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Beyond Borders: The Impact of BRAC on Lives in Liberia

BRAC in LiberiaThe Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) is a nongovernmental organization that has been making significant strides in improving the lives of Liberians through its diverse range of programs and initiatives. With a mission to alleviate poverty and empower communities, BRAC has established a strong presence in Liberia, working towards addressing key challenges such as education, health, livelihood support and community development.

How Did BRAC Begin?

Founded by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed in 1972, BRAC has grown into one of the largest NGOs in the world. While working as a senior corporate executive at Pakistan Shell Oil, his life changed dramatically when the 1970 cyclone and 1971 Liberation War in Bangladesh unfolded. This prompted him to leave his job and relocate to London, where he played a crucial role in starting Action Bangladesh and HELP Bangladesh to support the war.

Why Is BRAC Helping Liberia?

Liberia is a country that struggles with extreme poverty, with more than half of its population living below the poverty line. The wars that took place until 2003 have left a devastating impact on health care and educational facilities, with buildings being destroyed and equipment being stolen. As a result, most health care workers, university faculty and hospital and medical school administrators decided to flee the country. This has caused a decrease in life expectancy, a significant dropout rate, substandard learning conditions and a lack of qualified teachers.

Sustainable agricultural production in Liberia also often receives insufficient attention regarding policies and programs. Poor investment in this sector has resulted in reduced farmland, mismanagement of water resources and negative impacts on food distribution and production. Pest management practices and technology adoption are also hindered, while fertilizers and modern cultivation methods still need improvement. Additionally, inadequate road networks and high transportation costs decrease food production, further aggravating the situation.

How Is BRAC Helping Liberia?

Established in 2008, BRAC Liberia adopts a community-driven strategy to create tailored and influential initiatives. With a focus on urban, rural and refugee populations, the program’s interventions prioritize the fair involvement of all community groups. It directly engages with communities, ensuring their voices and stories remain at the heart of  BRAC’s programs.

Agriculture

Regarding agriculture, the programs conducted by BRAC Liberia focus on training farmers in climate-smart agriculture techniques and poultry and livestock management. These programs provide valuable knowledge and equip farmers with essential resources like seeds, tools, poultry and livestock. Additionally, to ensure ongoing assistance, the organization recruits and trains local leaders who act as community promoters, offering on-site support and helping farmers overcome difficulties.

BRAC Liberia is also committed to improving the adoption of nutrient-rich crops to address child malnutrition in impoverished communities. The organization actively involves lactating, pregnant women and young mothers in nutrition forums and awareness campaigns to achieve this. These initiatives aim to educate them on the significance of breastfeeding, child nutrition, hygiene practices and food safety measures.

Education

BRAC Liberia’s education program is based on a community-led model that aims to foster and maintain high-quality education in Liberia. This approach prioritizes child-centered learning, teacher development and preserving children’s well-being. Teachers are also trained to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide an excellent education to their students. In June 2021, a remarkable majority of the 750 participants in UPGI (Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative) completed their studies, with an impressive graduation rate of 85%.

Health

Regarding health, the organization has developed an integrated network in Liberia consisting of community health promoters and health program personnel. This network aims to provide vital health care services in five crucial domains: reproductive and child health care, Malaria control, Tuberculosis (TB) control, family planning and basic curative services. This network also plays a pivotal role in the emergency response efforts for Ebola and COVID-19.

Microfinance

BRAC Liberia’s main objective is to offer various financial services to individuals at the base of the socioeconomic ladder, with a focus on empowering impoverished women residing in remote rural areas who face significant challenges in accessibility. By providing self-employment prospects and strengthening financial stability, it aims to empower them economically. As of July 2023, $19.9 million was distributed and granted as loans.

Conclusion

BRAC’s work in Liberia encompasses a comprehensive approach that tackles socioeconomic challenges and fosters community development. The organization’s efforts to improve access to education, enhance health care services and empower individuals through entrepreneurship have significantly impacted lives in Liberia. Furthermore, BRAC’s agriculture and community development initiatives have contributed to sustainable livelihoods and empowered local communities.

– Sara Hatab
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Technology Transformed Moldova

Technology Transformed MoldovaThe Republic of Moldova has dedicated much effort to reaching developmental sustainability since its inception in 1991. After decades of struggles and considerable overlapping crises over the past few years, the nation is one of the poorest in Europe. The country’s progress towards addressing its more in-need residents has come under stress from the pressures of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine; demanding new avenues of development to keep the nation afloat- such as increasing investment in a tech-led future.

In the past decades, the country has come to focus heavily on its investment in tech sectors. Technology transformed Moldova, providing blueprints the government is still actively pursuing. With the influx of roughly 113,000 Ukrainian refugees into the country since the start of the war, those tech-focused initiatives and aid programs are going to become essential in the decade to come. Moldova is in a unique position as far as countries struggling with high levels of poverty go, as the country boasts a developed technological infrastructure, with 3G coverage in more than 99% of the country and 4G coverage in more than 95%. Moldova has the foundations to build measures that can affect all the country’s needy.

2020 Digital Moldova

In 2013, the Moldovan government pledged to implement a comprehensive development initiative for the nation called “Digital Moldova 2020” to foster sustainability in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. By enhancing national Internet coverage, facilitating access to new government digital services and ensuring stable Internet connections, the program has yielded significant returns in providing Internet accessibility to those who can leverage its benefits. With 98% coverage across the country, Moldova is well-positioned to capitalize on the advantages of digitization. This includes collaborations such as its partnership with the US-based “Betterthancash,” a G20 partner, which aims to simplify and digitize government payments for the economically disadvantaged population in Moldova.

Technology transformed Moldova and its infrastructure to such a degree that in 2023, the Ministry of Economy revealed its extension to push the achievements of the digitization efforts further up to 2030. Plans are now being laid down to create digital channels between the friction points of communication between citizens and the authorities, services, or companies. All are improving the viability for digital-reliant companies to expand within Moldova and even creating the opportunity for a “Digital Education” focused program. Lacking digital education is a vulnerability that has become apparent following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Energy Poverty

Following the occupation of Ukraine, inflation rose to 34% in August 2022 and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has reported more than 60% of the country is living with “energy poverty” stipulations despite all the progress of the “digital Moldova 2020” strategy. Hence, the Moldova government birthed the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund, leveraging EU partners and rapid development provisions to compensate those most affected by these compounding challenges. Thanks to these efforts, the UNDP observed significant improvement over 2023, with a 43% reduction in energy poverty and 83% of natural gas bills covered within the fund.

Education

Improving technological infrastructure has profoundly affected the education system, with the EU presenting digital laboratories for schools, offering more opportunities for future generations. Further, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has worked to set up ambitious EDUTech laboratories across 81 schools. With the provision of modern equipment and IT lesson plans, UNICEF hopes to open avenues into STEM fields for the nation’s young and learning for the displaced refugees who have had their lives halted by the conflict in Ukraine.

EU4Molvoda has invested heavily in tech-powered infrastructure improvements, too. This includes providing IT equipment to 15 kindergartens in the Chaul and Ungeheni Municipalities. Additionally, they have established a new water supply network in Ugheni, ensuring safe drinking water for more than 24,000 people. Moreover, EU4Molvoda has set up temporary refugee shelters with light generators, heaters and electric fans, all in pursuit of reinforced sustainability in the face of Moldova’s modern crises.

Final Remark

The Republic of Moldova has been placed under many compounding crises in recent years. The rapid development of modern technologies and their intelligent implementation has allowed the country to withstand and even build up. Reacting to the refugee crisis and accepting targeted aid has provided opportunities for rapid development, empowering the country’s youth and relieving people experiencing poverty. There is a long way to go for the nation, notably being one of the poorest countries in Europe. Still, with increasing commitments to Technology-led 2020, the Republic is poised towards a technology-transformed Moldova.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Ceramic Filtration: A Possible Solution To Water Stress

Ceramic FiltrationAccording to UNESCO’s U.N. Water, “Globally, two billion people do not have safe drinking water and 3.6 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.” Ceramic filtration is a helpful creation that can reduce contaminated water in various developing countries at a low price.

What Is Ceramic Filtration?

Ceramic filtration uses clay to create a case to remove impurities from water sources, such as water-borne bacteria, microplastics, heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The process of creating ceramic filtrations is quite simple. In a bucket, shifted powdered clays will be mixed gradually with water and combustible burn-out material (natural materials that can be burned), such as coffee grounds, crushed charcoal, sawdust, or ground rice husks. Mixing these materials will create a soft, moldable paste. Then, the clay will be pressed into the bucket to mold around the bucket’s shape and eliminate excess water.

With the clay is in its desired shape, the crafter will leave it to air dry properly for 30 days on a dry shelf. After air drying, the clay is placed in the kiln at 877 to 1006 degrees Celsius. Once the ceramic pot is assembled and adequately dried, ridding water of bacteria and chemicals is simple. Pouring water into the clay pot with a bucket underneath allows water to permeate through but not sediments and bacteria into the bucket.

Why Is Ceramic a Possible Solution To Water Stress?

Ceramics is a viable option for developing countries as clay is an ample resource and can be found easily in different climates. The cost of water filtration systems is too expensive for most developing countries to afford, “[Industrial water] systems costs can range significantly due to these variables, with some simple, low-flow systems running as low as $45,000, to high-end, high-capacity systems with price tags exceeding tens of millions of dollars.”

According to the World Bank, “Low-income economies have 2021 GNI per capita of up to $1,085.” This indicates that leaders in these countries may struggle to afford essential goods for their populations, let alone invest in filtration systems. Ceramic filtration is a possible solution to address water stress, offering an easily accessible and cost-effective resource. The creation of a ceramic filter typically costs around $50.

As stated by John Howarter, an assistant professor of materials engineering and environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue University, “A filter in Kenya costs about $50 in materials, with labor and transportation as additional costs, but that filter will last five to 10 years, so the overall cost is very low.”

Conclusion

Ceramic filtration is a possible solution to water stress, allowing billions of people to have clean, accessible water at an affordable cost. The dissemination of knowledge about inexpensive and easily deployable filtration methods is crucial in empowering individuals in underdeveloped countries, offering them a fair chance at a healthier life.

– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Pixabay

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Sanitation in Togo

Sanitation in TogoAmid the vibrant tapestry of Togo’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, the state of sanitation plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s public health landscape. As the nation strives for progress and development, the need for sanitation is a factor in influencing the well-being of its citizens. In examining Togo’s sanitation practices, five key facts come to light, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within this essential domain.

Increased Exposure to Diarrheal Diseases

Regarding sanitation in Togo, open defecation has become a significant contributor to the increased prevalence of diarrheal diseases. With a lack of proper sanitation facilities, many individuals resort to defecating in the open, exposing themselves to a heightened risk of waterborne infections.

The presence of flies that land on the feces and subsequently carry bacteria into nearby households exacerbates the aftermath of open defecation. More than six million people, or 88% of the 7.3 million people living in Togo, lack a toilet in their homes. An outdoor pit latrine is a toilet, but they are rare. According to reports from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization, 54% of Togolese people defecate outside. This can result in outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other diarrheal illnesses, resulting in hundreds of avoidable deaths annually.

Provision of Clean Drinking Water by the World Bank

The World Bank has approved a new initiative to improve sanitation and provide clean drinking water to as many families in Greater Lomé as feasible. With a $100 million budget, this initiative will enhance access and the quality of water and sanitation services through several private sector partnerships and investments.

The project will fund many initiatives, including the construction of a wastewater and fecal sludge treatment plant, the restoration of the water supply systems, technical studies for the long-term expansion of large-scale water production capacity and the integration of a distribution network.

Inclusive Sanitation in Urban Centres in Togo

A €1.25 million (about $1.3 million) initiative by the African Development Bank aims to enhance sanitation in ten Togolese cities, including Sokode, the country’s second-biggest metropolis. According to Minister Tiem, the initiative supports the government’s sustainable access to clean drinking water and excellent sanitation in Togo.

In Sokodé, where just 34% of households had a toilet in 2010, there is a severe deficiency in hygiene and sanitation. The African Development Bank had 16 ongoing projects regarding sanitation in Togo valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Addressing this issue involves improving sanitation infrastructure and implementing comprehensive awareness campaigns to promote healthier hygiene practices and break the chain of disease transmission in communities across Togo.

Laws for Solid Waste Management

Due to the industry’s rapid expansion and the resulting 2427.2 tons of waste produced daily, Togo is also experiencing difficulties with its social and environmental operations. Due to population expansion, 54 million tons of solid garbage will be generated nationally by 2030. The predicted average annual production of municipal solid waste is 305.340 tons, of which 89.428 tons are collected and buried.

On July 3, 2023, the University of Rostock (UR) and the West African Service Center for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Use (WASCAL) jointly released the draft of the National Sustainable Strategy (NSS) on integrated municipal solid waste management by 2023 with a Vision to 2030 and projection to 2050. To achieve the goals, action areas and infrastructure requirements must be considered, together with the financial arrangements for investments and the capital recovery strategy for waste management operations.

Implementation of Green Industrial Companies

Green Industrial Companies (GICs) are industrial enterprises that integrate certain green concepts into their operations to protect the environment, either directly or indirectly. Generally speaking, the legislative’s goal is to create regulatory frameworks to encourage more businesses to become GICs and integrate some form of green strategy into their daily operations. At the end of 2018, the rate was 43%, while the share of renewable energy in total electricity production rose to 3%.

Green growth entails promoting economic development and growth to ensure that natural resources continue offering resources and environmental services essential to our well-being. Today, low- and middle-income economies rely heavily on the commercial, export-focused economic activities that arise from their natural resource endowments. The fact that primary product exports, such as food, fuel, ore and metal commodities, dominate export revenue for these economies highlights Togo’s need for natural resources to compete in the global economic spectrum.

Conclusion

The alarming rise in diarrheal diseases, linked to the widespread practice of open defecation, highlights the urgent need for comprehensive sanitation reforms. Organizations like the World Bank and the Project for the Promotion of Inclusive Sanitation in Urban Centres in Togo are committed to providing clean drinking water. They aim to achieve this through strategic operations addressing a critical aspect of public health, offering a lifeline to communities grappling with waterborne infections.

– Mahima Bhat
Photo: Pixabay

Poverty and Renewable Energy in Kazakhstan

Renewable Energy in KazakhstanStretching from the Caspian Sea in the east to the Altai Mountains in the west, Kazakhstan holds the title of the world’s largest landlocked country. Since achieving independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Kazakhstan has tapped into its abundant oil, gas and coal reserves to fuel economic growth. Renewable energy in Kazakhstan is being explored to diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint.

Remarkably, its gross domestic product has expanded at an average annual rate of 5% from 2010 to 2021, closely aligning with the regional average of 5.4%. Currently, petrochemical production represents about 50% of Kazakhstan’s total exports and 30% of its government tax revenues. While such growth has enabled Kazakhstan to reduce the proportion of people living below the national poverty line from 47% in 2001 to just 5.2% in 2021, problems continue to persist.

The changing climate has become a pressing issue, likely to impact disproportionately those living below the poverty line by escalating natural disasters, compromising the quality and quantity of drinking water and diminishing the availability of affordable electricity and food. Despite these challenges, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power hold significant potential for reducing poverty and combating the changing climate in Kazakhstan.

Addressing the Changing Climate

Kazakhstan’s average temperatures are expected to climb faster than the global average across all emissions scenarios, potentially rising by 5.3°C by 2090. This increase will likely lead to more severe droughts, exacerbate land degradation, hasten desertification and trigger more frequent dust storms. This issue is especially concerning given that rural regions, where poverty rates are on average four times higher than in urban areas, are expected to face the most severe impacts. Rising temperatures are likely to hasten the melting of Kazakhstan’s mountain glaciers, increasing flood risks and threatening water security and agricultural productivity, particularly in rural and arid areas.

The changing climate will disproportionately affect Kazakhstan’s poorest and most marginalized groups. The highest poverty rates are in the southern regions, like Turkestan and Mangystau, which are already among the hottest parts of the country and are expected to experience the most severe temperature rises in the decades ahead. Poor farmers in rural areas face the greatest challenges in affording local water storage systems, irrigation infrastructure and alternative technologies for adaptation, making them especially vulnerable to floods, mudslides and droughts. Without action to combat the changing climate and diversify Kazakhstan’s energy resources, poverty in the country could rise by as much as 3% by 2050.

Alleviating Poverty with Renewable Energy

Kazakhstan’s environment is ideal for harnessing wind and solar energy. More than 50% of its territory offers suitable conditions for solar power plants, tapping into a potential of 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. This capacity could satisfy 20% to 25% of the nation’s energy needs. Moreover, Kazakhstan’s wind energy potential reaches an estimated 920 billion kWh annually, especially in southern and southeastern regions where wind corridors regularly exceed 5 meters per second. The Kazakh government has established 130 renewable energy facilities, including 44 solar plants and 46 wind farms, generating 4.53% of the country’s total energy. Fully leveraging wind and solar resources could significantly reduce Kazakhstan’s carbon footprint and contribute to poverty alleviation.

Renewable Energy for Rural Development

Unlike traditional power plants that depend on water-intensive cooling systems, solar and wind power plants require minimal water, allowing Kazakhstan to conserve scarce resources for drinking and agriculture. This conservation is crucial for the rural south, where the poor rely heavily on agriculture and face significant risks from water insecurity. Moreover, solar and wind energy offer a decentralized, cost-effective method to electrify rural and remote areas, enhancing living standards for the impoverished. Given that residents in Kazakhstan’s southern regions often import electricity due to inefficient northern transmission lines, solar and wind power could lower energy costs. These savings allow people to allocate more of their income to value-added goods, contributing to poverty reduction.

Economic Growth through Renewables

Solar and wind energy projects indirectly boost economic growth by generating local construction jobs and facilitating skill and knowledge transfer to help low-income earners enhance their socio-economic status. For example, the Baikonur Solar Power Project, a 150-hectare solar farm producing 73,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity and offsetting 75,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, deliberately involved eight skilled expatriate workers during its construction. These workers collaborated with local nongovernmental organizations in Kazakhstan to impart knowledge and skills to local employees inexperienced in assembling wind farm components. Such initiatives could empower local workers to gain higher-paying jobs, thereby spurring economic growth and reducing poverty.

Looking Ahead

The pivot towards renewable energy in Kazakhstan from sources like solar and wind power heralds a promising avenue for tackling poverty and the changing climate simultaneously. By harnessing the nation’s vast renewable resources, Kazakhstan is not only addressing environmental concerns but also unlocking economic opportunities for its most vulnerable populations. As the country continues to develop its renewable energy sector, it stands on the cusp of a sustainable transformation that promises enhanced livelihoods for its citizens and a healthier planet for future generations.

– Campbell Clarke
Photo: Unsplash

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3 Poetry Projects Advocating for Refugees

Three Poetry Projects Advocating for Refugees The number of refugees across Europe is growing, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reporting that forcibly displaced people have exceeded 21.8 million by the end of 2022. Consequently, poetry, a medium that amplifies the voices of refugees, is gaining traction in both local and national contexts. Poetry projects advocating for refugees have become a powerful tool for sharing victim’s stories and experiences.

Emi Mahmoud

Emithal (Emi) Mahmoud, world-famous poet and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, draws on her own experience as a former refugee to lead her momentous efforts as an advocate for refugees around the globe. In fact, her work has led her to sit down with some of the biggest names on the planet – addressing, among others, former President Barack Obama, the Dalai Llama and the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2021, Mahmoud picked up her pen once more to tackle the immense task of advocacy through poetry. She wrote and performed a piece for the 120 world leaders at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow – a piece that explored the intersectionality of refugees who are left more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Becoming a vessel for the voice of ‘Mother Earth’ herself, Mahmoud begs her children to open their eyes to how they have hurt her, asks them to reckon with how they have hurt their brothers and sisters and reveals the troubling answer to the question: if the earth could speak to humanity, what would it say?

In addition, Mahmod researched and talked at length with refugees on the ‘frontline of climate change’ in preparation for her writing, documenting stories of volunteers fighting to protect their communities. She simultaneously reveals the momentous efforts of these individuals and the need for those in power to help them out; her poetry is yet again a stream of realization and a call to action for all who hear it.

ARTdespite Gallery

On the ground floor of Berlin’s East Side Mall, among three-story Zaras and bustling MediaMarkts, the ARTdespite gallery stands out. The @heart_for_ukraine and @ukrainehilfeberlin initiative has been running since 2018, creating a space to share Ukrainian books, food and companionship.

Recently, the gallery’s latest initiative, Poetry Nights, captured Berlin’s media attention as Ukrainian migrants gathered there to reconnect and reminisce about their homeland.

Nadia Telenchuk, a Ukrainian poet who relocated to Berlin before the war, organizes these events to revive the language and culture left behind by Ukrainians. The gallery donates all proceeds from art sales during these events to support aid efforts in Ukraine.

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants

In 2019, the Islington Centre teamed up with Amnesty International, an organization that has been a voice for global refugee rights for decades. Together, they coordinated the publication of a poem named ‘Trees of Home’ A culmination of months of research, interviews and stories collected by artist Jane Ray and writer Sita Brahmachari, the poem explores the painful themes of familial separation.

Furthermore, the impact of the poem was far-reaching and widely-celebrated, not least due to its celebrity illustrator; Axel Scheffler, best known for the much-loved children’s book The Gruffalo. Scheffler’s vocal support of refugee rights across Europe drew him quickly to the project. The illustration was sold at auction, with all proceeds donated to Amnesty’s ‘Families Together’ project; and so working to combat the very issues the poem reveals.

Looking Forward

As Europe contends with an increasing number of refugees, poetry emerges as a vital channel for amplifying their voices and sharing their poignant narratives with the world. Initiatives like Emi Mahmoud’s advocacy, Berlin’s ARTdespite gallery and the collaborative efforts of the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants highlight the transformative power of art in fostering understanding and compassion.

Looking ahead, these poetry projects advocating for refugees promise to continue breaking down barriers, encouraging global communities to listen, empathize and help all who read it better understand the world that they live in and the neighbors with whom they share it.

– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr

USAID Revitalizes Oldonyiro Market in Kenya

USAID Revitalizes Oldonyiro Market in Kenya About 30% of Kenyans live below the national poverty line, a figure that has gradually decreased over the years. However, Kenya continues to grapple with conflicts that exacerbate the disparity between the wealthy and the poor. Specifically, many Kenyan families, particularly women and girls, remain vulnerable to economic shocks, which droughts and floods can trigger. Agriculture and livestock markets, like Oldonyiro Market, significantly drive Kenya’s economy, making it susceptible to downturns during crises. The absence of adequate market spaces can jeopardize people’s food and financial security when facing economic shocks.

Oldonyiro Market

Oldonyiro Market, situated in Laikipia County in northern Kenya, acts as a crucial hub for nearby rural communities to trade consumer goods. On alternate days, vendors and buyers exchange livestock, produce, clothing and household items, offering local farmers and entrepreneurs a venue to sell their products and earn a living. However, the market’s operations are vulnerable to climatic conditions, posing challenges to maintaining a stable trading environment. Droughts, floods, theft and extreme temperatures threaten the market’s security, impacting the community’s ability to sustain a steady income.

Feed The Future

Feed the Future is a United States (U.S.) initiative, spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at addressing global hunger by tackling its underlying causes. It focuses on enhancing agricultural-led growth, resilience and nutrition in countries facing significant challenges and opportunities for improvement. Feed the Future has been instrumental in assisting millions of individuals in vulnerable communities worldwide. Its efforts have resulted in reductions in hunger and malnutrition, as well as the augmentation of incomes through agriculture, fostering economic opportunities both within and beyond farming sectors.

USAID’s Help

Through Feed The Future, USAID partnered with the government of Kenya to revamp Oldonyiro Market for the benefit of the surrounding communities’ economic growth and agricultural security. USAID built the market by constructing covered buildings, market stalls, shops and informal eateries to better secure the trading center, allowing the people to trade even in times of severe drought. This gave them hope and safety, making for booming business and a steadier income.

It is important to note that markets like Oldonyiro contribute to the broader agricultural economy of Kenya by providing a platform for farmers and traders to buy and sell goods, thereby stimulating economic activity at the grassroots level. Additionally, the agricultural sector is a major contributor to Kenya’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and generating income from both domestic consumption and export.

Looking Forward

Kenya’s journey toward economic resilience and food security, exemplified by the transformation of Oldonyiro Market, highlights the power of collaborative initiatives like Feed the Future. By fortifying the infrastructure necessary for agricultural and economic stability, such efforts are paving the way for a future where Kenyans can thrive despite environmental and economic challenges. This model of development, fostering both local entrepreneurship and agricultural productivity, offers a blueprint for sustainable progress in communities across the globe.

– Tristen Jerkins
Photo: Unsplash

 

USAID experts to discuss White House cuts

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The Impact of Humanitarian Influencers

The Impact of Humanitarian Influencers In an era where the digital landscape shapes our view of the world, humanitarian influencers are emerging as powerful forces for change, leveraging the vast reach of social media to highlight and address global poverty and need. These influencers, through platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, are not only sharing their missions but are also mobilizing a global community toward action.

The Power of Social Media

The internet and social media have made the world more connected than ever. Before the internet emerged, options for distributing information were limited to books and magazines, which could quickly become outdated and newspapers and radio broadcasts, which only reached limited areas and audiences. Currently, the internet enables important and current news to reach millions of viewers within minutes.

This significantly enhances the reach of humanitarian activists and aid. Within minutes, activists can share stories of communities needing help and their message can reach hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who might donate or volunteer. Many humanitarians recognize the advantages of a robust social media presence.

Influential Humanitarians on Social Media

There are plenty of humanitarians who understand the benefits of maintaining a strong social media presence. Known as humanitarian influencers, with the significant aim of impacting underprivileged communities.

