Each country has its struggles and challenges, and Chile is no exception. While the presence of hardships is inevitable, charity in Chile has the mission of improving the lives of the most vulnerable.
Though there are countless to mention, here are five charities currently operating in Chile.
TECHO-Chile
TECHO-Chile is a non-profit organization that focuses on housing and community-based projects in Chilean slums known as “campamentos.” More than 1,290 campamentos currently house more than 113,000 families nationwide, the most significant figure since 1996. The people who live in these slums lack some of the most essential material conditions, such as proper electricity, clean water and sewage.
TECHO-Chile works directly with the local vulnerable communities and volunteers to foster a feeling of responsibility for improving their own lives. This Chilean charity has two broad focuses: social and housing. In 2022 alone, they built 597 emergency housing structures, significantly improving the living conditions of over 8,000 families. TECHO-Chile has been immensely popular since its inception, with over 60,000 volunteers who have given their time and effort to be agents of change for the most vulnerable Chileans.
Hogar de Cristo
Hogar de Cristo is a secular charity in Chile whose mission is to provide assistance and opportunities for the most vulnerable and socially excluded Chileans. The organization has a mission to create a bond between local communities to aid those who suffer from poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. The main focus is on those in extreme poverty of all ages who live on the edge of society.
The Chilean charity focuses on early education, vulnerable children, educational reinsertion, homelessness, senior citizens, labor inclusion, mental disabilities, problematic consumption and solidarity action. In 2022, Hogar de Cristo helped 8,958 people through early education programs, supported more than 33,000 vulnerable children monthly, aided 2,591 people with educational reinsertion, assisted 3,236 homeless people, supported 3,236 senior citizens, aided 6,234 with labor inclusion, helped 1,757 people with mental disabilities, assisted 493 people with problematic consumption and support over 21,306 people though solidarity action programs.
Fundación Mi Parque
Fundación Mi Parque executes projects focusing on the design, restoration, creation and usage of green areas in underprivileged areas of Chile. This charity in Chile aims to improve the quality of life of those in vulnerable areas by creating aesthetically pleasing and practical parks and plazas. Everyone deserves to be proud of where they live and to be able to take advantage of its facilities. The organization partners with private companies to secure financing, engages volunteers in the creation process and subsequently involves public departments in maintaining the green areas after their inauguration.
The belief in the synergy between the public and private sectors as well as members of society has led to successful projects with tangible improvements in the Chileans’ quality of life. There have been 400 projects that have built 687,089 square meters of green areas in 16 different regions, benefitting over 1 million people. These projects have led to a 76% increase in new plaza use, a 17% decrease in trash, a 31% decrease in graffiti, a 9% increase in perception of safety, a 14% increase in community participation and a 12% decrease in fights, shootings and robberies.
Creciendo Juntas
Creciendo Juntas is a secular, non-political, non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for children who live in Chilean National Service for Minors (SENAME) homes. After disheartening experiences visiting SENAME homes, Magdalena Gardilcic created an organization that provides self-help, education and entertainment activities to develop a better path for these children, teenagers and former SENAME young adults.
Volunteers participate in and organize activities such as cooking workshops, theater classes, self-care courses, gardening, mini-libraries and field trips. The Chilean charity works consistently with five SENAME homes in the Metropolitan, Valparaíso, O’higgins and Bio Bio regions and works with over 25 homes during campaign periods.
Fundación Nuestros Hijos
According to the National Childhood Cancer Registry, an average of 1.36 Chilean children are diagnosed with cancer daily. This disheartening reality has led to the creation of Fundación Nuestros Hijos. This non-profit looks to improve not only the probability of survival but also the quality of life of children with cancer. The Chilean charity recognizes the multidimensionality of a cancer patient, thus investing in medical and investigative programs as well as rehabilitation, social programs, educational programs and personal relationships.
Throughout 2022 Fundación Nuestros Hijos has collaborated with 85 partners who improve the livelihoods of countless Chilean children and teenagers with cancer. With hospital, at-home attention and special events, the organization makes a constant effort to aid these individuals. Their education, oncology rehabilitation, shelter, medical service and social service outreach and development programs have supported 938 Children or young people, delivered 94,464 services and benefits, and 3,752 people, including family members, reaped the benefits.
Charity in Chile
These five organizations strive to make a difference in Chile, from housing and community development to childhood support. TECHO-Chile focuses on housing and social projects, while Hogar de Cristo tackles poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. Fundación Mi Parque creates green spaces in underprivileged areas, Creciendo Juntas improves the lives of children in SENAME homes and Fundación Nuestros Hijos supports children with cancer and their families. Each charity’s commitment to their cause is to forge a better life for the people of Chile.
– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr
These Organizations Are Tackling Dengue in Singapore
What is Dengue?
Dengue fever is characterized by symptoms such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, rashes and aching. The disease is spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos. While it does not spread directly from person to person, a mosquito may become a carrier if it draws blood from a person infected with dengue.
The disease is best prevented by anti-mosquito measures, such as repellents and nets. However, Singapore is currently experimenting with new methods to help control the country’s mosquito population.
Wolbachia Mosquitoes/EHI
Recently, Singapore’s Environmental Health Institute has developed a program involving the release of lab-grown mosquitos infected with a bacteria called Wolbachia. These male mosquitoes can reproduce with females, but the eggs will not hatch. This strategy has been shown to suppress mosquito populations within a given area. As a result, the spread of dengue in Singapore should be mitigated.
Fogging/NEA
Another method that Singapore’s National Environmental Agency is deploying against mosquito populations is known as fogging. In this process, insecticide is released as a mist in an effort to control a large mosquito population in a dengue cluster. However, it is worth noting that this process does not eliminate the source of the population, and overuse may lead to insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
Temasek Foundation
Along with these initiatives, several organizations are working alongside the government to help slow the spread of the virus. In 2022, the non-profit group Temasek Foundation partnered with the NEA to provide mosquito repellent to all students in Singapore. This effort was made to counter the spread of dengue through infected mosquitos. Overall, repellent was provided for more than 800,000 students.
Community Efforts
In order to combat the spread of dengue, several grassroots organizations have volunteered their efforts. These community-led efforts help to raise awareness about mosquito mitigation tactics, as well as inform the public on the symptoms and risks of dengue.
These community efforts included door-to-door visits in areas with a high dengue concentration. Volunteer groups from Singapore’s People’s Association, a government program with a large network of community-based organizations, contributed to this campaign.
Reduction in Dengue Cases
In 2023, cases of dengue in Singapore have dropped significantly. The WHO reports a 72% decrease in cases compared to this time last year. While there is still room for improvement, these numbers are a relatively good omen for the warmer season, taking into account last year’s outbreak. It appears as though the efforts of the NEA have not been in vain, and may have made a meaningful difference in the reduction of infected mosquito populations.
– Mary Burke
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About Hunger in Chad
Conditions Causing Hunger in Chad
According to the World Food Program USA, 42% of Chad’s population is currently living below the poverty line. Additionally, the number of people that have been forcibly displaced in Chad has exceeded one million.
Chad also hosts more refugees than any other West or Central African nation, with more than 600,000 currently living in Chad. The influx of refugees across Chad’s border increased significantly after recent conflicts began in neighboring Sudan.
Extreme climate conditions have also caused more difficult growing seasons for agriculture throughout Chad, worsening the food crisis. A recent report by AP News stated that the Lake Chad Basin has become increasingly vulnerable to floods and droughts, which directly impacts food security.
Malnutrition in Chad
Hundreds of thousands of children were treated for severe acute malnutrition in Chad in 2021. Nearly 300,000 children under the age of five were treated that year, with UNICEF reporting that this number is increasing annually.
45.4% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 currently suffer from anemia in Chad. According to the Global Nutrition Report, Chad is “off course” in addressing several malnutrition-related health issues, including childhood overweight, sodium intake and obesity.
Efforts to Improve Hunger in Chad
The Global Hunger Index (GHI), which attributes a hunger score for various countries based on their levels of undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality, has given Chad a score of 37.2. This places Chad in the “alarming” category and ranked 117th out of 121 countries that are reviewed by the GHI. However, Chad has seen a decline in its GHI score in the years since 2000, when their score was listed at 50.7.
