In an era where the digital landscape shapes our view of the world, humanitarian influencers are emerging as powerful forces for change, leveraging the vast reach of social media to highlight and address global poverty and need. These influencers, through platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, are not only sharing their missions but are also mobilizing a global community toward action.
The Power of Social Media
The internet and social media have made the world more connected than ever. Before the internet emerged, options for distributing information were limited to books and magazines, which could quickly become outdated and newspapers and radio broadcasts, which only reached limited areas and audiences. Currently, the internet enables important and current news to reach millions of viewers within minutes.
This significantly enhances the reach of humanitarian activists and aid. Within minutes, activists can share stories of communities needing help and their message can reach hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who might donate or volunteer. Many humanitarians recognize the advantages of a robust social media presence.
Influential Humanitarians on Social Media
There are plenty of humanitarians who understand the benefits of maintaining a strong social media presence. Known as humanitarian influencers, with the significant aim of impacting underprivileged communities.
With their stories, projects and passion, humanitarian influencers like Surthany Hejeij, Tusaiwe Munkhondiya and Esther Mann are redefining philanthropy:
Surthany Hejeij (@surthycooks)
About half of Venezuela’s population lives in poverty, facing a humanitarian crisis with widespread shortages of essentials like food and drinking water. Venezuelan native Surthany Hejeij initially planned to use her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels to share her homemade recipes. However, disturbed by the rampant food waste she observed on social media, she shifted her focus to demonstrate the significant impact that using these ingredients wisely could have.
Surthany prepares large batches of food to distribute to Venezuela’s underprivileged citizens, showing viewers the positive effects of her efforts on her community and illustrating that fighting food insecurity can be as simple as sharing meals with families. Gaining recognition for her critique of food waste trends, this humanitarian influencer has inspired others to act similarly. Surthany has built a community of 29.3 million TikTok followers, 7.7 million on Instagram and 10.3 million YouTube subscribers. She not only continues to provide free meals to people in her community but has also traveled internationally to offer meals, leveraging her substantial online following.
Tusaiwe Munkhondiya (@tusaiweyana)
70% of Malawi’s population faces poverty, with Opportunity International reporting that more than two-thirds live in impoverished conditions. This situation heavily impacts children in Malawi, many of whom come from families struggling to afford school supplies, fees, or even necessities. Despite significant strides toward improving children’s well-being in Malawi, substantial challenges remain. Tusaiwe Munkhondiya, a 24-year-old from Mzuzu, Malawi, has dedicated herself to ensuring the children in her community flourish in a secure, loving and nurturing environment.
Serving as a caregiver to hundreds of children who affectionately refer to her as their mother, Tusaiwe’s nonprofit organization, YANA, channels donations and funds into creating schools, clinics, housing, farms and more for the children. As a humanitarian influencer, Tusaiwe leverages her social media presence to share updates and stories about the children under her care, attracting followers eager to support YANA’s expansion. With 84,000 followers on Instagram and 2.9 million on TikTok, her efforts have captured the attention and admiration of many influential people, one of which being Jaden Smith who regularly sends gift packages to the children in Tusaiwe’s care.
Esther Mann (@estherhavens)
Social media empowers humanitarians to adopt and leverage innovative methods for supporting their causes. The potential for humanitarian influencers to positively impact the lives of underprivileged individuals is boundless. For instance, Esther Mann, hailing from Dallas, Texas, leverages her photography skills to raise awareness about impoverished countries, with a particular focus on African nations like Rwanda and Kenya.
Her captivating images of the local people often grace the covers of magazines and books. The proceeds from these photographs frequently benefit the families she supports in Rwanda and Kenya through the Africa New Life Ministries’ sponsorship program. Moreover, Mann uses her platform to encourage others to sponsor families in Rwanda. Her photography has moved many and inspired individuals to utilize their talents for social good. Recently, Mann hosted a session sharing her unique and empathetic approach to photography.
Looking Ahead
The rise of humanitarian influencers marks a transformative shift in addressing global poverty, showcasing the profound power of social media to unite and inspire action across continents. Through their innovative use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, these influencers are not just spreading awareness but are actively contributing to the betterment of underprivileged communities worldwide. As we look to the future, the continued efforts of these compassionate voices promise to further bridge the gap between need and aid, heralding a new era of global solidarity and support.
– Kimber Peters
Photo: Freepik
The Impact of Humanitarian Influencers
The Power of Social Media
The internet and social media have made the world more connected than ever. Before the internet emerged, options for distributing information were limited to books and magazines, which could quickly become outdated and newspapers and radio broadcasts, which only reached limited areas and audiences. Currently, the internet enables important and current news to reach millions of viewers within minutes.
This significantly enhances the reach of humanitarian activists and aid. Within minutes, activists can share stories of communities needing help and their message can reach hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who might donate or volunteer. Many humanitarians recognize the advantages of a robust social media presence.
Influential Humanitarians on Social Media
There are plenty of humanitarians who understand the benefits of maintaining a strong social media presence. Known as humanitarian influencers, with the significant aim of impacting underprivileged communities.
With their stories, projects and passion, humanitarian influencers like Surthany Hejeij, Tusaiwe Munkhondiya and Esther Mann are redefining philanthropy:
Surthany Hejeij (@surthycooks)
About half of Venezuela’s population lives in poverty, facing a humanitarian crisis with widespread shortages of essentials like food and drinking water. Venezuelan native Surthany Hejeij initially planned to use her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels to share her homemade recipes. However, disturbed by the rampant food waste she observed on social media, she shifted her focus to demonstrate the significant impact that using these ingredients wisely could have.
Surthany prepares large batches of food to distribute to Venezuela’s underprivileged citizens, showing viewers the positive effects of her efforts on her community and illustrating that fighting food insecurity can be as simple as sharing meals with families. Gaining recognition for her critique of food waste trends, this humanitarian influencer has inspired others to act similarly. Surthany has built a community of 29.3 million TikTok followers, 7.7 million on Instagram and 10.3 million YouTube subscribers. She not only continues to provide free meals to people in her community but has also traveled internationally to offer meals, leveraging her substantial online following.
Tusaiwe Munkhondiya (@tusaiweyana)
70% of Malawi’s population faces poverty, with Opportunity International reporting that more than two-thirds live in impoverished conditions. This situation heavily impacts children in Malawi, many of whom come from families struggling to afford school supplies, fees, or even necessities. Despite significant strides toward improving children’s well-being in Malawi, substantial challenges remain. Tusaiwe Munkhondiya, a 24-year-old from Mzuzu, Malawi, has dedicated herself to ensuring the children in her community flourish in a secure, loving and nurturing environment.
Serving as a caregiver to hundreds of children who affectionately refer to her as their mother, Tusaiwe’s nonprofit organization, YANA, channels donations and funds into creating schools, clinics, housing, farms and more for the children. As a humanitarian influencer, Tusaiwe leverages her social media presence to share updates and stories about the children under her care, attracting followers eager to support YANA’s expansion. With 84,000 followers on Instagram and 2.9 million on TikTok, her efforts have captured the attention and admiration of many influential people, one of which being Jaden Smith who regularly sends gift packages to the children in Tusaiwe’s care.
Esther Mann (@estherhavens)
Social media empowers humanitarians to adopt and leverage innovative methods for supporting their causes. The potential for humanitarian influencers to positively impact the lives of underprivileged individuals is boundless. For instance, Esther Mann, hailing from Dallas, Texas, leverages her photography skills to raise awareness about impoverished countries, with a particular focus on African nations like Rwanda and Kenya.
Her captivating images of the local people often grace the covers of magazines and books. The proceeds from these photographs frequently benefit the families she supports in Rwanda and Kenya through the Africa New Life Ministries’ sponsorship program. Moreover, Mann uses her platform to encourage others to sponsor families in Rwanda. Her photography has moved many and inspired individuals to utilize their talents for social good. Recently, Mann hosted a session sharing her unique and empathetic approach to photography.
Looking Ahead
The rise of humanitarian influencers marks a transformative shift in addressing global poverty, showcasing the profound power of social media to unite and inspire action across continents. Through their innovative use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, these influencers are not just spreading awareness but are actively contributing to the betterment of underprivileged communities worldwide. As we look to the future, the continued efforts of these compassionate voices promise to further bridge the gap between need and aid, heralding a new era of global solidarity and support.
– Kimber Peters
Photo: Freepik
The University of Notre Dame’s Poverty Initiative
Addressing a Global Challenge
Poverty affects around 700 million people worldwide. Breaking the cycle of poverty has proven to be a complex challenge despite many well-intentioned efforts already underway. The University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative aims to make significant strides in poverty research, seeking to understand and unravel its root causes and consequences. Guided by the university’s profound mission, this initiative offers a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against poverty across the globe.
Leadership and Vision
The Director of the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), Jim Sullivan, will lead the University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative. Sullivan and the research group hope to provide undeniable evidence of effective and promising research. They hope that, with provided evidence, policymakers and service providers will strive toward systemic changes. In addition to this, the initiative hopes to increase involvement at the university level to not only inspire students to engage with anti-poverty work but to support opportunities for more nonprofit research at the school.
Building on Success
The University of Notre Dame hopes to continue building on the successful poverty research already being conducted. Through the university, the LEO and the Pulte Institute for Global Development have grown strong partnerships with providers across the U.S., including Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The new initiative plans to expand these existing efforts through a “local-to-global” approach, translating the already successful plans to a broader global scale.
The Three Areas of Focus
Research: The poverty initiative will support and invest in research addressing poverty’s causes through informing policy, guiding philanthropic endeavors and practicing evidence-based solutions.
Student Formation: The initiative will invest in programs focused on student formation, including learning expansions and curriculum development. Graduates will be equipped to address the challenges of poverty in their personal and professional lives.
Impact: The initiative also aims to make an impact by directly using research to spark action. Collaborating with partners in government, nonprofits and the corporate sector, it seeks to expand on pre-existing successful programs and contribute to poverty alleviation efforts.
Conclusion
The University of Notre Dame’s poverty initiative represents a transformative step in eliminating worldwide poverty. An issue as complex as this requires extensive and evidence-based research and implementation, which is what this program aims to provide. With Jim Sullivan’s and other staff’s strong leadership, this multifaceted approach intertwines diligent research, student involvement and measurable impacts to tackle an issue as compound as generational global poverty. The University of Notre Dame is dedicated to being a force for good, setting a transformative example for other programs and research institutions.
– Katherine Barrows
Photo: Pixabay
Period Poverty in Sudan: The Impact of USAID
Conflicts and natural disasters have also resulted in there being around 3.7 million internally displaced people (IDP) in Sudan, a situation that disproportionately affects women and girls, according to 500 Words Magazine. Displacement exacerbates gender-specific challenges such as period poverty, with menstrual products becoming even less accessible.
The Consequences
According to ActionAid, girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss around 20% of the school year due to menstruation, through fear of humiliation or isolation, 500 Words Magazine reports. The consequences of a poor education are commonly linked to poverty, and so period poverty can have long-lasting effects on young girls’ opportunities.
Sanitary products are also extremely difficult to access in rural areas of Sudan, and so women and girls have to use alternatives such as old pieces of cloth or other domestic items, which can lead to infections, according to 500 Words Magazine.
The risk of infection is even higher for women and girls who have been subject to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). According to the UNICEF, approximately 87% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 in Sudan have undergone some form of Female Genital Mutilation, as of 2017.
The Work of World Vision
World Vision has been doing some fantastic work to alleviate some of the impacts of period poverty in Sudan. With help from funding from USAID-Bureau and in collaboration with various ministries and UNICEF, World Vision sought to initiate the production of reusable sanitary towels in Sudan for the first time.
The organization conducted an initial pilot in Blue Nile state, where it developed three designs from local cotton fabric. World Vision distributed 200 samples of each design to 100 girls across four localities. Later it carried out a user survey to ensure that these girls could input into the final designs. Public health officers then trained the girls to properly and safely use reusable sanitary towels.
According to World Vision, six groups of 15 women each from six localities then received training and start-up kits for making the products. They went on to make 5,000 pieces, “which World Vision purchased and distributed to 500 girls.”
With further funding from UNICEF, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and USAID BHA, the project is now going further and many of the initially trained women are training other women’s groups in South Kordofan, South Darfur and East Darfur, targeting 5,000 girls.
The Fantastic Success
The fantastic success of the reusable sanitary towels initiative in Sudan demonstrates the enormous impact that USAID funding can have to fund projects like World Vision’s and provides optimism for putting an end to period poverty in Sudan and elsewhere in the developing world. However, period poverty remains a significant issue across the globe, and in Sudan in particular, demonstrating the importance of USAID in alleviating poverty worldwide.
– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr
The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Bhutan
High Value, Low Impact
Bhutan has adopted a ‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism strategy to minimize the environmental footprint of tourism as much as possible. This strategy includes the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which requires tourists to pay a charge of $100 per person to support Bhutan’s development and environmental conservation. The revenue from this fee has led to numerous successes, significantly enhancing infrastructure, services and facilities for both nationals and tourists. Additionally, the funds help finance overseas university education for Bhutan’s brightest students. This approach clearly shows that sustainable development in Bhutan extends beyond the non-economic aspects of society.
Gross National Happiness
Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the 4th King of Bhutan conceptualized the idea of sustainable development independent from economic agendas, insisting that ‘Gross National Happiness (GNH)’ was more important than economic progression. Since 1972, the four pillars of GNH have been viewed with equal importance as economic development; these goals are environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of culture, sustainable socio-economic development and good governance.
Sustainable development in Bhutan has achieved its goals, notably by mandating tour groups for all travelers, as the country bans solo traveling. This policy ensures a minimum profit from every tourist entering Bhutan, fostering sustainable economic development and creating jobs in the tourism sector for Bhutanese nationals. Indeed, tour companies employ cleaning squads to remove litter left by tourists in forests and on mountain trails, thus preserving Bhutan’s pristine environment and providing more opportunities for locals. The tours also immerse travelers in Bhutanese culture and traditions, offering them genuine insights into the daily lives of tribal communities.
Sustainable Energy
Environmental conservation in Bhutan does not only preserve the natural environment but has incredible benefits globally; as one of the three carbon-negative countries globally with 70% of the land covered by forestry, Bhutan acts as a large carbon sink for global emissions. Bhutan also has low emissions as they generate hydroelectric power through their many rivers, instead of using environmentally harmful fossil fuels. This renewable energy is free, making it a very popular and ecological choice. Environmentally friendly energy is a key aspect of sustainable development in Bhutan, with plans to reach zero net greenhouse gases and produce zero waste by 2030 through increasing renewable energy sources such as implementing stronger wind, biogas and solar power infrastructure.
A Refreshing Perspective
Bhutan is governed by the principles of Buddhism, as opposed to business. It is one of the few countries prioritizing the well-being and future of civilians and the environment over economic progression. Bhutan is living and breathing evidence that countries do not have to make the trade-off between economic progression and environmental conservation; this new approach to sustainable development in Bhutan has showcased the environment and economy can co-exist and flourish.
– Abigail Tidball
Photo: Unsplash
Mercy Ships’ Campaign To Grow Africa’s Health Care System
Mercy Ships’ Overview
Mercy Ships is a faith-based international development charity that sends hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering essential, accessible health care to people in desperate need. Following the principles of Jesus Christ, Mercy Ships serves as a movement to provide hope and healing to individuals suffering from disability, disfigurement and disease.
Maintaining its Christian values wherever its volunteers go, the initiative’s volunteers are driven by a desire to provide surgical treatment and improved health care to nations susceptible to conditions including HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria with limited means of combating such ailments. This is particularly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where most countries the nonprofit partnered with reside.
Partnering With Host Countries
Mercy Ships estimates that in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, nine out of 10 people have no access to basic surgical care. For example, more than 69% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa live on less than £2 ($2.5) daily. Health care in these countries either doesn’t exist or is unaffordable to most of the population. To overcome this, the organization has established partnerships with each country it has lent its support to, addressing the needs of each nation.
Impact on Host Nations
During a 10-month stay in Guinea from 2018 to 2019, the faith-based program delivered 2,442 life-changing surgeries onboard its hospital ship, treated more than 7,937 patients at a land-based dental clinic and trained and mentored 1,254 local health care professionals. In Madagascar, the charity’s efforts from 2015 to 2016 contributed to 1,682 surgeries and 29,043 dental procedures. It also trained and mentored 1,546 health professionals.
Their flagship vessel, the Africa Mercy, the largest hospital ship in the world, was docked in Senegal in 2019. More than 400 volunteers were located on board to provide necessary treatment for conditions encompassing dental and eye problems, cleft lips and palates, tumors, club feet, childbirth injuries, burns and more. During the ship’s stay in the port of Dakar, the organization provided 1,407 surgeries aboard and treated more than 5,000 dental patients in its land-based facilities.
Katie’s Story
‘‘All the members on the ship are completely volunteers, from the ship captain to the deck hands, to the surgeons and catering staff. I worked as a scrub nurse, handing the surgical instruments to the surgeon and ensuring the procedures were sterile and safe. I worked 50 hours a week on average,’’ stated Katie Fletcher, a nurse employed by the National Health Service in England.
Fletcher discovered Mercy Ships and its cause when she was 18 years old and before she started training to become a nurse at a music festival. Sharing the organization’s Christian values, she soon felt compelled to apply her training and knowledge towards Mercy Ships and its life-changing work in 2023 during a two-week volunteer placement.
Her campaign began with a fundraiser, where she successfully raised £3,000 (nearly $4,000). She achieved this through a combination of quiz nights, raffles, a sponsored walk around the Gower Peninsular in South Wales and campaigning on behalf of the charity through avenues such as BBC Radio and newspapers. More than half of the funds went towards the charity. More than half of these funds were invested in medication and other logistics to perform the surgeries, contributing to the campaign’s overall success.
Katie envisages Mercy Ships and its local apprenticeships onboard the ship will make health tourism more sustainable by teaching the locals safe surgery techniques despite frequently traveling to new destinations after a certain period.
– Thomas Perry
Photo: Flickr
AI for Ethiopia: Harnessing Technology to Combat Poverty
AI Powered Tools for Ethiopia
Imagine AI-powered tools analyzing weather patterns and advising farmers on optimal planting times and crop selection, maximizing yields and mitigating the drought risk – a frequent threat in Ethiopia. This potential is not merely hypothetical. A project by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) uses AI to analyze satellite imagery and provide farmers with personalized agricultural advice, leading to a 20% increase in yields for participating farmers.
Business Analysis With AI
Beyond agriculture, AI can empower financial inclusion. Ethiopia boasts a young population, many needing access to traditional banking services. AI-powered mobile banking platforms can bridge this gap, offering secure and convenient financial services to millions, fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic growth. For instance, the AI-powered mobile money platform M-PESA has revolutionized financial inclusion in Kenya, increasing financial access for millions and boosting overall economic activity.
Growth of Ethiopian Heath Care With AI
The potential of AI extends even further. In health care, AI improves public health outcomes and reduces treatment costs. According to the Novartis Foundation and Microsoft, post-COVID-19 artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in Africa. The study “Reimagining Global Health through Artificial Intelligence: The Roadmap to AI Maturity” examines how adopting AI-based health solutions can help low-income countries overtake high-income ones. Compared to conventional techniques, artificial intelligence in health care offers numerous advantages:
According to the 2020 Partech report, $189 million in funding was given to African companies in the health technology space in 2019. This sum is equivalent to a 969 % increase over 2018 and represents 9.3% of the total amount granted to entrepreneurs operating in Africa. As a result, the health technology industry is raising substantial capital and expanding.
Improvising Teaching Methods With AI
AI-powered tutors can personalize learning experiences, catering to individual student needs and enhancing educational attainment. Of course, harnessing AI effectively as a technology to combat poverty requires careful consideration. Ethical concerns surrounding data privacy and potential job displacement must be addressed with comprehensive regulations and responsible implementation. Additionally, digital literacy initiatives are crucial to ensure equitable access and prevent exacerbating existing inequalities.
Conclusion
Ethiopia’s burgeoning internet user base presents a unique opportunity to leverage AI technology to combat poverty and promote sustainable development. By embracing this technology responsibly and inclusively, Ethiopia can unlock a brighter future for its people, transforming challenges into opportunities and paving the way for a more prosperous and equitable society.
– Vincenzo Marino
Photo: Wikimedia Cpmmons
Syrian Women’s Textile Cooperatives in Refugee Camps
Al Badia Cooperative: A Symbol of Cultural Preservation
The Al Badia Cooperative in Lebanon is one such beacon of hope. Renowned for its traditional embroidery techniques, Al Badia has become a textile group; it’s a symbol of cultural preservation. Here, women meticulously create patterns that tell stories of their homeland, keeping the rich tapestry of Syrian heritage alive. These artisans, many of whom had to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs, find solace and dignity in the rhythmic movement of their needles and threads.
UNHCR’s Role in Supporting Livelihoods
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a pivotal role in supporting these cooperatives. By providing materials, training and a platform to sell these textiles, organizations like UNHCR are aiding in livelihood creation and helping preserve a vital part of Syrian culture. This support has been crucial in turning these initiatives from small-scale projects to sustainable income and cultural preservation sources.
Economic and Psychological Impact
The economic impact within the camps is palpable. For many women, the cooperatives offer not only a source of income but also a sense of normalcy and purpose. The earnings from these cooperatives often go towards supporting entire families and providing food, education and healthcare. Beyond the economic benefits, these cooperatives are a testament to the resilience and strength of Syrian women, who demonstrate remarkable fortitude in the face of adversity.
Cultural Significance Amidst Displacement
In a time when displacement threatens to erase cultural identities, these textiles stand as a defiant symbol of heritage and history. These fabrics are more than just craftsmanship products; they are narratives woven with threads of resilience, hope and a deep longing for a homeland left behind.
Conclusion: A Movement Beyond Economics
The emergence of textile cooperatives in refugee camps is more than an economic initiative. It is a movement that is preserving the intricate art of Syrian textiles, empowering women with a sense of purpose and ensuring that even in the face of displacement, the vibrant tapestry of Syrian culture continues to flourish. Through their work, these women are not only contributing to their communities. Still, they are also keeping the stories and traditions of Syria alive for future generations.
– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Freepik
The Osaka Foundation: Improving Haiti’s education system
These events have caused a significant decrease in Haiti’s Human Capital Index (HCI). Human capital is essentially the skills and experiences citizens develop that can benefit countries and their infrastructures, an example being a country having quality education. Countries with higher human capital allow citizens to excel in productivity, which will, in turn, benefit countries economically.
In Haiti, the HCI is 0.4 out of 0.8, meaning there needs to be more effort in developing a quality education for Haitian students. According to the World Bank, “a child born today in Haiti will grow up to be only 45% as productive as they could be if he or she had enjoyed full access to quality education and health care.” This statistic represents the importance of bettering Haiti’s education system.
Facts About Haiti’s Education System
According to Schools for Haiti (a non-profit organization focusing on religious teachings), “the enrollment rate for a primary school in Haiti is 57% and fewer than 30% of the students reach 6th grade.”
The low enrollment in Haiti is because of the lack of public education. Most schools in Haiti are private and require tuition payments for children to attend, which many families cannot afford. According to Reuters, “most Haitian citizens live on less than $3 per day,” and the cost of private schooling can range from $1,400.00 in inner-city areas to $552.00 in the countryside annually in Haiti.
Currently, violent gangs grow staggeringly as the government is in shambles following the pandemic and the assassination of their President, Jovenel Moïse, in 2021. The weak government leadership has allowed Haitian gangs to dominate Haiti’s food supplies, money circulation and schools. The power these gangs have over the education system is tremendous; children are being recruited into gangs as it is the only organization providing food and protection to citizens and schools are dealing with raids, leaving the students in dangerous situations.
Violent Attacks
UNICEF reports that within the past year in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and most populated city: “72 schools have been targeted, compared to eight during the same four-month period the year before. This includes at least 13 schools targeted by armed groups, one school that was set on fire, one student who was killed and a school in which two staff members were kidnapped.”
In response to these violent attacks, many schools have shut down to protect the students and their staff. In the same report, UNICEF states, “In the first six days of February alone, 30 schools were shuttered as a result of escalating violence in urban areas, whereas since last year October, it has been found that 1 in 4 schools has remained closed.”
The Importance of Education in Haiti
Education is the key to social mobility for many, especially in underdeveloped countries where they understand the privilege of quality education. In an article by Joseph Burns, a writer for New Trader U, “Quality education plays an integral role in nurturing generations of minds. While the classroom provides structured learning, gaining knowledge is a lifelong endeavor that brings immense personal fulfillment.”
Education is a vehicle for a better future for their children, so many parents in Haiti are adamant about paying for their education despite the high expense. The children in Haiti have numerous obstacles to earning a quality education.
The Osaka Foundation
Over the years, there has been a great effort to create a more stable free education experience for Haitian children that can manifest a bright future for Haiti’s children. Many organizations and nonprofits plan on bringing high and equal education to Haiti’s students. Garry Jules is the coordinator and VP of Business Development of The Osaka Foundation. The Osaka Foundation is a non-profit organization in Jacmel that educates children ages 5 to 11 in sports, music, technology and primary education to empower and inspire Haiti’s youth.
Jules expresses concern with the violent events in Haiti but wishes many to know that is not the only aspect of Haiti. There is so much untapped brilliance in Haiti’s children, academically and physically. They are just not allowed to express it within the current academic structure. Jules spoke with the Borgen Project, saying, “We cannot just be the subject in the news for them; we must get involved. So, one of our missions is to reach out to students in the diaspora, in general, to make changes.”
The Osaka Foundation supports incorporating sports in their education program to show alternative ways students can learn, as sports are one of the more popular activities to entertain themselves throughout their days. Jules emphasizes the importance of Haitians working with what they currently have. Strengthening the education of sports can bring hope to the students and their futures: “Allow them to become professional athletes if they can benefit from a scholarship from other universities in the world and then that’s a way for them to promote Haiti socially too,” Jules states.
Conclusion
Haiti’s education system faces struggles, but they are endeavors the Haitian community is willing to battle to bring in quality education and future generations that can shine a light on Haiti’s unique attributes and capabilities.
– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Flickr
Breaking Barriers: Bulogo Women Empowering Communities
From Small Seeds to Mighty Businesses
Born in 2005, the Bulogo Women’s Group blossomed from a simple yet powerful desire: to mobilize and empower women through enterprise, agriculture, health, human rights promotion and protection of the environment and girl child education.
The Bulogo Women’s Group takes its mission further by partnering with NGOs like Street Business School (SBS). Recognizing the unique needs of women in their community, many of whom lack formal education and the concept of business ownership may feel daunting, Bulogo harnesses the power of SBS’s tailored curriculum.SBS’s program, designed specifically for women like those in Bulogo, integrates coaching and confidence-building elements to empower graduates to not only acquire practical knowledge but also believe in their entrepreneurial potential. This holistic approach equips these women with the tools and the courage to step out of their comfort zones and turn their business aspirations into reality.
Juliet Basilika is one such example of how the Bulogo Women are empowering communities. After graduating from the Street Business School (SBS) program through the Bulogo Women’s Group, Juliet joined forces with three fellow graduates to create the Bakuseka Foundation, a unique catering business in their village of Nawango.
The Power of Prescience
Juliet and her companions, all with backgrounds in subsistence farming, faced a common challenge: their village market was already saturated with agricultural produce. Instead of following the well-trodden path, they dared to be different. With a shared vision and just $24 each or a total of $96, these determined women pooled their resources and invested in cooking and serving equipment. Their bold move transformed them into the village’s first-ever meal service providers for weddings and other ceremonies.
The journey, however, wasn’t without obstacles. Skepticism and even disdain greeted their venture, with some community members doubting their ability to succeed. Yet, Juliet and her colleagues persevered, fueled by their belief in themselves and the transformative power of education. After earning their initial income from catering gigs, they innovated further, renting out their equipment to others and soon their earnings surpassed their wildest expectations.
Blooming Employment
Today, the Bakuseka Foundation has gone beyond generating income for Juliet and her team; it has become a source of livelihood for many in the community. To manage the physical demands of their work, the group now employs several men for heavy lifting tasks. Each day, the women earn an average of $5 each, a testament to their hard work and the success of their venture. Moreover, they reinvest most of their profits back into the business, aiming to purchase server shirts and party chairs to expand their rental services and further increase their income.
“The name Bakuseka means they laugh at us,” Juliet shares with a beaming smile. “But we are starting to prove them wrong.”This is a testament to the impact of the Bulogo Women’s Group in bringing life-changing opportunities to women like Juliet, transforming lives empowering communities and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Challenges
Like most women in Uganda, the journey is not without its challenges. Access to financing, limited infrastructure and traditional gender roles remain significant hurdles. Yet, the Bulogo Women’s Group continues to persevere, forging partnerships with international organizations and NGOs like the Universal Charitable Fund to secure funding for their women and empower their communities. Their unwavering spirit and collaborative approach are their greatest weapons, propelling them forward in the face of adversity.
The initiatives brewing in Bulogo may seem small, but their impact resonates loud and clear a testament to the power of women empowering communities through enterprise.
– Abraham Ikongshul
Photo: Flickr
Aurat Foundation: Fighting Poverty in Pakistan
Deeply Rooted Inequalities in Pakistan
Social inequalities, specifically those rooted in gender workplace discrimination, are the first factor leading to individuals being poor in Pakistan. According to the World Bank, gender inequalities remain persistent in Pakistan, with only one out of four working-age women participating in the labor force and 80% of these women working in agriculture. The majority of women therefore find themselves concentrated in low-paid jobs and have limited opportunities for upward mobility in the formal sector of the economy, making these social inequalities a primary factor of being poor in Pakistan.
Environmental Degradation in Pakistan
Environmental Degradation is the second factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan today. Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlines a clear connection existing between environmental degradation and poverty, with both factors continually reinforcing each other. “Increasing air pollution and contamination of ground and surface water,” for example, are “the most commonly cited indicators of environmental degradation in Pakistan” and ones that those living in poverty are especially vulnerable to. Long-term exposure to these pollutants has significant effects on the health of impoverished individuals, who must then devote significant portions of their already limited incomes to health costs.
Limited Poverty Reduction Programs
The final factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan is the insufficient poverty reduction programs that the country has implemented. Although Pakistan indeed has a long history of poverty reduction programs, these programs tend to focus on only one measure of poverty and thus often fall short of reducing overall poverty levels. These programs also account for only about 2% of GDP and have a limited outreach, thus making them the third factor that is contributing to poverty in Pakistan.
The Good News: Aurat Foundation
Established in 1986, the Aurat Foundation focuses on spreading awareness and creating a society where men and women are coequal, both possessing the right to lead their lives in whichever ways they decide. This right extends to the formal sector of the economy, a sector that with a current male domination. Throughout its many years of operation, the Aurat Foundation has therefore established itself as a prominent NGO in Pakistan, specifically focusing on “providing grants, undertaking advocacy for women’s economic empowerment through gender-responsive budgetary allocations and incorporating of women’s concerns into the macro-economic policy framework and social protection programs.”
In addition to women’s political and economic empowerment, the Aurat Foundation contributes to disaster relief, particularly in launching the Motherland Flood Relief Campaign which responded to “Pakistan’s worst-ever floods in 2010.” These floods are ones that disproportionately affect the poor in Pakistan as these individuals lack the resources necessary to rebuild their lives after such a disaster.
In understanding these deeply rooted inequalities, the effects of environmental degradation and limited poverty reduction programs, the detrimental effects of being poor in Pakistan become clear. However, looking at the Aurat Foundation’s work, people can learn how to mediate these effects for each impoverished individual in Pakistan for a better future.
– Staff Reports
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