With their stories, projects and passion, humanitarian influencers like Surthany Hejeij, Tusaiwe Munkhondiya and Esther Mann are redefining philanthropy:

Surthany Hejeij (@surthycooks)

About half of Venezuela’s population lives in poverty, facing a humanitarian crisis with widespread shortages of essentials like food and drinking water. Venezuelan native Surthany Hejeij initially planned to use her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels to share her homemade recipes. However, disturbed by the rampant food waste she observed on social media, she shifted her focus to demonstrate the significant impact that using these ingredients wisely could have.

Surthany prepares large batches of food to distribute to Venezuela’s underprivileged citizens, showing viewers the positive effects of her efforts on her community and illustrating that fighting food insecurity can be as simple as sharing meals with families. Gaining recognition for her critique of food waste trends, this humanitarian influencer has inspired others to act similarly. Surthany has built a community of 29.3 million TikTok followers, 7.7 million on Instagram and 10.3 million YouTube subscribers. She not only continues to provide free meals to people in her community but has also traveled internationally to offer meals, leveraging her substantial online following.

Tusaiwe Munkhondiya (@tusaiweyana)

70% of Malawi’s population faces poverty, with Opportunity International reporting that more than two-thirds live in impoverished conditions. This situation heavily impacts children in Malawi, many of whom come from families struggling to afford school supplies, fees, or even necessities. Despite significant strides toward improving children’s well-being in Malawi, substantial challenges remain. Tusaiwe Munkhondiya, a 24-year-old from Mzuzu, Malawi, has dedicated herself to ensuring the children in her community flourish in a secure, loving and nurturing environment.

Serving as a caregiver to hundreds of children who affectionately refer to her as their mother, Tusaiwe’s nonprofit organization, YANA, channels donations and funds into creating schools, clinics, housing, farms and more for the children. As a humanitarian influencer, Tusaiwe leverages her social media presence to share updates and stories about the children under her care, attracting followers eager to support YANA’s expansion. With 84,000 followers on Instagram and 2.9 million on TikTok, her efforts have captured the attention and admiration of many influential people, one of which being Jaden Smith who regularly sends gift packages to the children in Tusaiwe’s care.

Esther Mann (@estherhavens)

Social media empowers humanitarians to adopt and leverage innovative methods for supporting their causes. The potential for humanitarian influencers to positively impact the lives of underprivileged individuals is boundless. For instance, Esther Mann, hailing from Dallas, Texas, leverages her photography skills to raise awareness about impoverished countries, with a particular focus on African nations like Rwanda and Kenya.

Her captivating images of the local people often grace the covers of magazines and books. The proceeds from these photographs frequently benefit the families she supports in Rwanda and Kenya through the Africa New Life Ministries’ sponsorship program. Moreover, Mann uses her platform to encourage others to sponsor families in Rwanda. Her photography has moved many and inspired individuals to utilize their talents for social good. Recently, Mann hosted a session sharing her unique and empathetic approach to photography.

Looking Ahead

The rise of humanitarian influencers marks a transformative shift in addressing global poverty, showcasing the profound power of social media to unite and inspire action across continents. Through their innovative use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, these influencers are not just spreading awareness but are actively contributing to the betterment of underprivileged communities worldwide. As we look to the future, the continued efforts of these compassionate voices promise to further bridge the gap between need and aid, heralding a new era of global solidarity and support.

– Kimber Peters
Photo: Freepik

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The University of Notre Dame’s Poverty Initiative

University of Notre DameOn January 23, 2024, the University of Notre Dame announced a groundbreaking academic research program to address and combat poverty in the United States (U.S.) and worldwide. Supported by a historic $100 million donation from an alumni couple, the program “The Notre Dame Poverty Initiative” focuses on three key areas: Research, student formation and impact. The university hopes to deepen its understanding of the challenges faced by people living in poverty while also seeking to identify and explore potential solutions for this global issue.

Addressing a Global Challenge

Poverty affects around 700 million people worldwide. Breaking the cycle of poverty has proven to be a complex challenge despite many well-intentioned efforts already underway. The University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative aims to make significant strides in poverty research, seeking to understand and unravel its root causes and consequences. Guided by the university’s profound mission, this initiative offers a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against poverty across the globe.

Leadership and Vision

The Director of the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), Jim Sullivan, will lead the University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative. Sullivan and the research group hope to provide undeniable evidence of effective and promising research. They hope that, with provided evidence, policymakers and service providers will strive toward systemic changes. In addition to this, the initiative hopes to increase involvement at the university level to not only inspire students to engage with anti-poverty work but to support opportunities for more nonprofit research at the school.

Building on Success

The University of Notre Dame hopes to continue building on the successful poverty research already being conducted. Through the university, the LEO and the Pulte Institute for Global Development have grown strong partnerships with providers across the U.S., including Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The new initiative plans to expand these existing efforts through a “local-to-global” approach, translating the already successful plans to a broader global scale.

The Three Areas of Focus

Research: The poverty initiative will support and invest in research addressing poverty’s causes through informing policy, guiding philanthropic endeavors and practicing evidence-based solutions.

Student Formation: The initiative will invest in programs focused on student formation, including learning expansions and curriculum development. Graduates will be equipped to address the challenges of poverty in their personal and professional lives.

Impact: The initiative also aims to make an impact by directly using research to spark action. Collaborating with partners in government, nonprofits and the corporate sector, it seeks to expand on pre-existing successful programs and contribute to poverty alleviation efforts.

Conclusion

The University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative represents a transformative step in eliminating worldwide poverty. An issue as complex as this requires extensive and evidence-based research and implementation, which is what this program aims to provide. With Jim Sullivan’s and other staff’s strong leadership, this multifaceted approach intertwines diligent research, student involvement and measurable impacts to tackle an issue as compound as generational global poverty. The University of Notre Dame is dedicated to being a force for good, setting a transformative example for other programs and research institutions.

– Katherine Barrows
Photo: Pixabay

Period Poverty in Sudan: The Impact of USAID

Period Poverty in SudanPeriod poverty refers to the challenges that women and girls face when they cannot afford basic menstrual items such as pads, tampons, underwear and pain relief. It is common both in developed and developing states worldwide and has negative impacts on women and girls’ health, education, career opportunities and self-esteem. Period poverty in Sudan affects a huge number of people, and a lack of basic health services, social taboos, gender inequalities and discriminatory social norms further worsen the situation. In Sudan, women and girls often suffer in silence during their menstrual periods due to widespread ignorance surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. Women often face isolation from their families and communities during their menstrual periods and have to resort to unsanitary practices.

Conflicts and natural disasters have also resulted in there being around 3.7 million internally displaced people (IDP) in Sudan, a situation that disproportionately affects women and girls, according to 500 Words Magazine. Displacement exacerbates gender-specific challenges such as period poverty, with menstrual products becoming even less accessible.

The Consequences

According to ActionAid, girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss around 20% of the school year due to menstruation, through fear of humiliation or isolation, 500 Words Magazine reports. The consequences of a poor education are commonly linked to poverty, and so period poverty can have long-lasting effects on young girls’ opportunities.

Sanitary products are also extremely difficult to access in rural areas of Sudan, and so women and girls have to use alternatives such as old pieces of cloth or other domestic items, which can lead to infections, according to 500 Words Magazine.

The risk of infection is even higher for women and girls who have been subject to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). According to the UNICEF, approximately 87% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 in Sudan have undergone some form of Female Genital Mutilation, as of 2017.

The Work of World Vision

World Vision has been doing some fantastic work to alleviate some of the impacts of period poverty in Sudan. With help from funding from USAID-Bureau and in collaboration with various ministries and UNICEF, World Vision sought to initiate the production of reusable sanitary towels in Sudan for the first time.

The organization conducted an initial pilot in Blue Nile state, where it developed three designs from local cotton fabric. World Vision distributed 200 samples of each design to 100 girls across four localities. Later it carried out a user survey to ensure that these girls could input into the final designs. Public health officers then trained the girls to properly and safely use reusable sanitary towels.

According to World Vision, six groups of 15 women each from six localities then received training and start-up kits for making the products. They went on to make 5,000 pieces, “which World Vision purchased and distributed to 500 girls.”

With further funding from UNICEF, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and USAID BHA, the project is now going further and many of the initially trained women are training other women’s groups in South Kordofan, South Darfur and East Darfur, targeting 5,000 girls.

The Fantastic Success

The fantastic success of the reusable sanitary towels initiative in Sudan demonstrates the enormous impact that USAID funding can have to fund projects like World Vision’s and provides optimism for putting an end to period poverty in Sudan and elsewhere in the developing world. However, period poverty remains a significant issue across the globe, and in Sudan in particular, demonstrating the importance of USAID in alleviating poverty worldwide.

– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr