Since its independence in May 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in expanding its economy and improving its standards of living through various efforts such as rebuilding public infrastructures and institutional frameworks. Today, Timor-Leste, with around 1.3 million people, is a peaceful nation. However, the aftermath of decades of conflicts and other factors like natural disasters persists, as shown by the poverty measure with the national poverty line. Though it has been on the decline, in 2024, 42% of families in Timor-Leste are living in poverty according to the United Nations. Among them, children are the most vulnerable group when it comes to poverty. Fortunately, some efforts are underway to eliminate child poverty in Timor-Leste.
Poverty
According to Timor-Leste’s own country-specific measurement of multidimensional poverty, young children have the highest multidimensional poverty rates, meaning that the children do not have enough access to quality education, health care and nutrition.
Education
According to UNICEF, only 20% of children who are of the age for preschool are enrolled in school and 70% of students in the first grade do not meet basic learning standards. Moreover, educational institutions face challenges due to insufficient necessities as well such as bathrooms and drinking water.
To address this room for improvement, UNICEF has been working with the government to formalize quality standards for preschool and basic education and an Early Childhood Development Policy. Additionally, UNICEF also advocated for Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education to establish the Basic Law of Education in 2008, the National Policy Framework for Preschool Education in 2014, the Basic Education Law in 2010, the WASH in Schools Guidelines in 2016 and the Inclusive Education Policy in 2017. These efforts for improvements in education and equity will contribute to a higher rate of quality education along with an increase in individual earnings. This will eventually contribute to solving poverty and increasing domestic product per capita in Timor-Leste.
Child Labor
Instead, many children in Timor-Leste work as child laborers to make a living for their families and to buy necessities. According to the United Nations, one child named Ano from Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, spends nine hours daily selling popcorn and other snacks to subsidize his family’s income. This is not just a problem surrounding one child. UNICEF and ILO jointly announced in their report that around 10% of 5-12 aged children in Timor-Leste work to support their families.
The government of Timor-Leste acknowledged the issue of child labor by ratifying Convention No. 182, an international agreement in 1999, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2003 with a goal of eliminating any form of child abuse. Other organizations such as UNICEF have also worked to advocate for child rights and eliminate child labor in Timor-Leste.
Nutrition
Food deficits and malnutrition are also problems in Timor-Leste. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that around 47% of the children five years old and under are stunted and 8.6% of children are suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, 23% of women from age 15 to 49 are anemic, which means they do not have enough red blood cells needed to distribute oxygen to the body’s tissues.
To combat malnutrition, WFP has provided technical support to the government of Timor-Leste to produce fortified food filled with minerals and vitamins for vulnerable families. It has also developed an efficient supply chain management system to ensure that the food reaches households that need the most assistance. Subsequently, in 2022, WFP provided fortified rice to approximately 79,000 children in more than 400 schools in Timor-Leste through a school program.
Health Care
Due to low access to health care systems, maternal and under-5 mortality rates are the highest in Southeast Asia. In terms of vaccination, a UNICEF report from 2016 indicated that only 49% of children (12-29 months) had obtained all of their vaccinations. Moreover, about 88% of health care facilities in Timor-Leste lack emergency care for women and newborns. These problems are mainly due to limited workforce, supply chains and public financing.
In order to save the lives of children by improving health care systems, many organizations and governments have carried out various efforts. USAID endeavors to expand health care across Timor-Leste and improve the support of infants, children and women. USAID assisted the Ministry of Health in facilitating health promotion sessions including hygiene and nutrition education for 11,317 people. UNICEF also seeks to strengthen health care worker networks and workforces in Timor-Leste along with advocacy for vaccination programs. By 2025, its goal is to increase the number of skilled health care professionals during birth from 55% to 70% and reach 150,000 people at health care promotion activities and health care facilities.
Looking Forward
It was a short period after Timor-Leste became a sovereign state in 2002. Since, there has been a continuous effort made by governments, various organizations and individuals to mitigate the problem of child poverty in Timor-Leste and improve the lives of children. When these collective actions worldwide support its long-lasting growth in Timor-Leste, child poverty in Timor-Leste will gradually decline with more children living the fulfilling lives they deserve. As Helen Keller said, “Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.”
