ministry of Education’s goal is to reach a 20% college graduation rate by 2030.
Saint Lucia’s post secondary institutions like Monroe College offer scholarships through the First Generation Scholarship-Program to help students pursue bachelor’s degrees. The Minister of Education, Shawn Edward, praised Monroe College for bringing over 150 students through the First Generation Scholarship Program.
In November 2024, Minister Edward announced plans to add more improvements to the country’s education department through adding a Special Education Needs (SEN) section to provide teaching and vocational resources for special needs students and young adults.
Local universities and institutions in Saint Lucia such as Sir Lewis Community College and the University of the West Indies offered tertiary education where students gain job specific skills to be prepared for the work force. However, in 2019, the gross enrollment rate for students was 15%.
The Uni-PASS initiative, which the Government of Saint Lucia implemented, offers a one-time grant to students who require funding for their university studies. It offers up to $10,000 to cover accommodation, airfare, transport, visa processing and tuition fees.
Study Abroad
Study abroad programs provide young men and women of Saint Lucia an opportunity to learn about other countries, gain professional skills and pursue their field of study. Saint Lucia collaborates with Caribbean countries like Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and other nations such as Taiwan.
On August 12, 2025, the ambassador of Cuba, Yenileys Linares, presented government-sponsored bi-lateral scholarships to 11 Saint Lucian recipients in their pursuit in the field of medicine. Saint Lucia’s partnership with Cuba in their pursuit for higher education in the medical field has stood since 1979. The program includes studies in medicine, specialization in medicine and health technologies for undergraduate studies. Requirements for this program include being from a low-income family.
On August 4, 2025, the ambassador for Taiwan, Nicole Y.C. Su attended the ceremony and presented the study abroad scholarships for 44 Saint Lucians. Thirty-seven of them received the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Taiwan Scholarship which provides room and board for students in the undergraduate, master’s or doctorate program. Seven received the International Cooperation Fund Development (ICFD) Scholarship which provides tuition to cover students pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree while attending any school in Taiwan.
Sports
On August 2, 2025 one camp under the Saint Lucia Football Association (SFLA) Technical Centre in Mabouya Valley focused on the young male and female athletes ranging from ages 14-24. Anthony Roy, founder of Anthony Roy Collegiate Placement Services, oversaw the activity at the camp. He focuses on getting players scouted for scholarships at universities in the United States to pursue higher education and compete. These types of programs bring out the best of Saint Lucia’s athletes.
Arnicka Louis and Joshua Boland, two athletes who benefited from Roy’s camp, currently reside in the United States, attending their respective universities and competing collegiately in football. Currently, Louis, a sophomore, attends Indian Hills Community College in Otthuma, IA. Boland, a sophomore, attends Point University in Atlanta, GA.
Saint Lucia’s first Olympic champion in the women’s 100m and silver medalist in the 200m, Julien Alfred, is another example of success abroad. Alfred transferred to St. Catherine’s High School in Jamaica to continue her training in the sport. Through a scholarship, she went to the University of Texas to further her education and continue her athletic career.
Conclusion
Higher education in Saint Lucia continues to see progress as the country seeks out opportunities with neighboring Caribbean countries and nations and invests into local institutions. Programs like the Anthony Roy Collegiate Placement Services is one example of the country working towards elevating the potential in young Saint Lucian athletes in sports like football and track and field.
– Gene A. Lambey Jr.
Photo: Unsplash
Electricity in Bolivia is Lifting Rural Communities Out of Poverty
The main goal for the Bolivian government is for the country to get 100% coverage by the end of 2025. Access to electricity benefits those living in poverty by providing a higher quality of life, creating jobs, better access to education and advances in health services.
Electricity Program for Living With Dignity
In 2008, Bolivia launched the Electricity Program for Living With Dignity (PEVD) initiative to expand nationwide access to electricity, focusing on the poorest communities. Rural areas faced the greatest challenges: electricity and food access rates lagged far behind urban centers. According to the WFP, 75% of Bolivian families lack regular access to food. The PEVD program has since made a significant impact in remote and rural regions.
According to the World Bank Group, Bolivia advanced this effort through a series of projects, including an expansion model for a “national decentralized service framework.” Between 2014 and 2019, the government implemented eight grid-extension subprojects with notable outcomes: 4,300 households were connected to the power grid, providing electricity to 20,200 people; 708 kilometers of distribution lines were installed; and training events benefited multiple institutions.
International partners such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also provided financial support to fund these initiatives. In 2023, the IDB approved a $2 million grant to support the Bolivian program of increasing electricity access in rural areas.
Challenges Ahead
Key challenges remain for Bolivia’s electrification projects, including long-term sustainability and reaching areas still without power. The World Bank plans to train users on efficient and sustainable electricity use to address sustainability. While millions have already been invested in expanding the grid, difficult geography continues to limit access.
As a result, not all Bolivians are yet connected. However, the government aims for full national coverage by the end of the year. Bolivia is exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to complement these efforts, particularly in rural areas where extending the grid remains economically and logistically difficult.
What’s Next?
The main goal for Bolivia is to expand electricity across the country so 100% of the population can access it. This effort helps a large portion of people living in poverty move out of it. Access to electricity brings better health care, technological advances, economic growth and improved education. Bolivia can serve as a blueprint for other developing nations facing similar challenges.
– Pablo Roque
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
From Aid Recipient to Trade Partner
South Korea: A Model of US Foreign Aid and Trade
In the post-Korean War years, South Korea depended significantly on U.S. foreign assistance to maintain its economy and reconstruct its institutions. From 1946 to 1976, the U.S. gave $12.6 billion in economic assistance, including food aid, grants and infrastructure initiatives, making it one of the greatest per capita beneficiaries during that period.
As South Korea’s acting president Han Duck-soo noted, “After the devastation of the Korean War, the U.S. gave us aid, technology transfer, investments and security assurances,” which he credited with helping make South Korea “a very comfortable investment environment for foreigners.”
The results are clear today. In 2024, commerce between the U.S. and South Korea in goods and services amounted to $239.6 billion, with goods trade constituting $197.1 billion.
The U.S.–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), enacted in 2012, abolished 95% of tariffs and enhanced U.S. exports by around $11 billion. This change demonstrates how U.S. foreign assistance and commerce foster reciprocal prosperity.
Botswana: How US Foreign Aid and Trade Built Prosperity
Upon attaining independence in 1966, Botswana was among the most impoverished countries globally. The U.S. emerged as a crucial development ally, allocating resources to education, health and governance via USAID and Peace Corps programs.
In the health sector, U.S. aid has been pivotal: via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. has allocated approximately $1 billion in health assistance to the Government of Botswana since the program’s inception, highlighting a sustained and transformative commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.
Over time, assistance established the groundwork for economic collaboration. In 2024, commerce in products and services between the U.S. and Botswana reached $733.4 million, with U.S. exports increasing by almost 52% within one year.
Botswana also benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free access for more than 6,700 products. These results demonstrate how U.S. foreign aid and trade go hand in hand in creating stable partnerships.
US Foreign Aid and Trade as Economic Diplomacy
Foreign assistance transcends mere humanitarian gestures. It serves as an instrument of economic diplomacy. Initiatives such as AGOA and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation integrate trade and investment objectives into assistance endeavors. This connection fosters an environment conducive to commercial prosperity while tackling global poverty.
In July 2025, the U.S. entered into a new trade agreement with South Korea, ensuring $350 billion in U.S.-managed investments, $100 billion in energy acquisitions and preferential access for U.S. products such as semiconductors and medicines. Such agreements illustrate how U.S. foreign aid and trade evolve into lasting economic partnerships.
US Foreign Aid and Trade as Investment, Not Charity
U.S. foreign assistance is not a unilateral exchange. It is an investment that cultivates future markets, fortifies relationships and alleviates global poverty. South Korea and Botswana exemplify the transition of nations from being an aid recipient to a trade partner. By seeing assistance as an instrument of diplomacy and economic collaboration, the U.S. demonstrates that U.S. foreign aid and trade are mutually reinforcing policies. Combating poverty internationally eventually fosters collective wealth domestically.
– Ray Bechara
Photo: Flickr
CEDO and Challenges Faced by Rural Students in Cambodia
Education in Cambodia
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), almost a quarter of children aged 8 to 9 in Cambodia cannot write down words they hear in a dictation test and more than half of students have dropped out of school by the time they are 17 years old.
However, in 2019, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport devised a five-pillar framework to increase attendance levels and improve the quality of education across Cambodia. These pillars include:
The last pillar is something Youchheng Uch, Director of Cambodian Education and Development Organization (CEDO), feels particularly strongly about. Believing that “every student, regardless of their background, has the potential to succeed,” CEDO aims to break the cycle of poverty. It’s dedicated to helping young people in rural areas access higher education institutions, primarily by providing scholarships to students going to university.
Expanding Educational Opportunities in Rural Cambodia
Funded entirely by a partner organization in Australia called Opportunity Cambodia, CEDO has been helping students from the countryside surrounding Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second most populous city, for the last 10 years. Its main program is the University Scholarship Program, which, in addition to paying for students’ university fees, gives them access to health care, a living allowance and accommodation.
The organization has also developed the Learning Center Program, which provides training in soft skills such as public speaking, computer skills and English classes taught by overseas volunteers.
Barriers Facing Rural Families
In a recent interview, Uch explained that the biggest issue families in rural Cambodia face is that they cannot afford to send their children to university. “The family needs to pay for tuition fees, for accommodation, for food, so if you compare the average income that the rural family gets per day [to the urban family], it’s not possible for most families in the countryside [to send their children to university].”
While primary and secondary education is free, education is poor, meaning those with more money, who often live in urban areas, pay for private tutors. However, for most families, this option is too expensive. Other challenges for young people in the countryside, outlined by Uch, include living too far from a school, being unable to access food and not being safe at home because of domestic violence, for example.
Education as an Alternative to Migration
Improving rural students’ access to higher education also reduces the number of Cambodians who migrate to neighboring countries to find low-skilled work. According to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, more than 1.3 million Cambodians work abroad, the vast majority in Thailand.
In a separate study, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) found that most migrants in Thailand left Cambodia in search of “better job opportunities and higher wages,” now working in sectors like agriculture, construction and fishing. However, the reality is that a third of those migrants claim to be paid less than minimum wage and still find themselves in poverty.
Uch explains that because many young people cannot afford to go to university, these people often migrate for work. Hence, CEDO aims to combat this issue directly, increasing the number of those attending higher education institutions and contributing to the Cambodian economy.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Since its beginning, CEDO has helped 65 students living in rural areas gain access to higher education institutions, half of whom have left university and found work. By meeting every month to see what’s going on, what experience they’re getting, what their challenges are, those at CEDO can offer direct support, both emotional and financial. As a result, around 80% of its students work in the field they studied at university, helping to break the cycle of poverty in Cambodia.
– Elsa Tarring
Photo: Flickr
Violence Against Children in Myanmar
Violence Against Children in Myanmar
From 2020 to 2023, there was a reported 400% increase in violence against children in Myanmar. In 2022, more than 500 children were killed or maimed, compared to the staggering 861 in 2023. The armed forces are not only attacking citizens, but also the country’s development systems.
Myanmar’s Armed Forces have directly targeted hospitals and schools. More than 200 attacks were carried out on schools and hospitals. These indirect attacks violently affect and harm the children in Myanmar and their future. Attacks on education and healthcare harm a child’s stability, as these two systems are vital to their survival.
The armed forces are also contributors to the abduction of children. These abductions take place for reasons such as:
The aggressive jump in child violence statistics from 2020 to the present day is a call to action. To provide a future for the children of Myanmar, immediate humanitarian aid is critically needed.
What’s Being Done?
After the devastating events in Myanmar, children continue to face severe hardships every day. Organizations and groups have come together to provide aid and support.
Final Remarks
These groups share the mission of rebuilding Myanmar and creating future rehabilitation programs. Their focus extends beyond immediate crisis response to long-term developmental growth. By offering programs that build adaptability and support socioeconomic development, citizens gain more than just food and WASH assistance. Strengthening Myanmar’s economic foundation can help ensure greater resilience and stability in the face of future disasters.
– Emma Rowan
Photo: Wikimedia Commons