In eastern Africa sits Uganda, nicknamed “Pearl of Africa,” a land of rolling green forests, waterfalls and red dirt. Within this Pearl live an estimated 2.5 million children with some sort of disability, whether that be mental, physical, sensory or a combination of the three. In spite of government efforts to create an inclusive educational environment for these children through a focus on institutionalized special education in Uganda’s public school system, the reality is that only nine percent of said children attend primary school and only six percent attend secondary school.
There exist multiple legal efforts to address this issue. Two of the most significant, broad measures include a part of the Ugandan constitution of 1995, which recognizes the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs), and the Parliamentary Elections Statue of 1996, which ensures there are five representatives of PWDs in parliament—the latter being an admirable measure whose counterpart does not exist in the U.S. Various other legal measures exist regarding special education in particular, notably the UNISE Act of 1998, which created the Ugandan National Institute of Special Education to train special education teachers and the Universal Primary Education Act of 1997, which gives families with special-needs children priority in school enrollment.
In 2007, USAID entered the picture, partnering with Uganda for the Unity Project, an effort to create and mainstream special-needs education within the Ugandan school system. In response to the work done through this program, Jeremiah Carew, the acting USAID/Uganda mission director, asserted that “Uganda is far ahead of other East African countries in institutionalizing special needs education: most other countries have special schools rather than mainstreaming special needs education.” The program terminated in 2011 after having trained more than 3,000 teachers in special education skills during its four-year period of operation.
In spite of all these programs and legal structures, the fact remains that only 225,000 out of the estimated 2.5 million children with disabilities in Uganda attend primary school. As a result, the problem appears to go much deeper than a simple lack of appropriate programs. In reading articles from local journalists, it is evident that two significant pieces remain unaddressed by international and governmental structures, the first being an issue of cultural attitudes and understandings towards PWDs and the second being a lack of specialized education rather than simply “institutionalized” education.
Addressing the nation’s traditional beliefs about disabilities—which largely discriminate against and marginalize those that possess them—is a necessity in creating an environment in which PWDs have the capacity to achieve their potential. Further, creating curriculums that equip PWDs for life specific to them, rather than generic to all, is essential in best preparing PWDs for future efforts to obtain jobs and other opportunities; in other words, creating educational programs that focus on allowing PWDs to flourish in their potential rather than those that focus on simply assimilating PWDs into everyday life are necessary in allowing PWDs to identify, understand and use their strengths to cultivate their futures as much as possible.
Thankfully, there exist various organizations, one of the most prominent being Special Children, which recognize the necessity to address cultural misconceptions and educational focuses in the effort to improve special education in Uganda. These organizations work to educate the general populace and PWDs themselves about special needs, with an emphasis on the various “abilities” present within disabilities. Thus, despite the lack of governmental efforts to address these aspects of the issue, there is immense capacity for growth through the work of nongovernmental organizations.
– Kailee Nardi
Photo: Flickr
Comoros Poverty Rate
Healthcare
The results of a 2014 World Health Organization report show that over half of all deaths in the Comoros are due to maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions. The country severely lacks access to quality communal healthcare. With less than 5 percent of the budget dedicated to healthcare, operational facilities remain scarce. Fortunately, the country has seen progress in reducing the incidence of malaria. Spraying campaigns and the distribution of insecticide-treated nets across the three islands have greatly aided in its decline. The country has also seen noteworthy advancement in the under-five mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio.
Education
High repetition, increased dropout rates and poor learning outcomes remain problematic factors for the Comoros. High levels of illiteracy and dependency on foreign aid hinder economic development. However, according to The Global Partnership for Education, the Comoros has stepped up their access to quality education. The UNICEF Annual Report for 2016 shows the number of schools providing preschool education reaching almost 50 percent. Children are gradually starting to benefit from valuable education through the expansion of social, cognitive, motor and emotional skills.
Population
At a glance, the Comoros appears to be a very lightly populated country. But when compared to other regions, the Comoros ranks 25th in population density in the world. This ranking is predicted to increase, leading to more population pressure. The rising population has already led to widespread poverty in the form of limited land, lack of resources and unemployment. As a result, at least 150,000 people live abroad. Citizens are moving to countries like France in search of more space and essentially, a better life.
The Comoros poverty rate has started to improve thanks to a reformed poverty reduction strategy. In 2014, the country created a new growth policy that aims to strengthen the economy. Government, quality of life and resilience are all a major focus. The World Bank has also partnered with the Comoros in hopes of endorsing shared growth and increasing employment. Statistics verify that development for the region is slow, but eliminating poverty is a main priority.
