Anyone who listens to bands, plays an instrument or composes songs will know that music is more than a hobby. It can reduce stress and anxiety, increase auditory perception and even increase chances of good sleep. The positive effects of music on development have gained traction in research circles over the past 50 years, with studies showing that its practice can instill feelings of leadership, responsibility and empathy in children. A program named El Sistema, which was rolled out in the ’70s, demonstrated that music could completely alter the paths of disadvantaged children, removing them from the path of risk and causing self-esteem to boom. It will come as no surprise, then, that music is a powerful tool in uplifting those in poverty. In India, where nearly 170 million people live below the poverty line, four Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) are demonstrating how music empowers disadvantaged children, working to bring creativity, confidence and opportunity into their lives.
Inspire India
Inspire India is a subsidiary of the larger Shankar Mahadevan Academy Initiative, an organization operating in 60 schools worldwide. The initiative’s hopeful mission is to inspire, uplift and even “design moments of extreme joy” for the children they reach. A more accurate description would be designing moments of joy for all who encounter them, supporters and beneficiaries alike.
The smaller branch of Inspire India is no different. Founded on the ambition to foster musical ability and passion among children from vulnerable families, the organization currently operates centers in Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to open thousands more nationwide. Their programs play a crucial role in revitalizing neglected creativity by nurturing the talents of the children they engage with, providing them with the space to flourish. Through these initiatives, Inspire India fosters confidence and resilience in the participating children, empowering them to confront life’s challenges with strength and determination.
Child’s Play
Founded by Dr. Luis Dias in 2009, Child’s Play India has a clear goal: to “install positive values and provide social empowerment to India’s disadvantaged children.” Its method of choice to get there is a little more unexpected. The organization aims to reach its goal “through the teaching of classical music to the highest possible standard.”
Dias’s inspiration came from one fateful night at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) proms when two unusual orchestras from Venezuela and South Africa took the stage. Having spent his last year wondering why India, with such a big population, was falling behind smaller countries in its musical standard, the appearance of these groups was a lightbulb moment for one simple reason: they were entirely made up of disadvantaged children.
Consequently, Dias formed the concept of Child’s Play. He began to teach classical music to disadvantaged and street children in Goa, believing that the music would, in turn, allow them to develop discipline and self-esteem. By allowing them to lean into their creativity and believe in their excellence, the organization has provided more than 500 children with a newfound confidence and the promise of a future career.
Anahad
Registered as an NGO in 2013, Anahad is a studio and a community of musicians. Anahad, on a mission to uplift underprivileged communities, harnesses available production technology to preserve traditional folk music and empower the musicians who create it. An interesting example is the story of Dapu Khan, one of its musicians, whose collaboration with the organization has directly resulted in a substantial increase in income.
Khan, passionate about education but denied the chance himself, spent what little money he had on his children’s learning. When he met with the Anahad group, he explained his belief that Rajasthani folk music could touch the souls of its listeners, advocating for a broader platform to reach more souls. Anahad provided Khan with his first chance to work independently, without a third party or manager. The NGO equipped him with digital platform skills, assisted in setting up a website and facilitated the recording of two of his songs. The launch yielded a remarkable effect, leading to Khan securing wedding contracts, performances in Germany and the U.S. and a viral YouTube video that attracted collaboration offers from celebrities.
Manzil Mystics
Manzil Mystics was initiated by six musicians who themselves struggled with challenging upbringings. The organization operates through three primary branches: education, employing music for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools; gender, raising awareness about women’s health and rights; and livelihood, establishing a career pathway for aspiring musicians and structured support to help them achieve their goals.
Manzil Mystics runs various programs across India, each illustrating how music serves as an empowering force for underprivileged youth. One such initiative is the Performing Arts and Kids Happiness (PANKH) program, which involves visiting schools and teaching children how to write and sing songs. The sessions are fun and designed to build confidence and unleash children’s curiosity.
Learning music through programs like PANKH not only imparts musical skills but also aids children in developing cognitive and socio-emotional skills. It actively engages them in the learning process and enhances their empathy. PANKH goes beyond a singular focus, serving as more than just a music education initiative. In addition to teaching music, it provides safe spaces for children and young adults to discuss topics such as reproductive health, gender and other social issues. Furthermore, PANKH offers English language instruction and helps students acquire digital technology skills that will be valuable for their future careers.
– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr
5 Things To Know about Education in Burundi
Formal and Non-Formal Education
In Burundi, there are two types of education: formal and non-formal. Formal education, which is aimed at all children, has five levels. These include:
Non-formal education consists of general activities and learning aimed at out-of-school children and illiterate adults. Primarily funded by NGOs and religious groups, this form of education focuses on providing learning in basic literacy and mathematics to make general education more accessible.
Education is Free
Part of the success of education in Burundi is owed to the widespread governmental support, evident in the decision to make education free and compulsory for all at the primary level. Consequently, an impressive 96% of children were attending school in 2011, compared to 59% just six years earlier. A U.N. Secretary-General report also stated that despite being one of the world’s least developed countries, Burundi ranked highest among countries “having made the greatest strides in education.”
Burundi Scores Highly in African Literacy Rates
By making primary education free and compulsory, education in Burundi is well on the rise. As of 2017, literacy rates among young people have jumped from 62% to 88% over a decade. Consequently, Burundi has become one of the top 20 African countries for literacy, which is a huge achievement for the nation. This is largely owed to introducing Kirundi, the local language that most of the population speak, as the language of instruction during the early years of schooling, as well as hiring dedicated teachers and emphasizing the importance of education among communities.
Burundi Dedicates a Quarter of Its Budget to Education
Burundi has an extremely young and fast-growing population. With 41.5% of its population under 15, there is a constantly growing demand for teachers, school equipment and resources. As a result, the country has invested 25% of its national budget into education for the last five years, which is significantly more than average for a sub-Saharan country. Such investment aims to increase education rates among the younger generation and keep up with the expected growing demand for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is predicted to increase by almost 50% by 2030.
Despite All, There Remain High Drop-Out Rates
Despite all of the efforts to improve education in Burundi, the nation continues to see high drop-out rates. According to a study conducted by the Education Policy and Data Center in 2010, school participation rates remained high for both sexes at the age of 10, with 92%. However, these rates declined to 65% for girls and 77% for boys by the time they reached 15.
More girls are dropping out than boys in their adolescent years for various reasons, such as teenage pregnancy and a lack of separate toilet facilities, which are increasingly important for girls when they begin menstruation. External factors and circumstances continue to be capable of impacting a child’s education despite the quality of schooling that may be available to them.
The Future
The above facts demonstrate the significant progress education in Burundi has seen in the last couple of decades and the areas that may still need some further attention. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world today, Burundi remarkably achieves high literacy rates, provides free primary education and ensures that practically all children receive a basic education. Although external and societal factors remain a pressing issue and a reason for significant drop-out rates among older children, Burundi is no doubt on the right path to a brighter and more educated future for its population.
– Rose Williams
Photo: Flickr
Childhood Health in Liberia
Childhood Malnutrition
Stunting in a child is one of the most worrisome problems associated with childhood health in Liberia. Approximately “one in three children under the age of 5 are stunted or too short for their age.” Childhood health in Liberia is significantly affected by stunting and children can face many challenges because of it. It can negatively affect a child’s brain function, immune system and organ development. A child who experiences stunting may also perform poorly in school and experience decreased productivity. In the future, the child could also develop obesity or diabetes.
In Liberia, the neonatal period is the most challenging time for a child. This is considered the “make or break years.” More than a third of deaths in children under the age of five happen during the neonatal period. This is because of the high maternal mortality rate and children not getting the support that they need. The maternal mortality rate is 1,072 deaths for every 100,000 births. Children may either die with their mother during childbirth or are born without a mother to care for them and provide the proper nutrition.
Children need access to food that provides energy, protein, fatty acids, iron, iodine, zinc and thiamin to grow properly and healthy. If a child is living in poverty and does not have easy access to nutrient-dense food, they are at more of a risk of experiencing stunting. The most significant growth velocity occurs between conception and two years of age.
Childhood health in Liberia has remained stagnant, while other parts of the world are declining in stunting. This is due to the continued high poverty rate, natural disasters and past and present conflict. However, the Liberian government and other organizations strive to solve the issues.
Organizations Here to Help
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports childhood health in Liberia. The organization is working with the Liberian government to provide women with proper nutrition during pregnancy and children with adequate nutrition during the first two years of their lives. UNICEF also supports Direct Nutrition Interventions, promoting breastfeeding, treatment of malnutrition, hand washing, de-worming, supplements and food fortification.
The Power of Nutrition organization also strives to reduce childhood health in Liberia. The initiative seeks to help “lower coverage of nutrition services, limit capacity of health workers and challenge the nutrition information system.” So far, it has helped more than 950,000 children and more than 517,000 women access nutrition services.
The Actions Against Hunger organization is also active for childhood health in Liberia. It strives to provide childcare services, family planning services, nutrition services for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, malnutrition screening for children under five and hygiene kits to 4,000 households.
A Way Forward
Childhood health in Liberia is greatly affected by malnutrition and stunting. There is still a huge problem, but many organizations strive to fight it and give children better opportunities.
– Abby Trussell
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities Operating in Colombia
And yet, the country has endured. In 2022, the people of Colombia elected progressive candidate and former M-19 paramilitary Gustavo Petro as President. Some critics argue that in many ways, this election result is a symbol of the direction in which this country is heading. The last 20 years have seen a marked decrease in Cartel violence, paramilitary activity and foreign political interference. A thriving tourist economy has also grown. Here are some of the charities operating in Colombia that have been instrumental in affecting this change.
Corporacion Superarse
Dr. Francisco Rojas founded Superarse in 1970 as a measure to help orphans living on the streets of the country’s second city of Medellin. The charity has since spread across the country and has helped find homes, educational programs and ultimately careers for more than 6,000 orphaned or abused children. Today, Superarse provides educational programs, specifically in technical and environmental education and organizes sponsorships for individual children who could be at risk of “street work.”
Fundacion Tiempo de Juego
Another charity focussing on the struggles of young people in Colombia, Tiempo de Juego operates in the Magdalena, Cundinamarca and Cuaca regions of Colombia. The charity was founded in 2006 as a non-profit safe space for children and adolescents at risk of recrution into Cartels or being forced into other criminal activities. The backbone of the charity focuses on sporting activities – especially football (soccer) – but also provides Arts, reading and technology lessons for (as of 2021, more than 7,000) Colombian children who would never normally have access to the advantages of education and social inclusion. In particular, the charity’s Leadership School Model scheme has created opportunities for children to progress into leadership roles within the charity’s educational and community framework.
Red Somos
As of 2022, approximately 190,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Colombia, the third highest number in the region. Thanks in large part to charities such as Red Somos however, incidence rates in Colombia have fallen by 14%. Red Somos is one of the charities leading the fight against HIV/AIDS in Colombia. Its programs encompass advocating for fairer treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS and providing “prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment services for HIV and other STIs.” Although many of its initiatives focus on advocating for and protecting LGBTQ and migrant rights, its groundbreaking work in isolated communities in terms of HIV testing and prevention is what sets it apart.
Banco de Alimentos de Bogotá
Banco de Alimentos de Bogotá, one of the country’s largest food banks, has served the people of Colombia since 2002. To give some sense of the scale of the operation, the charity has served over 501,000 people across Colombia in the first two weeks of 2024 alone. The organization serves as an incredibly effective “articulator” of goods between international donors and the communities across Colombia that need them most, from isolated rural communities that often rely on subsistence farming to inner city neighborhoods where poverty is rife.
HIAS Colombia
When it comes to charities operating in Colombia, HIAS is something of an outlier insofar as it focuses specifically on helping people from overseas in demonstrably worse situations. Following the political collapse of Venezuela in 2019, the charity supported more than 77,000 Venezuelan refugees in Colombia. As well as providing temporary housing and food support to refugees, HIAS helps reunite refugee families and focuses in particular on “single women and women-headed households” who are often amongst the most vulnerable of refugees. Its methods include political advocacy and providing long-term economic inclusion for refugees.
As a general overview of charities operating in Colombia, this list is far from exhaustive. However, what it plainly shows are the hallmarks of a country moving from being described as “developing” to “developed.” That being said, it is clear that these organizations and many more like them, will need long-term support from the developed world if this dream is to be realized.