Action Against Hunger, a global organization that works to end hunger around the world, began working in Chad in 1981. Last year, with a team of 264 employees, Action Against Hunger helped over 1.2 million people suffering from hunger in Chad. The organization’s efforts included increased access to water, hygiene and food security programs.
The World Food Program (WFP) USA also aims to assist millions of people in Chad this year. To address the rising number of refugees in the nation, WFP USA plans to provide food to 100,000 refugees and host communities. Additionally, the organization will work with communities to improve assets such as warehouses for crops and will expand nutrition assistance to an additional 16 regions considered high-risk in Chad.
Overall, there are still many challenges to addressing hunger in Chad. However, the resilience of those living in the nation and the commitment of numerous international organizations to provide funding and support toward improving conditions in Chad present hope for a better future for millions.
– Tristan Weisenbach
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights in Paraguay
Politics
The national and local governments lack representation for women. Yet there is no lack of women participating in democracy, considering 57% of those eligible voted in the 2021 election, just more than equal to the 56% of eligible men. Women desire to run for office but face gender stereotypes from political opponents trying to discredit their capabilities. Women hold only 15% of political seats, making it hard to advance women’s rights in Paraguay.
To combat the gap in representation, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) introduced the Political Training School for Women Leaders of the Superior Court of Electoral Justice in 2017. The program collaborates with women’s organizations, such as the Ministry of Women, to train and educate more than 700 students. There are 17 modules specializing in different skill sets needed to run for office, including information about electoral processes and the inner workings of the Senate.
The Political Training School’s success earned them an Honorable Mention for gender equality in the first edition of the Global Network on Electoral Justice Awards. The courses are non-partisan to encourage women from any political party to participate. Introducing more women to politics in Paraguay improves legislation on gender equality and paves the way for the next generation of women.
Unpaid Labor
Paraguay is a middle-income country, with 22.6% of the population living in poverty and 10.5% in extreme poverty. Only 62% of women have a job that provides income, and that reduces to about 50% for women living in poverty. Those employed make 71% of the monthly wages of their male coworkers.
Responsibilities at home restrict women’s ability to earn money because unpaid domestic tasks are their primary responsibility. Societal beliefs impact girls at a young age, and their community expects them to continue their unpaid work indefinitely. The World Bank found “33.8% of Paraguayan women ages 15-29 do not work or study (compared with 6.1% of boys)” because young women work inside the home rather than making money in the workforce.
To address inequalities for the 32% of the population that live in rural areas, Paraguay implemented the Public Policy Law for Rural Women. The law targets women who are homemakers and reliant on their partners. More than 1,000 rural women learned agricultural techniques, giving them personal and financial freedom.
COVID-19
The World Bank recognizes that “the COVID-19 pandemic has undone women’s progress from numerous dimensions but mainly in the economic sphere.” At the beginning of the pandemic, waves of unemployment affected the workers of Paraguay. However, this disproportionally impacted women, with more than 50% losing their jobs, compared to 35% for men.
While women in the workplace experienced unemployment rates above 10%, the pandemic also impacted women who do unpaid work. They are responsible for domestic chores and therefore do not have many opportunities to improve their situation. Their days are spent working at home, with no time to get a job that provides an income.
During the pandemic, domestic disputes increased due to working spouses being home more often with their stay-at-home wives. According to the World Bank, “The Ministry of Women’s emergency services registered 50% more calls in March 2020, compared to the same month of the previous year.” The numerous reports are just one example of how COVID-19 negatively affected women’s rights in Paraguay.
Looking Ahead
Women’s rights in Paraguay have greatly improved since declaring equality in 1992. While the pandemic created setbacks for gender equality, organizations, such as IDEA and the EU, introduced educational programs and strategies to provide access for women who want to get involved in their communities. Spreading awareness to girls about stereotypical gender roles and how to overcome them is the next step toward gender equality. Spending more time outside the home creates opportunities for young women to become independent and active in the women’s rights movement. Progress continues as the programs advancing women’s rights today will inspire the next generation.
– Diana Grant
Photo: Flickr
International Involvement in Educating DRC
Education Statistics
Though free access to primary education has improved, educational attainment remains low in the DRC: The amount of children who complete primary-level education is 75%. However, the quality of education tends to be poor, as many classrooms are overcrowded and many teachers are not trained to the level needed to educate so many children.
Conflict in the DRC, particularly in Eastern DRC, has disrupted about 750,000 children just between the beginning of 2022 and the start of 2023. Nearly 300 schools cannot be used as they are being used as shelters from the conflict.
What Is Being Done?
As conflict and learning poverty impacts children’s education, international involvement in educating DRC has been more critical than ever before. The UK’s Minister for Development and Africa, for example, launched a new project in March 2023, which would support 60,000 children, 60% of which will be girls, to have access to education in Kasai, where political conflict has been rampant for years, which has impacted education in particular for girls who tend not to have the same opportunities as boys in terms of being educated.
Another international group involved in educating DRC is UNICEF. UNICEF has reported that a problem with education is the costs; due to the high levels of poverty in the DRC, many people are impacted by the costs of education, such as buying uniforms and materials for school. What UNICEF is doing to help with these issues is working with the government to improve national policies so that education becomes more accessible not just at a primary level but also at a pre-primary level and beyond through the building of a curriculum package that will provide structure and stability to DRC’s education system.
Not only are teachers frequently un- or undertrained, but there are not enough teachers to meet demands, especially in primary-level education. Cordaid International is an international organization focusing on development and giving aid, especially in countries impacted by conflict. They are an organization that has been part of international involvement in educating DRC, with successful results. Cordaid introduced performance-based financing in 14 provinces, training 1350 primary school teachers. This has helped improve the quality of education by giving schools the incentive to provide funding if the teachers perform well.
Improving Education in the DRC
Though conflict and poverty continue to impact education, international organizations are working to ensure that youth still get education. These efforts have had and will continue to have positive effects on the education system in the DRC.
– Christelle Wealth-Mukendi
Photo: Flickr
Charity in Chile
Though there are countless to mention, here are five charities currently operating in Chile.
TECHO-Chile
TECHO-Chile is a non-profit organization that focuses on housing and community-based projects in Chilean slums known as “campamentos.” More than 1,290 campamentos currently house more than 113,000 families nationwide, the most significant figure since 1996. The people who live in these slums lack some of the most essential material conditions, such as proper electricity, clean water and sewage.
TECHO-Chile works directly with the local vulnerable communities and volunteers to foster a feeling of responsibility for improving their own lives. This Chilean charity has two broad focuses: social and housing. In 2022 alone, they built 597 emergency housing structures, significantly improving the living conditions of over 8,000 families. TECHO-Chile has been immensely popular since its inception, with over 60,000 volunteers who have given their time and effort to be agents of change for the most vulnerable Chileans.
Hogar de Cristo
Hogar de Cristo is a secular charity in Chile whose mission is to provide assistance and opportunities for the most vulnerable and socially excluded Chileans. The organization has a mission to create a bond between local communities to aid those who suffer from poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. The main focus is on those in extreme poverty of all ages who live on the edge of society.
The Chilean charity focuses on early education, vulnerable children, educational reinsertion, homelessness, senior citizens, labor inclusion, mental disabilities, problematic consumption and solidarity action. In 2022, Hogar de Cristo helped 8,958 people through early education programs, supported more than 33,000 vulnerable children monthly, aided 2,591 people with educational reinsertion, assisted 3,236 homeless people, supported 3,236 senior citizens, aided 6,234 with labor inclusion, helped 1,757 people with mental disabilities, assisted 493 people with problematic consumption and support over 21,306 people though solidarity action programs.
Fundación Mi Parque
Fundación Mi Parque executes projects focusing on the design, restoration, creation and usage of green areas in underprivileged areas of Chile. This charity in Chile aims to improve the quality of life of those in vulnerable areas by creating aesthetically pleasing and practical parks and plazas. Everyone deserves to be proud of where they live and to be able to take advantage of its facilities. The organization partners with private companies to secure financing, engages volunteers in the creation process and subsequently involves public departments in maintaining the green areas after their inauguration.
The belief in the synergy between the public and private sectors as well as members of society has led to successful projects with tangible improvements in the Chileans’ quality of life. There have been 400 projects that have built 687,089 square meters of green areas in 16 different regions, benefitting over 1 million people. These projects have led to a 76% increase in new plaza use, a 17% decrease in trash, a 31% decrease in graffiti, a 9% increase in perception of safety, a 14% increase in community participation and a 12% decrease in fights, shootings and robberies.
Creciendo Juntas
Creciendo Juntas is a secular, non-political, non-profit organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for children who live in Chilean National Service for Minors (SENAME) homes. After disheartening experiences visiting SENAME homes, Magdalena Gardilcic created an organization that provides self-help, education and entertainment activities to develop a better path for these children, teenagers and former SENAME young adults.
Volunteers participate in and organize activities such as cooking workshops, theater classes, self-care courses, gardening, mini-libraries and field trips. The Chilean charity works consistently with five SENAME homes in the Metropolitan, Valparaíso, O’higgins and Bio Bio regions and works with over 25 homes during campaign periods.
Fundación Nuestros Hijos
According to the National Childhood Cancer Registry, an average of 1.36 Chilean children are diagnosed with cancer daily. This disheartening reality has led to the creation of Fundación Nuestros Hijos. This non-profit looks to improve not only the probability of survival but also the quality of life of children with cancer. The Chilean charity recognizes the multidimensionality of a cancer patient, thus investing in medical and investigative programs as well as rehabilitation, social programs, educational programs and personal relationships.
Throughout 2022 Fundación Nuestros Hijos has collaborated with 85 partners who improve the livelihoods of countless Chilean children and teenagers with cancer. With hospital, at-home attention and special events, the organization makes a constant effort to aid these individuals. Their education, oncology rehabilitation, shelter, medical service and social service outreach and development programs have supported 938 Children or young people, delivered 94,464 services and benefits, and 3,752 people, including family members, reaped the benefits.
Charity in Chile
These five organizations strive to make a difference in Chile, from housing and community development to childhood support. TECHO-Chile focuses on housing and social projects, while Hogar de Cristo tackles poverty, homelessness and social exclusion. Fundación Mi Parque creates green spaces in underprivileged areas, Creciendo Juntas improves the lives of children in SENAME homes and Fundación Nuestros Hijos supports children with cancer and their families. Each charity’s commitment to their cause is to forge a better life for the people of Chile.
– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Extreme Weather Patterns
Impacts of Extreme Weather Patterns on Developing Countries
Developing countries face many adverse effects stemming from extreme weather patterns and events. The World Bank projects that more than 100 million people will be thrust into poverty over the next seven years due to the ramifications of these extreme weather events. Furthermore, by 2050, climate-related food and water insecurity are expected to displace more than 216 million individuals from their homes. Presently, more than 94 million people in developing nations are affected by climate shocks and extremes, leading to severe repercussions on agricultural production and biodiversity. Rising temperatures expose more than 1 billion individuals to infectious diseases like Zika and dengue.
The vulnerability and limited resources in developing countries exacerbate the effects of extreme weather patterns on these nations. Increased floods, droughts and unpredictable weather patterns make it challenging for its citizens to maintain decent livelihoods.
Mitigating Poverty and Extreme Weather
Communities employ Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as a comprehensive approach that involves managing ecosystems to bolster resilience and reduce vulnerability to fluctuating weather patterns. EbA encompasses the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests, grasslands, wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs to diminish the impacts of variable climatic conditions. It is often referred to as green infrastructure, contrasting with gray infrastructure, which entails concrete-based solutions.
In South Africa, a country grappling with floods, landslides and heavy rainfall due to the La Niña weather phenomenon, EbA has mitigated some of the adverse weather impacts. The municipality of eThekwini, which encompasses the city of Durban, has implemented the Transformative Riverine Management Programme to manage urban flood risks. This initiative involves collaboration between the government and non-governmental organizations. For example, the Aller River pilot project, managed by the Kloof Conservancy, an NGO focused on ecosystem protection and environmental awareness, is a pilot for the broader Take Back Our Rivers (TBOR) project. The TBOR project aims to restore the health of the 18 major river systems across the eThekwini Municipality. The Kloof Conservancy aims to assess how trained citizens can manage and monitor river ecosystems, creating a sustainable and climate-resilient municipality.
Significant progress has been made through the Aller River pilot project, including clearing alien vegetation and waste from the river stretch. The project has leveraged funding and co-funding for alien vegetation removal, with conservancy members contributing volunteer hours effectively. Improved communication and collaboration with municipal departments have resulted in rectifying problematic sewerage maintenance holes and enhanced water quality in certain parts of the Aller River. Community members living near the river have experienced improved livelihoods due to reduced odor from sewer spillage. The employment of Eco-Champs has enhanced local capacity for river health maintenance, waste reduction, monitoring and community awareness. Successful stakeholder mobilization campaigns have engaged diverse community groups and raised awareness about the river’s significance. The partnership between civil organizations and the municipality has facilitated effective awareness campaigns and cross-departmental collaboration in river monitoring.
Projects like the Aller River pilot project help communities in developing countries mitigate the impacts of extreme weather patterns by promoting climate-resilient infrastructure and adaptation capabilities, thus reducing vulnerability to climate shocks. Addressing global poverty necessitates tackling its root causes while simultaneously addressing the adverse effects of harsh weather patterns. By addressing poverty and extreme weather patterns, vulnerable communities can participate in sustainable economic activities, promote conservation efforts and gain improved access to clean energy.
Looking Ahead
Companies, foundations, organizations and institutions embrace climate-conscious strategies to combat poverty. The Rockefeller Foundation, for example, launched the International 100 Resilient Cities Programme (100RC) in 2013. The Rockefeller Foundation selected Durban as one of the first 32 cities in this program. Durban’s participation in this program led to the development of its Resilience Strategy, which initiated the TBOR project. This program reached more than 20% of the world’s urban population, with the Rockefeller Foundation actively giving more than $160 million to build urban resilience worldwide. The 100RC Network concluded in 2019, although the Rockefeller Foundation continues its efforts through the work of its Chief Resilience Officers, who actively train to lead their cities’ resilience strategies.
Understanding the interconnection between poverty and extreme weather patterns is crucial for fostering sustainable development, empowering local communities, mitigating the impacts of extreme weather patterns and alleviating global poverty. The disproportionate effects of harsh weather fluctuations on developing nations and their limited capacity to respond necessitate targeted assistance that addresses poverty and environmental concerns.
– Clara Swart
Photo: Flickr
Using Microfranchising to Reduce Poverty
How Microfranchising Works
According to AllBusiness, a company that provides resources to small businesses, “Microfranchising is a business model that applies traditional franchising to very small businesses.” The microfranchising model involves two parties: the franchisor and the franchisee. The franchisor owns an established business and then creates a contract with the franchisee. The franchisee is paid by the franchisor in exchange for the franchisee’s work in distributing the franchisor’s services.
The Benefits of Microfranchising
In regions with high rates of unemployment, such as South Africa and Sudan, microfranchising is invaluable. Microfranchising not only allows individuals living in these areas the opportunity to earn money, but it also teaches soft and hard skills that can be used in their own future business ventures. Coined as a “short-cut to self-employment” by Thiruchelvam at Raconteur, this opportunity is the perfect way for those who do not usually have access to information on running a business to gain experience first-hand.
Microfranchising Successes
One successful company that has utilized microenterprising is The Clothing Bank (TCB). Having been established in 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa, the company has successfully made its way onto the list of Top 100 social impact companies. The company’s model has granted over 1,000 women and men in South Africa the opportunity to buy merchandise from various retailers operating in South Africa at a discounted price in order for them to then sell this for a profit. Along with the monetary benefit of the job, individuals will receive over 1,000 hours of training over a two-year period, teaching them how to run their own businesses.
Across the Atlantic Ocean in Haiti, similar tactics are being deployed. The Social Ventures Foundation (SVF), is attempting to improve the general quality of life of Haitians with the V’ice Haiti project. With over 6 million Haitians living below the poverty line, SVF considers all aspects of livelihood. Through providing donations to V’ice, your money will go towards funding equipment that Haitians will be able to use in order to become a franchisee. For example, V’ice’s “V’ike” scheme provides self-employment to young, at-risk males by supplying them with a bike and an attached food cooler. With this, the individuals are able to distribute clean water, vitamin-infused shaved ice and much more. This is consequently decreasing the unemployment rate while simultaneously reducing the number of Haitians who are vitamin deficient — which is currently standing at a staggering 80%.
Using Microfranchising to Reduce Poverty
Many charities are now following the example set by these impressive organizations to break the cycle of poverty. With ending poverty by 2030 in the number one spot of the UN Sustainable Development goals, it will be important that more charities implement this tried and tested method for improving lives across the planet.
– Christian Vince
Photo: Flickr
10 Facts about Water Scarcity in Burkina Faso
Here are 10 things you need to know about water scarcity in Burkina Faso.
Though there’s still a lot of work to be done, international NGOs and governments alike have stepped up to the challenge of reducing water scarcity in Burkina Faso.
– Finneas Sensiba
Photo: Pixabay
Youth Poverty in Indonesia
Factors Contributing to Youth Poverty in Indonesia
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of youth poverty in Indonesia, including limited access to education, high unemployment and gender inequality.
Access to education remains a significant challenge for youth living in poverty. In particular, many marginalized areas in Indonesia lack adequate resources and infrastructure. With a lack of funding for schools and a shortage of qualified teachers, young people’s education greatly suffers. As a result, children are unable to acquire the knowledge, skills and qualifications necessary for better employment prospects and economic empowerment.
Indonesian youth face high rates of unemployment and underemployment. For youths aged 15-24, the youth unemployment rate dropped over 13% in less than 20 years, from 26.38% in 2005 to 13.02% in 2023. Even the youth that can complete their education struggle to find stable and decent work opportunities. Limited job availability, particularly in sectors that align with their skills and qualifications, exacerbates the problem. This lack of suitable employment perpetuates poverty among young individuals, hindering their ability to escape economic hardship. Additionally, youth who do find employment opportunities may be involved in vulnerable employment. These jobs typically lack job security, social protection and fair wages. Young people often resort to informal work due to the lack of formal employment opportunities, which increases their economic vulnerability and hinders their ability to break free from the cycle of poverty.
In Indonesian society, gender norms and stereotypes often restrict young women’s educational opportunities. Deep-rooted beliefs regarding traditional gender roles prioritize domestic responsibilities over formal education for girls. This leads to lower school enrollment rates and higher dropout rates among young women, limiting their success in the future.
Additionally, limited access to reproductive health services and early marriage practices further compound the challenges faced by young women. Early marriage often results in the discontinuation of education,
making it difficult for young women to break free from the cycle of poverty. They are more likely to face health complications related to early childbearing and have limited opportunities for personal and professional development.
Initiatives and Programs
Recognizing the urgency of youth poverty in Indonesia, the Indonesian government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society have implemented a range of initiatives and programs aimed at addressing the challenges. These initiatives offer hope and pathways for empowering youth and breaking the cycle of poverty.
The government has taken notable steps to combat youth poverty. For example, they created a program known as Keluarga Harapan (PKH), which provides financial assistance to poor families, prioritizing education and health care expenditures. Through PKH, families receive conditional cash transfers that incentivize children’s school enrollment and attendance while promoting their health and well-being. This program aims to reduce intergenerational poverty by investing in the education and health of young individuals.
Additionally, the Indonesian government has launched the Indonesian Smart Card program, which aims to enhance access to education and health care for vulnerable groups, including youth living in poverty. The program provides subsidized or free educational services, including school fees, learning materials and transportation assistance. It also offers subsidized health care services, ensuring that young individuals have access to essential medical care.
Non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations are pivotal in addressing youth poverty through targeted interventions and support programs. Organizations such as YCAB Foundation and Plan International Indonesia are actively involved in empowering marginalized youth through educational programs, vocational training and entrepreneurship initiatives. These organizations work closely with communities, local authorities and the private sector to create sustainable solutions and promote social inclusion.
Ultimately, the efforts of the government along with NGOs and civil society in Indonesia, fill gaps and provide critical support to young people in poverty. Their programs help equip young individuals with the necessary skills and resources, these initiatives contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and opening doors for a brighter future.
– Elizabeth Watters
Photo: Flickr
Health care in the Marshall Islands: Tackling Obesity
The Marshall Islands houses just two hospitals and 56 smaller health care centers scattered around its array of islands. This dispersed health care system limits the Islands’ ability to provide quality health care, and its .46 doctors for every 1,000 people — below the worldwide standard of 1.5 — worsens that. This disunion in the health care system and high poverty rates make it extremely difficult to treat non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
The Problem
People commonly view obesity as a disease plaguing wealthy people and often associate it with developed countries. However, there is a strong link between poverty and nutritional health care challenges. A lack of adequate nutrition because of poverty in developing countries leads to a prolonged unhealthy diet, driving up obesity rates. One example is the nutritional concerns in the Marshall Islands: 60% of adult women and 50% of adult men suffer from obesity. Additionally, 30% of the Islands’ urban population — double that in rural atolls — living below the national poverty line displays a stinging link between obesity and poverty.
The primary cause of obesity in the Marshall Islands is poverty. A lack of resources infringes on the population’s ability to sustain a healthy diet. Because of this, residents have replaced their traditional diets with cheap imports and canned goods, high in salt content, which increases the risk of obesity. Even worse is obesity’s alarming comorbidities, like heart and diabetes-related issues. Fortunately, the Marshall Islands has implemented efforts to fight obesity.
World Bank Helps Future Generations
Developing poor eating habits early in life is a gateway to obesity as an adult. The Marshall Islands government found that most children’s diets consisted of heavily processed sugar and junk, because of financial hurdles to access nutritious food. To combat this issue, the World Bank donated $12 million to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into Marshallese diets in 2019. The government approved plans for further funding to reduce unhealthy eating habits, but it has been backlogged due to border closings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, health care in the Marshall Islands is fully aware of its obesity crisis and is doing its best to stop it from spreading to future generations.
Blue Foods
Blue foods are food from an aquatic source. Unfortunately, nuclear radiation from nuclear testing during the WWII era has damaged some of the Marshall Islands’ blue food sources. In an effort to make a profit while simultaneously conserving the Islands’ rich sea resources, they drew up the Vessel Day Scheme at the UN Food Summit. To promote a sustainable food system by 2030, The Marshall Islands set limits on when people can fish, generating up to $30 Million and preserving their tuna populations for future use.
While the economic stride may seem unrelated to health care in the Marshall Islands, this conscious effort to grow blue foods provides healthy alternatives to the sugar-filled canned imports people rely on that cause obesity. Additionally, the solution directly addresses poverty in the Marshall Islands by aiming to improve the economy. A key pillar to reducing the Marshall Islands’ obesity and poverty rates lies within a strong and sustainable fishing scene.
A Community Effort
A successful method to prevent any disease is education, and obesity is no exception to that. To achieve educated citizenship, the World Diabetes Foundation created the Majuro Youth Lifetime Program, with a mission to reduce diabetes and obesity through a community-based approach. They approached the issue by surveying primary schools and pinpointing issues. As a result, they were able to educate 216 teachers across eight schools on healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices. They were also able to plant gardens at each of the schools, providing nutritious food for malnourished students impacted by poverty. The project ran from 2017 to 2020 and is a powerful example of how people work towards better health education and health care in the Marshall Islands.
One cannot understate the impact poverty has on developing countries. The efforts of the Marshall Islands provide hope for a future where everyone living there has access to healthy and nutritious food. As the efforts to reduce poverty and improve nutrition continue, the resilience and health of the Marshall Islands and its people, no doubt, grow stronger.
– Aditya Arora
Photo: Wikimedia Commons