– Emilee Wessel
Photo: Flickr
How to Help People in Armenia
KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation
For almost 20 years, KASA has been supporting impoverished Armenians through the contribution of material aid, training opportunities and developmental tools. Education alongside communication allows KASA to promote a civil society and sustainable growth. This NGO is currently involved in three projects, with their most popular one titled Sponsored Families. Every year, 20 to 25 Armenian families struggling with illness, unemployment and inadequate housing are supported through Sponsored Families. KASA strongly encourages others to help people in Armenia by funding these families. The organization also prospers via volunteer efforts, organizing collaborated events and spreading the word.
Full Life
Originated due to civic responsibility, Full Life works for equal rights for the 6.2 percent of Armenians struggling with disabilities. Their involvement goes beyond advocacy and public awareness through the implementation of multiple programs. A recent project included employment of people with disabilities in the livestock sector. This project is certainly a priority when one considers the 35.2 percent poverty rate among Armenian households with no employed members. Full Life seeks most of its support through volunteer work and contributions. They also build awareness through various campaigns and encourage the public to join their mission of equal opportunity.
Peace Dialogue
Like many other countries around the world, Armenia has experienced its fair share of conflict. A prime example is a disagreement with their neighbor Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ethnic clashes date back centuries, with tension between the two countries still existing. Peace Dialogue studies conflict and unites experienced human rights defenders to promote peace-building initiatives. Over the course of 2015-2016, Peace Dialogue has been involved in seven projects. The programs ranged from reducing corruption risk in public transportation to using artistic means for human rights protection. Much of Peace Dialogue’s assistance is generated through sponsors, but they accept help in the form of donations as well. Involvement is also stimulated by their online presence where they feature articles, research and annual reports.
Helping people in Armenia begins with looking at what the country needs. Many of Armenia’s goals relate to poverty reduction, equal rights and peace. Successful NGO outcomes require more than subsidies to see results. Management and large-scale immersion are also crucial to successful function. Each NGO mentioned offers three methods of participation: funding, volunteerism and public understanding. If you are unable to share your money or time, exchanging thoughts on Armenia’s issues over social media is an excellent way to get the ball rolling.
– Emilee Wessel
Photo: Flickr
Human Rights in Bulgaria
Journalists
The U.S. State Department notes that there have been threats of intimidation against journalists. While the courts generally rule in favor of free speech, government officials have often sued for libel and defamation. Some have threatened journalists’ lives for their reporting.
The Disabled
Mentally and physically disabled people tend to be institutionalized in Bulgaria. These sites are poorly maintained and understaffed. For those capable of education, there is little policy to guide how to teach them. As a result, many disabled children are uneducated. While discrimination based on disability is illegal, many cannot obtain jobs because of their lack of education and training. Additionally, most workplaces are not equipped to accommodate the disabled.
Roma
Bulgaria generally excludes the Romani population from society. Their children have less access to education and healthcare than other Bulgarian children. They are also found in mental health institutions, special education schools and detention centers more often. The Romani also experience more violence and police harassment.
Women
Women face several human rights abuses in Bulgaria, from income inequality to religious discrimination and sexual abuse. Sex trafficking of Bulgarian women and children is recognized as a great concern to the U.S. State Department. Furthermore, there is a taboo about reporting rape in Bulgaria, leading to many women not reporting the crime.
Refugees
There are numerous reports of police brutality against refugees fleeing into Bulgaria. Refugees have been separated from family members, beaten and robbed. Some are sent back to their country of origin, while others are detained longer than what is considered ethical.
There are alarming abuses of human rights in Bulgaria. The good news is that many watchdog organizations are aware and working to end them. Amnesty International and The Human Rights Watch are acting as sentries on Bulgaria’s activity. The U.S. State Department has released reports about Bulgaria, while the U.N. has called on Bulgaria to improve conditions. As the country grows in the global community, hopefully the gains will been felt by all populations.
– Mary Katherine Crowley
Photo: Flickr
Empowerment Through Chess: Uganda’s Som Chess Academy
With a single chess board and a heart for change, Robert Katende launched Uganda’s Som Chess Academy in the Katwe slums of Kampala in 2004. Thirteen years later, the program boasts 13 different centers in varying parts of Uganda (one which focuses on children with disabilities), an impending expansion into neighboring Kenya, an estimated participant count of 1,400 and a world-class chess player in Phiona Mutesi.
The most attention has been gifted to the incredible story of Ms. Mutesi, whose rise from the slums of Katwe to the international chess arena has been featured in ESPN Magazine and Disney’s Queen of Katwe film. And understandably so—Phiona has been honored in various capacities, most notably as one of three “Women of Impact” at the 2013 Women of the World Summit. Her story is especially significant considering the relatively limited role of women in Ugandan society. Such a role ensures that the literacy rate for girls 15 years of age and older is cemented at 65 percent—a rate which is a full 18 percent lower than that of their male peers. Consequentially, Phiona’s success has paved the way for other women to also strive for their goals and meet their potential in spite of traditional gender barriers like minimized education.
However, the everyday successes of Uganda’s Som Chess Academy demand recognition as well. The program is completely free for its participants and provides tangible perks, such as meals, but it also provides something arguably more important: intangible perks, such as personal empowerment, something that is so incredibly significant for children who have very few opportunities to know their strength.
The program operates under the guidance of about 40 peer coaches who aim to not only teach chess but to teach it well—in 2015, Som Academy placed seventh in the national chess league—but to also teach life skills that focus on character development, goal-creation and leadership skills, too. Chess is only a vessel with which to facilitate these understandings; the strategy, mental discipline and adaptation required to play the game is translated into real-life usage as well.
Furthermore, the program actually enrolls participants in school and supports them throughout their academic endeavors, with several of the program’s graduates going on to higher education levels that would have otherwise been inaccessible to children entrapped in the cycle of slum poverty. In an environment where 31 percent of urban children aged 13 to 18 are not attending secondary school, a free program that empowers and ultimately pushes such children into the educational system is truly an incredible gift to a deserving community.
– Kailee Nardi
Photo: Flickr
Common Diseases in Monaco Life Expectancy
Monaco is best known as one of Europe’s microstates and a favorite destination of the wealthy. Like any country, there are common diseases in Monaco, but the good news is that they do not have much of an effect on the population’s health or longevity.
Travelers to Europe may not think they are in danger of contracting diseases, but it is entirely possible. Depending on what activities tourists participate in, according to the Centers for Disease Control, Monaco presents risks of Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and rabies. Hepatitis A is transmitted via contaminated food and water, whereas Hepatitis B is contracted through sexual contact or contaminated needles and blood products. Rabies, spread by bats in Monaco, is rare, but possible. Tourists who may be in areas with bats, or wildlife professionals who may be in close contact with them should get vaccinated for rabies.
Some of the more common diseases among residents of Monaco include various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Monaco is an extremely healthy country. Residents benefit from the Monaco Health Screening Centre, established as a preventative health resource. The most common cancers in Monaco are breast and bowel cancer. Monaco is confident that vaccinating for cervical cancer, which is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), along with screening will lead to the eradication of the disease. The Centre also screens for osteoporosis, breast cancer and HIV. The majority of patients who come to the Centre for breast cancer screenings are proactive in doing regular breast exams on their own.
Because there is considerable wealth in Monaco, it is no surprise that the average life expectancy is 89.73 years. Rich countries have more money to spend on healthcare. Preventative measures go a long way in catching serious diseases and illnesses which might lead to death if not detected early.
Cardiovascular disease also exists in Monaco, with 114 deaths per 100,000 people. Monaco ranks 188 out of 189 in this regard, with Japan having the lowest number of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Common diseases in Monaco are similar to other developed countries, but because of early screenings and other preventative measures, those illnesses are not as much of a threat.
– Gloria Diaz
Photo: Google
Morocco Poverty Rate
A culturally rich and beautiful country, Morocco lies in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and is a frequent tourist destination. Despite its reputation for opulence and wealth, the country remains developing, with a significant wealth disparity between rural and urban areas. Although the Morocco poverty rate has been steadily decreasing, there is still much work to be done.
In 2005, Morocco’s government began focusing on raising the standard of living through a project called the National Human Development Initiative Support Project (INDH). The main goals of this initiative included reducing poverty in urban and rural areas and offering support to the most vulnerable groups in Morocco. Through a budget of over $1 billion and a five-year implementation plan, the country made some progress in improving living conditions and reducing poverty for Moroccans.
From 1998 to 2007, the Morocco poverty rate dropped from 16.3 percent to 8.9 percent. In 2014, the rate has reduced further, to 4.2 percent. Despite this admirable progress, nearly 19 percent of Morocco’s rural population is in poverty, showing the large gap in wealth between the urban and rural populations. Furthermore, while only 3.1 percent of the population lives on $1.90 per day, an estimated 15.5 percent of the population lives on $3.10 a day.
The efforts to lower the Morocco poverty rate have been relatively successful, but there are undeniable underlying factors that have contributed to the lower levels of poverty seen today. Some of these factors include the large amounts of money that many Moroccans living abroad send to their families back home, the continued support of nonprofit organizations and decreasing rates of population growth. Researchers believe that these specific circumstances may have artificially lowered poverty rates, displaying Morocco’s poverty-reducing efforts as being more than successful than they truly are.
While the economic liberalization and other economic developments has provided further wealth to the elites of Moroccan society, these benefits have yet to be similarly reaped by the country’s poor. In fact, the number of Moroccan millionaires has doubled to 4,800 since 2000, but economic inequality continues to run rampant. Although 75 percent of Morocco’s poor live in rural areas, serious levels of unemployment plague urban youth, with 39.9 percent of them unemployed.
Morocco’s government has undoubtedly emphasized bettering the population’s economic conditions, but many of these efforts have been unsuccessful in their ability to truly reduce extreme poverty, especially in rural areas. Progress has been made, but much remains to be done to eliminate extreme poverty and reduce inequity between urban and rural areas.
– Akhil Reddy
Photo: Flickr
How Special Education in Uganda is Slowly Improving
In eastern Africa sits Uganda, nicknamed “Pearl of Africa,” a land of rolling green forests, waterfalls and red dirt. Within this Pearl live an estimated 2.5 million children with some sort of disability, whether that be mental, physical, sensory or a combination of the three. In spite of government efforts to create an inclusive educational environment for these children through a focus on institutionalized special education in Uganda’s public school system, the reality is that only nine percent of said children attend primary school and only six percent attend secondary school.
There exist multiple legal efforts to address this issue. Two of the most significant, broad measures include a part of the Ugandan constitution of 1995, which recognizes the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs), and the Parliamentary Elections Statue of 1996, which ensures there are five representatives of PWDs in parliament—the latter being an admirable measure whose counterpart does not exist in the U.S. Various other legal measures exist regarding special education in particular, notably the UNISE Act of 1998, which created the Ugandan National Institute of Special Education to train special education teachers and the Universal Primary Education Act of 1997, which gives families with special-needs children priority in school enrollment.
In 2007, USAID entered the picture, partnering with Uganda for the Unity Project, an effort to create and mainstream special-needs education within the Ugandan school system. In response to the work done through this program, Jeremiah Carew, the acting USAID/Uganda mission director, asserted that “Uganda is far ahead of other East African countries in institutionalizing special needs education: most other countries have special schools rather than mainstreaming special needs education.” The program terminated in 2011 after having trained more than 3,000 teachers in special education skills during its four-year period of operation.
In spite of all these programs and legal structures, the fact remains that only 225,000 out of the estimated 2.5 million children with disabilities in Uganda attend primary school. As a result, the problem appears to go much deeper than a simple lack of appropriate programs. In reading articles from local journalists, it is evident that two significant pieces remain unaddressed by international and governmental structures, the first being an issue of cultural attitudes and understandings towards PWDs and the second being a lack of specialized education rather than simply “institutionalized” education.
Addressing the nation’s traditional beliefs about disabilities—which largely discriminate against and marginalize those that possess them—is a necessity in creating an environment in which PWDs have the capacity to achieve their potential. Further, creating curriculums that equip PWDs for life specific to them, rather than generic to all, is essential in best preparing PWDs for future efforts to obtain jobs and other opportunities; in other words, creating educational programs that focus on allowing PWDs to flourish in their potential rather than those that focus on simply assimilating PWDs into everyday life are necessary in allowing PWDs to identify, understand and use their strengths to cultivate their futures as much as possible.
Thankfully, there exist various organizations, one of the most prominent being Special Children, which recognize the necessity to address cultural misconceptions and educational focuses in the effort to improve special education in Uganda. These organizations work to educate the general populace and PWDs themselves about special needs, with an emphasis on the various “abilities” present within disabilities. Thus, despite the lack of governmental efforts to address these aspects of the issue, there is immense capacity for growth through the work of nongovernmental organizations.
– Kailee Nardi
Photo: Flickr
African Students in China
The number of African students in China is on the rise.
In 2000, there were less than 2,000 African students enrolled in Chinese universities. In 2015, there were 50,000.
The number of African university students in China surpasses both the United States and the United Kingdom, which each host around 40,000 students. France remains the host of the most African students at 95,000.
The increase in African students in China coincides with the strengthening relationships between China and numerous African countries. China is focused on Africa, and has provided several African countries assistance in areas like government and education, which continues to this day.
An example of these partnerships is China’s gift of 65 scholarships to Ghanaian students for the 2017/2018 academic year. As reported by Xinhua News, the Chinese government has also provided other resources to Ghana’s government.
For the Chinese government, African students in China encourages strong times between the Asian country and the African continent. CNN highlights how China hopes that investments in Africa will create strong economic and political partnerships with the African people.
One of the benefits for African students in China is affordable education. Chinese education is relatively inexpensive, even without a scholarship.
African students in China also benefit their countries. Because Chinese laws discourage international students from remaining after their studies, many African students return home and use their skills and education in their home countries.
Many students feel that the business connections they make with China are valuable beyond education, along with learning the language of a country that is considered to be a rising power.
African students in China illustrate a growing, mutually beneficial relationship between China and Africa. China’s commitment towards assisting Africa and Africa’s receipt of resources and opportunities has created a multi-country network and a climate of exchange that is continually expanding.
– Cortney Rowe
Photo: Flickr
WeFarm : Connecting Farmers Through Mobile Phones
There are over 500 million smallholder farms in the world. Most of these farmers live on less than $1 a day and are highly vulnerable to severe climate change and other factors that can hurt their farms. On top of that, many of these farmers do not have access to the Internet to learn about ways to help their farms or even to help other farmers.
One company, WeFarm, has developed a way to connect farmers without having to have an Internet connection. WeFarm has implemented a free, peer-to-peer service for farmers to share information via SMS, rather than through the Internet.
WeFarm explains how this works with a simple example: “Rose’s crops are suffering from a disease, so she sends a simple, free text to the local WeFarm number.” Rose’s question would then be posted online and sent to certain WeFarm members via SMS. From there, Rose would receive answers within minutes, according to WeFarm, without having to leave her farm or needing an Internet connection.
Because of the use of SMS, these farmers can use simple mobile phones to access this information. Especially now that over 90 percent of smallholder farmers now have access to a basic mobile phone. Over 290,000 farmers have registered with WeFarm. Of 387,000 questions asked, over 540,000 answers have been given. In the six years that WeFarm has been operating, they have made it much easier for farmers to access crucial information, with the only cost being purchasing a basic mobile phone.
As of now, WeFarm is only available in three countries: Peru, Kenya and Uganda. Their website even shows a live feed of questions as they are asked and answered, along with a map to show where the questions originate from.
Although WeFarm is still young and growing, they have created an extremely helpful concept that can be implemented in many parts of the world without an Internet connection. WeFarm has created a way – by using a basic mobile phone – to share necessary information at a low cost to farmers around the world; its success thus far brings hope that WeFarm’s progress will spread to other countries and help farmers all over the world.
– Rebekah Covey
Photo: Flickr
Street Vendor Pharmacists in Haiti
Due to the lack of pharmaceutical access in Haiti, people are buying and selling all types of medicine on the streets. These street vendor pharmacists sell medicines ranging from ibuprofen to Viagra and even high-powered antibiotics.
The reason for Haiti’s lack of access to pharmaceuticals is due to a lack of infrastructure. Haiti’s medical infrastructure is underdeveloped due to government instability and several natural disasters that have occurred over the last decade.
Because of these events, Haiti has not had the ability to stabilize their infrastructure. This has led to a decrease in the availability of goods, including pharmaceuticals to treat various diseases and ailments.
The street vendor pharmacists carry large plastic buckets stacked high with different medications, held together with rubber bands. They try to stack the pills in an aesthetically pleasing way so as to attract more people to their bucket. Nearly all of these vendors have little to no knowledge about the medication they sell. While there are pamphlets available for them to learn the purpose of these drugs, they are limited in quantity and scope.
While these street vendors are helpful for Haitians in need of medicine, it’s not a business that can last. Many of the medicines that these vendors acquire are expired or counterfeit, and rather than helping people, they make them feel worse.
According to an interview with journalists Paolo Woods and Arnaud Robert, these vendors do not have the intention of hurting their customers. While they want to help those who are in need of medicine, they are also trying to make a living for themselves.
With the help of organizational intervention, Haiti is rebuilding its pharmacies and health clinics to better provide for its people. Organizations such as Plan International Canada and Plan International Haiti are working to make healthcare accessible to Haitians in a sustainable way.
– Rebekah Covey
Photo: Flickr