– Rory Giles
Photo: Flickr
Combating a 3,000-Year-Old Enemy: Yellow Fever in Africa
Angola, a southwestern African country, experienced an urban outbreak of yellow fever in 2016. In urban outbreaks, where disease spreads from human to human, yellow fever is exceptionally deadly. In the Angola outbreak, yellow fever spread to nearby countries and caused a pressing need for millions of yellow fever vaccine doses. All available vaccines were quickly distributed, making the need to plan for future outbreaks clear.
In response, the World Health Organization, in partnership with Gavi and UNICEF, created the Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy in 2017. The EYE Strategy outlines a plan to combat yellow fever through 2026, targeting 40 countries, including 27 in Africa, at the highest risk for yellow fever. The primary objectives of the EYE Strategy are to protect at-risk people, prevent international spread and quickly quell outbreaks. Many successful efforts have been made in the fight against yellow fever in Africa.
Protecting At-Risk People
The primary way to protect people at risk for yellow fever is through vaccination. The yellow fever vaccine is safe, low-cost and grants lifelong immunity. Each dose costs slightly more than $1. The EYE Strategy recommends mass vaccination efforts in high-risk countries. Additionally, the strategy recommends that high-risk African countries include the yellow fever vaccine in their regular childhood vaccination schedules. There is consensus that population herd immunity for yellow fever is between 60% and 80% and therefore, the EYE Strategy aims to have at least 70% of the high-risk population vaccinated.
There have been many efforts to protect at-risk people from yellow fever in Africa. Between 2017 and 2022, more than 220 million individuals in Africa received the yellow fever vaccine, with more than 50 million of those vaccinations administered through campaigns. Nigeria conducted a preventative campaign and vaccinated more than 31 million people. The Republic of the Congo vaccinated 3.6 million people in a campaign in response to an outbreak.
Preventing International Spread
The EYE Strategy outlines ways to prevent the international spread of yellow fever. One strategy is prioritizing vaccination for workers in high-risk industries like oil, mining, construction and forestry. Another way to stop international spread is to require yellow fever vaccination for people traveling to and from high-risk countries. The EYE Strategy also recommends readiness plans with steps for agencies to take during an outbreak. Such plans can ensure authorities are prepared to start reactive mass vaccination campaigns quickly.
African countries have made strides to prevent the international spread of yellow fever. Many African countries with a high risk of transmission have vaccination requirements for travelers. Angola, for instance, mandates proof of yellow fever vaccination for travelers aged 9 months and older. Many countries have also developed outbreak readiness plans to prevent international spread. In 2021, Nigeria published a detailed report of its outbreak responses from 2017 to 2019 and its strategies to improve readiness. This report provides a playbook for other African countries to improve their outbreak responses.
Quelling Outbreaks
The EYE Strategy provides several ways for countries to contain outbreaks. Rapid detection of yellow fever cases is one important strategy. Building and maintaining surveillance networks is critical so agencies can identify yellow fever cases immediately. Well-stocked laboratories are also vital to confirm yellow fever cases. An additional strategy to stop outbreaks is stockpiling vaccines. Authorities can deploy stockpiled yellow fever vaccines during outbreaks and help contain disease spread.
Efforts to thwart yellow fever in Africa have improved outbreak responses. The EYE Strategy’s Laboratory Technical Working Group approved a new yellow fever test kit to speed up detection in 2021. In 2022, laboratories in Uganda, Niger, Chad and Ghana improved their abilities to detect yellow fever through training. The EYE Strategy’s Incident Management Support Team provided education on optimizing surveillance and outbreak responses in 10 African countries in 2022.
EYE Strategy Midpoint
The EYE Strategy reached the midpoint of its timeline in 2022. So far, its efforts have resulted in major successes in fighting yellow fever in Africa, including hundreds of millions of vaccinations and improved outbreak readiness.
Despite these successes, more than 10 African countries reported cases of yellow fever in 2022. The work continues to improve yellow fever in Africa.
– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Flickr
Caritas: Tackling Homelessness in Mauritius
The Causes of Homelessness
In 2022 the National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF) conducted a study in partnership with numerous NGOs working against homelessness in Mauritius, which revealed many factors that either lead or drive people to the streets on the island. Although an exact figure for homelessness is not known, the NSIF surveyed a sample of 102 individuals to determine the common causes of homelessness. The results were as follows:
A surprising 52% of respondents in this survey were employed and received a salary – many working as cleaners, street vendors, security guards or plumbers. Yet they still find themselves unable to afford the rent due to the high cost of living.
The study also concluded that many of those surveyed were not aware of the social assistance that was available to them, very few had actively looked for information or applied for assistance. However, many charities have been making great progress in changing this by reaching out and offering help to the Mauritian homeless, providing shelter, rehabilitation, financial support and counseling for those in need.
Caritas
Founded in 1965 as part of the wider Caritas Internationalis Confederation, Caritas Ile Maurice is the Mauritian branch of a Christian grassroots charity, with more than 1,000 volunteers on the island. Despite an initial focus on providing emergency relief following Mauritian independence in 1968, Caritas has made significant progress in reaching out to the marginalized and tackling homelessness in Mauritius in recent years.
There are a reported 152 “pockets of poverty” in Mauritius, within which approximately 12,800 families and 3,000 squatters reside. To tackle this issue, Caritas has launched multiple initiatives since 2001 to provide relief and assistance for those in need, helping both the homeless, and those at risk of becoming homeless. It has partnered with the private sector and multiple U.N. organizations and state institutions to deliver relief in a multitude of ways.
Housing and Shelters
The Fonds Logement Caritas: Caritas Housing Fund has helped more than 900 Mauritians cover their housing loans so that families can become homeowners without the threat of losing their homes. Thanks to this initiative, many families and children have gained or maintained a roof over their heads and a stable and safe place to live, and those who may once have been at risk of losing their homes, gain a more secure living situation.
Caritas also runs two Night Shelters, Abri de Nuit de Port Louis/Plaine Wilhems, where the homeless can “regain their human dignity” and attempt to return to society, by providing overnight accommodation, bathrooms, proper meals and psycho-social assistance/ The facilities here can significantly improve a resident’s chances in successfully returning to society – while offering much-needed refuge from the isolation and hardship of living on the streets.
As a charity, Caritas has provided vital services and assistance for the homeless of Mauritius, reaching more than 50,000 beneficiaries, according to its website.
Mauritius seems to be on the right path for development. As of 2011, 87% of the Mauritian population were homeowners. In the same year, the United States figure rested at 70%.
A Promising Future
Thanks to the collaboration of both the state and NGOs such as Caritas, homelessness in Mauritius has seen significant progress and those affected are gaining real chances at a promising future as more and more people gain housing security, and those who remain gain access to both shelter and assistance.
The deciding factor on whether this vital work continues to help the homeless rests on the continued efforts of these charities and the state institutions prioritizing the homelessness issue. The future seems optimistic, but may only remain so. At the same time, the charities and government are consistently prioritizing helping those suffering or at risk and are placing increased focus on the root of the problem by addressing common causes that lead or drive people to the streets.
– Rose Williams
Photo: Flickr
Strategies to Help Reduce Violence and Poverty in Argentina
Violence in Childhood and Beyond
Alejandra Martínez, in his article “Masculinity, Poverty and Violence in Argentina – Analyzing Children’s Discourse,” shows that violence and poverty in Argentina root back to childhood when poor male children are indoctrinated with a gender role emphasizing strength as essential for navigating a brutal world. To get something, you need to take it. This is conveyed through gender norms, which are not always articulated explicitly. Instead, they are conveyed implicitly through language and symbolism. These norms are models for perceiving and reproducing valuations characteristic of their gender norms.
As such, gender norms play a role in shaping how individuals interact. It is vital to understand the implicit messaging conveyed by gender norms and to strive for equitable and inclusive practices that do not reinforce traditional gender roles. By doing so, individuals and organizations promote environments that value diverse perspectives and foster success. In the context of the lowest social strata, boys strive to distinguish themselves by emphasizing physical value and masculine honor. These attributes are necessary to prepare for physical challenges and violent activities. This aspect leads to countless factions vying for superiority in a cacophony of ingrained violence, spilling out and affecting those not directly involved in violence.
Míguez’s study found that violence and poverty in Argentina are reflected in crimes recorded in statistical records involving predominantly young males below 25 years of age hailing from impoverished urban areas. The social profile of those involved in criminal violence originates from impoverished urban enclaves of major cities. For instance, poverty was a recurring factor in 90% of the households with juveniles undergoing legal proceedings.
Bouzat and Gabriel, in their study “Inequality, Crime And Security In Argentina,” state that violence and poverty in Argentina are fueled by income inequality, which is associated with education inequality, impacting crime rates. Education is critical in reducing crime by promoting social capital, facilitating communication and peaceful conflict resolution. A lack of quality education hinders the development of social capital and contributes to increased crime. Although there is debate regarding how education reduces crime, research has demonstrated a positive correlation between the years spent in formal education and reduced crime.
Psychological and Social Solutions
Maria Esther Epele highlights that one solution being offered is to tackle the psychological consequences of poverty, which cause violent behavior. One strategy for reducing violence and poverty in Argentina is “Psychotherapeutic treatments,” where trained professionals are consulted to talk with individuals with histories of violence. They help the criminal understand their issues using ordinary language to help the subject relate to them.
The most important feature of this method is that the violent individual may have never been listened to or had their interior life considered, leading to lashing out to express themselves. They are taught to ask questions later because they were never listened to. Instead of punishing violence with violence, a more holistic approach is taken. This method will not work in all cases, but it has obvious benefits if you are looking to rehabilitate rather than punish.
As Krook indicates, social media is a powerful strategy for increasing awareness and combating violence. In Argentina, the U.S. Agency for International Development has funded programs offering gender training to targeted women. This two-pronged approach aims to enhance gender sensitivity in media coverage, with an emphasis on exposing acts of violence against women and violence broadly. Social media serves as a compelling tool for individuals and communities to expose such acts of violence and mobilize support for initiatives that empower women. In summary, leveraging mainstream and social media is a practical approach to combating violence by raising awareness and taking steps toward a safer and more equitable society.
Conclusion
By increasing awareness and visibility, Argentina is taking a critical step towards reducing violence. The country’s efforts have the potential to allow victims to share their experiences while encouraging perpetrators to recognize the harmful consequences of violent behavior. By creating an environment that fosters understanding and encourages communication, Argentina is taking significant steps towards reducing the impact of violence on its society.
– Jordan Cunningham
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities in the United Arab Emirates
The development of charities in the United Arab Emirates can be traced back to the early days of the country’s formation. As the country underwent rapid modernization and economic growth, leaders recognized the importance of giving back to society. Over the years, charitable activities have evolved and expanded, driven by the UAE leadership’s vision to create a caring and inclusive society.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares is a well-known charity in the UAE, and its philanthropic efforts have gained praise and recognition worldwide. Established in 2007, it focuses on providing access to quality education for underprivileged children and young adults in 60 developing countries, including Bangladesh and the Maldives.
Dubai Cares takes a comprehensive approach to addressing the education needs, understanding that promoting education involves more than just building schools and providing books. The organization also focuses on teacher training, vocational education and early childhood development programs. Not only has Dubai Cares built and renovated 2,172 schools, but it has also trained 22,370 teachers, established 3,157 Parent-Teacher Associations, created 489 libraries and distributed 1.3 million books written in local languages.
Emirates Red Crescent
Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) is dedicated to assisting individuals and communities in need. With its mission to alleviate poverty, provide relief and support sustainable development, ERC has made significant contributions to both local and international communities.
One of the main focuses of ERC is providing disaster relief aid. The organization plays an important role in responding quickly to natural disasters, conflicts and humanitarian crises worldwide. Through its logistical expertise and strong network, it has a long history of delivering food, water, shelter and medical aid to affected areas.
Another notable initiative is its commitment to eradicating poverty. Recognizing the importance of economic stability for individuals and communities, ERC implements regional poverty-alleviation programs, including vocational training programs and income-generating initiatives. In 15 years, ERC has spent nearly $3 billion toward poverty alleviation in 128 countries, helping over 228 million people.
Zakat Fund
The Zakat Fund is a remarkable organization dedicated to upholding the principles of Islamic philanthropy in the region. Established in 2003, the organization operates under the guidance of the government and has become one of the most prominent charities in the country. Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires every able Muslim to donate a proportion of their wealth to benefit the poor.
The Zakat Fund provides assistance to individuals and families struggling with basic needs such as food, shelter and health care. Additionally, it extends support to educational initiatives, giving underprivileged children access to quality education. Its “Our Youth – Our Responsibility – Our Zakat – Our Immunity” initiative enables local universities to provide financial aid to students facing economic hardship.
Beit Al Khair Society
The Beit Al Khair Society is one of the most important charities in the UAE and is dedicated to addressing social issues in the region. Established in 1989, this institution operates across the seven emirates of the UAE, aiming to alleviate poverty and provide humanitarian aid to the underprivileged. So far, they’ve helped a total of 27,454 families with over $7 million of aid.
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) supports women and children affected by gender-based violence. This organization stands as a beacon of hope for victims of abuse, offering shelter, counseling and educational programs to help rebuild lives. Over 10,000 people have connected with the foundation through several online platforms.
DFWAC conducts various campaigns and workshops to educate individuals about the signs of abuse, its consequences and how to prevent it. By engaging with the public and fostering dialogue around this critical issue, DFWAC challenges existing misconceptions and societal attitudes that perpetuate violence against women and children.
Conclusion
Charities in the UAE demonstrate the nation’s commitment to philanthropy and societal progress. Built on a foundation of cultural heritage and Islamic principles, these organizations play an important role in alleviating social issues and driving sustainable development. With innovative approaches, strategic collaborations and a dedication to lasting impact, UAE charities are transforming lives both domestically and across the globe.
– Sara Hatab
Photo: Unsplash
Period Poverty in Barbados
Period Poverty After COVID-19
According to a 2020 UNICEF report, about 21% of women in Barbados live in poverty, while specific groups of women, such as single mothers or women with disabilities, “continue to be disadvantaged.” These facts make it clear that many girls and women are facing poverty in Barbados and, consequently, period poverty.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), short and long-distance travel restrictions during COVID-19, along with the shutdown of multiple health centers, still affect reproductive and sexual health services for Latin American and Caribbean countries. This has resulted in a continued lack of care available to women suffering from conditions like endometriosis, as well as restricted access to female hygiene products such as pads and tampons.
Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association (KEFA)
Katrina Endometriosis Fund Association (KEFA), founded in 2016, has made addressing and preventing period poverty in Barbados one of its top priorities. The association began hosting the Endo Drive in 2018, which collects feminine hygiene products and distributes them to young girls and women, according to Loop Barbados News. This drive benefits hundreds of women on the island and the number of women reaching out to the organization for assistance has grown tremendously.
According to the founder, Katrina Alleyne, 2022 alone was full of successes for the Endometriosis and Women’s Health Association. The association broadened its reach to ensure that as many women and girls received sanitary napkins and other care packages as possible. KEFA intends to broaden the reach of its services even further this year while fully launching its BodyTalk project within schools. The BodyTalk project will educate many young girls in Barbados on what to expect during puberty and menstruation, Loop Barbados News reports.
The Lady Box Project
The Lady Box Project is another nonprofit organization based in Barbados that aims to aid women suffering from period poverty. The organization’s Instagram page describes it simply as a group of friends on a mission to end period poverty. The Lady Box Project is pursuing this goal by collecting donations of feminine hygiene products and assorting them into boxes before distributing them to vulnerable girls and women. The boxes are packed generously with pads, tampons, soaps and even menstrual cups before reaching thousands of Barbados women.
During its first year of operation in 2021, The Lady Box Project distributed more than 16,000 packs of sanitary napkins. It continues to support young girls and women by issuing boxes to those receiving services through organizations such as the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness, the Barbados Family Planning Association, the Barbados Shelter for Abused Women, and many more.
Continuing to Fight Period Poverty
Period poverty is still affecting many girls and women in Barbados. Organizations such as Katrina’s Endometriosis Fund Association and The Lady Box Project are working hard to combat this issue and their efforts are ensuring that more women have access to essential feminine hygiene care products.
– Kimber Peters
Photo: Flickr
New Opportunities: 10 Key Facts About Poverty in Chad
With an estimated 200 ethnic groups who speak about 100 languages living within its borders, the central African nation of Chad is one of the most diverse countries in the world. The nation is also one of the theorized places of origin of humankind, an idea substantiated by a ~7 million year old humanoid skull discovered within Chad‘s borders.
Throughout its history, Chad has been a central part of some of Africa’s greatest empires, a French colony and an independent state marred by internal and external conflict. Chad is an incredibly complex nation with many factors that contribute to poverty and instability. Here are 10 of the major facts about poverty in Chad that will hopefully demonstrate how the country could benefit from foreign aid.
10 Key Facts About Poverty in Chad
Hope for Continued Effort
Poverty in Chad has improved incrementally over the last 50 years, but there is much progress to be made especially when compared to many other developing areas. These 10 facts about poverty in Chad show an incredible opportunity for foreign aid to improve infrastructure and stability.
– Carolina Sherwood Bigelow
Photo: Flickr
Updated on: February 29, 2024
Music Organizations Empowering Disadvantaged Children in India
Inspire India
Inspire India is a subsidiary of the larger Shankar Mahadevan Academy Initiative, an organization operating in 60 schools worldwide. The initiative’s hopeful mission is to inspire, uplift and even “design moments of extreme joy” for the children they reach. A more accurate description would be designing moments of joy for all who encounter them, supporters and beneficiaries alike.
The smaller branch of Inspire India is no different. Founded on the ambition to foster musical ability and passion among children from vulnerable families, the organization currently operates centers in Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to open thousands more nationwide. Their programs play a crucial role in revitalizing neglected creativity by nurturing the talents of the children they engage with, providing them with the space to flourish. Through these initiatives, Inspire India fosters confidence and resilience in the participating children, empowering them to confront life’s challenges with strength and determination.
Child’s Play
Founded by Dr. Luis Dias in 2009, Child’s Play India has a clear goal: to “install positive values and provide social empowerment to India’s disadvantaged children.” Its method of choice to get there is a little more unexpected. The organization aims to reach its goal “through the teaching of classical music to the highest possible standard.”
Dias’s inspiration came from one fateful night at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) proms when two unusual orchestras from Venezuela and South Africa took the stage. Having spent his last year wondering why India, with such a big population, was falling behind smaller countries in its musical standard, the appearance of these groups was a lightbulb moment for one simple reason: they were entirely made up of disadvantaged children.
Consequently, Dias formed the concept of Child’s Play. He began to teach classical music to disadvantaged and street children in Goa, believing that the music would, in turn, allow them to develop discipline and self-esteem. By allowing them to lean into their creativity and believe in their excellence, the organization has provided more than 500 children with a newfound confidence and the promise of a future career.
Anahad
Registered as an NGO in 2013, Anahad is a studio and a community of musicians. Anahad, on a mission to uplift underprivileged communities, harnesses available production technology to preserve traditional folk music and empower the musicians who create it. An interesting example is the story of Dapu Khan, one of its musicians, whose collaboration with the organization has directly resulted in a substantial increase in income.
Khan, passionate about education but denied the chance himself, spent what little money he had on his children’s learning. When he met with the Anahad group, he explained his belief that Rajasthani folk music could touch the souls of its listeners, advocating for a broader platform to reach more souls. Anahad provided Khan with his first chance to work independently, without a third party or manager. The NGO equipped him with digital platform skills, assisted in setting up a website and facilitated the recording of two of his songs. The launch yielded a remarkable effect, leading to Khan securing wedding contracts, performances in Germany and the U.S. and a viral YouTube video that attracted collaboration offers from celebrities.
Manzil Mystics
Manzil Mystics was initiated by six musicians who themselves struggled with challenging upbringings. The organization operates through three primary branches: education, employing music for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools; gender, raising awareness about women’s health and rights; and livelihood, establishing a career pathway for aspiring musicians and structured support to help them achieve their goals.
Manzil Mystics runs various programs across India, each illustrating how music serves as an empowering force for underprivileged youth. One such initiative is the Performing Arts and Kids Happiness (PANKH) program, which involves visiting schools and teaching children how to write and sing songs. The sessions are fun and designed to build confidence and unleash children’s curiosity.
Learning music through programs like PANKH not only imparts musical skills but also aids children in developing cognitive and socio-emotional skills. It actively engages them in the learning process and enhances their empathy. PANKH goes beyond a singular focus, serving as more than just a music education initiative. In addition to teaching music, it provides safe spaces for children and young adults to discuss topics such as reproductive health, gender and other social issues. Furthermore, PANKH offers English language instruction and helps students acquire digital technology skills that will be valuable for their future careers.
– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr