Although the second-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, Angola has a projected poverty rate of 12.4 million in 2024. This estimated figure is based on rising food prices and slowing growth in the nation during 2023, consequently leading to 33% of Angolans living below $2.15 a day. In hopes of limiting 2024 projections for Angola, the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework has offered support to the Central African region. It comes in the form of a development plan from 2024-2028, which highlights key areas of improvement. Sitting down with Jonathan Kenda, a recent volunteer worker in Angola, we learn whether the three priorities he spotted as reducing poverty in Angola are included in the U.N. development plan.
Issues on the Ground
“I did a lot of community service,” Kenda explains when describing his day-to-day role within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “I was based in Luanda, but over the course of the year, I covered the whole of Angola.” With such broad awareness of Angola, Kenda pointed to a “scarcity of pure and clean water,” a divide between “areas that weren’t properly developed” and those that were and “waste pollution” as contributing factors to poverty in the Central African nation.
Validating Kenda’s observations are the droughts that the Southern provinces of Angola have suffered over the last decade and the six thousand tonnes of solid waste produced daily by Luanda, Angola’s capital, alone. To such issues, there have been responsive solutions. One is the “Water for All” campaign. The other and more recent, is the formation of a plastic reduction task force made by the Angolan government.
During the interview, however, these three issues, which have prompted respective aid campaigns, only form three of Kenda’s formative priorities to reduce poverty in Angola. Later in the conversation, he outlined the top three priorities to reduce poverty in Angola: Education, Infrastructure and Medicine.
Education
Kenda noted that “as a sector, its importance is rising in Angola.” This is mirrored in the U.N.’s Development Framework, with its top priority being to transform education. Nationally, Angola has shouldered responsibility, too. The government has not only set education as a top priority but has done so for the next four years.
However, “a lot more could be done”. Kenda explains that after “countless conversations [with] locals,” it became clear that “the majority of schools taught at a basic level due to the site not having resources to help students better their understanding.” Due to this material deprivation within schools, Kenda highlights that it is common to see families with money “sending their children overseas to receive an education.” The fact that less than 1% of Angolans attend university in the country, despite the growing education sector, underscores a systemic issue that fails to cultivate an attitude toward learning that exceeds expectations.
Kenda also pointed to teachers’ pay as a contributing factor to the growth of the education sector without significant progress. However, there are solutions in motion and just before the new year, a World Bank pledge offers even greater hope. The commitment involves a 10-year, $150 million aid service aimed at strengthening specifics such as school governance, teacher training and education courses across Angola.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure, identified as a priority to reduce poverty in Angola, is demonstrated in the material deprivation within the school system. However, according to Kenda, the infrastructure sector in Angola faces a bigger issue. “During the time I spent in Angola,” Kenda explains, “there were only a few areas that had a good network of roads and modes of transport.” This area of civil planning is a niche area within the sector of infrastructure. Aligning with the U.N.’s Development Framework, Kenda’s priority for reducing poverty in Angola through road planning is mirrored in the intent to develop rural roads.
As Kenda went on to explain that “of the road network, there were parts of it that needed improvements” due to roads prone to flooding, the approach made by the UN in its 2024-2028 plan reflects the on-the-ground concerns of the voluntary worker. As Kenda continued to explain, “of the road network, there were parts of it that needed improvements” due to roads prone to flooding. The approach made by the U.N. in its 2024-2028 plan reflects the on-the-ground concerns of the voluntary worker. The development of road planning is part of a broad national intent, too, which hopes to provide a significant transformation in Angolan infrastructure and which, in January 2024, was commended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Medicine
Kenda’s final priority to reduce poverty in Angola: Medicine. The U.N.’s Development Framework for Angola notes the intent to enhance the funding and quality of primary health care services. Although, no emphasis is placed on medicine. “Accessing medicine was difficult for the locals,” explains Kenda. “It was often too expensive and most of the time, the local pharmacies did not have many medicinal products that could effectively combat an array of illnesses.” Kenda’s worries stem from the one pharmacy for more than 22,000 Angolans and the drug shortages that hinder pharmacies across the country.
