Despite being one of the wealthiest developed countries worldwide, Japan grapples with a significant child poverty issue, ranking among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Alarming statistics reveal that one in seven Japanese children lives in poverty.
Causes of Child Poverty in Japan
A significant factor contributing to child poverty is the high percentage of children living in single-parent households. Approximately 50% of single-parent families, most often mother-children households, fall below the poverty line. The summary report shows that the number of mother-children households is roughly 565,000 in 2022, while the number of father-children households is only 75,000.
Furthermore, the societal structure in Japan predominantly favors full-time male employees, leading to a gender wage gap where women, even those working full-time and overtime, often receive lower wages and fewer benefits. The average income per mother-children household is merely 3.73 million yen ($23,529) a year, compared to 6.06 million yen ($38.199) in “single-parent families with a father.” Nearly two million mothers with children in households have no jobs.
“I feel deprived of my dignity because I’m a single mother, I’m on public welfare, I don’t have enough money for daily food and school and I don’t have a job,” said Mika, a 45-year-old single mother who raises her two children, aged 3 and 7, on her own. “My children would like to join clubs and travel, but I can’t afford it.”
Additionally, 22.5% of mother-child households have no savings, the highest percentage among all types of households. Meanwhile, the lowest percentage of mother-child households have savings. In the self-assessed survey of living conditions, around 39.4% of mother-child households claimed a “very difficult” condition, the highest among all types of households. Only 23.4% of mother-child households think they live in a “normal” condition.
The Japanese Social Care System
The Japanese social care system involves local governments offering protective services to children who are either without parents or whose parents are unable to care for them. The system involves fostering psychological care and local community support goals. Other supportive systems such as psychological treatment facilities for children, facilities to support the development of children’s self-sustaining capacity and maternal and child living support facilities also provide home assistance and daycare to assist children and their parents.
Additionally, a children’s home provides a safe living environment for children without parents or those whose parents are unable to care for them due to abuse, serious health issues, or financial difficulties. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of children’s homes in Japan is approximately 600 and the number of children living in such homes is 27,300.
NGOs Providing Solutions
Apart from government support, many organizations are fighting for child poverty in Japan:
- Lights On Children: A nonprofit organization that assists and supports children’s social needs.
- Kids Door: A nonprofit organization that provides education, comfortable homes and career workshops.
- YouMeWe: A Tokyo-based nonprofit organization that nurtures and supports local students from institutionalized homes, helping them achieve full independence by the age of 18 through initiatives like financial literacy programs.
Final Remark on Child Poverty in Japan
These supportive programs and institutes have effectively alleviated children’s poverty. A report from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare indicates a decrease in children’s poverty rate from 2018 (14%) to 2021 (11.5%). The relative frequency distribution of the number of children in households with disposable income shows a drop in the range of less than 400,000 yen ($2,520) and between 400,000 and 1,400,000 yen ($2,520 and $8,820). The frequency of single-parent and children in households also declines in the range between 1,000,000 and 1,400,000 yen ($6,300 and $8,820).
Nevertheless, the Japanese government repeatedly made promises to provide financial support to children in poverty and mother-children households. However, the action was very slow. Akihiko Kato, a professor at Meiji University, has criticized the Japanese government for its sluggish response in delivering financial support to families with children. “It’s one thing we can do more of in society: try to recognize people’s cries for help,” said McAvoy, the filmmaker of Japanese single mother film “The Ones Left Behind.”
– Cindy Hong
Cindy is based in Milpitas, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Food Security in India: The Role of Cooperatives
Cooperatives in India
Cooperative societies are organizations where groups of people voluntarily come together to accomplish “common economic interest.” Cooperative societies that focus on the well-being of farmers and consumers play an important role in ensuring food security in India. They buy farm produce from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and sell it to consumers at affordable prices.
Cooperatives in India, like Amul Dairy and the Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), have ensured food security for people experiencing poverty. The cooperatives have provided milk, milk-based products, fruits and vegetables at subsidized prices.
