The International Journal of Applied Psychoanalytic Studies described El Sistema as, “free classical music education that promotes human opportunity and development for impoverished children.”
El Sistema, also known as The National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestra and Choir, was established in Venezuela in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu, a Venezuelan educator, musician and activist. The music education program operates within the voluntary sector and is funded publicly. El Sistema’s motto, “Music for Social Change” along with their organization, focuses on providing opportunities to play music for students who otherwise would not have access, with a focus on public health and wellness.
Abreu explained that music has to be recognized as an agent of social development in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony and mutual compassion, crediting it with the ability to unite an entire community. Beyond social change, music can be a powerful force for education and a valuable tool for combatting poverty.
El Sistema Organization Background
El Sistema started in 1975 when 11 young musicians assembled in an underground parking garage in Caracas, Venezuela to make music together. José Antonio Abreu was their guide, local teacher, organist, engineer and politician. At the moment, the organization is a global network of music centers, or “núcleos,” serving more than 400,000 children in almost every Latin American country and more than 70 countries across the globe.
El Sistema operates as a decentralized global entity. Instead of exerting control over numerous Sistema-based programs worldwide, El Sistema Venezuela has made the principles of the organization accessible to all who wish to adopt them. Consequently, the concept of El Sistema has evolved into a form of open-source ideology, accommodating diverse approaches and cultural frameworks that align with various local contexts. This approach fosters a genuinely glocal (global and local) movement.
Youth Orchestra and Choir in Brazil
Núcleo de Orquestras Jovens e Coros da Amazônia (NOJCA), founded in 2012, is an El Sistema-inspired program based in Manaus, Brazil. Situated in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, NOJCA provides music education and performance opportunities to children and youth from underserved communities in the region. Through its innovative curriculum, which integrates traditional Amazonian music with classical repertoire, NOJCA seeks to preserve cultural heritage while empowering young people to aspire to new heights.
NOJCA’s impact extends beyond musical proficiency, fostering environmental stewardship and cultural pride among its participants. By incorporating themes of sustainability and conservation into its programming, the organization inspires young musicians to become advocates for environmental justice and guardians of the Amazonian ecosystem. Through music, NOJCA is not only nurturing the next generation of artists but also cultivating a sense of responsibility and connection to their natural and cultural heritage.
Batuta Foundation in Colombia
One prominent El Sistema program in Latin America is the Fundación Batuta in Colombia. Founded in 1991 by renowned Colombian musician and conductor, Eduardo “Gordito” Rozo. The program operates under the belief that music has the power to transform lives and communities, particularly in regions affected by poverty, violence and social inequality.
Fundación Batuta provides free music education to more than 50,000 students annually, offering instruction in a wide range of instruments, including violin, cello, flute, guitar and percussion. Via its network of music schools and community centers, the program reaches underserved populations in both urban and rural areas, providing access to high-quality instruction and performance opportunities.
One of the distinguishing features of Fundación Batuta is its emphasis on social inclusion and youth development. Beyond teaching musical skills, the program seeks to instill values of discipline, teamwork and resilience in its students, empowering them to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. Through ensemble playing and collaborative projects, participants learn the importance of cooperation and mutual respect, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging within their communities.
The Afghanistan National Institute of Music
Established in 2010 by Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, The Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) in Kabul, Afghanistan offers free music education to disadvantaged children, including orphans and street-working youth, to promote cultural revival and peacebuilding in a war-torn nation.
Through its comprehensive curriculum, which includes instruction in both Afghan and Western classical music, ANIM empowers students to become agents of change in their communities while preserving Afghanistan’s rich musical heritage. Despite facing numerous challenges, including security threats and limited resources, ANIM has made remarkable strides in transforming the lives of its students.
By way of its innovative approach to music education and community engagement, the program has not only nurtured musical talent but also provided a platform for dialogue, reconciliation and healing in a country ravaged by decades of conflict. ANIM serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and inspire hope in the face of adversity.
El Sistema: Domestic Programs
El Sistema USA has played a pivotal role in bringing the transformative power of music education to underserved communities across the United States (U.S.). Through its partnerships with major orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, El Sistema USA has expanded access to quality music instruction and ensemble playing opportunities for thousands of children and youth.
These collaborations not only provide students with access to world-class musicians and resources but also serve as platforms for cultural exchange and artistic excellence.
“It’s great to work with the kids,” says Julia Johnson, an El Sistema teacher in the Denver, Colorado community. “Seeing them progress and get excited about music and get excited to learn makes an impact for their community,” she went on, “the program addresses how there is a disparity in access to classical music and how making it accessible can change lives.”
Looking Ahead
El Sistema has garnered international acclaim for its transformative impact on individuals and communities. By harnessing the power of music as a tool for social change, the program has helped to break the cycle of poverty and violence in marginalized areas while nurturing musical talent and instilling values of teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
Through its commitment to equity and excellence in music education, El Sistema continues to inspire similar initiatives around the world, demonstrating the universal potential of music to create positive social change. In the words of John Oates, “It’s the music that brings us together.”
– Ava Johnson
Photo: Unsplash
Hunger and Poverty Among Small-Scale Farmers
Empowering Small-Scale Farmers
Small-scale farmers and rural residents often rank among the poorest, with a single poor harvest impacting their livelihoods for years. These farmers primarily produce basic goods, placing them low in the value chain and limiting their earnings.
Addressing rural poverty and ensuring the rights of small-scale farmers are essential for sustainable food systems. This article examines the Decent Work for Equitable Food Systems Coalition, a joint initiative by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), CARE International and the International Labour Organization (ILO), focusing on its role in combating rural poverty and supporting small-scale farmers.
The Coalition’s Impact on Rural Farmers
The Decent Work for Equitable Food Systems Coalition aims to ensure social and economic equity, along with access to adequate, nutritious food for all food system workers. It upholds human rights and labor laws, advocating for jobs in the agri-food industry that offer fair, livable wages.
In addition, the coalition concentrates on rural youth, addressing their specific challenges and fostering opportunities and promotes social inclusion to support small-scale farmers who may feel isolated and disempowered in rural areas. Through advocacy and the creation of knowledge, the coalition aims to solve these issues and move toward sustainable, equitable food systems.
Upholding Workers’ Rights
The coalition emphasizes creating better jobs in the agricultural sector to assist the rural poor. It targets an industry critical for the livelihoods of 4.5 billion people who depend on food systems, where 90% work in informal employment.
In fact, these workers, often among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, include indigenous peoples and impoverished women whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. The 2021 United Nations Food System Summit underscored “Advancing Equitable Livelihoods, Decent Work and Empowered Communities” as a critical area for action to support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, to eliminate rural poverty, it’s essential that agricultural jobs offer fair wages and uphold the rights of workers. Although the Decent Work for Equitable Food Systems Coalition is relatively new and data on its impact is still emerging, its efforts in research and advocacy for fair wages and rights for small-scale farmers are available for review on its website.
Looking Ahead
The Decent Work for Equitable Food Systems Coalition represents a beacon of hope for small-scale farmers, promising a future where fair wages and labor rights are not just ideals but realities.
By focusing on the empowerment of rural youth and the inclusion of marginalized groups, this initiative is laying the groundwork for sustainable and equitable food systems. As efforts continue to unfold, the promise of a world where every agricultural worker receives just compensation and recognition for their invaluable contribution grows ever more tangible.
– Sara del Carmen Navarro Galvan
Photo: Pexels
Global Citizen App: Fighting Poverty from Your Pocket
Global Citizen’s Platform
Originally co-founded by Hugh Evans, Simon Moss and Wei Soo as the Global Poverty Project in 2008, the Global Citizen movement has grown from strength to strength and has become a world-leading humanitarian organization advocating for solidarity in the fight for poverty reduction.
Since its debut in 2012, the Global Citizen platform has gained fame for organizing the Global Citizen Festival, an annual music event that unites prominent artists and activists to pledge support and fundraise for initiatives aimed at alleviating global poverty.
Featuring headliners like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, among others, the festival, in conjunction with various projects, partnerships and Global Citizen’s programs, has distributed $46.3 billion in funds to date, which amounts to almost three times the $15.8 billion spent on Official Development Assistance (ODA) by the United Kingdom (U.K.) in 2022.
The App
With the continued success of the Global Citizen Festival, the newest addition to the Global Citizen platform is the app fighting poverty from the comfort of users’ pockets. Designed in collaboration with L+R, a global design and technology studio, the innovative app prompts users to take daily actionable steps to impact the fight for global poverty reduction.
With four primary categories encompassing actions, campaigns, content and goals & journeys, the app gives users autonomy to choose how to contribute to poverty reduction with activities ranging from re-tweeting important information to signing petitions and learning how to email MPs and government representatives.
Similar to several social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter) the Global Citizen app provides access to the latest poverty-related news but uniquely links trending and breaking stories to actionable tasks in support of poverty reduction.
For example, adjacent to an article about implementing human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, the Global Citizen app will use a ‘take action now’ button and directly link to relevant petitions calling on governmental bodies to act and acknowledge the voices of global citizens demanding for equity and justice worldwide.
The app further hosts quizzes addressing a variety of poverty-related topics which test users on their knowledge in an informal and gratifying setting while incentivizing further learning. Additionally, the app boasts rewards according to the number of points collected through actions taken. Each completed action amounts to a certain number, which, when combined, can be used to enter a variety of competitions. Prizes range from one-year subscriptions to online classes, to concert tickets for a variety of artists and together, bring the fight to end extreme poverty to the forefront of daily life.
Global Citizen: Shaping the Future
The Global Citizen motto, “This is our world and the actions of one can have a profound impact on many” is the incentive needed for people to collectively recognize their voice as a vehicle for impactful and long-lasting change. Through voting, tweeting, emailing, signing and petitioning, the Global Citizen app has created the nexus of digital technology and activism, making the personal political.
Not only does this close the gap between two intersecting systems, the public and their governments, but it also raises awareness and educates about the power of harnessing digital technology in the fight against extreme poverty. By downloading the Global Citizen app and fighting poverty at the touch of a button, real, impactful, systemic change can take place. Demanding action from world leaders and those in positions of power is not only a basic human right but the future of activism in a digital age.
– Zoe Winterfeldt
Photo: Flickr
USAID in Guatemala: Growth, Education and Food Security
However, Guatemala is in a position of significant potential, being rich in natural resources and biodiversity, to capitalize on its proximity to the U.S. for trade, tourism and resource opportunities. Guatemala has yet to reach its full potential for wealth, nevertheless. There are signs of progress, such as the country’s Gini Index Coefficient reduction over the last few decades.
Furthermore, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Guatemala has been present for some time and has far-reaching benefits in education, food security and economic growth. This article will provide a broad overview of how USAID in Guatemala is helping the Guatemalan authorities to alleviate poverty and how current and scheduled programs will build on this.
Education
The Puentes Project “aims to improve skills and abilities for work and access to employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for young people between 15 and 29 years of age.” This type of program is arguably one of the most important since Guatemala is struggling with a staggering 29.6% of its youth population not in education, employment or training. The project aims to enhance opportunities, employment scope, entrepreneurship prospects and adolescent access to social support.
The story of Irma Torres highlights the success of this program. After participating in the Puentes Project, she gained technological knowledge and skills such that she is now a teacher empowering the next generation, significantly improving her income.
Food Security
Like education, food security projects are also essential since rural Guatemalans face some of the most challenging conditions: “Families living in poor rural communities often eat only one meal a day.” This landscape makes it nearly impossible for rural Guatemalans to seek higher living standards and, unfortunately, is estimated to have driven “1.5 million Guatemalans to emigrate in the last 20 years.”
The “Feed the Future” program collaborates with many institutional agents and regional players within Guatemala to reduce poverty through sustainable rural development and increase private sector investment and job creation. The broadness of this initiative has led to several successes, such as the generation of 75,000 jobs since 2017. Further, more than 145,000 small-holder farmers have received help and more than 53,000 people have adopted new technologies for more efficient farming. Guatemalans who have participated in “Feed the Future” activities have been less likely to return to poverty and more likely to escape growth stunting due to malnutrition.
Economic Growth
Guatemala had a strong recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, with GDP growth of 8% in 2021 and 4.1% in 2022. Still, most development depended on the country’s reliance on remittances. A lack of valued opportunity is the most significant driver behind the exodus of Guatemalans over the years. So, USAID in Guatemala seeks to form partnerships with the private sector to strengthen small and growing businesses and remove obstacles to access to finance, markets and large-scale foreign direct investment.
By working with the private sector directly, USAID in Guatemala can strategically provide training for jobs already identified, meet demand and support local economic prosperity.
The organization has heavily invested in manufacturing sectors to incentivize production at home for Guatemala to take advantage of the U.S. market and its benefits through the Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR) trade agreement.
Conclusion
The poverty rate among indigenous groups in Guatemala is as high as 79% and it is still a severe worry. USAID is leading several promising initiatives in the country and these efforts have already yielded some good results. Continued success will hinge on the ability of USAID and the Guatemalan authorities to carefully pinpoint decisive geographical and economic areas of the country where socioeconomic development is feasible and sustainable.
– Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Unsplash
Tosepan Tetataniske: An Indigenous Solidarity Economy in Mexico
Rooted in the vision of its founders, Tosepan Tetataniske emerged as a response to the pressing need for basic provisions among the indigenous population. Comprised of eight regional cooperatives, Tosepan Tetataniske has become a lifeline for 34,000 families across 29 municipalities. At its core, the organization embodies the principles of an indigenous solidarity economy, where community resistance is not merely opposition but is accompanied by practical proposals for alternative economic practices. The cooperative movement has improved the quality of life for families and fostered sustainable development within the region.
Award-Winning Cooperatives
One of Tosepan Tetataniske’s flagship projects, the Tosepantomin (Everyone’s Money), was awarded the prestigious European Microfinance Award in 2017 for its innovative approach to “Microfinance for Housing.” This initiative targets rural communities in marginalized areas, offering savings and loans for housing improvements and construction. With a focus on ecological sustainability, the cooperative promotes eco-friendly building techniques and renewable energy solutions, ensuring long-term resilience for its members.
In tandem with its housing program, Tosepantomin has expanded its reach to provide financial services to its cooperative members through initiatives like the “Yolchicaualis” (strength energy) credit product. Additionally, the cooperative has embraced the Year of Youth and Recovery of Values, launching programs to empower young people through job training, life plan development and social ventures. Tosepantomin is transforming individual lives and revitalizing entire communities by investing in its youth’s future.
Mitigating Risks
One of the Tosepan cooperatives, the Maseual Xicaualis (Indigenous Force), has revolutionized the local coffee industry while navigating complex financial markets with finesse. By pooling resources and expertise, the cooperative shields itself from market fluctuations by estimating crop sizes and locking favorable prices on New York’s ICE Futures exchange. However, this journey to financial resilience was challenging, requiring more than a year of intensive training with Mexican firm GAMAA Derivatives to navigate the intricate world of derivatives markets dominated by significant hedge funds and multinational importers.
Despite the challenges, Maseual Xicaualis’s partnership with GAMAA proved invaluable, enabling the cooperative to avert potential disasters such as the price slump experienced in 2009. Through strategic hedging, the cooperative ensures stability and prosperity for its members, underscoring its unwavering commitment to the well-being of indigenous coffee growers and the sustainability of their livelihoods. Maseual Xicaualis exemplifies the transformative potential of collective action and financial acumen within marginalized communities, setting a precedent for resilience and empowerment in the face of systemic challenges.
Indigenous Alternatives
In conclusion, cooperatives that comprise Tosepen Tetataniske, like Tosepantomin and Maseual Xicaualis, exemplify the transformative power of an indigenous solidarity economy within marginalized indigenous communities. By fostering collective ownership, mutual support and sustainable practices, these cooperatives offer improved quality of life and increased economic opportunities for their members. As beacons of hope amid adversity, they demonstrate the potential for grassroots initiatives to effect positive change and build brighter futures for future generations.
– Spencer Springob
Photo: Flickr
The Rosie May Foundation: Empowering Communities
Backstory of the Foundation
Rosie May Storrie was a bright 10-year-old girl who “drew everyone towards her like a magnet.” But just after Christmas of 2003, she was viciously murdered by a 17-year-old boy at a Christmas party. A year later, the family decided to take a trip to Sri Lanka, where they planted a palm tree in her memory. Unfortunately, the Storrie family faced a second tragedy while staying in Sri Lanka. They coincided with the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake of 2004. This earthquake triggered a tsunami that hit the coast of Sri Lanka and many other countries.
Although the 9.1 magnitude earthquake was the third largest since 1900, it did not contribute largely to the death toll. The deadly tsunami that followed 20 minutes later raised the number of fatalities from 1000 to more than 60,000 across 14 countries. In Sri Lanka alone, the death toll was 35,322.
Rosie’s palm tree stood tall among the carnage and damage, surprising the Storrie family. They were inspired to “turn tragedy into hope” by this. They wanted to protect children and families who had suffered in Sri Lanka, so the Rosie May Foundation was born.
Their Work
They started by providing shelter for kids suffering from the tsunami’s loss in Sri Lanka. The Rosie May Foundation has many projects addressing different issues raised by the disaster and has expanded its work to Nepal. They focus on keeping families together, educating the vulnerable and giving them the tools to escape poverty.
The Future Is Pink
The pink tuk-tuks are part of a “the Future is Pink” project. The program provides women with a regular income and allows other mothers to earn money elsewhere as they do not need to escort their children to school. The foundation has given 215 single mothers the education and opportunity to generate income independently.
Girls Can Surf
“Girls Can Surf” is another program of the Rosie May Foundation that pushes the cultural boundaries in Sri Lanka. Oxfam reports that 80% of those who drowned during the tsunami were female and yet there is still a stigma associated with women swimming. “Culturally, women and girls in rural Sri Lanka do not swim, even though the country is an island.” The 2020 Drowning Prevention Report identifies that, in Sri Lanka, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among 1- to 14-year-olds. The Rosie May Foundation tears down this stigma and teaches young girls how to swim and surf.
One Light, One Child
The project “One Light, One Child” tackles the issue of the energy sector and poverty concerns in Nepal. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 60% of the population has no access to electricity. The Rosie May Foundation has distributed more than 500 solar lights across rural areas to ensure children can do their homework and that their education is uninterrupted.
Conclusion
The Rosie May Foundation boldly defies gender expectations with its projects and tackles various poverty aspects impacting Southeast Asia. The Storrie family intends to keep Rosie May’s legacy alive through their hard work.
– Liz Johnson
Photo: Pixabay
Water Crisis in Turkana, Kenya
As explained in “The Journal of African History,” published by Cambridge University, the Turkana people actively resisted and defied the occupation of their land by imperial forces of British-occupied East Africa during the 1920s and ‘30s. This resistance followed a series of conflicts with 19th century traders and explorers. During Britain’s colonization of Kenya, the Turkana region was largely left untouched. In addition to the people’s opposition to British rule, the arid climate was unfavorable to colonizers and deemed without value to anyone besides the Turkana people themselves.
Effects of a Long-Lasting Drought
Droughts have been well documented in the Turkana region of Kenya since the 1960s, projected to occur every five years. However, droughts have become an annual occurrence since the 1990s. The most recent drought began in 2020 and had killed an estimated 439,400 livestock by mid-2022. Considering the importance of livestock in this region, a crisis of hunger and water scarcity has catapulted conflicts over vital resources between pastoralists.
Vegetation cannot withstand the extreme temperatures of the desert and livestock is unavailable to slaughter or sell, positioning Turkana’s residents in a threatening situation. According to the Rockefeller Foundation, 60% of Turkana’s population is experiencing acute hunger and food insecurity, which places their lives in immediate danger if food cannot be accessed and consumed. It is not uncommon for people to subsist on local fruit trees and insects.
The Impacts of Corruption
Most of the Turkana people rely on boreholes constructed by the government or development organizations. According to the Water, Peace and Security report, water in Kenya is drilled by the government and handed down to elected water user officials who regulate the use of the water points. A combination of poor borehole management and limited rainfall has lowered the water table of wells, exacerbating the water crisis in Turkana. People often travel long distances to access these points of water, which are often high in salinity and low in water quantity. It is not uncommon for locals to climb into these wells to access water. These people are subject to extreme danger, risking falling or getting trapped below the Earth’s surface, as these wells may reach hundreds of feet deep.
In addition to these challenges, water cartels, known as Nakanas, are prevalent. Though water is ideally managed by regional committees, these cartels regularly redirect water to themselves for sale, preventing people from accessing water points. Influential businessmen and politicians also guard access to boreholes, illegally diverting water for their benefit.
Scare Resources Drive Conflict
The largest permanent desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana is at the fingertips of Northern Kenyans. The river stretches into Southwestern Ethiopia, feeding into the Omo River. The Omo River is subject to rising water levels due to deforestation and erratic rainfall in Ethiopia. Overflow from the Omo permeates Lake Turkana, altering the salinity of the water and thus changing breeding patterns among fish. Fishing communities have been forced to migrate to new areas to sustain their livelihoods, creating conflicts between the Turkana people and those residing along Ethiopia’s border. Intercommunal conflicts along the Turkana-West Pokot and Samburu-Baringo borders also exist as tribes compete over scarce resources.
Amid the water crisis in Turkana, multiple organizations are committed to improving the lives of those impacted by the drought. Several teams have been working on the ground to improve the food and water security of the population.
Keep IT Cool
A Google-backed startup based in Nairobi, known as Keep IT Cool, is transforming the food industry in Northern Kenya. The organization operates as a decentralized cold-chain company and food distributor. Keep IT Cool serves Turkana’s pastoralists by providing fisherfolk with reliable transportation and freezers to prevent spoilage during the transport to Nairobi. To help fisherfolk support themselves and their families, the company also pays 20-30 more Kenyan shillings per kilogram of fish than the local asking price.
WaterCredit Initiative
Water.org’s WaterCredit Initiative is helping people in 11 countries access affordable loans for clean water. The organization works with in-country financial companies and water service providers to add loans for water and varying sanitation solutions to their businesses. Water.org has been working to tackle the water crisis in Turkana and other regions throughout Kenya since 2005. The initiative has successfully provided 6.6 million people access to clean water and sanitation.
– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr
Fiji Fisheries Contribute To Addressing Gender Inequality in Fiji
Poverty in Fiji
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in 2019, around 24.1% of the population in Fiji was living below the poverty line and this greatly impacts women and highlights the importance of promoting gender equality within the fishing sector, not only to further gender equality in Fiji but to reduce the number of people living in poverty. According to the World Bank, in 2016, women spent 15.2% of their time doing unpaid work, compared to 5.2% for men, showing a clear employment disparity.
The Issue
Women play a key part in Fiji’s fishing industry, yet still face disadvantages in comparison to their male counterparts. Already women play a large part in small-scale fisheries within Fiji, but many often regard their work as an extension of their housework due to their involvement predominantly being post-harvest as well as being within the clerical realm. This continues their financial reliance on men due to these jobs being low paying, even sometimes non-paying, and suppresses women from taking roles in the management and decision-making area of fisheries.
According to the World Bank, in Fiji, women spend almost three times as much time on unpaid domestic and care work than men, showing the disproportionate impact on women and the barriers and challenges women face to escape poverty. This is where Women in Fisheries Network-Fiji steps in.
Women in Fisheries Network – Fiji (WiFN-Fiji)
Women in Fisheries Network-Fiji (WiFN- Fiji) was founded in 1993 and aims to inform women about all aspects of sustainable fisheries. To educate women on the gender inequality within the fishing sector, to educate women on the importance of financial independence, as well as to encourage women to participate in the decision-making and management side of the fisheries. Its dominant aim is to enable women to have the knowledge and tools to take part in and promote female employment within the fishing industry.
WiFN-Fiji has run two workshops in recent years that focused on gender inequality in local regions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this inequality within Fijian society and educating participants on this inequality. It has also worked collaboratively with Westpac Bank to create programs that help women deal with their finances independently of men.
WiFN-Fiji receives funding from governments, NGOs as well as charities, all to further their cause. By providing training and education at a local level, WiFN-Fiji aims to improve women’s opportunities and more than 80% of participants in these workshops in Tailevu and Ba rated them as effective, showing the impact these workshops are having.
The WiFN-Fiji demonstrates how the fishing industry in Fiji can reduce gender inequality, lead to societal re-education and change and enable women to escape poverty.
– Cordelia Moore
Photo: Flickr
A Seattle Band’s Mission To Help Alleviate Poverty in India
Who Are They?
AllGoRhythms consists of about 13 talented musicians, all from India. They have seven lead singers, two guitarists, one pianist and three percussionists. Most came to the U.S. for employment opportunities and settled down in Seattle. Band manager and singer Sangeeta Nair spoke with The Borgen Project, saying, “It [AllGoRhythms] is our home away from home. Leaving behind our culture, way of life and traditions was so unimaginably hard for all of us. But this band gave us a space to celebrate our roots even being across the world from home.” The band was founded in 1999 by Amol Kelkar and Sumedh Barde. The founders met at their place of employment and started discussing their shared love for music. This sparked their idea to start a band. The band has been growing its audience and performing for over 20 years.
What Cause Are They Helping?
AllGoRhythms aims to help alleviate poverty in India. India grapples with the persistent issue of poverty, which impacts a significant portion of its population. Rural areas need help with agricultural issues such as land availability and climate problems. On the other hand, urban areas struggle with issues accompanying many migrants, such as job availability and low wages. India uses 10 indicators to measure multidimensional poverty, including nutrition, youth mortality, drinking water, electricity, housing, sanitation, access to cooking fuels, school attendance, years of schooling and ownership of assets. According to the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, 14.96% of India’s population is multidimensionally poor. Considering India accounts for almost a fifth of the global population, this is a significant number.
Several factors contribute to this issue. However, the major factor is overpopulation. The country’s rapidly growing population puts pressure on resources and the job market. With its current population estimated to be around 1.4 billion, unemployment and low job security have deeply contributed to the nation’s poverty level. Another contributing factor is the inadequate education system. As of 2022, there were more than 281 million illiterate people in India. This lack of sufficient education leaves many without the skills to find jobs and be able to provide for themselves. A third factor is income inequality. Primarily due to caste-based discrimination, a majority of India’s wealth is held by a tiny percentage of the population. Oxfam, an international organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, published a report in 2017 with findings showing that the top 10% of India’s population controls nearly 80% of its wealth.
What Are They Doing?
To help alleviate poverty in India, AllGoRhythms performs at various venues across Washington several times a year. During these shows, the band covers popular Bollywood songs. In addition to this, they have a separate team of writers and actors who perform a skit. While the skit is being performed, the band plays music, making themselves the center of focus. The fusion of theatre and music captivates large audiences.
Profit is made from tickets to these shows, food bought at the shows and extra donations. During each show, the band plays an educational video about poverty in India and how they plan to help, encouraging the audience to pledge additional contributions. In addition to their shows, AllGoRhythms also plays at private events such as birthday parties, weddings, etc., to increase their revenue. The initiative collaborates with two charities, Asha and CRY (Child Rights and You) and donates their proceeds to both charities.
Final Remark
AllGoRhythms is an admirable example of seemingly ordinary individuals utilizing their talent to make a positive difference. Individuals play a pivotal role in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by impoverished communities. By actively making efforts that promote the improvement of education, health care and economic opportunities, AllGoRhythms is contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty.
– Trisha Borde
Photo: Flickr
3 Charities Fighting Poverty in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province
The Halo Trust
It is estimated that 1.6 million landmines were left in the ground throughout the civil war in Sri Lanka, causing a threat to life and mass displacement of people. Since 2002, The Halo Trust has been working to safely destroy these landmines and educate affected communities on how to avoid harm.
Halo claims to have cleared more than 270,000 landmines in their time in Sri Lanka. These numbers suggest that for every mine cleared, a displaced person has been able to return to their home. The broader impact of such work has been its contribution to rebuilding livelihoods in some areas worst affected by the civil war. More than 1,300 local Sri Lankans have worked for the trust, gaining employment, learning vital skills and ultimately reclaiming their birthland.
Save a Life
The Jaffna-based charity Save a Life has a simple approach to alleviating poverty; “we believe in actions over words.” This is evident in their vast work for communities since 2014. Starting as a charity to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, they have since branched out into educating young people about plastic pollution, conducting data collections on differently-abled people and leading a mangrove restoration campaign.
While their core mission is centered around youth development, health and the environment, what distinguishes their organization is an ambition to have a positive social impact in any way possible. For example, their team is made mainly of young and passionate female university graduates, reflecting their promotion of gender equality. Save a Life has run 150 campaigns over the last 10 years involving hundreds of volunteers.
Vallavan Sports Academy
Vallavan Sports Academy aims to provide sporting facilities and coaching to disadvantaged young people in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Jaffna district. Run by a local Sri Lanka philanthropist, the charity currently provides a swimming pool and a center for indoor games such as Pool and Carrom, a popular Asian board game. On visiting the academy, you will find many budding young athletes enjoying their evenings after school at the pool. The sports center has a collection of trophies won by the youngsters trained by Mr Vallavan himself.
In a town where many young people are tempted out of school before 16 to earn for their families, sports and leisure are hardly commonplace and certainly not accessible to all. Vallavan not only provides facilities and training accessible to young people not otherwise able to afford them but also provides a safe place to experience fulfillment and belonging.
– Alex Finch
Photo: Unsplash
El Sistema: How One Music Program is Fighting Poverty Globally
El Sistema, also known as The National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestra and Choir, was established in Venezuela in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu, a Venezuelan educator, musician and activist. The music education program operates within the voluntary sector and is funded publicly. El Sistema’s motto, “Music for Social Change” along with their organization, focuses on providing opportunities to play music for students who otherwise would not have access, with a focus on public health and wellness.
Abreu explained that music has to be recognized as an agent of social development in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values – solidarity, harmony and mutual compassion, crediting it with the ability to unite an entire community. Beyond social change, music can be a powerful force for education and a valuable tool for combatting poverty.
El Sistema Organization Background
El Sistema started in 1975 when 11 young musicians assembled in an underground parking garage in Caracas, Venezuela to make music together. José Antonio Abreu was their guide, local teacher, organist, engineer and politician. At the moment, the organization is a global network of music centers, or “núcleos,” serving more than 400,000 children in almost every Latin American country and more than 70 countries across the globe.
El Sistema operates as a decentralized global entity. Instead of exerting control over numerous Sistema-based programs worldwide, El Sistema Venezuela has made the principles of the organization accessible to all who wish to adopt them. Consequently, the concept of El Sistema has evolved into a form of open-source ideology, accommodating diverse approaches and cultural frameworks that align with various local contexts. This approach fosters a genuinely glocal (global and local) movement.
Youth Orchestra and Choir in Brazil
Núcleo de Orquestras Jovens e Coros da Amazônia (NOJCA), founded in 2012, is an El Sistema-inspired program based in Manaus, Brazil. Situated in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, NOJCA provides music education and performance opportunities to children and youth from underserved communities in the region. Through its innovative curriculum, which integrates traditional Amazonian music with classical repertoire, NOJCA seeks to preserve cultural heritage while empowering young people to aspire to new heights.
NOJCA’s impact extends beyond musical proficiency, fostering environmental stewardship and cultural pride among its participants. By incorporating themes of sustainability and conservation into its programming, the organization inspires young musicians to become advocates for environmental justice and guardians of the Amazonian ecosystem. Through music, NOJCA is not only nurturing the next generation of artists but also cultivating a sense of responsibility and connection to their natural and cultural heritage.
Batuta Foundation in Colombia
One prominent El Sistema program in Latin America is the Fundación Batuta in Colombia. Founded in 1991 by renowned Colombian musician and conductor, Eduardo “Gordito” Rozo. The program operates under the belief that music has the power to transform lives and communities, particularly in regions affected by poverty, violence and social inequality.
Fundación Batuta provides free music education to more than 50,000 students annually, offering instruction in a wide range of instruments, including violin, cello, flute, guitar and percussion. Via its network of music schools and community centers, the program reaches underserved populations in both urban and rural areas, providing access to high-quality instruction and performance opportunities.
One of the distinguishing features of Fundación Batuta is its emphasis on social inclusion and youth development. Beyond teaching musical skills, the program seeks to instill values of discipline, teamwork and resilience in its students, empowering them to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. Through ensemble playing and collaborative projects, participants learn the importance of cooperation and mutual respect, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging within their communities.
The Afghanistan National Institute of Music
Established in 2010 by Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, The Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) in Kabul, Afghanistan offers free music education to disadvantaged children, including orphans and street-working youth, to promote cultural revival and peacebuilding in a war-torn nation.
Through its comprehensive curriculum, which includes instruction in both Afghan and Western classical music, ANIM empowers students to become agents of change in their communities while preserving Afghanistan’s rich musical heritage. Despite facing numerous challenges, including security threats and limited resources, ANIM has made remarkable strides in transforming the lives of its students.
By way of its innovative approach to music education and community engagement, the program has not only nurtured musical talent but also provided a platform for dialogue, reconciliation and healing in a country ravaged by decades of conflict. ANIM serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and inspire hope in the face of adversity.
El Sistema: Domestic Programs
El Sistema USA has played a pivotal role in bringing the transformative power of music education to underserved communities across the United States (U.S.). Through its partnerships with major orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, El Sistema USA has expanded access to quality music instruction and ensemble playing opportunities for thousands of children and youth.
These collaborations not only provide students with access to world-class musicians and resources but also serve as platforms for cultural exchange and artistic excellence.
“It’s great to work with the kids,” says Julia Johnson, an El Sistema teacher in the Denver, Colorado community. “Seeing them progress and get excited about music and get excited to learn makes an impact for their community,” she went on, “the program addresses how there is a disparity in access to classical music and how making it accessible can change lives.”
Looking Ahead
El Sistema has garnered international acclaim for its transformative impact on individuals and communities. By harnessing the power of music as a tool for social change, the program has helped to break the cycle of poverty and violence in marginalized areas while nurturing musical talent and instilling values of teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
Through its commitment to equity and excellence in music education, El Sistema continues to inspire similar initiatives around the world, demonstrating the universal potential of music to create positive social change. In the words of John Oates, “It’s the music that brings us together.”
– Ava Johnson
Photo: Unsplash