However, in a similar fashion to the growing sector for Infrastructure, financial predictions are set on the Angolan pharmaceutical market to experience significant growth over the coming years. Aside from the £130 million investment made by the U.K., investments to prompt such growth in the Angolan pharmaceutical sector fail to pile in.
Angolans in 2024
Kenda and the countless Angolans he encountered during his time in the nation have experienced and identified with these three priorities to reduce poverty in Angola. Responsive aid campaigns in the sector of education and infrastructure have provided more than ample solutions that are fit for the future. They contribute to a broad development in professional and academic experience, inspiring an upcoming generation of Angolans. Investments in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, however, flail behind slightly. To reduce poverty in Angola, the sector must undergo a transformation similar to the ongoing developments in education and infrastructure.
– Joseph Wray
Photo: Unsplash
Child Soldiers in Guatemala
Child Soldiers in the Civil War
From 1960 to 1996 Guatemala stood as a site of internal conflict. The leftist guerrilla movement Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) fought against the Guatemalan Government in the Civil War. In this 36-year war, it was “common practice” for both the national army and the guerrilla groups to recruit children. There is a lack of information on the exact number of child soldiers involved in the war. However, the U.N. estimates that out of the 3,000 members of the URNG, 214 were under the age of 18. Unfortunately, this lack of data meant that, after the war, child soldiers in Guatemala did not receive compensation, or benefit from any reintegration programs.
Progress
In 1992, the U.N. wrote the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to tackle issues of child safety and exploitation. This states that parties cannot recruit anyone under the age of 15 into the armed forces and pushes the State to take preventative measures.
In 2000, the Optional Protocol to the CRC that focuses on the involvement of children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) raised the age from 15 to 18. Guatemala signed both of these documents, however, there is no evidence of progress.
Military Schools
Guatemala’s military schools are a key example of how the state is still subjecting children to violence and ignoring the concerns raised in the CRC and OPAC. Children in these military schools take part in combat training and weapons handling. Many of these military schools do not meet the government’s educational standards and there are numerous complaints of the use of corporal punishment. Child Rights International Network (CRIN) revealed that in 2016 at least three students reported rape by soldiers at the military school Adolfo V Hall.
Even if these children are not legally members of the armed forces until they are adults, they are still victims to and witnesses of violence at such a young age. In these cases, differentiating voluntary and coerced enlisting is extremely difficult.
Child Soldiers in Gangs
Maras are a type of gang in Guatemala and the 2023 CRIN report shows that recruitment is hard to regulate as maras control large residential areas.
The Maras specifically target children on their way to and from school. These children are coerced and threatened into becoming spies or gunmen and many children have been murdered on their way to school for refusing to take part. According to a 2023 CRIN report “Save the Children reports that children as young as 6 are recruited to transport guns…and have been coerced into homicides as young as 13.” This has had a detrimental impact on education. School is no longer a space of safety and learning but “a site of recruitment.” This creates a vicious cycle, as with lower access to education more children turn to gang activity.
Schools of Peace
Save the Children has worked with Guatemalan families suffering from poverty since 1999. In the last year, Save the Children positively impacted 201,000 young people. Aside from alleviating poverty, Save the Children has created a Schools of Peace project. This project results from education and child protection services working together to prevent any disruption to the education of young people. The initiative interrupts the process of gang recruitment and ensures that schools in Guatemala have the right protection from any danger due to armed conflict.
Save the Children tells the story of 16-year-old Estrella, a daughter of a gang leader. Her life was wrapped in violence and her education was sacrificed until Schools of Peace intervened. She is doing very well at school and works as a youth leader near Las Canoas to help others who have suffered like her.
Toybox
Toybox is a charity that provides young people with safe spaces and communities outside of school. The organization works in the country’s capital, Guatemala City and provides counseling and therapy to young children. It has provided children across the world with psychosocial support. Toybox identified that 10% of annual births in Guatemala are undocumented. This reduces the amount of protection the state can provide in conflict situations.
In 2022, Toybox helped 2,794 children around the world obtain legal identity documents. The charity also holds weekly sports activities to develop and maintain trusting relationships between staff and children. It is setting up a support network for these young people, while also demonstrating that other, more constructive, paths are still viable to children who live under gang rule.
A 2023 CRIN report identifies that poverty exacerbates non-state violence and increases child recruitment. It suggests treating the root cause of poverty to see a drastic difference in the levels of child soldiers in Guatemala. Initiatives such as these are important to show that there is a path out of the violence that dominates their lives.
– Liz Johnson
Photo: Flickr
Poverty in Angola: Top Three Priorities to Reduce It
Issues on the Ground
“I did a lot of community service,” Kenda explains when describing his day-to-day role within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “I was based in Luanda, but over the course of the year, I covered the whole of Angola.” With such broad awareness of Angola, Kenda pointed to a “scarcity of pure and clean water,” a divide between “areas that weren’t properly developed” and those that were and “waste pollution” as contributing factors to poverty in the Central African nation.
Validating Kenda’s observations are the droughts that the Southern provinces of Angola have suffered over the last decade and the six thousand tonnes of solid waste produced daily by Luanda, Angola’s capital, alone. To such issues, there have been responsive solutions. One is the “Water for All” campaign. The other and more recent, is the formation of a plastic reduction task force made by the Angolan government.
During the interview, however, these three issues, which have prompted respective aid campaigns, only form three of Kenda’s formative priorities to reduce poverty in Angola. Later in the conversation, he outlined the top three priorities to reduce poverty in Angola: Education, Infrastructure and Medicine.
Education
Kenda noted that “as a sector, its importance is rising in Angola.” This is mirrored in the U.N.’s Development Framework, with its top priority being to transform education. Nationally, Angola has shouldered responsibility, too. The government has not only set education as a top priority but has done so for the next four years.
However, “a lot more could be done”. Kenda explains that after “countless conversations [with] locals,” it became clear that “the majority of schools taught at a basic level due to the site not having resources to help students better their understanding.” Due to this material deprivation within schools, Kenda highlights that it is common to see families with money “sending their children overseas to receive an education.” The fact that less than 1% of Angolans attend university in the country, despite the growing education sector, underscores a systemic issue that fails to cultivate an attitude toward learning that exceeds expectations.
Kenda also pointed to teachers’ pay as a contributing factor to the growth of the education sector without significant progress. However, there are solutions in motion and just before the new year, a World Bank pledge offers even greater hope. The commitment involves a 10-year, $150 million aid service aimed at strengthening specifics such as school governance, teacher training and education courses across Angola.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure, identified as a priority to reduce poverty in Angola, is demonstrated in the material deprivation within the school system. However, according to Kenda, the infrastructure sector in Angola faces a bigger issue. “During the time I spent in Angola,” Kenda explains, “there were only a few areas that had a good network of roads and modes of transport.” This area of civil planning is a niche area within the sector of infrastructure. Aligning with the U.N.’s Development Framework, Kenda’s priority for reducing poverty in Angola through road planning is mirrored in the intent to develop rural roads.
As Kenda went on to explain that “of the road network, there were parts of it that needed improvements” due to roads prone to flooding, the approach made by the UN in its 2024-2028 plan reflects the on-the-ground concerns of the voluntary worker. As Kenda continued to explain, “of the road network, there were parts of it that needed improvements” due to roads prone to flooding. The approach made by the U.N. in its 2024-2028 plan reflects the on-the-ground concerns of the voluntary worker. The development of road planning is part of a broad national intent, too, which hopes to provide a significant transformation in Angolan infrastructure and which, in January 2024, was commended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Medicine
Kenda’s final priority to reduce poverty in Angola: Medicine. The U.N.’s Development Framework for Angola notes the intent to enhance the funding and quality of primary health care services. Although, no emphasis is placed on medicine. “Accessing medicine was difficult for the locals,” explains Kenda. “It was often too expensive and most of the time, the local pharmacies did not have many medicinal products that could effectively combat an array of illnesses.” Kenda’s worries stem from the one pharmacy for more than 22,000 Angolans and the drug shortages that hinder pharmacies across the country.
However, in a similar fashion to the growing sector for Infrastructure, financial predictions are set on the Angolan pharmaceutical market to experience significant growth over the coming years. Aside from the £130 million investment made by the U.K., investments to prompt such growth in the Angolan pharmaceutical sector fail to pile in.
Angolans in 2024
Kenda and the countless Angolans he encountered during his time in the nation have experienced and identified with these three priorities to reduce poverty in Angola. Responsive aid campaigns in the sector of education and infrastructure have provided more than ample solutions that are fit for the future. They contribute to a broad development in professional and academic experience, inspiring an upcoming generation of Angolans. Investments in the medical and pharmaceutical sector, however, flail behind slightly. To reduce poverty in Angola, the sector must undergo a transformation similar to the ongoing developments in education and infrastructure.
– Joseph Wray
Photo: Unsplash
Zambia’s Creative Cures to Combat Its Housing Crisis
Why the Housing Crisis Arose
The economic situation remains unstable and unpredictable. “More than 61% (2015) of Zambia’s 19.6 million people earn less than the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.” This means that although there are not enough houses to be purchased by those who have benefitted from the recent economic prosperity, a significant portion of the population still faces financial constraints preventing them from affording any available developed housing.
Steps Taken To Overcome the Housing Crisis
Although the housing crisis in Zambia constitutes a serious challenge, many methods are being researched and introduced. Zambia’s creative cures to combat the housing crisis strive to balance the housing deficit and address those areas of the population for whom property ownership remains economically inviable.
Conclusion
Although it is undeniable that the housing crisis in Zambia is a serious challenge in the battle against poverty, the Zambian government and many other internal and external organizations have made it their mission to devise creative cures to combat the issue.
– Chloe Thomas
Photo: Flickr
The Charity Fighting Poverty in Burundi
Poverty in Burundi
As one of the countries with the lowest Gross National Income Per Capita (GNI) globally, Burundi is grappling with a dire economic situation and a scarcity of essential provisions for survival. The pervasive poverty in Burundi poses a significant risk, potentially leading to a national catastrophe. Notwithstanding, the Great Lakes Outreach (GLO) considers this dire situation in Burundi as an opportunity and has embarked on initiatives to address poverty and reconstruct the nation from its foundation.
The Great Lakes Outreach functions as a collaborative partner with smaller organizations, aiming to bring about social and economic reform in Burundi. Its strategy involves investing in schools, skills development, knowledge enhancement and providing food provisions. The ultimate goal of the organization is to eliminate poverty in Burundi, providing the people of Burundi with a fair chance to flourish.
Stories of Reform
Claudine and Sofia, who were facing extreme poverty in Burundi, found support through the Greenland Alliance, a partner organization backed by the Great Lakes Outreach. With financial assistance, they were able to secure loans to initiate their respective businesses. Claudine now earns income through livestock, enabling her to care for her four younger siblings. Meanwhile, Sofia plans to establish a small shop using products and profits generated from her plants and livestock. Remarkably, both young women were loaned less than $25, yet the impact on their lives and their families has been substantial.
Through the support of the Great Lakes Outreach, the Greenland Alliance is transforming the lives of impoverished citizens. The organization is teaching them valuable business skills and how to manage money. This act goes beyond empowering women and promoting financial independence to helping Burundians escape extreme poverty, one small loan at a time.
Another Great Lakes Outreach partner, United Citizens for Change and Development, is actively contributing to the improvement of education in Burundi. In 2022 alone, the organization established nearly 60 university-accredited Bible schools, resulting in more than 4000 graduates in the last year. Many of the Great Lakes Outreach Partners have long-term goals of sustainability and self-sufficiency through education and employability development. However, while these are crucial for lifting the nation out of poverty, many Burundians are in immediate need of aid, simply just to survive.
One Cup a Day Program
Food security is a top priority for the Great Lakes Outreach and one of its partners, Youth with a Mission, has initiated the “One Cup a Day Program.” This program aims to give malnourished children a hearty meal of porridge each day. Beyond addressing their nutritional needs, the program also creates a space for these children to play, have fun and develop friendships.
Extreme poverty in Burundi contributes to food scarcity and insecurity, exacerbated by the limited nutritional value of the country’s primary agricultural exports, such as tea, coffee and bananas. Initiatives like the “One Cup a Day” program serve as a lifeline to families facing extreme poverty. With the support of the Great Lakes Outreach, more starving people in Burundi are receiving vital food assistance each day.
– Abigail Tidball
Photo: Flickr
Nepal Earthquake: Emergency Aid and Assistance
The earthquake epicenter in Jajarkot, Karnali province, struck at 11:47 pm local time. Situated approximately 310 miles west of Kathmandu, Jajarkot bore the brunt of the seismic activity, leaving its 190,000 residents grappling with the devastation. Hindered by the region’s rugged terrain, local authorities faced challenges reaching the affected areas promptly, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 26 lives. In response, a wave of solidarity swept across the globe, with countries and humanitarian organizations extending emergency aid and assistance to help Nepal’s recovery efforts.
International Emergency Aid and Assistance
India was among the first responders, dispatching an aircraft laden with 9 tons of relief materials, including vital medicines, to Nepal just four days after the disaster struck. China’s South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies initiative, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, swiftly mobilized emergency relief materials worth Rs100 million (approximately $1.2 million) for Nepal. Similarly, Korea’s foreign ministry pledged $300,000 in emergency aid and assistance to support the nation’s recovery. Later, in November 2023, the European Union, through its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), approved a €2 million emergency aid package to bolster Nepal’s rehabilitation efforts, ensuring access to shelter, clean water, sanitation and health care services.
Help From Humanitarian Organizations
Addressing the pressing nutritional needs exacerbated by the earthquake, the World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) initiated the distribution of supplementary food to affected communities. UNICEF’s tireless efforts have yielded significant impact, with reports indicating critical supplies reaching more than 53,000 individuals, including 18,200 children. Additionally, the restoration of 565 toilets has benefited 2,740 people. Initiatives such as vitamin A supplementation for 26,442 children and the establishment of 223 temporary learning centers have provided vital support in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite the ongoing threat posed by natural disasters, the commitment of national governments and humanitarian organizations to provide emergency aid and assistance underscores a collective dedication to Nepal’s recovery. These efforts underscore the significance of humanitarian work and foreign aid and also stand as a testament to the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.
– Naomi Ronner
Photo: Flickr
What About Child Poverty in Finland
Child Poverty in Finland Stats
According to UNICEF’s Report Card Study, which compares child poverty in the European Union and OECD countries, Finland is ranked 14th out of 39 countries, with 10.1% of children living in poverty between 2019 and 2021. Children in single-parent households face acute struggles. With the increased living costs, single parents face difficult decisions, such as buying food or new clothing for their children.
The Biggest Threat
Finland’s government cut its social security and unemployment budget in 2024, hoping to encourage its immigrant population to enter programs designed to prepare them for the workforce. However, the Social Affairs and Health Committee of the Finnish Parliament, after emotional and “chaotic” meetings, expressed concern about how these policy choices impact their population, as similar actions taken by Denmark in 2002 and 2015 resulted in drastic increases in poverty and crime levels. Researchers are also concerned that implementing these policies will discourage immigrants from participating in government integration programs.
UNICEF studies have shown that social security is essential for keeping children out of poverty. Sanna Koskein, a senior expert on child-friendly governance with UNICEF, says, “The proposed social security cuts by the current government will have serious consequences for the children’s well-being.”
Solving Child Poverty in Finland
Finland has announced an action plan to reduce the number of people at risk for poverty to 100,000 by 2030. This program focuses primarily on people with pensions and families with children and aims to encourage families to participate in government integration programs. The children of families who participate in these programs tend to stay in school longer, perform better academically and enjoy more success in the workforce. In the face of budget cuts to social services, programs aimed to reduce poverty levels are a path forward toward Finland reducing its child poverty rates, thus ensuring a better future for all its citizens.
– Heather Gisi
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty in Venezuela: 3 Impactful Nonprofits
Alimenta la Solidaridad
This group was founded in 2016 by Roberto Patiño. It originally focused on managing the food crisis affecting the most vulnerable populations in Venezuela. The organization started small by installing canteens in neighborhoods and establishing relationships with communities and other health groups. Over time, this group has implemented programs to enhance welfare and development, evolving into one of the most effective nonprofits combating poverty. Currently, Alimenta la Solidaridad’s operations portfolio includes eight programs focused on developing community well-being.
Important programs created by Alimenta la Solidaridad addressing poverty alleviation concentrate on food security, health and nutrition. The organization has established “Community Kitchens” that provide communal cooking spaces where marginalized communities can access nutritious meals, fostering resource sharing and promoting sustainable solutions to hunger and malnutrition. The program guarantees a daily lunch containing 40% of the estimated caloric load beneficiaries should consume for optimal development. This aspect is particularly significant for communities currently facing malnutrition and scarcity consequences of poverty.
A personal account from a woman named Juanita, who runs an Alimenta la Solidaridad-sponsored community kitchen from her home, demonstrates the organization’s impact on an individual level. In 2019, massive blackouts throughout the country caused widespread panic. According to the report, Juanita was very moved that Alimenta la Solidaridad visited her community to offer help in a crisis. She expressed that they had given her hope, knowing she and her family had not been forgotten during the disaster. Years later, Juanita joined the movement to help keep the project running. The name “Alimenta la Solidaridad” translates to “Feed together in unity” and can be extrapolated to mean “an exchange of hope in a country of permanent crisis.”
Caracas Mi Convive
Roberto Patiño and Leandro Buzón founded this organization in 2013 to collaborate with local leaders and communities to promote solutions to nagging poverty and ongoing violence. Recently, the group has successfully implemented programs that support local leadership training, the development of capacities and the promotion of community organizations for the construction of safer areas. Over the last decade, the group has achieved significant accomplishments, making it one of the most impactful nonprofits fighting poverty in Venezuela today.
Many of these essential programs were created to improve living conditions and reduce violence. Caracas Mi Convive created the “Solidarity Network” (or “Red Solidaria”), a project dedicated to meeting with Venezuelan community leaders to advance social leadership, community organization and social coexistence. The Caracas Mi Convive website boldly states, “Venezuela is going through a political, social and economic crisis of great proportions. During recent years, the rule of law has been eroded, the democratic system has been fractured, institutions have been delegitimized and lack representativeness, human rights are constantly threatened and with this, the mechanisms of citizen participation have been restricted.”
In addition to combating the poverty rate in the city of Caracas, reducing the persistent threat of violence is also a priority since it greatly hinders social progress and economic development and perpetuates a cycle of instability within the population. In 2020, there was a recorded testimony from a community leader in western Caracas who was asked about violence during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This unnamed individual seemingly speaks as if violence is a familiar theme in Caracas, “I have known about many homicides that have occurred during this quarantine, especially among young people. Just a few days ago, a young man was thrown off a building from the eighth floor because of a family row. Also, two young men were killed by state security forces.” There are further statistics that indicate roughly 100 homicides occur per 100,000 citizens, making Venezuela one of the most violent countries in Latin America. To combat this issue, the nonprofit works hard to construct safer environments and living spaces within the community.
Cuatro Por Venezuela
Founded in 2016 by four Venezuelan women, this group was established to create programs and partnerships to provide poverty relief in countries facing significant needs. Over time, these four friends, Gloria Mattiuzzi, Gabriela Rondón, Maria Elena Texeira and Carolina Febres, made it their mission to grow the small organization into something greater to support the ongoing needs in their birth country. Today, this group has become one of the most impactful nonprofits fighting poverty in Venezuela by providing humanitarian aid and support throughout the country.
Cuatro Por Venezuela has implemented projects to reduce poverty and hunger, one of the most prominent being the “Zero Malnutrition” program. This program is dedicated to feeding children and disabled elderly living in remote villages two nutritious meals each day, seven days per week for one year. By addressing hunger issues and improving the health and well-being of Venezuelans, initiatives like the “Zero Malnutrition” program contribute to reducing poverty.
Between 2017 and 2022, Cuatro Por Venezuela, with the support and contributions from its donors, facilitated the shipment of 116 tons of humanitarian aid in life-saving supplies to Venezuela. With this type of humanitarian influence, it’s no surprise that the organization is widely regarded as one of the most impactful nonprofits fighting poverty and hunger in Venezuela today.
– Caleb Ilayan
Photo: Flickr
The Impact of HIV/AIDs in Costa Rica
Strategies for Effective Prevention
HIV/AIDS remains a pressing public health concern in Costa Rica, with a steady increase in annual cases. Despite significant efforts to raise awareness and provide accessible health care, statistics show that cases have grown annually.
Kim Marie Day conducted a case study to compare HIV treatments and policies between the United States and Costa Rica. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the psychological component of HIV/AIDS, as patients face social stigma and emotional challenges, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment, including mental health care.
While global HIV/AIDS strategies often focus on physiological aspects, Day advocates for integrating mental and social health treatment during the crucial moment of diagnosis to improve quality of life. Despite positive trends in Costa Rica’s efforts to decrease HIV prevalence, challenges persist in effectively reaching high-risk groups, emphasizing the need for continued efforts in primary preventative care and harm reduction programs.
How the US Provides Support
To improve support for Costa Rica’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the U.S. might consider incorporating new initiatives for knowledge exchange and resource sharing. Additionally, the U.S. can explore avenues for joint projects, strengthening the evidence base for effective HIV/AIDS management. Such partnerships would bolster Costa Rica’s health care capabilities and foster a shared commitment to global public health initiatives. One of the most impactful collaborations currently is between Costa Rica and USAID.
Over time, USAID has been successful in various initiatives to combat multiple diseases, standing at the forefront of global efforts to combat HIV. More recently they have supported the Costa Rican government through their Central American Regional HIV/AIDS Program, allocating $3.7 million for testing services and quality care for those living with HIV.
Issues Surrounding the Costa Rican Health Care System
The Costa Rican health care system currently faces many notable challenges warranting attention. These include disparities in access to health care, particularly in rural areas, where the distribution of resources is uneven. Additionally, the system grapples with the need for ongoing improvements in addressing mental health within the health care framework and ensuring comprehensive medical care for diseases like HIV.
According to UNAIDS, roughly 17,000 people were living with HIV in the country in 2022 validating the need for continued efforts in prevention and education. Exploring these issues provides valuable insights into the complexities of health care in Costa Rica and offers opportunities for potential enhancements to the existing system.
It is also important for health officials to address the poverty issue in Costa Rica, since it significantly contributes to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, by creating poor living conditions, increasing vulnerability and hindering access to preventive measures and treatment. The current poverty rate is around 21% with nearly 400,000 households “lacking sufficient economic resources.”
Governmental Initiatives
There is an NGO currently working in to address health care and HIV/AIDS in the country called PSI Costa Rica. This group works with other local foundations to center health care around people and aim for health systems that guarantee quality. This NGO is focused on making it easier to prevent, identify and treat HIV/AIDS by bringing consumer voices and perspectives to the disease response and supporting public health providers to better respond to the needs of their clients and patients.
Through activities including HIV self-testing, cyber-education, community coaching and pharmacy services, this group aims to bring accessible health care to the populations of Costa Rica. In 2019, it was reported that this NGO distributed more than 2 million HIV self-test kits to individuals around the country and helped nearly 50,000 people identify their HIV-positive status and access treatment. Through the efforts and support from organizations like PSI we can expand access to essential health care services, raise awareness about preventive measures and ultimately contribute to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
– Caleb Ilayan
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