Amul
Amul Dairy is the largest milk-producing entity in India. It was founded in 1946 by a group of farmers in Gujarat, India. The farmers sought to eliminate the presence of middlemen in dairy farming. The Amul Model, a three-tier model with the federation of members’ unions at the state level, the milk union at the district level and the dairy cooperative societies at the village level. This model was replicated all over the country under the leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the founder chairman of Amul. He was given the role of running Amul from 1950.
Expansion of the model began in 1946 with only two dairy cooperative societies. Today there are 185,903 dairy cooperative societies nationwide, receiving milk from more than 16 million milk producers in the country. For more than 70 years, Amul has been determined to ensure food security in India by ensuring that millions of people across the country have easy access to milk and milk products. India is currently the largest producer of milk in the world, responsible for 24.64% of the world’s milk production, of which Amul has been the harbinger.
HOPCOMS
Horticulture is the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and the like. HOPCOMS was established in 1959 in the south Indian state of Karnataka, initiated by the vision of Dr. M. H. Mari Gowda, the father of horticulture in Karnataka. With a population of around 64 million, 68% of Karnataka’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. Of these, nearly 2.3 million households are employed in the horticultural sector at present.
HOPCOMS, run with state support, receives farm produce from farmers all over Karnataka. It intends to ensure a proper and convenient system for marketing fruits and vegetables within the state. HOPCOMS’s main objectives are to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce and consumers are sold farm products at reasonable prices. It does this by eliminating middlemen and providing farmers with adequate agricultural training and advice.
Conclusion
Cooperative societies like Amul Dairy and HOPCOMS have proved to be major contributors to food security in India. They ensure that both farmers and consumers can rely on government support for reasonable prices on farm produce. Eliminating the presence of middlemen has helped farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers at a predetermined price. It has also benefited consumers by saving them the extra costs incurred through middlemen. This has led to increased farmer incomes and the availability of subsidized milk, milk products, fruits and vegetables, all under the administration of the farmers of the country.
– Adya Umesh
Photo: Unsplash
Human Trafficking in Libya Exploits the Vulnerable
Poverty in Libya
In recent years, poverty levels in Libya have surged, raising significant concern among the Libyan government and NGOs. The Libyan News Agency reported in 2023 that the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) found a 40% increase in poverty rates, nearly affecting half of Libya’s population. The NIHRL identified several critical factors contributing to this rise: escalating inflation, the depreciation of the local currency against foreign currencies, increased prices of basic goods and food items, higher costs for health services and lower income levels for families, particularly among the most vulnerable and needy groups.
International Aid and NGO Involvement
The political and economic climate in Libya struggles to protect its impoverished population from exploitation effectively. Despite these challenges, support from NGOs and international governments offers hope for improvement. Numerous organizations are actively working to enhance Libya’s welfare by combating poverty and violence and striving to secure basic human rights for its people. Prominent groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are at the forefront, diligently seeking solutions and fostering hope for a better future in Libya.
International Organization for Migration
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is making significant strides in Libya, where its efforts are profoundly felt. As of 2023, the IOM has identified a total of 706,062 migrants from more than 44 nationalities across 100 Libyan municipalities. This substantial migrant presence has unfortunately increased trafficking activities, but the IOM’s assistance is a crucial step toward addressing these challenges. The organization collaborates with embassies, community leaders and humanitarian partners to enhance critical health care, including mental health and psychosocial support, for migrants and trafficking survivors. These vital collaborations form a multi-pronged approach that promises strategic solutions and hopeful outcomes in the fight against trafficking and poverty in Libya.
Looking Ahead
Libya’s ongoing crisis of human trafficking and poverty demands urgent and coordinated action. International organizations like the IOM and NGOs such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are working to provide essential services and advocate for the rights of vulnerable populations. These ongoing efforts, alongside greater international support, could address the systemic issues and improve the lives of those affected by trafficking and poverty in Libya.
– Abigail Johnson
Photo: Flickr
U-Report in Zambia: Empowering Youth and Transforming Health
The Launch of U-Report in Zambia
In 2012, Zambia launched its U-Report program, inspired by Uganda’s platform, to target HIV and enhance sexual and reproductive health. Expanding beyond its initial focus, Zambia’s U-Report now also addresses gaps in knowledge that contribute to stigma and low service utilization. The platform identifies areas needing improvement in sexual and reproductive health, mental health, education and nutrition.
In 2024, U-Report in Zambia boasts nearly 244,000 users, largely due to the program’s adaptability to its user base. Notably, 43% of participants are between the ages of 25 and 30. This prompted the program to tailor its language and tone to resonate with young adults. Such adjustments enhance user comfort, encouraging them to openly share their experiences, opinions and needs with trained counselors. These counselors, in turn, relay this critical feedback to authorities, driving improvements in current systems to maximize effectiveness.
4 Main Components of U-Report
HIV and AIDS Prevention
U-Report Zambia launched to combat the AIDS crisis by addressing the lack of HIV prevention information and the underuse of prevention services like protected sex and HIV preventive care. It now serves as an up-to-date knowledge bank on HIV and sexual reproductive health information. Additionally, the rise in mobile device usage has boosted user engagement. Within a short period, U-Report facilitated an additional HIV test for every five young individuals who had not been tested before 2016.
Mental Health Awareness Campaign
U-Report Zambia has made significant strides in spreading mental health awareness. In 2022, it launched a Mental Health Awareness Campaign titled “Let’s ‘Work It Out.” The campaign aims to destigmatize mental illness and support those seeking help. With only 15% of at-risk populations in Zambia receiving adequate mental health care, the campaign plays a crucial role in enhancing access to mental health knowledge. User feedback has also highlighted gaps in mental health services. U-Reporter Regina Twitty Chanda praised the platform, stating, “Zambia U-Report is creating a great platform for people who have gone through or are struggling with mental health.” Chanda emphasized the importance of accepting one’s condition and seeking treatment, underscoring that it is possible to lead a normal life thereafter.
Looking Ahead
U-Report Zambia continues to evolve, adapting its approach to better serve its growing user base of nearly 244,000 individuals. By tailoring its language and tone to resonate with young adults, the platform fosters an environment where users feel comfortable sharing their experiences and needs. The feedback gathered is crucial for informing authorities and driving system improvements. As U-Report expands its focus to include mental health, education and nutrition, it remains a vital tool in addressing and mitigating health challenges in Zambia.
– Lauren Thompson
Photo: Flickr
Sweet Potato Flour as a Solution to Food Insecurity
One Solution to Food Insecurity
Root and tuber crops, such as sweet potatoes, are important for food security. As a drought-tolerant crop, sweet potatoes are resilient in warm climates like those in sub-Saharan Africa. They are a staple food globally, especially in developing countries, providing affordable and accessible nutrition. Sweet potatoes hold great economic value in South Africa. However, after harvest, there is a limited time to determine when they are good to eat. They are harvested once a year and are ripe for a limited period.
InnoFoodAfrica
InnoFoodAfrica is a cross-continental project that aims to enhance food and nutrition security in Africa. As part of this project, researchers at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, have found a way to make orange-fleshed sweet potato last longer by making flour out of it. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Food Science candidate, Daddy Kgonothi, has been central in the development of this flour. The goal of the invention was to address micronutrient deficiencies among young children and pregnant women.
Sweet potato has a short shelf life of only two to three weeks. The flour, which is made from the same crop, has a shelf life of a whole year. Sweet potato contains beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of micronutrient deficiencies in children younger than 6 and among pregnant women. Sweet potato also contains a high level of fiber and antioxidants. This protects the body from free radical damage and promotes a healthy gut and brain.
Flour is also a good source of iron, zinc and phosphorus. When sweet potato is made into flour, it lasts longer, which can lead to more people getting their hands on the product. It is also versatile and can be used in many recipes, such as bread. This way, the flour can be a solution to deficiencies.
The Impacts of the Sweet Potato Flour
The flour is one solution to food insecurity in not only South Africa but also large parts of Africa. The development of the flour was finalized in 2022. It allows people to enjoy the nutrients and benefits of the crop all year long. Not only is the flour helping enhance general food insecurity in South Africa and the rest of Africa, but it is especially helping pregnant women and children eat more nutritious food.
– Sigrid Nyhammer
Photo: Pixabay
Education in Angola: Challenges and Developments
The Angolan peninsula’s resources include oil and diamonds, but although these resources suggest wealth for the nation, the great majority of the country lives in poverty. The Angolan system lacks in meeting the needs of all of the nation’s citizens, with education being a prime example. Development within the system has quickly ensued, with the prospect of a refined education plan getting closer and closer each day.
The Civil War
With more than one-fourth of the population being considered illiterate and approximately two million children being out of school, the question arises as to why a country with such abundant resources has been lagging in its educational advancement. After the Portuguese granted Angola its independence, from 1975 to 2002, civil war invaded the lives of the Angolan people. Buildings and infrastructures nationwide were dilapidated from the war and one common structure that was destroyed was schools.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 1500 schools were destroyed between 1992 and 1996 alone. Now that the war has officially ended, a lot of these schools have since been abandoned or burned out. With the schools that survived the war, the quality of these structures still lacked essentials. Many classrooms lack windows, doors, toilets, roofs, or even basic reading and writing facilities.
Not Enough Classrooms
According to statistics taken by Angop, the state-controlled news agency, the annual average rate of enrolling children without a place to study stands at a whopping 18.59%. Although children are willing to attend school, spatial barriers prevent many from receiving an education. The Luanda province, located on the Northern coast of Angola, reported that it was unable to find room for roughly 16,000 children who finished the 9th grade to continue their education.
Children who want to either enter or continue their schooling in various Angolan provinces are continually being denied due to a lack of infrastructure, although recent legislation regarding education seems to be improving the future of Angolan schooling.
Improvements and Progresses
Strides have been made to alleviate the issues within the education system, as legislation and funding for schooling have risen in recent years. As of December 8, 2023, the World Bank granted a 10-year program to support Angola’s tertiary education system, providing $550 million to enhance and aid the quality of programs in priority areas and strengthen governance within the education system. The program’s goal is to increase the number of highly qualified graduates who have labor market-aligned skills in various areas. In the next ten years, the expansion and progress of Angolan schooling will reach up to 3.2 million students nationwide, providing them with better learning opportunities and educational access.
Another initiative that has aided in the Angolan education system is the Back to School Campaign, supported by UNICEF, with its origin stemming from 2002. The campaign has supported the training of more than 20,000 teachers. It has also restored roughly 13,000 classrooms while still preparing thousands of education kits for children and teachers. The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of children in schools, as well as to improve the literacy rate throughout the country.
In recent years, progress in literacy has been made. The Angolan literacy rate has increased from 67.4% in 2001 to 72.4% in 2022 and has an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. This growth is concurrent with the implementation of funding and legislation in support of Angolan education. With an estimated increase in literacy each year, the future of schooling in Angola can take many turns for the better.
The Future of Education in Angola
Improvement of the Angolan education system will be a long-term process, especially after the devastation its infrastructure and economy have faced after the war. From the lack of classrooms to the low rates of literacy and graduation, the Angolan youth continue to seek a successful education.
Now, with the increase in funding for school governance, quality of programs, school building and teacher training, the future of Angolan education seems promising. Suppose the government continues to prioritize the restoration and development of the education system. In that case, Angola can transition into one of the educational powerhouses of Africa.
– Oliver Martin
Photo: Flickr
How Poverty in India Makes It Difficult to Seek Support
A watershed moment in awareness for those struggling with their mental health in India was the Mental Health Care Act 2017. The act ensured that every person has the right to access mental health care and treatment from services run or funded by the government; this treatment must be of good quality, affordable and available without discrimination.
The Role of Poverty in India
These acts alone cannot overcome the exceptionally disadvantaged position impoverished individuals in India face. People experiencing poverty in India often reside in rural or underserved urban areas where mental health services are scarce or nonexistent. Even these government-run mental health facilities are limited and unevenly distributed around the country. According to a National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) conducted in 2015-16, about 70-80% of those suffering from mental disorders in India did not receive treatment, an unsettlingly high statistic.
Additionally, communities are unable to band together to support these individuals, with almost half of persons surveyed by the NMHS attributing mental health struggles to personal weakness. This deep-seated stigma surrounding mental health is prevalent in India, which leads struggling children and adults to blame themselves for disorders rather than seeking the help necessary. In these areas, school systems also tend to have less information to speak about mental health, unknowingly allowing deep-seated cultural beliefs and superstitions about mental health to persist to the detriment of struggling citizens.
In fact, the literacy rate in rural India stands at around 68.91%, compared to 84.11% in urban areas. This disparity limits the dissemination of mental health information. Even online means fail, with those in poverty-stricken areas only accounting for about 25% of the country’s total internet database, hindering access to online mental health resources and telehealth services.
Perseverance
Because of India’s shortage of trained mental health professionals, telehealth services are absolutely vital yet inaccessible to those who need them. Despite the government’s attempts at change, their reach has been limited; however, this isn’t to say that all hope is lost. Mental health services are currently being integrated into primary health care to ensure that mental health assistance is accessible at a base level.
The Central Board of Secondary Education has made another example of the attempts to raise support. Schools are essential in shaping children’s foundational beliefs, which is why discussing mental health topics in the school curriculum and providing training for teachers to identify and support students with mental health issues is the best way to bring change to the country.
– Abby Collins
Photo: Flickr
Pharma Giants against Poverty: Merck’s Plan to Eradicate Bilharzia
Answer to the Problem
Merck’s plan to eradicate Bilharzia is one of education, innovation and practicality. The water-borne parasite that causes the disease is far more widespread in poorer communities with a lack of access to clean water. This indicates that the ultimate cause of the disease is rooted in poverty. In 2007, Merck allied with the World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate schistosomiasis, pledging to wipe out the disease by 2030.
The Merck Praziquantel Donation Program is an initiative developed by Merck to tackle the disease. It focuses on the distribution of praziquantel, the tablet used to treat the disease, with enormous success rates. The program primarily focuses on preventing and treating the disease in school-age children in poorer communities. Additionally, the program emphasizes the role of education in preventing schistosomiasis.
Is It Working?
In short: yes! Merck has donated more than 1.5 billion tablets of praziquantel to the WHO. Additionally, more than 800,000 people have been treated as a result of Merck’s plan to eradicate Bilharzia. Countries are targeted individually to increase efficiency and maximize the number of people who can benefit from the program.
In Rwanda, a further 8 million tablets have been supplied in support of its plan to eliminate schistosomiasis and “Neglected Tropical Diseases.” Merck has also pledged money to the Deworming Innovation Fund, which looks to wipe out schistosomiasis and intestinal worms in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, furthering its campaign against tropical diseases.
The Bilharzia Storytelling Lab
After previous sessions in Rwanda and Kenya, in 2024, the Bilharzia Storytelling Lab (sponsored by Merck) took place in Ethiopia, a competition that asks candidates to formulate storytelling-oriented answers to facing schistosomiasis. The winning solution is decided by a panel of judges and granted more than $10,000 to facilitate the implementation of the solution throughout the country. Focusing on the educational dimensions of tackling Bilharzia, the workshop this year was held in Addis Ababa. The initiative has so far helped treat more than 800,000 people. Individual communities that are most in need of education and treatment for the disease have benefitted from the initiative.
The groups most at risk are still largely unaware of the disease. Most at risk include school-age children and women, highlighting how necessary the money invested by Merck truly is. As is the case in many developing areas, women are still largely tasked with domestic duties that require access to clean water. This is not realistic for many women in sub-Saharan Africa, meaning many women have no choice but to expose themselves unknowingly to schistosomiasis in order to carry out tasks expected of them. Because of the Praziquantel Donation Program and Bilharzia Storytelling Lab, Merck’s plan to eradicate Bilharzia stands a chance of meeting the 2030 goal set out in 2007.
Final Remark
The financial capability of pharmaceutical giants can evidently be utilized for change. When corporations decide to use their wealth to benefit the international community, millions benefit. The benefits help those who are suffering needlessly from curable diseases to spend their time furthering their families and businesses. Once healthy, they can become assets in their communities and consequently improve the country’s prospects in the future. Merck has demonstrated this beautifully. It has returned futures to countless school children, allowing them to contribute to society rather than sentencing them with disease.
– Molly Ralph
Photo: Flickr
Single-Mother Families and Child Poverty in Japan
Causes of Child Poverty in Japan
A significant factor contributing to child poverty is the high percentage of children living in single-parent households. Approximately 50% of single-parent families, most often mother-children households, fall below the poverty line. The summary report shows that the number of mother-children households is roughly 565,000 in 2022, while the number of father-children households is only 75,000.
Furthermore, the societal structure in Japan predominantly favors full-time male employees, leading to a gender wage gap where women, even those working full-time and overtime, often receive lower wages and fewer benefits. The average income per mother-children household is merely 3.73 million yen ($23,529) a year, compared to 6.06 million yen ($38.199) in “single-parent families with a father.” Nearly two million mothers with children in households have no jobs.
“I feel deprived of my dignity because I’m a single mother, I’m on public welfare, I don’t have enough money for daily food and school and I don’t have a job,” said Mika, a 45-year-old single mother who raises her two children, aged 3 and 7, on her own. “My children would like to join clubs and travel, but I can’t afford it.”
Additionally, 22.5% of mother-child households have no savings, the highest percentage among all types of households. Meanwhile, the lowest percentage of mother-child households have savings. In the self-assessed survey of living conditions, around 39.4% of mother-child households claimed a “very difficult” condition, the highest among all types of households. Only 23.4% of mother-child households think they live in a “normal” condition.
The Japanese Social Care System
The Japanese social care system involves local governments offering protective services to children who are either without parents or whose parents are unable to care for them. The system involves fostering psychological care and local community support goals. Other supportive systems such as psychological treatment facilities for children, facilities to support the development of children’s self-sustaining capacity and maternal and child living support facilities also provide home assistance and daycare to assist children and their parents.
Additionally, a children’s home provides a safe living environment for children without parents or those whose parents are unable to care for them due to abuse, serious health issues, or financial difficulties. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of children’s homes in Japan is approximately 600 and the number of children living in such homes is 27,300.
NGOs Providing Solutions
Apart from government support, many organizations are fighting for child poverty in Japan:
Final Remark on Child Poverty in Japan
These supportive programs and institutes have effectively alleviated children’s poverty. A report from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare indicates a decrease in children’s poverty rate from 2018 (14%) to 2021 (11.5%). The relative frequency distribution of the number of children in households with disposable income shows a drop in the range of less than 400,000 yen ($2,520) and between 400,000 and 1,400,000 yen ($2,520 and $8,820). The frequency of single-parent and children in households also declines in the range between 1,000,000 and 1,400,000 yen ($6,300 and $8,820).
Nevertheless, the Japanese government repeatedly made promises to provide financial support to children in poverty and mother-children households. However, the action was very slow. Akihiko Kato, a professor at Meiji University, has criticized the Japanese government for its sluggish response in delivering financial support to families with children. “It’s one thing we can do more of in society: try to recognize people’s cries for help,” said McAvoy, the filmmaker of Japanese single mother film “The Ones Left Behind.”
– Cindy Hong
Photo: Flickr
Alleviating Poverty: The SAKALA Foundation
The country is struggling with fuel shortages, which have left many in need of necessities, a resurgence of gang violence, which has limited access to education and health services and the aftermath of a 2022 cholera outbreak. Haiti’s shrinking economy has led to past gains in poverty reduction being undone and has left the youth vulnerable to the effects of worsening poverty and gang violence.
Cité Soleil
Cité Soleil, located in Port-au-Prince, is a highly dangerous area of Haiti due to extreme poverty and gang violence. It is an impoverished area where an estimated four million children aged 5-19 are at risk of losing learning opportunities. They are also faced with violence, malnutrition and poverty, which severely impact their livelihoods and ability to learn.
The SAKALA Foundation
The SAKALA Foundation is a beacon of hope for some of the most impoverished children in Cité Soleil. As the only youth community center in the area, it offers programs to educate and develop children and young people. Its vision is to provide a safe space for young people as an alternative to violence and gangs.
The SAKALA Foundation offers education, athletics and agronomy programs. Classes in English, IT, sexual health and leadership are available, teaching important life skills and academic subjects. Sports are important to the foundation, as they are part of after-school programs and day camps. The initiative stresses sports as a vehicle for community development. Therefore, it offers boys and girls a range of sports. SAKALA’s agronomy program focuses on teaching the youth agroecology and nutrition, leadership skills and sustainable development.
Haiti’s Education Sector
SAKALA’s programs offer children and young people the opportunity to learn important academic, professional and personal skills. For children living in areas controlled by armed groups, accessing education is difficult due to a lack of qualified teachers and forced school closures. In some of the most harrowing instances of gang violence, shootouts occur in schools as gangs and police use them as a base.
The disruption to education is clear and SAKALA’s importance is also clear. Providing a haven for some youth and allowing them to learn and grow among the chaos drives the foundation. Through a partnership with the Global Fund for Children, the foundation covers school fees for 160 local youth, helping them break the cycle of poverty through education.
The Future of Cité Soleil
Without economic stimulus and political stability, addressing the situation in Cité Soleil is difficult. This is where charities, foundations and existing schools can be the key to progress in the immediate future. Due to the lack of economic opportunities in the region, education is one of the only paths out of poverty. This means that schools that are operating and foundations like SAKALA are important in helping children and young people out of their predicament.
– Lauren Alkhalil
Photo: Flickr
Dreamwater Providing Drinking Water in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Water Crisis
Bangladesh, with a population of 171 million, faces a severe water crisis. More than 18% of its population lives below the poverty line and more than 40% lack access to safe water. This lack of access to clean water sources contributes to the prevalence of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, dengue fever and tuberculosis. One of the most pressing issues is water contamination. Bangladesh has the highest rate of arsenic-contaminated water in the world, primarily due to natural geological sources polluting groundwater. The presence of arsenic in drinking water poses serious health risks, including skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and developmental effects.
Furthermore, the country faces significant challenges due to high salinity levels in its water. This problem is exacerbated by a decrease in the Ganges River’s upstream flow, which has led to increased salinity intrusion from the Bay of Bengal. High salinity not only makes drinking water unsafe but also affects agriculture, as saline water can damage crops and reduce agricultural productivity. This, in turn, threatens food security and the livelihoods of farmers, who make up a significant portion of the population.
Bangladesh’s frequent and severe flooding compounds the water crisis. Flooding can contaminate freshwater sources with pollutants and pathogens, further reducing the availability of safe drinking water. During the monsoon season, the risk of water-borne diseases increases as floodwaters spread contaminants over large areas.
Dreamwater’s Work
Dreamwater’s innovations in water filtration have enabled it to take water from floods and convert it into safe drinking water. The filters take flood water and eliminate odor, enhance taste and remove potential toxins. Its portable water filters can be carried anywhere to convert any water into drinking water. The hand-powered version of the filter allows those in areas without electricity to have access to clean drinking water.
Dreamwater has created centralized water plants that can filter water for entire houses, apartment buildings, factories and other large-scale facilities. This creates safe tap water for drinking and bathing, helping eliminate the spread of waterborne disease in highly populated areas.
Dreamwater filters can convert more than 75 liters of water an hour and last more than 15,000 liters before needing replacement. They are priced at 20,000 BDT, which is around $170, making them affordable for low-income communities throughout the country.
Final Remark
With Dreamwater’s filters, areas in Bangladesh that have been ravished by flooding have an ensured source of clean drinking water at an affordable price. These filters help communities throughout Bangladesh save money and avoid disease, helping fight the country’s poverty and illness issues.
– Nicolas Mezzaucella
Photo: Flickr