In the dynamic landscape of corporate social responsibility, a group of like-minded companies has joined forces to make a tangible impact on empowering global change. By supporting Whole Planet Foundation’s microcredit programs, these brands contribute to empowering entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional capital. Through the provision of small loans, typically under $500, these microentrepreneurs can start or expand their small businesses, often based at home. The ripple effect of such initiatives is profound, offering individuals the opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, one loan at a time.
Many of these companies can be found on the shelves of Whole Foods stores across the nation. Companies such as Aura Cacia, KeVita, Sir Kensington’s, Stacy’s, The Republic of Tea and Vital Farms, among others, have donated graciously to this fund to help global entrepreneurs facing poverty. Previous brands include Alaffia, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Dr. Praeger’s Purely Sensible Foods, Health-Ade Kombucha, Honest Tea, PACT, TAZO and Tony’s Chocolonely. These recognizable brands only establish a greater ethos in alleviating global poverty, as those who buy these brands can have more of a reason to join in the fight.
The Launch of the Foundation
Whole Foods Market first launched the Whole Planet Foundation in 2005, and ever since it has been making tremendous strides in empowering global change. The foundation has funded more than $79 million in order to create 3.7 million microloans to help entrepreneurs across the globe who live below the poverty line. Working in 76 countries around the world, the Whole Planet Foundation has made a lasting impact on the fight against global poverty.
Whole Planet Foundation took another step in this fight in 2019 with its introduction of the annual Poverty is Unnecessary project. The Poverty is Unnecessary Project spotlights Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners, who have collectively committed to donating $275,000 to alleviate poverty through microloans, and culminates in the foundation’s signature event of the year on October 25, known as Poverty is Unnecessary Day.
Sentiments From Whole Planet Foundation Leaders
Millions worldwide have reason to celebrate Poverty is Unnecessary Day as an occasion for a brighter future. On this day, the Whole Planet Foundation also acknowledges and honors its supplier partners, corporate allies, donors, volunteers, advocates and sponsors.
“Whole Planet Foundation is committed to supporting our network of implementing partners,” said Daniel Zoltani, Global Program Director of Whole Planet Foundation, “and pushing forward our pipeline of potential future investments.”
The foundation continues to make strides in empowering global change. In 2023, Whole Foods brands contributed $150,000 to building business capital for entrepreneurs across the globe. Whole Planet Foundation invited brands to contribute additional funds to extend the mission through further microloan support.
Whole Planet Foundation has completed a multitude of projects throughout the years, with around $7 million funded through 51 projects in 39 different countries by the end of 2021.
“We added many new projects,” said Zultani, “including a $300,000 grant to GGEM for farmers in Malawi to have better access to quality farming inputs, $300,000 to support Fundación Paraguaya expand their collateral-free group loan and $150,000 to support our first project in Jordan with Near East Foundation. “In addition, we added two new partners in the United States, MercyCorps Northwest and People’s Partner Community Development, helping small business owners start and expand their business across Washington and Oregon and within the Cheyenne territory in Lame Deer, Montana.”
Stories of the Entrepreneurs
2021 was challenging for the foundation, but 2023 did prove fruitful in empowering global change. Clients like Biti from Malawi have had an amazing experience due to the microcredits granted to them. Biti actively participates in GGEM Farming’s program, securing a loan comprising seeds and fertilizer for rice cultivation. GGEM also pledges to buy the harvest at the end of the season at a rate exceeding what smallholder farmers typically receive from other local buyers.
Other entrepreneurs like Tin Ohn Khaing have lifted themselves and their families out of poverty with help from the Whole Planet Foundation. Tin Ohn Khaing is a first-time loan recipient at the Shan State Branch, supported by WPF, which commenced operations in early 2019. The foundation, through microfinance partners, has funded 19.4 million opportunities for Tin Ohn Khaing and other global entrepreneurs.
The Foundations Work in the Field
Whole Planet Foundation even goes as far as doing in-field work. This work, of course, was halted due to COVID-19 limitations. However, once the lockdown lessened, in-field work increased.
“The remote review tools our field team has been using for over a year continues to help us move forward with project disbursements and new proposals for funding to established partners,” said Zoltani. “Moreover, the field team is slowly picking up international travel again, as we look to add new partners to a growing portfolio of diverse organizations and local-led approaches.”
Zoltani finishes by saying, “Thank you for your ongoing support of Whole Planet Foundation’s mission, the implementing partners we work with, and the entrepreneurs we serve.”
In Conclusion
The collective efforts of many recognizable Whole Foods Market brands highlight the transformative power of corporate philanthropy in empowering global change. By supporting Whole Planet Foundation’s microcredit programs, these brands are not only contributing financially but also actively participating in the upliftment of global communities. Through their commitment to empowering microentrepreneurs, these companies are exemplifying the positive change that businesses can effectuate in the world. As we celebrate their contributions, we recognize that poverty is unnecessary, and with continued support, the mission to alleviate global poverty can become a reality.
– Caleb Picone
Photo: Flickr
Navigating Clean Water Access for Amputees in Sierra Leone
Access To Clean Water for Amputees in Sierra Leone
Access to safe drinking water is limited even to individuals without disabilities. Therefore, it is even more severely limited for those who have lost limbs due to military amputation, mutilation or landmines that still reside under Sierra Leonean soil. Recently, The Borgen Project spoke with Sarah Hope, the founder of Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope (ELoH), a charity that formerly gave prosthetics and support to amputees in Sierra Leone. Hope shared her recent visit to Sierra Leone with ELoH’s partner charity, World Hope International (WHI), highlighting the significant challenges faced by amputees. She noted, “It is very challenging for amputees. Many hundreds do not get given any form of prosthetics at all and mobility is almost impossible. Their legs are sore and painful and it is very difficult for them to get around.”
Thousands in Sierra Leone have experienced limb loss either as a result of the Civil War or due to landmines. However, small cuts and grazes also frequently contribute to amputations. Sarah explained, “When children graze themselves playing, their legs become infected and their parents take them to witch doctors. Wounds become infected and this can lead to amputation.”
People with disabilities often face challenges in collecting water. “Sometimes there are taps in villages, but often it is shared between far too many people and is inaccessible for amputees,” shared Hope. The drainage systems are inadequate when it rains. Therefore, spaces become flooded and roads impassable: “The water on the ground becomes dirty and extremely difficult for amputees to navigate around. It has often been washed up from a drain, mixed with soil and sewage. If they do not have clean water, they often must boil it first.” This presents another challenge. “In fact, I would say it is almost impossible for amputees to collect water. If they do not have a prosthetic leg on, they cannot walk to collect water. Even if they have crutches to help them walk, they do not have the arms to carry it.” On her recent visit, Hope shared she met many amputees who “do not go to school as their society believes that disabled children are not worth educating.”
Looking To the Future
Since 2018, WHI and ELoH have worked together to fund Enable the Children, a project that has successfully provided physiotherapy and occupational care to more than 1,000 disabled children in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The initiative works with schools, communities and families to ensure vital developmental support for child amputees.
In December 2020, the Freetown-Blue Peace project was launched collaboratively by the Freetown City Council (FCC), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). This positive initiative aims to leverage innovative financial approaches to create sustainable water access in Sierra Leone. It acknowledges sufficient access to water as an intervention to prevent conflict and build peace. The project has facilitated the establishment of 25 public restrooms and 40 water kiosks in the country’s capital city.
When Sierra Leone hosted elections in 2023, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) organization actively advocated for parliamentarians, mayors, district chairmen and local councilors to prioritize drinking water. Through intensified advocacy, WASH succeeded in making 258 candidates across the political spectrum pledge to prioritize clean water in their proposed agendas. Historically, political advocacy has demonstrated its capacity to bring about positive change, as evidenced by the creation of a Ministry of Water Resources in the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s 2013 election.
Conclusion
Access to clean water is an essential part of all human life. Without clean water, we cannot survive. It should be freely and readily available, not seen as a luxury. Supporting vital fundraising efforts like these will brighten the future for all amputees in Sierra Leone.
– Sapphire Hope
Photo: Flickr
USAID Fights Infectious Diseases in Nepal
Infectious Diseases in Nepal in 2023
COVID-19 has infected more than one million Nepalis as of 2023. And though the rate of cases has steadily subsided since September 2023, the one million figure maintains that COVID-19 has impacted over 30% of the population in Nepal. As September brought about the decline of COVID-19 in Nepal, it witnessed an increase in the rates of dengue – the infectious disease spread by mosquitoes that results in headache, fever, rashes and nausea. The tropical disease, most effective in the summer months, had alarmingly high rates in as early as April 2023. As of October 2023, there had been more than a quarter of a million reported cases of dengue, with close to 1,500 associated deaths.
Facing Diseases
In 2019, Nepal’s health infrastructure found itself unprepared to confront the severity of challenges posed by COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Recognizing the urgent need for support, the U.K. helped thousands by establishing critical response units between 2019 and 2021. The U.S. also stepped in with a significant contribution during the pandemic years, providing a total of $50.9 million in aid. While helping the battle against COVID-19, the support offered by the U.K. and the U.S. apply only a temporary band-aid to a weak infrastructure for health in Nepal.
Nepalese Health Care System
Beneath the band-aid is Nepal’s continued struggle to adapt to the shift from a centralized health care system to a federalized model. The change, which was initiated in 2015, continues to highlight widespread confusion in Nepalese society regarding health care. Additionally, there are issues of poor coordination and, most importantly, a shortage of skilled health care staff in Nepal.
Nepal has only 0.67 doctors for every 1000 inhabitants, a figure that falls significantly below the standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The shortage of skilled workers is exacerbated by the fact that access to healthcare for over 35% of households in Nepal requires a journey of more than 30 minutes. Furthermore, the nation grapples with disparities in access to health care based on rural-urban, male-female and racial divisions.
USAID: Nepal
To address Nepal’s inadequate health infrastructure, myriad inequalities and the 15% figure used to symbolize the amount of Nepalis living in poverty, the U.S. has provided nearly $650 million in assistance to the country. This foreign aid has economic benefits for the U.S., as the nation has become a top trade partner with Nepal.
The Global Health Security Program
December 11, 2023, saw a consolidation of the relationship between the U.S. and Nepal, thanks to the collaboration between USAID and the Nepalese government launching a new global health security program. With support from WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the merger emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interdependence of ecosystems before attempting to tackle zoonotic infectious diseases in Nepal.
The U.S. has pledged close to $7 million over the next three years to boost the health care system in Nepal. This support aims to reduce infectious diseases in the nation and improve emergency response management, enhance biosafety and facilitate upgrades to national laboratory systems both directly and indirectly. The involvement of the U.S. is expected to enhance Nepal’s ability to combat serious pandemic threats and mitigate infectious diseases exclusive to the region. This effort will allow countless Nepalis to approach 2024 with a newfound assurance in their nation’s health care system.
– Joseph Wray
Photo: Flickr
Development Programs in Vietnam to Address Poverty
The Supervision Delegation’s Report
As Minister Y Thanh Hà Niê Kđăm, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Council of Ethnic Minorities, presented, there remain gaps between the nation’s general development in comparison to the socioeconomic development of Vietnam’s rural regions. A report conducted by the country’s Supervision Delegation that monitors nationwide policy implementation across 11 ministries and 15 provinces noted this discrepancy.
The report by the Supervision Delegation has revealed that poverty in rural regions in Vietnam has persisted despite new development programs due to the central government’s delay in allocating parts of the budget to finance vital municipal and provincial projects. As a result, rural development has stalled and has subsequently fallen into stagnation as regional governments become reluctant to implement new rural construction due to budget limitations.
Moreover, the report from Chairman Y Thanh Hà Niê Kđăm displays that the country’s ethnic minorities are more prone to experience poverty despite national poverty reduction efforts. Ethnic minorities account for 14.7% of Vietnam’s total population, however, they suffer poverty at disproportionate rates. In 2015, while the nation’s overall poverty rate was 7%, the rate affecting ethnic minorities was 23.1%. Therefore, while poverty has reduced throughout the country, Vietnam’s rural region has continued to suffer in poverty.
Improvements for Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam
Be that as it may, data from the World Bank has revealed a positive incline in regard to the social and economic welfare of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities throughout the decade. While the impacts of COVID-19 have negatively affected the increase in prosperity and wages, the poverty rate has nearly reduced by 50% for the general population, including ethnic minorities and those living in the nation’s rural and mountainous regions. This came as more and more ethnic minority workers began to leave the agricultural sectors and began to find work in other fields. As of 2020, approximately 23% of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities are employed in manufacturing.
This parallel between the shift in employment and the reduction in poverty for ethnic minorities is not coincidental. One of the main obstacles that prevents the country’s minorities from socioeconomic welfare is the inequality in land distribution. In 2015, only 26% of Vietnam’s total forest land was due to minority communities, and among that land, only 2% was useful for agricultural purposes. This poses a significant challenge to those relying on agriculture for income. As a result, the transition from agricultural careers to manufacturing has led to positive economic developments for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.
Moreover, Chairman Y Thanh Hà Niê Kđăm at the National Assembly has prompted the central government to push for a revitalization of Vietnam’s development strategies for the nation’s rural regions.
Development Programs in Vietnam
This would mean a reevaluation of the nation’s rural development programs to tackle poverty in Vietnam’s rural regions. Therefore, the National Assembly has agreed to revamp poverty reduction programs for them to be effective and sustainable by setting realistic targets as well as ensuring the importance of allocating the appropriate budget in order to deliver the objectives outlined. However, as a whole, poverty on a national level has reduced drastically. While the poverty rate in 2016 was 9.2%, the rate has steadily declined and has fallen to 4.2% in 2022.
”It is essential to assess whether poverty reduction efforts are effective,” said Deputy Trần Quang Minh in Vietnam News, “as in some areas, local authorities are only striving to achieve the targets set by resolutions and annual plans, often leading to various approaches with the goal of reducing the numbers. However, the quality of poverty reduction and the sustainable escape from poverty in Vietnam have not been genuinely evaluated.”
– Remigius Kim
Photo: Pixabay
The Link Between Poverty and Crime in Pakistan
Poverty and crime in Pakistan can be intrinsically linked due to the nature of the cause-effect relationship. High rates of both inflation and unemployment and a fractured political system have plunged millions of Pakistani citizens into poverty, often often end up in the dark underworlds of crime.
Pakistan’s Turbulent History
After British India gained independence in 1947, the land was split into three wings: Pakistan, India and East Pakistan (later gaining independence to form the nation of Bangladesh).
Reports have indicated that nearly 17 million people have moved in both directions between India and the two wings of Pakistan, marking the largest mass migration of people on record.
As the new country emerged, Pakistan struggled to find a national identity and evolve a political system for the incredibly diverse population. The goal of national integration and creating a unified population proved more difficult than first anticipated, and early prime ministers found themselves assassinated or overthrown rapidly.
A Fractured System
It has been difficult for politicians and governments to rectify the issues of poverty due to the nature of Pakistan’s political system. The opposing factions who battle between secularism and religion mean that there is rarely any form of agreement.
Very few prime ministers have seen out their full term with the increasingly powerful army often overthrowing them, resulting in years of marshal rule and military dictators. Coups and assassinations are all too common, resulting in a fragmented political system that is not fit to instate poverty-reducing legislation.
Increased Poverty and Crime
A lack of political representation for ordinary citizens and an elite that dominates the class system has resulted in higher levels of inequality than ever. It is estimated that 38% of people live in multidimensional poverty because of inflation and increasing levels of unemployment.
Child malnutrition sits at 38%, and the Global Hunger Index has highlighted hunger as a persistent problem within Pakistan.
A positive relationship between crime rates and unemployment has been observed as it is believed that poverty may lead to a high level of stress and mental illness, in turn causing individuals to adopt a mindset that views illegal activity as lucrative.
There is also a strong correlation between income inequality and crime rates. Poverty and crime in Pakistan have led to the rise of organized crime groups, drug traffickers and terrorism-related activities. Criminal organizations often target poor communities, exploiting their vulnerability and desperation to recruit members or extort money.
An Interview With Shmaila Malik
The Borgen Project spoke to Shmaila Malik, a Former United Nations Information Centre officer based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Malik argues that one could certainly make the case that poverty can lead to increased crime rates:
“I think poverty ultimately makes people desperate. We have seen that those affected by poverty, especially those with families or young children, simply just want to feed their families. Thus, these are the people most willing to go to any extreme to do so.”
Malik also states that membership within an organized crime group “will provide a bit of quick cash and can buy food or a month of school fees.” The crime rate within Pakistan has been rising, as the National Police Bureau reported, with an increase of 12.2% between 2012 and 2018.
Many believe that the extreme shortage of necessary items due to the Pakistan economic crisis and the easy availability of sophisticated weapons has led to a sharp rise in violent crimes.
Police in Lahore, one of Pakistan’s largest cities, have reported a 282% increase in gang robberies.
While it is clear that poverty and crime have a link, the question also remains of what can help alleviate the effects. Malik believes that it is now up to the goodwill of the government to act and ensure the holding of free and fair elections. She also believes that NGOs and the government must now collaborate more than ever:
“The work of smaller NGOs and grassroots organizations in providing education and awareness about the effects of poverty should also be given more commendation. Their work is vital, and it is imperative that any new government chooses to support this.”
The Vital Work of NGOs
While global aid bodies like the UN and UNICEF are consistently working, the work of smaller NGOs is vital in reducing the effects of poverty and crime in Pakistan.
Foundation Fighting Poverty is an NGO operating within Pakistan’s major cities since 2009. Its youth programs target the younger demographic within the country, aiming to spread awareness about social issues and target positive change.
The organization’s social benefits span a range of sectors, including education provisions for those who cannot afford government schools and providing basic health treatments to the less fortunate. Its aim to break the cycle of poverty and ensure that children do not find their way down a life of crime has been a common feature since their creation.
Multiple reports have exposed the link between poverty and crime in Pakistan. Still, hope remains that the situation will improve, given the response of NGOs and international aid bodies.
– Maryam Rana
Photo: Flickr
Brands Unite: Empowering Global Change Against Poverty
In the dynamic landscape of corporate social responsibility, a group of like-minded companies has joined forces to make a tangible impact on empowering global change. By supporting Whole Planet Foundation’s microcredit programs, these brands contribute to empowering entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional capital. Through the provision of small loans, typically under $500, these microentrepreneurs can start or expand their small businesses, often based at home. The ripple effect of such initiatives is profound, offering individuals the opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, one loan at a time.
Many of these companies can be found on the shelves of Whole Foods stores across the nation. Companies such as Aura Cacia, KeVita, Sir Kensington’s, Stacy’s, The Republic of Tea and Vital Farms, among others, have donated graciously to this fund to help global entrepreneurs facing poverty. Previous brands include Alaffia, Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods, Dr. Praeger’s Purely Sensible Foods, Health-Ade Kombucha, Honest Tea, PACT, TAZO and Tony’s Chocolonely. These recognizable brands only establish a greater ethos in alleviating global poverty, as those who buy these brands can have more of a reason to join in the fight.
The Launch of the Foundation
Whole Foods Market first launched the Whole Planet Foundation in 2005, and ever since it has been making tremendous strides in empowering global change. The foundation has funded more than $79 million in order to create 3.7 million microloans to help entrepreneurs across the globe who live below the poverty line. Working in 76 countries around the world, the Whole Planet Foundation has made a lasting impact on the fight against global poverty.
Whole Planet Foundation took another step in this fight in 2019 with its introduction of the annual Poverty is Unnecessary project. The Poverty is Unnecessary Project spotlights Poverty is Unnecessary Fund partners, who have collectively committed to donating $275,000 to alleviate poverty through microloans, and culminates in the foundation’s signature event of the year on October 25, known as Poverty is Unnecessary Day.
Sentiments From Whole Planet Foundation Leaders
Millions worldwide have reason to celebrate Poverty is Unnecessary Day as an occasion for a brighter future. On this day, the Whole Planet Foundation also acknowledges and honors its supplier partners, corporate allies, donors, volunteers, advocates and sponsors.
“Whole Planet Foundation is committed to supporting our network of implementing partners,” said Daniel Zoltani, Global Program Director of Whole Planet Foundation, “and pushing forward our pipeline of potential future investments.”
The foundation continues to make strides in empowering global change. In 2023, Whole Foods brands contributed $150,000 to building business capital for entrepreneurs across the globe. Whole Planet Foundation invited brands to contribute additional funds to extend the mission through further microloan support.
Whole Planet Foundation has completed a multitude of projects throughout the years, with around $7 million funded through 51 projects in 39 different countries by the end of 2021.
“We added many new projects,” said Zultani, “including a $300,000 grant to GGEM for farmers in Malawi to have better access to quality farming inputs, $300,000 to support Fundación Paraguaya expand their collateral-free group loan and $150,000 to support our first project in Jordan with Near East Foundation. “In addition, we added two new partners in the United States, MercyCorps Northwest and People’s Partner Community Development, helping small business owners start and expand their business across Washington and Oregon and within the Cheyenne territory in Lame Deer, Montana.”
Stories of the Entrepreneurs
2021 was challenging for the foundation, but 2023 did prove fruitful in empowering global change. Clients like Biti from Malawi have had an amazing experience due to the microcredits granted to them. Biti actively participates in GGEM Farming’s program, securing a loan comprising seeds and fertilizer for rice cultivation. GGEM also pledges to buy the harvest at the end of the season at a rate exceeding what smallholder farmers typically receive from other local buyers.
Other entrepreneurs like Tin Ohn Khaing have lifted themselves and their families out of poverty with help from the Whole Planet Foundation. Tin Ohn Khaing is a first-time loan recipient at the Shan State Branch, supported by WPF, which commenced operations in early 2019. The foundation, through microfinance partners, has funded 19.4 million opportunities for Tin Ohn Khaing and other global entrepreneurs.
The Foundations Work in the Field
Whole Planet Foundation even goes as far as doing in-field work. This work, of course, was halted due to COVID-19 limitations. However, once the lockdown lessened, in-field work increased.
“The remote review tools our field team has been using for over a year continues to help us move forward with project disbursements and new proposals for funding to established partners,” said Zoltani. “Moreover, the field team is slowly picking up international travel again, as we look to add new partners to a growing portfolio of diverse organizations and local-led approaches.”
Zoltani finishes by saying, “Thank you for your ongoing support of Whole Planet Foundation’s mission, the implementing partners we work with, and the entrepreneurs we serve.”
In Conclusion
The collective efforts of many recognizable Whole Foods Market brands highlight the transformative power of corporate philanthropy in empowering global change. By supporting Whole Planet Foundation’s microcredit programs, these brands are not only contributing financially but also actively participating in the upliftment of global communities. Through their commitment to empowering microentrepreneurs, these companies are exemplifying the positive change that businesses can effectuate in the world. As we celebrate their contributions, we recognize that poverty is unnecessary, and with continued support, the mission to alleviate global poverty can become a reality.
– Caleb Picone
Photo: Flickr
Unique Alliances: Beekeeping for Poverty Alleviation
Poverty in Colombia
After the COVID-19 pandemic, 18.3 million people were living in poverty in Colombia. Extreme poverty has also risen slightly to 6.9 million people, making poverty alleviation more necessary than ever. Columbia has the fourth-highest level of extreme poverty in the world.
Beekeeping as Poverty Alleviation
Beekeeping is providing community members with financial opportunities and viable economic alternatives across the country. Communities are able to transition away from less sustainable sectors such as gold mining or monoculture, embracing beekeeping as an alternative that yields transformative outcomes for both livelihoods and community well-being. This shift reflects a broader trend towards more environmentally friendly and economically viable practices. In certain communities, residents can achieve a viable monthly income equivalent to one and a half to two times the Colombian minimum wage.
The Association
Suárez Gómez’s initiative, Asomegua (Asociación de Meliponicultores del Guainía), an association of meliponiculturists (stingless bee-keepers and managers), is the tangible outcome of his commitment to beekeeping for poverty alleviation Suárez Gómez’s marries ancestral knowledge with Western scientific methods. Bees, responsible for pollinating 75% of the world’s globally important food crops, are facing a global decline, making Suárez Gómez’s initiative even more critical.
Negotiating a delicate balance with the intricate lives of Amazonian bees, Suárez Gómez planted several wild tree species to attract and sustain them, transforming La Ceiba into a vibrant garden. The success of this environmental and cultural project has significantly extended the flowering periods of trees, providing a lush landscape and subsistence for both the community and the bees.
Community Leader and Friend to Bees
Suárez Gómez, 58, draws upon his deep understanding of the planet’s enigmas. He was born and raised in the village of Monfort, a small hamlet on the Brazilian border. In collaboration with his wife, Silvia Perez, a member of the Indigenous Puinave community, Suárez Gómez has become a community leader, driving positive change in La Ceiba.
The introduction of meliponiculture has not only enhanced honey production but has also altered La Ceiba’s economic landscape. With flowering trees attracting these essential pollinators, the community’s once-modest agricultural activities have flourished, providing families with increased food and fruit supplies.
Tourism
Tourism has also played a pivotal role in La Ceiba’s economic transformation. Over recent years, the region has seen a surge in visitors, drawn to the area’s natural beauty. As La Ceiba attracted attention as a travel destination, the meliponiculture project gained momentum. What began as a conservation effort soon evolved into a source of income, with honey production becoming a focal point for La Ceiba’s economic sustainability.
Despite facing challenges in the journey, including initial struggles with funding and the complex dynamics of bee behavior, Suárez Gómez’s resilience and commitment paid off. The project, initially supported by the Ricola Foundation and the University of Pamplona, has now become a community-led initiative. The Association of Guainía Meliponiculturists, which Suárez Gómez and his colleagues formed, focuses on sustainable beekeeping practices and independent honey trade.
As La Ceiba opens its doors to tourists, the community invites visitors to explore the honey route, showcasing the intricate relationship between the community and its bee partners. The guided tours, which Suárez Gómez and his colleagues led, provide an immersive experience into the world of stingless bees, emphasizing the mutual respect that underlies this extraordinary alliance.
Changing the Lives of People and Bees
The story of La Ceiba is not just about beekeeping; it is a testament to the power of indigenous wisdom, environmental stewardship and community-led initiatives in alleviating poverty and fostering economic well-being. The story of La Ceiba unfolds as a testament to the potential of beekeeping for poverty alleviation, as Suárez Gómez’s project not only enhanced honey production but also altered the economic landscape of the community. Through the delicate dance between humans and bees, this initiative has not only revitalized ecosystems but has also become a sustainable model for coexistence, offering a unique solution to the complex issue of poverty in the region.
– Mirali Shukla
Photo: Flickr
EDGE Fund Initiative Boosts Business in the Dominican Republic
Emerging Market
While the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean and a hotspot for American holiday travelers, the Dominican Republic has become an important emerging market for the U.S. American goods account for 70% of the Dominican Republic’s consumer market and U.S. brands and television shows are also popular in the Caribbean nation.
The Dominican Republic’s economy grew by 2.5% in 2023, further cementing the nation’s position as the leading Latin American country in GDP growth. Accordingly, the consumer market in the Dominican Republic has grown by 5% annually since 2020, with the sector’s value now nearly achieving $100 billion.
The Dominican Republic relies significantly on American investments, with the U.S. being the leading foreign investor. This has resulted in the Caribbean nation’s growing consumer market favoring American produce. Some of the leading U.S. exports are air conditioning systems, refrigeration equipment, medical utensils and automobile parts and services.
Economic Ties: US and the Dominican Republic
The growing market in the Dominican Republic is contributing to the development of businesses in the country and has been profitable for the U.S., too. However, its newfound reliance on U.S. exports poses some worry. Fluctuations in the U.S. economy will also result in fluctuations in the Dominican Republic. This connection has been forecasted to impact the Latin American country’s growth in 2024.
Fostering independent purchasing power for the average Dominican is on the U.S. agenda and the continuation of the $400 million fuel subsidy works to this effect. However, the nation faces challenges such as slowly rising inflation, insufficient electricity supply and a growing disparity between the business sector and the human capital necessary to sustain it. These factors contribute to difficulties in administering purchasing power for all in the nation.
Poverty in DR
Inequality persists in the Dominican Republic and is reflected by what is close to a quarter of the population living in poverty. Along with a poverty rate that is dependent on location due to discrepancies between rural and urban areas, 1.6 million out of the 11 million population suffer from multidimensional poverty. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has offered assistance through support of the Dominican Republic’s Social Security Program and by tackling the issue of persistent poverty in line with the United Nations’ END 2030 goals. However, the causes of poverty in the Dominican Republic reveal themselves as being deep-seated and gendered.
Female Educational Poverty in the DR
For a nation with a well-developed economy, the educational outcomes in the Dominican Republic fall short of expectations. A higher prevalence of this issue is observed among female students as compared to male students. Female stigmatization, based on cultural norms regarding education, dissuades young women from adopting a positive approach to learning attitude. Consequently, Dominican women of working age are forced to face lower rates of employment.
Female-Owned Business in the DR
In an empowering fashion, however, Dominican women constitute the majority of micro-entrepreneurs in the nation, with their presence mostly felt in agricultural areas. Effective programs have allowed this female entrepreneurship to bloom in the Dominican Republic. For instance, the UNDP encouraged the female workforce in Valverde’s banana industry by training more than 700 women on how to start, manage and promote their small enterprises and the International Trade Centre (ITC) introduced SheTrades workshops to enhance the business skills of women in the Latin American region.
The EDGE Fund Initiative
On December 12, 2023, an agreement between the EDGE Fund Initiative and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GTAF) showed continued global support for boosting business in the Dominican Republic. The new U.S. policy targets areas such as women-owned businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises and trade as areas that will be offered support.
Aside from the potential economic growth that the new U.S. agreement provides, there is the potential for the policy to reduce poverty in the Dominican Republic by lowering the barriers to employment. Taken in hand with how the policy tightens the bond connecting the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, the December agreement lifts the spirits of many Dominicans uneasy with employment entering 2024.
– Joseph Wray
Photo: Flickr
Huairou Commission: Supporting Women’s Grassroots Movements
The Huairou Commission (HC) was established in 1995 at the U.N.’s World Conference on Women. Since then, it has grown from a tent of female community leaders in China into a global movement for women’s grassroots empowerment movements.
HC has two missions: reform the paradigm of how development policies undergo planning and implementation, and center female leadership in global, social-issue decision making. It aims to position women’s grassroots groups as agents of change and active development partners, helping make the world free from poverty, inequality, violence, insecurity and injustice. HC is an example of bottom-up development, an approach to international development that places local communities at the center of the process, with a specific focus on women’s grassroots movements in Asia, Africa and South America.
Why Women’s Grassroots Movements Matter
“Achieving gender equality and empowering women is not only the right thing to do but is a critical ingredient in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition,” says Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva.
The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require the active involvement of poor and marginalized populations in both establishing and supporting sustainable systems. In this regard, civil society and women’s grassroots movements must be in dialogue with their governments, and HC works to facilitate these conversations.
The U.N.’s SDGs also emphasize identifying and combating social inequalities, including at grassroots levels. Women comprise 60% of those living with food insecurity in developing nations, placing them in an ideal position to lead the anti-poverty revolution. Ella Bhatt, founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) highlights the crucial role of impoverished women as an untapped source of strength, known for innovative, inclusive and peaceful problem-solving approaches. She stresses that involving women in leadership is crucial for SDG success.
Despite women making up 43% of the labor force in the agriculture industry of developing countries, there is persistent discrimination against them in owning land and livestock, wage equality, participating in decision-making, and access to credit and financial services. It is estimated that if women had the same access to resources as men, productivity gains would skyrocket and global poverty would reduce by 150 million people. With the understanding that marginalized people are better able to determine their own needs and solutions, the HC strongly advocates for bottom-up development and locally driven policy-making led by women’s grassroots groups.
Ways HC Helps Women’s Grassroots Movements
The organization focuses on empowering impoverished women to develop resilience against economic shocks and natural disasters. This allows these women to drive decisions about their own development, particularly in cultures where men hold dominant roles.
HC works with international donors and financial partners to create Community Resilience Funds (CRFs), financial resources specifically intended to assist women’s grassroots groups in implementing initiatives focused on reducing disaster risks in impoverished communities. These funds serve the dual purpose of fostering collaboration between these groups and local or national governments to expand the reach of women-led projects.
CRFs are primarily allocated to women residing in economically disadvantaged rural and urban areas, which face significant exposure to natural disasters and extreme weather. For more than 10 years, CRFs have been extensively utilized across 21 countries. In 2018, they helped 2,675 women in impoverished and indigenous communities to spearhead resilience plans.
The Community Practitioners Platform For Resilience (CPPR), an HC initiative, unites various community groups to tackle issues such as natural disaster recovery, poverty and social inequality. It aims to foster collaboration among grassroots organizations, encouraging idea-sharing and joint projects in support of resilience development. By empowering grassroots efforts, CPPR emphasizes community-specific development processes and drives collective action toward sustainability and resilience, acknowledging the vital role of low-income area residents in tackling poverty, inequality and changing weather patterns.
CPPR is instrumental in enabling women and impoverished communities to take leadership roles in resilience planning. For example, the Shibuye Community Health Workers in Kenya — an HC member group — became empowered to establish a formal agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture that ensures agricultural subsidies reach impoverished households in regions affected by drought.
The Power of Women’s Grassroots Movements
The HC actively supports grassroots resilience programs that women lead to address community needs and mitigate the effects of natural disasters. It asserts that resilience is key to fighting inequality, injustice and poverty. Women in developing nations often face regular exposure to natural hazards and entrenched poverty and have acquired valuable, practical knowledge for community-level work. This expertise helps in creating solutions that combat poverty and foster sustainable responses to climate challenges and disaster risks. With HC’s support, these grassroots groups become catalysts for resilience, applying their knowledge to drive sustainable development from the ground up and foster solutions to modern challenges.
HC’s support for women’s grassroots movements represents an innovative approach toward addressing poverty and achieving various SDG goals. Its emphasis on locally driven change and bottom-up development places the beneficiaries of these solutions at the core of planning and implementation. Its efforts ensure the inclusion of women’s grassroots groups while also taking the lead in driving progress.
– Sam Waterkeyn
Photo: Flickr
USAID DIV Initiatives to Tackle Extreme Poverty in Rwanda
What Is the USAID DIV Program?
Co-founded in 2010, the USAID DIV Program, or Development Innovation Ventures, is an open innovation initiative by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that funds groundbreaking solutions to address complex global development challenges. DIV provides grant funding to innovators and researchers, allowing them to test new ideas, take strategic risks and build evidence of what works. The program aims to discover and scale creative solutions that can make a meaningful impact on global development issues.
Village Enterprise’s Transformative Approach
Village Enterprise’s poverty graduation model has a track record of success, empowering individuals to set up, launch and run their own businesses in various sectors, from retail to bicycle repair. Entrepreneurs undergo a year-long program with mentorship from Village Enterprise’s specialist staff and receive business and financial literacy training, ensuring the sustainability of their ventures.
Village Enterprise has significantly impacted the lives of more than 1,656,000 individuals in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo-Brazzaville, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda by starting at least 80,000 enterprises and training around 274,000 first-time entrepreneurs.
What Are the Main Points of the Grant?
Supporting Rwanda’s Goals
The Rwandan government is committed to eliminating extreme poverty by 2030, and the partnership with Village Enterprise aims to equip them with the tools and resources needed to achieve this goal independently. According to the U.N. Development Reports of 2023, 48.8% of the nation’s residents face poverty with another 22.7% nearing the poverty line.
The grant will facilitate the training of government parasocial workers, enabling Rwanda to deliver the poverty graduation program without external support. Additionally, a management information system will be deployed for effective program monitoring.
Dianne Calvi, CEO and President of Village Enterprise expressed enthusiasm about the USAID DIV grant, highlighting its potential not only to alleviate extreme poverty in Rwanda but also to serve as a blueprint for other African governments facing similar challenges. This transformative initiative aligns with global efforts to address poverty, emphasizing collective action and proven solutions.
– Suhani Bhattad
Photo: Pixabay
The UAE’s Donation to the IMF
The IMF’s Origins
Now with 190 participating countries, the IMF works to cultivate reciprocal economic and social policies in the international community. The IMF originated in 1944, originally with 40 nations, with the goal of uniting to prevent mass economic strife. According to the IMF, the recent Great Depression in the 1930s made the importance of preventing international economic collapse apparent. The IMF proclaims it has two foundational functions: providing financial assistance and implementing strong training programs for policymakers.
About the PRGT
With the precedent of the Great Depression, the IMF has become acutely aware of how the international economy is intertwined and fragile. The IMF created the PRGT in 2010 to provide an avenue for struggling nations to get short-term economic relief without long-term repercussions. The PRGT’s function is to provide interest-free loans to low-income nations, thus eliminating the burden of paying back with interest, making the loans a way for nations to propel themselves out of severe poverty.
The IMF reports that the PRGT has lent a total of $29 billion since the beginning of the pandemic in interest-free loans. An example of the usage of the PRGT was in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it lent $500 million to the nation to fund rapid credit facilities, in response to the pandemic. Headed into the meeting in October, the PRGT was $1.2 billion short of the goal for the trust, which inhibited the IMF from providing the financial aid it aimed for. The present shortage has only amplified the impact of the UAE’s pledge, as it cuts the shortage by around 20%, and puts pressure on other nations to do their part as well.
The UAE’s Donation
The pledge that the UAE made in October is not the only financial aid the UAE has provided to countries in need, as in February, the UAE sent more than $50 million to Syria to aid their social and economic recovery from the devastating earthquake. The Minister of Foreign Affairs for the UAE, Mohamed Bin Hadi Al Hussaini, proclaimed that “the history of UAE’s foreign aid began with its foundation. It is now a vital financial, commercial and logistical hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, thus linking its economy to those nations’ economies.”
The UAE’s donation signifies the role that wealthier nations are necessary to fulfill in the present international economy, as these donations will be reciprocated through the rebuilding of a strengthened global economy. With each nation intertwined in this economic web, there is not a single strand that does not support the other. This mindset is the one that keeps the world afloat, and the one that the UAE has displayed through its foreign aid in 2023.
– Dimitri Lykidis
Photo: Flickr