– Sein Kim
Sein is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Widening Access to Vaccines in Mali
Why Are Vaccines Needed?
Infant mortality is a real issue in Mali, with one in 10 children dying before the age of 5. Only 45% of children receive basic vaccines in Mali. This leaves a significant proportion of the population vulnerable to dangerous and life-threatening diseases. This has been worsened by health centers being destroyed or badly damaged in the conflict. Vaccinations can help downsize poverty and so a lack of access to them exacerbates poverty. In Mali, the rate of poverty is at 90%, with much of this concentrated in the rural south. In 2022, 19.1% of the population were in extreme poverty. By increasing access to vaccines in Mali, this can be reduced.
Vaccinations help improve livelihoods by increasing life expectancy, reducing the spread of disease and minimizing infant mortality. It also decreases the possibility that a person will require more expensive health care later in their life if they contract a preventable disease. Many in Mali cannot afford the health care that would be needed to treat diseases such as polio, hepatitis and meningitis, which can all be vaccinated against. Moreover, there is a need, to stall population growth; reducing infant mortality has been proven to reduce the number of children parents are likely to have, therefore halting population growth.
What Has Been Done to Help?
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is working with the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Gavi and the World Health Organization to increase access to vaccines in Mali. UNICEF, alongside these stated organizations, are creating digital registers of those who have been vaccinated. Hence, there is sufficient information available to medical professionals.
UNICEF is also setting up mobile and accessible services. These are situated in places like markets, schools, mosques and even bus stations so people can easily and receive vaccinations. In 2019 alone, UNICEF vaccinated nearly four million children against measles. Vaccines often require cool temperatures, which is usually difficult as Mali does not always have a reliable source of energy. Hence, UNICEF is using solar-powered refrigerators to make sure vaccines do not go to waste, due to incorrect storage.
Furthermore, in 2022, the United States (U.S.) government invested $95 million to “improve the health and well-being of more than 17 million Malians,” launching the “PROPEL Adapt” scheme that aims to increase access to affordable health care. This is part of a wider goal to achieve health and water security. On a more local level, in Yirimadio, located in the south of Mali, free doctors were sent door to door to offer free health care. This resulted in infant mortality rates falling very dramatically from 154 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to only seven in 2015. This shows that access to free health care and vaccines can greatly benefit people and save many, many lives.
Looking to the Future
Overall, Mali has seen a significant drop in infant mortality rates from 61 per 1,000 live births in 2021 to 56 in 2024. However, there is much more to do to ensure that access to vaccines in Mali is widespread. Investment in health care infrastructure and innovative thinking can transform the lives of the Mali population for the better. Vaccines play a vital role in downsizing poverty and improving the livelihoods of millions.
– Eryn Greenaway
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Diversifying Production in India
Animal Husbandry
Animal Husbandry, also known as livestock farming, refers to the rearing of animals for meat, hide, milk and other products. India has one of the largest livestock populations in the world, serving as an alternative source of sustenance for a large number of farmers throughout the country. More than 20 million workers in India are engaged in livestock farming and 87.7% of livestock is owned by “farmers of marginal, small and semi-medium operational holdings.”
Under the Government of India, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying incentivizes subsidies to farmers to set up their own livestock farms and gain more income. Since a large portion of India’s farming population is multidimensionally poor, it is advantageous for them to indulge in livestock farming because livestock can be reared by extremely low-income families as well.
The only risks involved in animal husbandry are the chances of livestock diseases. Though many diseases affecting livestock are curable, the focus of treatment is mostly on larger livestock and smaller livestock is often ignored. However, steps are being taken by the government and other charitable organizations to immunize livestock by employing women to nurse them back to good health without farmers having to incur any extra costs.
Fisheries
Fishing is a large-scale activity in India and employs more than 28 million people nationwide, “especially [those from] marginalized and vulnerable communities.” As of 2024, under the administration of the Department of Fisheries, more than 26,000 fishing facilities, 6,498 replacement boats, 586 cold storages and 720 Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs), among others, have been approved by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The PMMSY was established in 2020 to regulate the functioning of the fisheries sector in India. The Department of Fisheries has also approved more than 59,000 fisher families to get “livelihood and nutritional support during fishing ban/lean period.” Alongside this, the Department also supports farmers during circumstances of loss of fish stock due to natural calamities.
Horticulture
Approximately 43% of India’s population is employed in the agricultural sector. Horticulture is a type of agriculture that encompasses the farming of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. The horticulture sector in India “provides alternate rural employment opportunities, diversification in farm activities and enhanced income to farmers.” Transitioning from agriculture to horticulture is, however, a difficult task for farmers because horticulture happens to be labor-intensive and therefore entails more capital requirements.
Government schemes like the Operations Greens help farmers overcome this burden by assuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, which would thereby “help to a great extent in shielding farmers from external variables.” The focus is placed on increasing farmers’ incomes by guiding the gains of their horticultural produce.
Additional Remarks
In 2018-19, the Government of India extended credit facilities to fish farmers and animal husbandry farmers, enabling them to meet their working capital requirements. Such efforts by the government and other organizations have helped uplift farmers from a bare minimum to a more comfortable flow of income. Diversifying production in India through the three sectors mentioned above significantly contributes to the growth of the Indian economy. It simultaneously serves as an additional means of rural employment.
– Adya Umesh
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Mass Drug Administration Nears Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination
Poor health can also cause poverty in multiple ways. This happens mainly due to the direct costs of seeking health care and its associated costs, such as transportation to a hospital or medical professional. Furthermore, “the considerable loss of income associated with illness in developing countries” can greatly impact the sick individual and family members who may have to stop working or postpone their education to care for the ill relative. This is especially the case for those in extreme poverty (living below $1.90 a day), where people are often living hand-to-mouth with limited to no financial security if they can’t work.
Guyana and Lymphatic Filariasis
Guyana has around 800,000 people, with 90% living on 10% of the country’s total land area. Despite this, Guyana still has a relatively low population density. Due to recent discoveries of oil resources, Guyana’s gross domestic product (GDP) is growing quickly, with a growth rate of 42.3% from 2020 to 2023 but a GDP per capita of $18,199 in 2022.
However, the country still has a significant portion of its population living in poverty, with 48.4% living on less than $5.50 a day in 2019 and it’s estimated to be around 38% currently. Furthermore, in 2022, the Global Nutrition Report noted that 3.2% of the population lived on less than $1.90 daily and 4.7% on less than $3.20 daily. Guyana’s universal health care coverage is promising at 76% on the associated index in 2021, up from 65% in 2011. However, it hasn’t advanced in recent years.
One of the most impactful diseases in Guyana is Lymphatic Filariasis, which is endemic in the country, making it one of four countries in the Americas with such a status. However, the Pan American Health Organization considers lymphatic filariasis “potentially eradicable.” The efforts being made to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in Guyana support this claim. The disease can damage the lymphatic system, with symptoms often appearing later in life. These symptoms include lymphedema and hydrocele—swelling typically around the legs and groin—which can cause permanent disability or disfigurement, leading to social ostracism.
Globally, 120 million people are infected with lymphatic filariasis, with one-third suffering from disability or disfigurement as a result. Given the potential impact on daily life, such as restricted movement that can affect one’s job, particularly in agriculture (a significant industry in Guyana where 17% of workers are employed), the impact on those in poverty is substantial.
Guyana’s Mass Drug Administration Campaign
In Guyana’s efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, the country has launched its third mass drug administration (MDA) campaign, targeting at-risk populations in two regions. The first round of MDA took place in 2019, treating 75.7% of the population, followed by the second round in 2021, which treated 72% of the population. The country is administering a drug regimen called IDA, which includes three separate drugs: Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole.
In the current round of MDA, “700 trained volunteers and health workers are visiting schools and workplaces and will go door-to-door in regions three and four to administer pills” to bring closer the eradication of lymphatic filariasis in Guyana. With this aim in mind, they are stressing to people that participating in the MDA isn’t only for the health of the country but also the health of their community and families – a method supported by a study conducted on prior participation in MDA in Guyana.
Final Remark
The MDA campaign is bringing the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Guyana closer. This, in turn, decreases the disease’s burden on those in poverty in the country, reducing the prevalence of the symptoms and, therefore, the impact it has on individuals’ abilities to work and those who would have had to care for those infected. The campaign will further benefit Guyana’s more remote communities, which may lack easy access to universal health care and social support, thereby increasing the impact of contracting lymphatic filariasis in these areas. By participating in the MDA campaigns, people in Guyana are more likely to avoid serious symptoms and maintain a normal life. This reduces the overall impact of lymphatic filariasis, particularly on those in poverty and helps break the cycle of poverty exacerbated by the disease.
– Archie Day
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Poverty Reduction in Burkina Faso
The country ranks 185th out of 193 others in the Human Development Index, which tracks levels of national development in health, education, income and living conditions. “More than 40% of the population lives below the national poverty line” due to limited natural resources, a lack of development and political instability.
History of Violence
Burkina Faso has faced considerable turbulence over the years. Originally a French colony, under self-governance the nation saw further political violence occur in several coup d’état’s with governments overthrown as recently as 2022.
Recently, armed Islamist groups propagating large-scale violence have contributed to widespread impoverishment. This has led to “over 237,000 people fleeing their homes in 2021” with the government struggling to care for the increasing number of displaced while maintaining suitable levels of stability and rule of law.
Policies for Poverty Reduction in Burkina Faso
Previous governments have made poverty reduction in Burkina Faso a primary political concern. Former president Thomas Sankara, for example, took several steps towards national self-reliance through legislation against his country’s impoverishment. This was seen with infrastructure projects, redistribution of land reform, or educational and healthcare development.
The contemporary political climate in Burkina Faso complicates proposals of poverty reduction. However, government initiatives alongside non-governmental organizations persist. In May 2024, USAID pledged “nearly $55 million in additional, urgent humanitarian assistance to continue addressing emergency food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable.” At the same time, relief and development charities such as Christian Aid have worked since the 1970s in confronting the cause and consequences of poverty, with the latter operating across four provinces, thirteen municipalities and 353 villages. Poverty alleviation is implemented through strategic partnerships, emergence support, income generation and resilient farming techniques. These methods were utilized most recently with the “Breaking the Barriers” program. The program covered several other African nations with a key focus on women’s working and living conditions.
Currently, the European Commission highlights three key priorities: inclusive human development, a green, resilient economy and peaceful social cohesion. These recommendations, regardless of their applicability, are made less viable by the turbulent legal and political status of the country.
Political Rejuvenation
Since the successive coup attempts in 2022, Ibrahim Traore has governed Burkina Faso. A military leader with similar ideological influences and sensibilities to Sankara. Traore committed himself to dealing with both the terrorism from Islamist insurgents and the humanitarian crisis that it has produced.
As of 2024, the persistence of these issues – and poverty in the country on a wider level – prompted the Institute for Security Studies to critique Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, a political and economic union of 15 West African Countries. Meanwhile, the current government demonstrates closer ties to Russia. This is evident by “the steady increase in Russian soldiers on missions, the landing of Russian aircraft, and a visit to the Kremlin in July 2023.”
Uncertainty prevails in Burkina Faso. However, efforts in favor of poverty reduction will continue. The viability of these efforts will depend upon resolving the present instability and violence. In doing so, efforts against poverty may be better implemented. Furthermore, this could lead to improving self-reliance, economic opportunity, and social cohesion in the country under a lasting peace.
– Cameron Bowles
Photo: Flickr
3 Nonprofits Improving Education for Children in Belize
The World Bank defines learning poverty as being unable to read and understand short, age-appropriate text by age 10. In 2021, about 76% of all Belizean children at their late primary age were not proficient in reading. Reading is a gateway for learning as one progresses through school, so this lack of education and literacy severely restricts individual progress and undermines Belize’s broader efforts toward sustainable growth and poverty reduction. However, here are three nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working to improve education for children in Belize:
Ocean Academy
Caye Caulker Ocean Academy was founded in 2008. It provides a highly subsidized education to all its students, offering individualized attention, free tutoring and work studies. Through partnerships with local tourism industries, Ocean Academy offers students free apprenticeships in scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing and windsurfing. These opportunities allow the students to become involved within their community, often leading to full-time employment offers after graduation. Before its opening, only 35% of students in Caye Caulker progressed past primary school. More than 90% have enrolled in high school, many becoming the first in their family to attend.
Holy Cross Education Foundation
The Holy Cross Education Foundation’s mission is to provide administrative and financial support to disadvantaged schools around Belize, giving the children the best possible quality education. It covers the construction and maintenance of the schools, staff salaries, classroom supplies, computer labs, office equipment and more. Moreover, it created a lunch program staffed with local women, allowing children access to a hot lunch without leaving campus. The program has consistently provided nutritional meals to more than 400 students daily.
Pathlight Belize
PathLight International was founded in 2007. It aims to empower impoverished children in Belize to receive a quality education, break away from poverty and reach their fullest potential. Through its Teaching Training program, PathLight equips Belizean teachers with formal training in various subjects alongside providing tuition, supplies and transportation for all students. Each student also receives a personalized mentor to assist with job readiness training, social skills training and leadership development. By the end of 2024, PathLight aims to become the leading NGO in Belize to achieve its ambition of having more than 60% of students graduate at the secondary school level.
Meaningful Impact
In light of pressing challenges, several nonprofit organizations have been working diligently in Belize to address the educational deficiencies and improve children’s general well-being, creating a tangible impact in improving academic outcomes and empowering the next generation. With ongoing support, there is hope that their efforts will elevate educational standards in Belize and allow Belizean children to break the cycle of generational poverty by obtaining the necessary skills and knowledge.
– Kewe Chen
Photo: Picryl
Child Poverty in Timor-Leste
Poverty
According to Timor-Leste’s own country-specific measurement of multidimensional poverty, young children have the highest multidimensional poverty rates, meaning that the children do not have enough access to quality education, health care and nutrition.
Education
According to UNICEF, only 20% of children who are of the age for preschool are enrolled in school and 70% of students in the first grade do not meet basic learning standards. Moreover, educational institutions face challenges due to insufficient necessities as well such as bathrooms and drinking water.
To address this room for improvement, UNICEF has been working with the government to formalize quality standards for preschool and basic education and an Early Childhood Development Policy. Additionally, UNICEF also advocated for Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education to establish the Basic Law of Education in 2008, the National Policy Framework for Preschool Education in 2014, the Basic Education Law in 2010, the WASH in Schools Guidelines in 2016 and the Inclusive Education Policy in 2017. These efforts for improvements in education and equity will contribute to a higher rate of quality education along with an increase in individual earnings. This will eventually contribute to solving poverty and increasing domestic product per capita in Timor-Leste.
Child Labor
Instead, many children in Timor-Leste work as child laborers to make a living for their families and to buy necessities. According to the United Nations, one child named Ano from Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, spends nine hours daily selling popcorn and other snacks to subsidize his family’s income. This is not just a problem surrounding one child. UNICEF and ILO jointly announced in their report that around 10% of 5-12 aged children in Timor-Leste work to support their families.
The government of Timor-Leste acknowledged the issue of child labor by ratifying Convention No. 182, an international agreement in 1999, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2003 with a goal of eliminating any form of child abuse. Other organizations such as UNICEF have also worked to advocate for child rights and eliminate child labor in Timor-Leste.
Nutrition
Food deficits and malnutrition are also problems in Timor-Leste. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that around 47% of the children five years old and under are stunted and 8.6% of children are suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, 23% of women from age 15 to 49 are anemic, which means they do not have enough red blood cells needed to distribute oxygen to the body’s tissues.
To combat malnutrition, WFP has provided technical support to the government of Timor-Leste to produce fortified food filled with minerals and vitamins for vulnerable families. It has also developed an efficient supply chain management system to ensure that the food reaches households that need the most assistance. Subsequently, in 2022, WFP provided fortified rice to approximately 79,000 children in more than 400 schools in Timor-Leste through a school program.
Health Care
Due to low access to health care systems, maternal and under-5 mortality rates are the highest in Southeast Asia. In terms of vaccination, a UNICEF report from 2016 indicated that only 49% of children (12-29 months) had obtained all of their vaccinations. Moreover, about 88% of health care facilities in Timor-Leste lack emergency care for women and newborns. These problems are mainly due to limited workforce, supply chains and public financing.
In order to save the lives of children by improving health care systems, many organizations and governments have carried out various efforts. USAID endeavors to expand health care across Timor-Leste and improve the support of infants, children and women. USAID assisted the Ministry of Health in facilitating health promotion sessions including hygiene and nutrition education for 11,317 people. UNICEF also seeks to strengthen health care worker networks and workforces in Timor-Leste along with advocacy for vaccination programs. By 2025, its goal is to increase the number of skilled health care professionals during birth from 55% to 70% and reach 150,000 people at health care promotion activities and health care facilities.
Looking Forward
It was a short period after Timor-Leste became a sovereign state in 2002. Since, there has been a continuous effort made by governments, various organizations and individuals to mitigate the problem of child poverty in Timor-Leste and improve the lives of children. When these collective actions worldwide support its long-lasting growth in Timor-Leste, child poverty in Timor-Leste will gradually decline with more children living the fulfilling lives they deserve. As Helen Keller said, “Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.”
– Sein Kim
Photo: Flickr
COVID-19: The Success of Sierra Leone’s Vaccine Initiative
Vaccine Inequity in Sierra Leone
As of March 2022, only 15% of the population of low-income countries had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 80% of those in high-income countries. In Sierra Leone specifically, factors such as geographical isolation and poverty have acted as barriers to receiving vaccination for the virus. On average, a Sierra Leonean would have to undertake a three-and-a-half-hour round journey to receive a vaccine, costing them more than one week’s wages.
The low vaccination rates in Sierra Leone leave the population vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, even after the height of the pandemic. The risk of disease recurrence and new virus variants threatens those who have yet to receive their first vaccine. Due to the low vaccination rate, these resurgences could result in further lockdowns, affecting the country’s economy’s growth and threatening individuals’ livelihoods.
The Aims of Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative
In 2022, as a result of the low vaccination rates in the country, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health (MoHS) and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Concern Worldwide developed a new model to allow widespread access to the vaccine. Their primary aim was to tackle the geographical and economic barriers preventing the population from receiving vaccination for the virus.
By mobilizing vaccine doses and nurses within the country, the strategy can reach the most remote rural communities in Sierra Leone who would otherwise be unable to access the treatment. This alleviates the long and costly travel to medical centers to receive the vaccine.
In addition, the initiative vastly reduced the costs involved with administering a dose of the vaccine. Similar strategies implemented across other developing countries saw an average price of $80 a dose; by comparison, Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 vaccination initiative has lowered the price to around $33.
To maximize the cooperation of communities with the initiative, the strategy engaged in educating cultural and village leaders before the vaccine administration. Information was given on the safety, effects and importance of the vaccination in each village involved in the initiative.
The Results of Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative
The strategy proved a huge success in reducing vaccine inequity in Sierra Leone and improving immunization rates among the population. By December 2022, Sierra Leone had immunized 70% of its adult population, achieving the target the World Health Organization (WHO) set. Furthermore, as of March 2023, the strategy resulted in almost eight million vaccine doses being administered to the population.
During the implementation of the strategy, new methods were discovered to render the process even more cost-effective. Due to the high cost of the initiative being made up of transportation fees for medical equipment and professionals, bundling other vaccines saw a further reduction in this cost. As proposed by the Ministry of Health, a combination of the COVID-19 vaccine, Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 10-12 and routine immunizations for children aged 0-6 at these mobile vaccine sites could simultaneously improve the cost-effectiveness of the program and give more people access to life saving treatments.
Looking Forward
The success of Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 vaccination initiative underscores a pivotal moment in reducing vaccine inequity and improving access to immunization in developing nations. Mobilizing health care workers and facilities to the most isolated communities removes the barriers preventing population members from receiving vaccinations and the most vulnerable members of society can access treatments for preventative diseases.
This initiative provides a holistic model through which many other vaccinations can be administered more widely than ever before. By immunizing the population against these preventative diseases, the country can see more stable economic growth through a healthy workforce and reduced risks of virus resurgences or lockdowns.
– Ben Kane
Photo: Flickr
The Sida Power Africa Team Is Supporting Africa’s Energy Growth
The Sida Power Africa Team
In 2014, Sweden became the first international government to back Power Africa. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) committed to mobilizing $1 billion over the next decade for sustainable energy investments. In 2015, Sida entered a 10-year partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership was formed under the Power Africa program. The focus of the partnership was to focus on knowledge exchange and utilizing existing strategies and resources to boost energy sector development. As a result of this partnership, the Sida Power Africa Team was created, dedicated to creating sustainable energy solutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Development Challenges
The lack of modern energy services is a critical barrier to economic development and quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 600 million people lack access to electricity and around 900 million lack clean cooking alternatives. Addressing these gaps is vital for economic development, health improvement, education and employment.
Vision for 2030
Sida’s mission document outlines a comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency until 2030 as a pathway out of poverty. Building upon its successful partnership with USAID, the overarching goal of the Sida Power Africa Team is to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 7 (SDG 7) and other energy-dependent goals by developing markets, mobilizing capital and reducing poverty.
Focus Areas
Sida’s revised mission document identifies five key focus areas to guide its efforts:
These focus areas intend to expand energy access. They enhance regional integration, improve energy efficiency, stimulate productive energy use and provide clean cooking solutions.
Quantitative and Qualitative Goals
Sida has set aspirational performance targets for 2030 to mobilize approximately $2.3 billion toward energy sector development, with a leverage factor of five. With help from existing partnerships between Sida and the European Union (EU), the World Bank, USAID and other Swedish agencies, these aims prioritize increasing access to renewable electricity and clean cooking, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
These priorities will boost economic growth, health and education. Furthermore, they will cut costs, support agriculture and reduce environmental problems that disproportionately affect these regions. The Sida Power Africa Team will also report on transitions related to poverty focus, gender equality, conflict area activities, innovative financial methods, democratic engagements and anti-corruption measures.
– Georgia O’Keeffe
Photo: Pexels
How Microfinance in India Transforms the Lives of Rural Women
Microfinance in India
Microfinance in India, which surfaced in 1974, refers to financial services aimed specifically at low-income individuals who do not meet traditional banking services requirements. The microfinance institutions offer small business loans at reduced interest rates to finance entrepreneurial initiatives for low-income individuals. In India, microfinance has proven instrumental to more than 160 million impoverished households as of 2023.
The Impact of Microfinance in India
Rajpoot was a homemaker in Narela, Madhya Pradesh, in rural India. She had fallen into loan shark schemes, borrowing twice to cover emergency medical expenses and her son’s college tuition. However, loan sharks are notorious for their high interest rates, which only prove troublesome for low-income borrowers. Rajpoot could not repay the 5% daily interest on her last loan in 2019, forcing her to give away a family heirloom as compensation.
However, in 2020, her life changed when she registered for a low-cost loan program with a group of women from her village. She used the funds to start a dairy herd business. Today, she proudly owns seven cows and one buffalo. She comfortably repays the $19 monthly installment to the microfinance company, Spandana Spoorthy Financial Ltd, while also affording her expenses, freeing her from crippling poverty.
The success story of Rajpoot highlights the impact of microfinance in India. Her story comes in addition to prominent microfinance banks, such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which have empowered more than 160 million impoverished Indian households as of 2023.
The Importance of Microfinance in India
In India, where about 80% of women are financially illiterate, loan sharks often charge high daily interest rates. This practice drives more people into extreme poverty as they are forced to borrow from one lender to repay another. Microfinance provides an alternative to predatory lending, offering fair and manageable loan terms. By empowering women with access to financial resources and education, microfinance helps break the cycle of debt and fosters economic independence and stability.
Final Remark
Microfinance in India plays a critical role in bridging the nation’s economic extremes. Encouraging this practice involves supporting the banks directly engaged in microfinance. It increases marketing prospects in villages where microfinance would yield the greatest benefits in alleviating poverty. These measures would ensure that the initiative is maximized and that as much of the population as possible is aware of this initiative. Additionally, the initiative can help brighten the nation’s future by empowering illiterate women as legitimate income earners.
– Disheta Anand
Photo: Pexels
Seaweed Farming in Zanzibar: Lifting Farmers Out of Poverty
Warming sea temperatures due to adverse weather have recently disowned the industry’s future and farmers’ livelihoods. However, a joint operation between The Nature Conservancy, The C-Weed Corporation, Cargill and the Zanzibar government stepped in to train the farmers on more sustainable practices.
The Seaweed Boom
Only trailing behind tourism and clove production, seaweed farming in Zanzibar is the archipelago’s third-largest industry. An overwhelming majority of the seaweed is used to produce carrageenan. This thickening agent appears worldwide in ice cream, toothpaste and cosmetic products. According to a United Nations (U.N.) report in 2018, farmers produced 15,000 metric tons of seaweed, accounting for 90% of Zanzibar’s marine exports and bringing in $8 million a year.
Additionally, seaweed farming requires no fresh water, feed or land and creates no carbon emissions. “It’s incredible from an ecological standpoint,” said Robert Jones, director of The Nature Conservancy. Seaweed also acts like a sponge, removing excess waste from the sea, improving water quality and providing new habitats for fish and other aquatic life. Around 25,000 people are employed and 80% of these farmers are women. Wading out into the ocean every morning, the women farmers of Zanzibar plant cultivate their yield in shallow waters along the coast. Doing so has brought them an essential source of income, as a quarter of the Zanzibari population lives in poverty.
Excluded from fishing and tourism jobs because of their gender, Zanzibari women turned to seaweed farming, which required no need for a boat or knowledge of how to swim. “Seaweed farming gave us our independence. I want the same for the next generation,” said Mwanaishia, a seaweed farmer in Paje, a village in the southern Island of Unguja. “I can say that seaweed farming lifted us up as women in Paje.” She can earn up to $85 a month in a good year. From her income, Mwanaisha became a landowner and built a second house that she rented out.
A Helping Hand
In 2020, seaweed farming in Zanzibar took a heavy hit. Warming waters, coastal degradation and international competition threatened the livelihoods of the Zanzibari women. “When I would check the harvest, I found that a lot of it was rotten. That’s when I realized that the environment was no good,” said Sada Hemed Suleiman, a local seaweed farmer. In response, The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest environmental nonprofits in the world, along with Cargill, a global food giant and the largest privately held corporation in the United States (U.S.), partnered with the Zanzibari Government and a local seaweed corporation known as C-Weed to revitalize the industry.
They trained farmers in sustainable practices to protect the environment and boost productivity. Mondy Muhando, a seaweed farming trainer for The Nature Conservancy, explained that the training “taught farmers on better sight selections for their farms, as well as introduced a farming technique that increases production two to three times more.” Additionally, Cargill introduced red seaweed, a new and more resilient species to Zanzibar that performs better on the international market. In total, the initiative improved the management of 528 coastal areas. The Zanzibari government then started replicating the training in more villages.
A Bright Future
This year, the state-owned Zanzibar Seaweed Company (ZASCO), in cooperation with Tanzania’s NMB Bank, announced a $3 million project to build a new production facility. According to ZASCO director Dr. Masoud Rashid Mohomed, “this will become not only the largest seaweed processing plant in Tanzania but also across the entire African continent.” As a result, Zanzibar’s seaweed farmers will be better positioned to compete internationally, with the future of seaweed farming in Zanzibar poised for growth. The hard-working women farming in the shallow coastlines will earn more money, pull themselves out of poverty and increase their voices within their communities.
– Mason Borden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons