When hundreds of thousands of refugees arrived in Germany in 2015/16, including many unaccompanied minors, SPIEGEL foreign correspondent Susanne Koelbl wondered about the stories of these young people. Having reported from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia for many years, she has experienced poetry’s power as a common form of storytelling.
Inspired by its beauty, Koelbl teamed up with Afghan-born lawyer and translator Aarash D. Spanta and a United Nations (U.N). adviser Andreas Jödecke to create a space for poetry in Berlin, hoping that they may be able to encourage young Farsi-speaking refugees to find their voices and tell their stories. The effort was an undeniable success.
The young men who attended (primarily young men were sent on the journey to Europe unattended) wrote of their trip in poems which were published later that year in an anthology that resulted in several writers performing their writing at Berlin’s 16th International Literary Festival (ilb). The Poetry Project met with The Borgen Project to give further insight into its work, mission and future plans.
How and Why Poetry Works
When organizing opportunities for the young refugees to write poetry, “we’re really thinking, how can we build connections?” Theresa Rüger told The Borgen Project. Rüger herself is a literature scholar who stumbled upon The Poetry Project at the ilb. Seeing the poems displayed in the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, she was inspired and applied to be a part of it. She explains that the workshops allow young people to tell their stories, meet others and build connections.
The inspiration to use poetry as a medium came from Koelbl’s encounters with poetry in countries such as Afghanistan. Rüger describes Koelbl’s joy as everyone from cab drivers to dinner hosts took the opportunity to share their own poetry, recite traditional poetry and use poetry to convey emotion where regular conversation failed. Searching for a medium to express the young refugees’ experiences, Koelbl decided poetry could be the answer she sought. In many countries, Rüger explains, poetry is close to the present, allowing it to weave in and out of everyday conversation. Perhaps due to this poetic connection, the young people working with The Poetry Project found that their emotions and stories flowed easily into this medium.
There’s another reason, however, that poetry fits so well to express the complex emotions and experiences at play here. “Sometimes the young people are afraid that their audience won’t be able to deal with [their stories],” Rüger explains, “or that they’re going to ask questions that they don’t want to answer.” Poetry introduces a degree of separation between reader and writer, allowing the refugees to get their story out there while retaining a comfortable distance from their audience.
Expansion
Today, The Poetry Project has expanded to include workshops in four languages: Farsi, Arabic, Ukrainian and Kurdish. Work is also translated into English and German. Workshops are held in the same room in the Project’s main office in Berlin, Rüger informs me and take place every weekend, with an additional drop-in session on Wednesday afternoons. This session, Theresa explains, can be used as a time to “just drop by if they want to write or just to talk to us.” In short, it is another opportunity for social connections to be forged and for trust to be built. Like the weekend workshops, attendance at the Wednesday sessions isn’t mandated. Instead, young people are free to invest as much time as makes them feel comfortable.
Spreading the Word
The young people involved in The Poetry Project don’t limit their words to the page. More than 10 readings are organized annually and young poets are frequently invited to speak at literary institutions in readings that impress the audience deeply. The performances “differ from your regular reading where you have a professional author. It feels more immediate.” Emotions run high in audiences facing “very young people” speaking of such harsh experiences and “often people cry.”
The readings’ most impactful are those delivered to the young poets’ peers: school children whose lives match the refugees’ perfectly in years but differ vastly in lived experience. Rüger tells of school assembly halls echoing with the jokes of 150 teenagers, raucous and reluctant to sit quietly for their teachers. But when the young poets come out on stage and begin to read, she says, “You could hear a pin drop.”
The awe and enthusiasm were verified by the school-age audience at the International Literary Festival Berlin, where students lined up to spend their “pocket money” on The Poetry Project’s first anthology after sitting spellbound through the reading. They even requested that the readers sign their individual copies.
Looking Forward
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Rüger describes how The Poetry Project has many projects, readings and events that will continue to spread its message and be a platform for young refugee voices. The Project has scheduled a collaborative performance with a dance group, the publication of a new anthology and a partnership with PEN Berlin – a writer’s association that specializes in supporting persecuted authors to come to Germany and establish themselves in the German publishing scene.
PEN Berlin also organizes additional workshops “held by professional authors who share a mother tongue with the participants.” In addition, The Poetry Project has planned participation in the event series “75 Jahre Grundgesetz – intersektional” from the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. Through the event series, The Poetry Project will join the discussion of Germany’s Basic Law from a “diversity-oriented, intersectional perspective,” adding its poetry to the debate on how the law relates to “marginalized and discrimination-affected groups.”
The Poetry Project has established itself as a center that works tirelessly to build connection, understanding and empathy. It provides opportunities for young refugees to foster a sense of belonging and to get their stories heard – all while helping those who grew up in Germany gain a more robust understanding of what refugees have experienced. Its methodology is simple – pass the mic to those who’ve been through it.
– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr
Digital Innovation Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs
The Power of Direct Cash Transfer
As technological advancements gain popularity in urban settings, rural communities are not left behind, due to aid from organizations like GiveDirectly. This organization equips people in rural areas with phones, enabling contributors to send funds directly to those in greatest need. GiveWell and GiveDirectly have demonstrated the success and sustainability of grants over loans in reducing poverty, through tracking and analyzing cash transfers. These grants, with few or no strings attached, have not only shown a proven track record of success but also represent the most ethical giving method, granting recipients complete control over their paths out of poverty.
Microloans vs. Unconditional Wealth Transfer
Assuming impoverished people cannot manage their finances overlooks the structural and systemic nature of poverty. This perspective has fueled the popularity of microloans as a poverty reduction strategy. When donating to an organization, contributions often cover staff salaries, outreach costs and more, stretching funds to support not only the target populations but also the organization’s sustainability. Meanwhile, loans risk entrenching people in a cycle of poverty, with the burden of repayment potentially falling on their children if the parents fail to pay off the debt.
For this reason, GiveWell has invested in the analysis of GiveDirectly, a study that compares microloans to unconditional cash transfers. According to GiveWell, “It requires far more overhead to run a microlending operation than to run a cash transfer operation.” Additionally, many microloan agencies operate as for-profit businesses rather than humanitarian nonprofits like GiveDirectly. This distinction often means there’s less incentive for them to avoid indebting the people they aim to assist
The Case for Direct Cash Transfers
Organizations have rigorously studied cash transfers, finding strong evidence they reduce monetary poverty. A 2016 report from the Department for International Development highlights cash transfers as among the most thoroughly researched development interventions. However, only 2% of major government funding goes toward direct cash transfers.
Global Market Access for Rural Artisans
Technological innovation, particularly online marketplaces, is advancing global development by opening access to the global market. People in low-income, rural areas often create sought-after artisanal products, but traditionally they could sell them only to tourists at local prices. For-profit and nonprofit companies are emerging to offer entrepreneurs technology access and digital business strategies. These initiatives empower rural women’s groups to develop websites or use existing platforms to sell their products at fair prices, reflecting the hours of labor invested in their creation. Digital platforms connect rural producers directly with consumers and markets, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring fair prices for their products. The ongoing trends show that collaborating through websites fosters community-led development.
The Future of Technology in Development
Digital innovation and solutions, such as direct cash transfers and global market access, are reshaping the landscape of poverty alleviation, empowering rural entrepreneurs to take charge of their economic futures. These advancements promise a sustainable pathway out of poverty, leveraging technology to bridge gaps and foster inclusive growth.
– Kiera Gorman
Photo: Flickr
Looking Back: 5 Influential Global Poverty Reduction Acts
5 Influential Global Poverty Reduction Acts
Fighting Global Poverty
The U.S. continues to lead global poverty reduction acts through impactful legislation. Crucial issues from food security to education and conflict resolution are being addressed. In addition, these acts represent a multifaceted approach to eradicating poverty. They showcase the U.S.’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and stability worldwide. As these programs move forward, their ongoing success and expansion offer hope for a future where global poverty is significantly diminished. They underscore the importance of continued support and innovation in tackling these challenges.
– Marley Wilson
Photo: Flickr
Gaming in Africa: Human Development Benchmark
Kolko and Putnam argue that gaming fosters the spread of computer technologies in areas and among groups that might otherwise lack access. They claim that “games constitute a significant portion of the ICT (information and communication technologies) ecology in developing regions and provide a pathway to people’s ‘first touch’ of a computer.” Understanding and utilizing technology in developing countries opens up local and international employment opportunities while educating communities. These opportunities are crucial for transitioning developing nations into developed ones capable of competing on the global stage.
Proliferation of Gaming in Developing Regions
Unfortunately, the 2009 proposal was denied and the matter has not been revisited by the U.N., but the scientific and social studies that have been done since have reinforced the concept of games as a benchmark of human development. The idea of gaming as an important step in the artistic and social development of a nation has not only been adopted by academics but also by nations all over the developing world.
Elevating Gaming in Africa
The Pan African Gaming Group (PAGG), an international collective of video game developers across Africa, aims to enhance the status of gamers and developers on the continent. In developing nations, gamers often find game consoles and high-end computers hard to access, prompting a shift to more affordable technology. Mobile gaming has engaged more than 186 million people throughout Africa, a demographic PAGG serves by collaborating with studios across the continent to create games that reflect African life.
Gaming’s Economic Potential
In a statement on its website, PAGG states “We believe that if games are culturally relevant to the local communities that we serve… create positive impacts in the lives of Africans and their community.” The group aims to foster a gaming community in Africa with the potential to become a significant force in the international market, a goal that appears to be bearing fruit.
Gam3s predicts that gaming in Africa will be a billion-dollar industry by the end of 2024. Key factors include wider internet access and more affordable cell phones, but Africa’s adaptation to modern gaming markets involves more complex strategies.
African Developers
Companies like Microsoft, Apple and EA rely heavily on credit card transactions for game purchases and subscriptions. However, with Africa’s credit card usage at only 2.7%, accessing games from major companies poses a challenge. Despite this, gaming in Africa continues to grow, due to innovative solutions tailored for the local market. These solutions include OPay, a digital bank based out of Nigeria and the sale of game vouchers in local stores and supermarkets, making gaming more accessible to a broader audience.
Innovations have paved the way for African developers like Leit Arts, Kayfo Games and Digital Mania to gain recognition. With strong local support and growing interest from international gamers, these companies could transform Africa into a key player in online creation, gaming and community building in the digital world.
– Charles McFadden
Photo: Unsplash
How the Poetry Project Is Platforming Young Refugees in Berlin
Inspired by its beauty, Koelbl teamed up with Afghan-born lawyer and translator Aarash D. Spanta and a United Nations (U.N). adviser Andreas Jödecke to create a space for poetry in Berlin, hoping that they may be able to encourage young Farsi-speaking refugees to find their voices and tell their stories. The effort was an undeniable success.
The young men who attended (primarily young men were sent on the journey to Europe unattended) wrote of their trip in poems which were published later that year in an anthology that resulted in several writers performing their writing at Berlin’s 16th International Literary Festival (ilb). The Poetry Project met with The Borgen Project to give further insight into its work, mission and future plans.
How and Why Poetry Works
When organizing opportunities for the young refugees to write poetry, “we’re really thinking, how can we build connections?” Theresa Rüger told The Borgen Project. Rüger herself is a literature scholar who stumbled upon The Poetry Project at the ilb. Seeing the poems displayed in the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, she was inspired and applied to be a part of it. She explains that the workshops allow young people to tell their stories, meet others and build connections.
The inspiration to use poetry as a medium came from Koelbl’s encounters with poetry in countries such as Afghanistan. Rüger describes Koelbl’s joy as everyone from cab drivers to dinner hosts took the opportunity to share their own poetry, recite traditional poetry and use poetry to convey emotion where regular conversation failed. Searching for a medium to express the young refugees’ experiences, Koelbl decided poetry could be the answer she sought. In many countries, Rüger explains, poetry is close to the present, allowing it to weave in and out of everyday conversation. Perhaps due to this poetic connection, the young people working with The Poetry Project found that their emotions and stories flowed easily into this medium.
There’s another reason, however, that poetry fits so well to express the complex emotions and experiences at play here. “Sometimes the young people are afraid that their audience won’t be able to deal with [their stories],” Rüger explains, “or that they’re going to ask questions that they don’t want to answer.” Poetry introduces a degree of separation between reader and writer, allowing the refugees to get their story out there while retaining a comfortable distance from their audience.
Expansion
Today, The Poetry Project has expanded to include workshops in four languages: Farsi, Arabic, Ukrainian and Kurdish. Work is also translated into English and German. Workshops are held in the same room in the Project’s main office in Berlin, Rüger informs me and take place every weekend, with an additional drop-in session on Wednesday afternoons. This session, Theresa explains, can be used as a time to “just drop by if they want to write or just to talk to us.” In short, it is another opportunity for social connections to be forged and for trust to be built. Like the weekend workshops, attendance at the Wednesday sessions isn’t mandated. Instead, young people are free to invest as much time as makes them feel comfortable.
Spreading the Word
The young people involved in The Poetry Project don’t limit their words to the page. More than 10 readings are organized annually and young poets are frequently invited to speak at literary institutions in readings that impress the audience deeply. The performances “differ from your regular reading where you have a professional author. It feels more immediate.” Emotions run high in audiences facing “very young people” speaking of such harsh experiences and “often people cry.”
The readings’ most impactful are those delivered to the young poets’ peers: school children whose lives match the refugees’ perfectly in years but differ vastly in lived experience. Rüger tells of school assembly halls echoing with the jokes of 150 teenagers, raucous and reluctant to sit quietly for their teachers. But when the young poets come out on stage and begin to read, she says, “You could hear a pin drop.”
The awe and enthusiasm were verified by the school-age audience at the International Literary Festival Berlin, where students lined up to spend their “pocket money” on The Poetry Project’s first anthology after sitting spellbound through the reading. They even requested that the readers sign their individual copies.
Looking Forward
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Rüger describes how The Poetry Project has many projects, readings and events that will continue to spread its message and be a platform for young refugee voices. The Project has scheduled a collaborative performance with a dance group, the publication of a new anthology and a partnership with PEN Berlin – a writer’s association that specializes in supporting persecuted authors to come to Germany and establish themselves in the German publishing scene.
PEN Berlin also organizes additional workshops “held by professional authors who share a mother tongue with the participants.” In addition, The Poetry Project has planned participation in the event series “75 Jahre Grundgesetz – intersektional” from the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. Through the event series, The Poetry Project will join the discussion of Germany’s Basic Law from a “diversity-oriented, intersectional perspective,” adding its poetry to the debate on how the law relates to “marginalized and discrimination-affected groups.”
The Poetry Project has established itself as a center that works tirelessly to build connection, understanding and empathy. It provides opportunities for young refugees to foster a sense of belonging and to get their stories heard – all while helping those who grew up in Germany gain a more robust understanding of what refugees have experienced. Its methodology is simple – pass the mic to those who’ve been through it.
– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr
Zambia’s Cholera Outbreak: The Battle for Public Health
Cholera is a waterborne illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which produces a toxin in the small intestine, leading to loss of fluids and electrolytes. The bacterium manifests itself in contaminated water, which in turn affects underdeveloped countries lacking resources for proper water supplies and sewage disposal.
Densely populated areas such as Lusaka, with limited or no access to clean water and sanitation, are facing the worst consequences, with a devastating 4,443 cumulative cholera cases since October 2023.
Government Initiatives
In response to Zambia’s cholera outbreak, the Zambian government has taken decisive action through robust initiatives, including the Multi-sectoral Cholera Elimination Plan (MCEP) 2019-2025, with the aim to eliminate cholera by 2025. The MCEP has set six targets, including, but not limited to, improved surveillance of cases, reduction of the overall mortality rate of cholera by 90%, accelerated access to safe drinking water and conduction of oral cholera vaccination campaigns.
According to the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, 39% of Zambia’s population does not have access to basic drinking water services. In comparison, 69% do not have access to basic sanitation services. The MCEP has estimated that in order to reach its targets, Zambia will need to provide basic water supply to 660,000, basic sanitation to 1.16 million and basic hygiene services to 1.46 million people yearly. In order to do so, the MCEP has set a budget for $99,345,493 over seven years, with $67,877,076 dedicated directly to water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
NGOs and International Aid Efforts
In addition to government initiatives, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international aid agencies have played a crucial role in addressing Zambia’s cholera outbreak. For example, Oxfam and the Keepers Zambia Foundation (KZF) are working together to train volunteers to be health promoters. Volunteers help people who fall ill with cholera get oral rehydration therapy, refer patients to the hospital and encourage people to practice good hygiene. Furthermore, Oxfam is working with KZF to provide oral rehydration salts and chlorine to treat unsafe water, as well as providing equipment such as soap and clean buckets to prevent the further spread of cholera.
Another example of international aid efforts comes from WaterAid. The organization calls on global governments and stakeholders to invest funds in sustainable water resources, sanitation and hygiene services to support Zambia both immediately and in the future. Moreover, WaterAid Zambia is working with local Zambian communities to fight against waterborne diseases such as cholera. This includes education on basic hygiene practices and promotion of community-led sanitation initiatives. These are sustainable, long-term changes that address the root causes of the cholera outbreak in order to prevent any possible future outbreaks.
Innovations in Cholera Prevention
There are currently three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines: Dukoral, Shanchol and Euvichol. All of these vaccines require two doses for full protection. Dukoral requires a buffer solution of 150ml of clean water and protects for two years. Shanchol and Euvichol, however, do not require a buffer solution and protect from cholera for three years.
The latter two are currently available for mass vaccination campaigns in areas with an outbreak through the Global Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) stockpile, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Currently, a mix of live, killed and conjugated vaccines are in development with the hopes of long-term protection and easy administration.
Conclusion
Zambia’s cholera outbreak has underscored the critical need for comprehensive public health interventions to address waterborne diseases effectively. While significant progress has been and continues to be made through government initiatives, NGO efforts and international aid efforts, challenges such as limited supplies and heightened demand persist. However, with sustained commitment, investment and community engagement, Zambia can work towards a future where the impact of cholera outbreaks is minimized and public health resilience is strengthened.
– Emily Weir
Photo: Flickr
Maternal Health in Bangladesh
Causes of Maternal Mortality in Bangladesh
Maternal mortality ranks as the third leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 49 in Bangladesh, where most of these deaths are preventable through high-quality prenatal care and skilled attendance during labor and delivery. Poor health care facilities and limited access to them indirectly contribute to maternal mortality in the country. The two primary direct causes are obstetric hemorrhage, accounting for nearly one-third of maternal deaths and eclampsia, responsible for 23% of maternal deaths.
The State of Maternal Health Care in Bangladesh
Home births dominate in Bangladesh, with 71% occurring at home, yet only 4% receive attention from trained birth attendants. The country’s health worker coverage is at a mere 17% of the global threshold, highlighting a critical shortage of skilled birth attendants, especially in rural areas. For instance, in Cox’s Bazar, a rural area with one of Bangladesh’s highest maternal mortality rates, 90% of women give birth at home without trained attendants or emergency care access due to the region’s health care facility scarcity.
Further analysis of maternal health in Bangladesh reveals that 38% of maternal deaths occur on the day of delivery and 6% occur one day after. Additionally, 19% of these deaths happen at home, another 19% occur while en route to health care facilities, 49% occur in public health care facilities and 13% in private ones. Notably, about 80% of women who give birth in public facilities also die in these settings, underscoring the challenges within Bangladesh’s public health care system.
Efforts of CARE International and Other NGOs
CARE International, an NGO, has launched various programs to enhance maternal health in Bangladesh, including the Joint Action for Nutrition Outcome (JANO). This program educates mothers and pregnant women about health issues, nutrition and precautions during and after pregnancy, reshaping their understanding of the importance of accessing professional health care services.
In addition, the SHOUHARDO III program, another initiative by CARE, has made significant strides in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. In 2021, it trained female private community skilled birth attendants to assist pregnant and lactating women in the remote Char and Haor areas of northern Bangladesh. These trained professionals offer safe delivery services, antenatal and postnatal checkups, counseling, and referrals.
Other international organizations are also playing a key role in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. Among them, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through its ‘Solving Referral Challenges for Urban Poor to Access Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care’ project, collaborates with 40 maternity centers in Dhaka. The initiative leverages the ‘Ma Jaan’ app, connecting pregnant women in emergencies to the nearest participating hospital. This effort not only aims to bolster maternal health in Bangladesh but also leverages technology to propel the health care sector forward.
Looking Ahead
Efforts by CARE International and other NGOs are paving the way for improved maternal health in Bangladesh, showcasing the potential for significant advancements through education, training and technology. With continued focus and support, these initiatives promise a brighter future for Bangladeshi mothers, reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring safer childbirth experiences across the country.
– Olusegun Odejobi
Photo: Flickr
Child Poverty in Guinea-Bissau
Child Labor and Poverty
Poverty in this sense is not just measured in fiscal terms but rather in access to opportunities and resources. SOS Children’s Village estimates that 75% of children may not have access to housing, clean water or education. Additionally, child labor is a routine and necessity for many families. As many as 17% of children in Guinea-Bissau are child laborists which can cause both physical and mental harm.
Child labor can also lead to other exploitations; sexual, economic or slavery. This also affects children attending school. Currently, around 200,000 children in Guinea-Bissau have to work. Female children are particularly at risk of child marriage, violence and female genital mutilation which becomes a contributing factor to child poverty in Guinea-Bissau, according to SOS Children’s Village.
A Fragile Country
The World Bank defines Guinea-Bissau as “fragile,” which some have argued as a challenge for development tactics, whereas UNICEF argues the context of risk requires different approaches to international aid and development to adapt. Some argue that fragile countries have weaker trust in institutions. This creates a very difficult environment for those trying to help alleviate child poverty in Guinea-Bissau, however in recent years the EU’s Multi Indicative Programme 2021-2027 intends to improve cooperation from the EU to Guinea Bissau. In particular, the EU plans to intervene with three strategic priorities in Guinea-Bissau including: “Support[ing] Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health towards a Universal Health Coverage System – DAC 120” and “Enhance[ing] the Governance of the Education System and contribute to developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) – DAC 110.”
The Government tried to rectify the issue of child poverty through the Convention on the Rights of the Child which aimed to create an effective child protection system but due to the political and military instability of the state the Convention has made slow progress. The United Nations has indicated that high illiteracy rates and cultural traditions mean that the Convention’s policies and changes have been delayed in their implementation. Additionally, Guinea-Bissau has slowed down the progress of the Convention by not officially translating the most common languages forcing those organizations still fighting for children in Guinea-Bissau to use ad-hoc and potentially inaccurate translations of the Convention.
Solutions
SOS Children Villages describe the children of Guinea-Bissau as being at risk due to the country’s difficult political and social situation but offers hope as recently have acknowledged that child mortality rates have improved. As many as 270 children and young people grow up under SOS Children’s Villages’ care in its flagship program to reduce child poverty in Guinea Bissau. SOS Children’s Villages has a dedication to improving the lives of children without parental care/at risk of losing parental care. It achieves this through their three step mantra; prevention, protection and advocacy. Prevention aims to keep families together to avoid child-parent separation while protection includes training foster parents in care standards and supporting young people with self-reliance. Finally, its advocacy focuses on making systemic change through policies by bringing the discussion of child poverty in Guinea-Bissau to the forefront of various platforms.
Other thinktanks such as The World’s Children’s Prize encourage the general public to speak out against child poverty in Guinea-Bissau by enfranchising people’s agency to say what they think and vocally speak out against child poverty.
– Sona Nikoghosyan
Photo: Flickr
Cacao Pods: Repurposed to Alleviate Poverty in Africa
Sustainable Utilization of Cacao Pods
Collecting and repurposing the husk, pulp and shell of cacao pods results in several uses. For instance, the pulp can be processed into a nutritious and delicious beverage, creating new market opportunities within the chocolate industry. Additionally, cocoa bean shells can be transformed into cocoa flour, a healthy, gluten-free alternative to traditional flour. These innovative uses of cacao pod byproducts provides farmers with additional products to sell beyond chocolate, as well as, enhance their profits, diversify their produce and also enjoy environmental benefits. Cocoa bean shells can be used as fertilizer and mulch, helping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, thus improving soil health. Moreover, enhanced soil quality supports increased production and helps farmers achieve larger yields, contributing to poverty alleviation among cocoa farmers.
Animal Feed and Soil Health Improvement
Repurposing cacao pods not only helps reduce soil degradation, providing farmers with more reusable land for crop planting but also serves as a cost-effective animal feed source. This dual benefit enhances agricultural productivity and contributes to reducing poverty among cocoa farmers by lowering animal husbandry expenses.
Cacao Pods for Clean Energy Production
A study identified cacao pod husks as a viable source for electricity generation in Uganda. Methods such as direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization can convert these husks into energy. Utilizing cacao pods for power could significantly benefit rural areas in Uganda by providing electrification. This shift has the potential to reduce deforestation, mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity, transforming the socio-economic landscape of these communities.
Innovative Projects for Cacao Pod Waste Repurposing
The Circular Economy Cocoa: From Bean to Bar Project and the Cote d’Ivoire Biomass Electricity Production initiative are pioneering new methods to repurpose cacao pod waste for more sustainable production. The Cote d’Ivoire initiative focuses on a power plant that uses cacao pod waste to generate clean energy, as outlined by the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN). Meanwhile, the Circular Economy Cocoa program in Helvetas Vietnam aims to transform Vietnam’s cocoa production into a renewable sector. This transformation involves recycling cocoa waste as an energy source, eliminating harmful chemicals in manufacturing, reducing the intensity of resource production and introducing eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Looking Forward
Embracing innovative approaches to repurpose cacao pod waste marks a promising step toward sustainable agriculture and energy production, offering cocoa farmers in regions like Ivory Coast, Ghana and Uganda a brighter future. These initiatives not only aim to elevate farmers’ livelihoods but also set a precedent for environmental stewardship in the cocoa industry, steering toward a more sustainable and prosperous path for all involved.
– Erika David
Photo: Unsplash
Tackling Child Labor in Africa
Child Labor
Child labor is defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity and that is harmful to physical and mental development.” Many millions of children are involved in child labor. A staggering 79 million children aged 5 to 17 engaged in hazardous work as of 2020. The predominant sphere of such exploitation is agriculture, accounting for a staggering 85%. In this sector, children are subjected to hazardous conditions as they engage in tasks ranging from herding livestock to subsistence and commercial farming, jeopardizing their well-being and safety.
Causes
Many factors cause child labor, ones that are intertwined and reinforce one another. However, poverty is the most significant cause of child labor. It pushes families to rely on children for income to fulfill their basic needs like food, shelter and health care. So, for the survival of the family, children are sent to work instead of school to contribute to household income. Similarly, aspects such as job loss or the loss of primary income, as well as parental illness, can increase pressure on children to work and contribute financially to help support the family.
Limited access to education is also an important consideration. Inadequate facilities and poor quality of schooling lead to the perception of education being unnecessary to both parents and children. This perception can force children into labor at a young age. Without access to education, children have fewer opportunities to advance their futures – thus continuing this cycle of poverty.
Further, cultural and social norms significantly contribute to perpetuating child labor. In some communities, some beliefs work contributes to children’s “character-building and skill development.” Cultural norms and practices of child labor are so entrenched that parents and children do not perceive the adverse effects on children’s well-being and rights.
Fairtrade’s Help
Fairtrade understands the importance of effectively addressing child labor issues by considering several key factors. These include improving family incomes and enhancing access to quality education. Additionally, it combats discrimination and exploitation, promoting awareness of child rights, implementing legal interventions and fostering social changes within communities.
By improving income for farmers through Fairtrade Minimum Prices and Premium, Fairtrade is confronting poverty as a primary factor of child labor. These initiatives play a crucial role, as producers can reinvest in their communities with their financial exploits. This reinvestment includes constructing schools, enabling children to pursue higher education and protecting children from the detrimental impact of child labor.
World Vision’s Help
World Vision is tackling child labor through education. By teaching children their rights, the organization is empowering them with knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights and protect themselves from exploitation. It uses initiatives like vocational, life skills and entrepreneur training to improve opportunities for their future.
Community mobilization is also a key approach to World Vision tackling child labor, as it helps break down the cultural and social norms that cause child labor to persevere. World Vision trains people, like parents and faith leaders, in the community to bring about positive change and address damaging cultural and social norms.
Further, World Vision supports children and families through donations. It allows the organization to improve food security and incomes for families. Additionally, children do not need to resort to working to generate revenue for the family. Furthermore, World Vision also advocates and lobbies for national policies so children’s rights are prioritized.
The issue of child labor in Africa remains a significant challenge, with millions of children deprived of their rights. Rooted in poverty, social norms and limited access to education, child labor perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality. However, organizations like Fairtrade and World Vision are at the forefront of efforts to tackle child labor in Africa and address these root causes.
– Isabella Green
Photo: Flickr
3 Facts About Maternal Mental Health in Iran
Despite these positive advancements, the act of giving birth is seen as a practice that only women can witness. Therefore, fathers and male doctors do not partake or aid the mother while she is in labor. Midwives are present at some hospitals, but not enough to attend to every mother. Often, the mothers are left to give birth alone. This instills significant anxiety in new mothers: “According to a study in a health care center in Tehran, 46.5%, 12.1% and 11.1% of mothers experience post-trauma stress disorders, anxiety and depression respectively four to six weeks after a traumatic birth.”
Attitudes Around Mental Health in Iranian Women
Roughly a quarter of Iranian women suffer from mental health complications, such as depression and anxiety. Based on a study in the Iranian Journal of Public Health, women in Iran conceptualize mental health as emotional stability and the ability to function in day-to-day life with a sense of fulfillment. Mental health also includes sound decision-making, a lack of behavioral problems and a healthy family dynamic.
The journal notes, “According to participants’ views, people with high self-esteem, realistic beliefs, sense of control, essence or spirituality are satisfied.” Key concerns regarding mental health include poverty, marital issues, parental divorce, patriarchal attitudes, social stigmas and lack of religion/faith. Many women also believe that personal failings, such as jealousy or egoism, contribute to mental dysregulation.
Demographics and Maternal Mental Health
In terms of maternal mental health in Iran, especially in new mothers, a large theme is a sense of helplessness. In a study by the Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, many new mothers explain that, despite calling for help, they were not given attention. This experience resulted in them feeling alone and afraid. Additionally, they felt that if a birth complication should arise, they would not be assisted, resulting in their death or the death of their child. Many conceptualize this feeling as a “loss of control.”
They also note that the hospitals are not a comforting or suitable environment for childbirth. Some mothers note that this experience dissuades them from wanting to give birth again, resulting in a sense of insecurity. The journal notes that this experience is prevalent across demographics: “Regardless of their education, knowledge, socioeconomic status and place of delivery, they expressed their fear.”
Resources for Iranian Mothers Through Midwifery
Increasing and supporting access to reproductive health resources is the most direct way to accommodate maternal mental health in Iran. A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) urges developing the roles of midwives beyond aiding women in hospitals during labor: “Midwives are well placed within communities; therefore, defining and expanding their roles will result in better accessibility and availability of sexual and reproductive health care.”
Midwives need to be accessible beyond the hospital context and be more engaged on a community level. This can be done through house visits, general education and skill-sharing. The study notes that midwives could also be used as a source of information and education. This would prepare new mothers for labor and inform them of the process prior to their due date. The study also explains that many midwives are given training that they do not implement in the hospital sphere. Ultimately, this results in the loss of these skills. WHO suggests that additional training courses be provided to these midwives, specifically to better deal with pregnancy complications and stressors surrounding labor.
While poor maternal mental health in Iran is a concern, there are accessible modes of combating these complications through education and community. Midwives are a staple in the birthing process. With advancements in the roles of Iranian midwives, new mothers will be better prepared and can avoid unnecessary stressors during childbirth.
– Anna Williams
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