The small, West African country of Guinea-Bissau, comprised of 88 islands, is home to 1.8 million people. Its beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, cultural traditions and natural source of mangoes, cashews and papayas attract tourists to its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Yet of the 873,000 children of Guinea-Bissau, 70% are living in poverty.
Children under 5 years of age account for 291,000 of the population and face the highest risk of malnutrition, stunting and high mortality rates. Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau has a detrimental effect on a child’s future by restricting opportunity. Poverty forces children as young as 5 into work, becoming debt slaves, and into sexual exploitation, with “17% engaging in child labor.”
Health and education challenges in Guinea-Bissau limit opportunities for children due to factors such as poverty, malnutrition and cultural norms. These obstacles hinder a child’s prospects. Efforts to address period poverty are ongoing, including increased pad donations, aiming to make lasting progress in ending this issue.
High Child Mortality Rates
For children under the age of 5, malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia account for 27% of deaths, with death in the first month of infancy accounting for 43%. These diseases pose a greater risk in urban areas where only 35% of children are vaccinated.
Between 2014 and 2019, child mortality rates dropped from 8.9% to 5.1%. The COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on child mortality rates, due largely to health care strikes, lack of vaccinations and essential medicines, which has left them unable to access appropriate medical care.
Malnutrition
Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau causes wasting, affecting 5% of children under the age of 5, with 28% also having stunted growth.
Limited education around infant feeding and consuming food that is poor in nutrition, alongside preventable illnesses like diarrhea and malaria, have raised the rates of malnutrition.
For children living in poverty in Guinea-Bissau, 40.6% of children experience stunting, and even for those with a more significant income, stunting still affects 17.8%.
Health and Access to Clean Water
Accessing pediatric care for children under 15 is difficult in Guinea-Bissau due largely to the lack of pediatricians. According to UNICEF, the country has three pediatricians for every 720,000 children, and 66% of the population has to walk at least one hour to a health center.
In terms of health, inadequate sanitation exacerbates conditions. Approximately 84% of households lack access to soap and water for proper handwashing. In 2019, merely 18% of households could access uncontaminated water, free from fecal bacteria, while just 45% had access to water points. These challenges contribute to public health issues.
Diarrhea is the second-highest cause of death for children under 5. Inadequate access to clean water causes diseases and can lead to infection or even death.
Children’s health is a priority with Vitamin A supplements and deworming becoming “routine activities of community health workers.”
Supported by UNICEF, the integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) has created training and supplies for adequate treatment. It has opened up 78 healthcare facilities nationwide to treat malnutrition.
Education
Guinea-Bissau Annual Country Report conducted in 2022 found that “93% of cases of children who had to repeat an educational year in primary school were strongly linked to malnutrition.”
Guinea-Bissau’s children struggle to gain an adequate education, resulting in a lack of basic skills. Teachers are often under-trained and lack suitable knowledge and resources, resulting in substandard teaching outcomes.
For children aged between 7-14, 88% do not have basic literacy skills, and 93% are unable to demonstrate numeracy skills, with Guinea-Bissau having “a primary education completion rate of under 30%.”
Positive Steps
The World Food Programme (WFP) is working with the Guinea-Bissau government to tackle the impact of malnutrition. 179,000 children receive hot and nutritious meals. In May 2023, WFP implemented a program to provide vegetable gardens in schools, focusing on children with special needs. The program aims to promote home-grown produce that can be used in schools.
The WFP provides nutritious meals to children, and alongside the Social Behavior Change and Communication campaign, the organization is tackling cultural views on eating habits and locally sourced food.
Children in Guinea-Bissau with disabilities face further challenges when accessing education. The Humanity and Inclusion U.K. has been working to make schools more accessible to disabled children, and while its education program ended in March 2022, it is working toward implementing further programs and improvements.
The children of Guinea-Bissau face difficulties accessing health care, education and getting out of poverty. However, key steps by organizations like UNICEF, WFP and Humanity & Inclusion U.K. are creating opportunities for children to reach their full potential. With continued support and investment, there is hope for the children of Guinea-Bissau to rise above poverty and access better health care and education.
– Isabel R. Burnside
Photo: Flickr
COVID-19’s Impact on NGOs in India
Lack of Funds and Infrastructure – The Biggest Challenge for the NGOs in India
The pandemic severely impacted India’s social sector, redirecting funds to emergency relief and causing financial challenges for NGOs. About 33% of Indian NGOs faced a six-month survival crisis due to inadequate funds. As rightly pointed out by Sri Gopalakrishnan, although the specific needs of the NGOs may have evolved, addressing the basic needs continues to be the main driver for several local charities in India as COVID-19’s virulence continues to morph since the onset.
Lack of government support and unethical practices by some of the unregistered NGOs usually result in investors and the public losing trust and turning away from donating, exacerbating COVID-19’s impact on the NGOs in India. Moreover, public fundraising activities shifted to online events and social media campaigns due to COVID-19, compelling NGOs to scale back their operations.
Loss of Jobs & Disruption at Schools Impact the NGOs
The closure of schools, businesses and workplaces led to the loss of jobs and income for employed individuals and disruption for children. About 10 million Indians lost their jobs during the second wave of the pandemic. COVID-19’s impact on the NGOs forced them to shift to remote work, impacting operations and creating challenges in balancing fieldwork and digital tasks.
The global unemployment rate hit 6.5% as an additional 33 million people lost their employment in 2020, bringing the total number of unemployed individuals worldwide to 220 million. The economic crisis triggered by the pandemic constrained donors’ capacity, resulting in NGOs facing a decline in voluntary income.
Collaboration Enables Chartering the Course for the NGOs
In 2021, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) program instituted by the prime minister of India, the World Bank approved $500M to improve response to social protection. This enabled the state and the central government organizations to define a more adaptive social protection system, reaching more groups based on individual needs.
As of current data, there are more than 190,000 registered NGOs in India, according to information from the NGO Darpan portal, a platform that provides space for collaboration between NGOs and key government ministries and departments.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Influence of Technology
Amid the crisis, there is an opportunity to reshape relationships between the social sector, businesses and government, with CSR playing a key role. The government mandates companies to allocate 2% of their profits to CSR projects. Increasing CSR commitments and leveraging technology through socio-tech ventures can bring about impactful change in addressing India’s vast socio-economic challenges for nonprofits.
Policy Changes, Governance and Technology Mark the Future
Several reports, including the Center for Monitoring of the Indian Economy (CMIE) statistics, revealed 10 million job losses during the second wave of the pandemic. Therefore, the government requires support from India’s social sector to achieve significant positive change in health, economy and society.
Over the past decade, the World Bank partnered with tech providers, foundations, think tanks and Indian agencies to develop social protection systems. This initiative engaged experts to enhance India’s social protection architecture. To avoid falling into the trap of the global economic crisis, the Government of India must strategize its objectives, introduce many policy changes and enhance the country’s stature in international relations.
– Sudha Krishnaswami
Photo: Unsplash
Renewable Energy in Lithuania
As of 2021, 22.5% of the population endured energy poverty. Currently, the country is pursuing both energy independence and sources of renewable energy within its borders in efforts to reduce the prevalence of poverty. In 2022, Lithuania ceased importing energy from Russia, marking a necessary step toward energy independence. The country remains committed to an ambitious objective of fulfilling its entire domestic electricity needs through renewable sources by 2030, according to its National Energy Independence Strategy. Lithuania also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Exploring Other Energy Sources
In an intensive effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Lithuania is making a transformative shift toward renewable energy sources such as wind. In May 2023, the Lithuanian National Energy Regulatory Council began constructing an offshore wind farm that is projected to produce nearly a quarter of the country’s electricity.
Solid biofuel — fuel derived from firewood, plants and agricultural waste — provides perhaps the greatest potential for sustainable energy production in Lithuania. In 2021, the country utilized 54.4% of it to create electricity and centralized heat, while households used 33.1%. Lithuania’s National Energy and Climate Action Plan expects that biofuel will contribute to 9% of electricity production by 2030.
With ambitious targets set to harness reliable, clean energy, the country is making significant strides in its renewable energy sector, marking a pivotal moment in its journey toward a greener future.
Alleviating Poverty Through Renewable Energy Production
In addition to reducing its reliance on other countries, increasing renewable energy production in Lithuania could result in poverty reduction through job creation, boosting economic growth, lowering the cost of living and increasing access to energy in underserved areas.
The effects of Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine, combined with the recent economic slowdown and fewer companies seeking expansion, have reduced employment opportunities in Lithuania. However, internal investment in renewable energy is combatting this loss. In 2022, the UK Energy Research Centre reported that renewable energy creates three times as many jobs per million pounds invested, compared to the fossil fuel industry. The development and expansion of renewable energy infrastructure could therefore greatly contribute to reducing unemployment and alleviating poverty in Lithuania. In just one year of working toward energy production autonomy, the unemployment rate in Lithuania dropped from more than 15% to 9%.
Investments in renewable energy projects stimulate economic growth. The renewable energy sector attracts investments, promotes technological innovation and supports local industries, encouraging economic development that can improve living standards and mitigate poverty rates.
Cost-saving Potential
The widespread availability of renewable energy could also reduce the cost of energy, helping lower the cost of living in Lithuania. According to the Minister of the Environment, Simonas Gentvilas, prior to 2022, Lithuania regularly spent about €3 billion per year on electricity, oil and gas from Russia. Transitioning to self-reliant, renewable energy sources could retain this money in Lithuania, as well as create lower energy costs in the long term. As a result, families will have increased financial resources, providing opportunities to escape poverty or financial strain.
Renewable energy projects could also expand access to reliable electricity, especially in rural or underserved areas. Bringing sustainable energy sources to these communities enhances quality of life, enables increased economic activities, improves educational opportunities and contributes to poverty reduction by facilitating access to essential resources and services.
Looking Ahead
While these examples of renewable energy in Lithuania represent crucial steps on the road toward poverty reduction and energy independence, addressing poverty in Lithuania appears to require a multifaceted approach. Combining renewable energy efforts with broader strategies that focus on education, health care, social welfare programs and employment opportunities could lead to lasting impact on reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development in the country.
– Bella Simokaitis
Photo: Pixabay
How MFIs Contribute to Alleviating Poverty Among Indian Farmers
Casteism: A Deep-Rooted Cultural Issue
Casteism, a cultural community hierarchy in India, although outlawed in the 1950s, still has clear implications in today’s Indian societies. About 82% of Indian farmers belong to marginalized communities and classes. Caste-based discrimination in India also extends to the financing sector, where members of the lower caste are forced to take out loans from informal sources. The risks and often high collateral from these informal sources lead to a perpetual spiral into poverty for these low-caste individuals.
The establishment of MFIs in India streamlines the process of receiving small loans for individuals facing caste-based discrimination. Microfinancing groups like Annapurna Finance and Fusion Microfinance play a crucial role in alleviating the financial challenges of these small, underserved farming communities in India. By specifically targeting these marginalized groups, these groups bring more formal and legitimate loan opportunities for these farmers. Access to formal loans reduces the risks associated with regulatory oversights and legal issues, enabling marginalized farmers to repay these MFIs in a much more relaxed manner.
Empowering Disadvantaged Women Farmers
Some MFIs in India not only make it a priority to provide microloans to women but also educate them on agricultural development. The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh focuses on underprivileged women, establishing self-help groups through the provision of microloans and imparting market knowledge. The market knowledge provided by SERP includes understanding how third-party groups can exploit their profits and how to spend less money on seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. This knowledge has helped several female farmers to break “from the shackles of money lenders and traders.”
Many rural women in India are often rejected loans from banks due to their illiteracy or even asked to provide collateral even if they have no assets in their name. This proves to be a major problem, leading them to face local debt collectors and loaners who often have high-interest rates. When organizations like SERP started offering legitimate microloans and financial knowledge, individuals no longer needed to resort to loan sharks. This alleviates the stress associated with informal sources of loans, empowering them to pursue their livelihood as farmers. Simultaneously, it provides them with opportunities that can contribute to lifting them out of poverty.
Key Notes
Microfinance institutions in India are making strides in empowering marginalized farmers, particularly those affected by caste-based discrimination. By providing formal and legitimate loans, such as those offered by Annapurna Finance and Fusion Microfinance, these organizations help break the cycle of poverty perpetuated by informal sources. Moreover, initiatives like the SERP focus on educating and financially empowering disadvantaged women farmers, offering them an alternative to exploitative moneylenders and contributing to their economic independence. Overall, these efforts signal a positive shift toward sustainable rural development in India.
– Aswath Jaiprakash
Photo: Flickr
5 Organizations Helping the Deaf Community in Uganda
Most deaf children in the country don’t complete their primary education due to a lack of access and funding, leading to a lack of employment opportunities. These factors create a cycle of poverty among the deaf community in Uganda, which the organizations in this article seek to resolve.
Deaf Link Uganda
Founded in 2007 and based in Kampala, Deaf Link Uganda helps the deaf community by promoting the rights of deaf citizens, providing education for the deaf and teaching business development skills to deaf Ugandans. Within these overarching programs, Deaf Link Uganda provides sign language workshops, promotes literacy and reading among deaf children and provides training in graphic design and industrial skills.
The organization primarily focuses on rural communities, where social stigmas regarding deafness more severely limit social and economic opportunities. Along with the Uganda National Association of the Deaf, Deaf Link Uganda co-hosts International Deaf Awareness Week every September. It encourages outreach activities to educate hearing Ugandans on the causes of deafness and the existence of USL as a minority language, as well as promote networking between deaf and hearing communities.
Deaf Sign Alliance
Also based in Kampala, and founded in 2016, Deaf Sign Alliance was initially the Deaf Children and Youth Alliance, but the organization expanded its reach in recognition of the need for continued support to deaf persons of all ages. Deaf Sign Alliance aims to transform Ugandan society into one that offers equity and respect to deaf people.
It promotes USL through community-based training, engages in human rights advocacy for deaf Ugandans, networks across the country to ensure emergency response groups are inclusive of deaf needs, sponsors the costs of educating deaf children in hearing schools, helps deaf people develop vocational skills and builds relationships between businesses in the hearing community and deaf adults. As part of this work, Deaf Sign Alliance also has partnerships with local and international stakeholders.
SignHealth Uganda
SignHealth Uganda was founded in 2009 and is based in Kampala. The NGO is dedicated to creating equity through sustainable services and advocacy. Backed by SignHealth International, it helps the deaf community in Uganda by improving deaf education nationwide, providing accessible health care to deaf Ugandans and fostering community outreach. Specific programs include education about and testing for HIV/AIDS, mental health counseling and after-school activities for deaf children, such as sports and theater.
SignHealth Uganda also works with families of deaf children and teachers in mainstream schools, training them in USL and on the protected rights of deaf children. Through its community outreach program, SignHealth Uganda formed clubs and networking opportunities for deaf youth. Altogether, it has implemented 15 programs and impacted more than 5,000 Ugandans.
Boanerges Deaf Initiative
Founded in 2003 and based in Semuto, Boanerges Deaf Initiative is a Christian ministry organization dedicated to educating young, deaf Ugandans and fostering their self-confidence. In an effort to combat the social stigma that deaf children are a burden, the group provides students with a bed, clothing, shoes, food and school supplies. They also provide free USL courses to the community to bridge social gaps and encourage networking between deaf and hearing children.
The school run by Boanerges Deaf Initiative allows deaf students to graduate with the same academic credentials as their hearing peers, including taking the same national exams. In addition to private fundraising, the group encourages literacy among deaf students through an international penpal program.
Deaf Girls Rescue
Since 2015, Deaf Girls Rescue has been helping deaf girls rise out of poverty and illiteracy. Based in Wakiso District, the organization engages in grassroots-level research on statistics about Ugandan deaf girls in order to support advocacy efforts. It raises public awareness of the vulnerability of this minority population through USL classes, outreach programs with public officials and health care workers, advocacy in legal sectors and public school teacher training.
Deaf Girls Rescue provides education, including sexual reproduction information, to deaf girls in the hopes of creating economic opportunities for them. In a prior project, Deaf Girls Rescue trained 20 deaf women and girls as chicken farmers, enabling them to gain financial independence and reduce barriers to safety.
Looking Ahead
While the deaf community in Uganda still faces significant difficulties in gaining true equity, these five organizations have made tremendous strides to bring the community in that direction and to raise awareness of deaf citizens’ value in society. Due to their efforts, deaf Ugandans have increased access to education, economic opportunities, accessible health care and more.
– Natalie Coyne
Photo: Flickr
Scoring Goals, Changing Lives: Soccer’s Impact in Cambodia
Poverty in Cambodia
Cambodia saw terrific progress in poverty reduction between 2009 and 2019, where rates fell from 33.8% to 17.8% of the total population. However, COVID-19 overturned some of this progress and an estimated 460,000 people have fallen below the poverty income threshold. In most countries, poverty disproportionately affects the young and the same can be said about Cambodia. In 2014, child poverty rates were above the total population, affecting four in 25 children.
Daily challenges for Cambodian children encompass poor hygiene, limited access to clean water and child labor. Additionally, they face heightened vulnerability to trafficking, exploitation and early marriage. In a country where 52% of the population is under 25, the financial burden often shifts to the youth, impeding their ability to finish school and attain aspirational jobs.
SALT
Established in 2006, SALT is a Christian international organization committed to shaping a promising future for Cambodia’s youth. Currently, its approach weaves together sports, education and discipleship to empower young individuals. It aims to create a meaningful impact and foster growth within the Cambodian community. While only 8% of Cambodians attend college, 50% of SALT Academy’s “Mighty Men” and “Mighty Girls” were enrolled after the program.
Mighty Girls
SALT’s flagship initiative, Mighty Girls, extends a hand to 20 teenage girls from underprivileged and impoverished villages. Correlated with poverty, most apparent in rural areas, young women and girls are vulnerable to having their basic rights violated. SALT designed the Mighty Girls project to provide crucial training, housing and educational avenues otherwise inaccessible to these individuals.
It has become a “safety net” for individuals at risk of human trafficking. The program has also fostered girl’s education and advanced the cause of gender equality. Though not a conventional solution to problems caused by poverty and gender norms, SALT’s Mighty Girls program has supported more than 50 girls and their players make up the backbone of Cambodia’s Women’s teams and up-and-coming stars.
Linda and Kimlechang’s Story
Stories from Linda and Kimlechang reveal soccer’s impact in Cambodia. Soccer saved Linda from becoming a victim of early marriage. Succeeding in a football competition was crucial in ensuring she did not give up her freedom, education and passions. “SALT Academy gave me the opportunity to become educated, to gain leadership skills, to access university, to dream of a higher career and better future and to become a role model for the community,” says Linda, who is now the Program Manager and full-time staff at the charity.
Financial hardship and domestic abuse in Kimelchang’s household meant her siblings had to support the family, leaving them with very few prospects. However, after making her way to SALT Academy, Kimleang thrived in the combination of sport and education. After graduating in 2018, Kimleang expressed her desire to pursue further studies in the United States (U.S.) and harbored dreams of working for the Cambodian Football Federation.
The soccer programs launched by SALT offer access to essentials like education and empower children to break the cycles of poverty and gender stereotypes, planting hope for a brighter future. In addition, these initiatives offer a structured and positive outlet, alongside instilling a sense of purpose and belonging that goes beyond the challenges faced by young girls and boys at home. Overall, it catalyzes change by imparting essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline and resilience.
– Sam Waterkeyn
Photo: Pexels
Farming for the Future: Regenerative Agriculture in Argentina
In Argentina, agriculture plays a major role in the lives of the country’s 44 million residents. The second largest nation in South America, Argentina has 23 provinces, with Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santa Fe being the most agriculturally dominant. Although the country impressively produces enough food to feed 450 million people, the rate of production is adversely impacting the environment. Additionally, factors such as inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on the nation’s economy, pushing some individuals into poverty. As climate change and damaged soil make the future of farming unstable, regenerative agriculture in Argentina may be the solution to what should come next.
Poverty in Argentina at a Glance
Despite the substantial food production in Argentina, a portion of the population is grappling with extreme poverty. Within the country, 44.7% of the population, totaling 17.5 million people, is considered impoverished, with 9.6% living in conditions of extreme poverty.
Some of the poverty in Argentina appear to stem from the unstable economic conditions that have persisted since COVID-19. During the pandemic, there was a significant spike in food prices compared to other market items, disproportionately affecting families with middle and low economic status the most.
The most extreme inflation spike occurred in 2022. Poverty climbed drastically during this time, with four out of every 10 Argentinians living in poverty. By the end of 2022, Argentina had one of the highest inflation rates in the world and had experienced a 3% point increase in the proportion of impoverished people in the last six months of the same year.
Agriculture in Argentina
Many may not imagine the viability of Argentina’s agricultural economic sector because of the increasing amounts of Argentinians living in poverty. However, the country boasts one of the most noteworthy agricultural sectors in the world. A quarter of Argentina’s exports are agricultural goods, making it the tenth largest agri-food exporter globally. This sector provides a third of the jobs available in Argentina and primarily exports corn, meat, soybeans, wheat, wine and wool.
The critical role agriculture plays in Argentina’s economy leaves the nation very vulnerable to experiencing adverse effects from climate change and over-farming.
Regenerative Agriculture in Argentina
Regenerative agriculture is an environmentally conscious method of farming that emphasizes the preservation and enhancement of soil health and nutrient content. This method of farming is important for ensuring the proper cultivation of crops and livestock.
Regenerative agriculture can serve as a tool to stabilize the nation’s economy by providing reliable food sources and creating jobs in the agricultural sector that will survive climate change while also prioritizing environmental protection.
The impact of agriculture on global warming is significant, highlighting the need to develop sustainable farming methods. In Argentina, farmers have started to realize this necessity, leading to a growing adoption of climate-conscious and sustainable farming practices.
La Delia Verde
La Delia Verde is a farm practicing regenerative agriculture in Argentina. After genetically modified soybeans became a common crop in Argentina, farmers quickly realized the potential to make lots of money. Capitalizing on the naturally fertile soil, soybean production experienced a rapid surge throughout the region. However, over 25 years, the nation’s natural soil fertility began to diminish rapidly.
Upon recognizing the detriment intensive agriculture had to Argentina’s environment, the team at La Delia Verde decided to practice regenerative agriculture on their farm. In 2019, La Delia Verde focused its business on farming without harm. The group pledged to preserve the farm’s soil, water, biodiversity and air.
Currently at La Delia Verde, the farm is undergoing a complete redesign to coexist within the land. The goal is to safeguard the naturally occurring resources on the farm. Protecting biodiversity and creating environments for it to thrive is at the heart of La Delia Verde’s mission. This is evident in the team’s additional work to plant trees and provide pastures for their livestock to integrate.
Looking Ahead
Regenerative agriculture stands out as a robust strategy in the global fight against climate change. In Argentina, the adoption of this sustainable farming method promises to not only generate employment but also bring economic stability and enhance food security. The advancements witnessed at farms like La Delia Verde signify just the beginning of the positive changes occurring in this transformative journey.
– Alexandra Straumann
Photo: Flickr
How Forests and Young People Solve the Water Crisis in Honduras
Water Crisis and Deforestation in Honduras
One study states that by the end of the century, rainfall in Honduras will drop by 20% and water availability by 40%. Another study shows that at least half of the houses in Honduras have access to clean drinking water filtered by the forests.
Deforestation has already severely harmed the integrity of numerous water catchment areas, and other places are already in grave danger, further exacerbating the water crisis in Honduras. Forests help regulate the flow of water in rivers and streams, which reduces flooding risks.
Healthy forests are a filter that keeps pollution out of the water, roots anchor soil from erosion and material on the forest floor absorbs nutrients. When forests become damaged, sediment flows into the water, which pollutes it.
Forests also help control the water cycle by supervising precipitation, flows and evaporation. Layers of forest vegetation store and release water vapor. The destruction of the forest leads to irregular rain patterns.
Impact on Communities and Forest Loss
Communities of people rely on clean water for health. Relying on natural filtration sources such as the forest reduces the cost of filtering clean water. Forests being destroyed will increase the price of clean water. Honduras has been losing forest life over the past few years due to deforestation and agriculture, resulting in poverty. From 1990 to 2020, the country lost at least 9% of its forest.
These threats targeted people, the economy and ecosystems, so Honduras has been determining natural solutions with social interaction.
Ongoing Efforts
Montserrat Xilot, a climate change adaptation advisor for the United Nations (U.N.), visited Tegucigalpa to observe a project supported by the Global Adaptation Fund and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The initiative, led by women and young people, showcases enthusiasm and innovation, emphasizing the effectiveness of local knowledge in adapting to natural disasters and managing resources.
During her visit, Xilot engaged with these individuals at the National Autonomous University’s lab, a crucial hub for understanding Honduras’ water crisis. Through the lens of “Ecology of Water,” they applied various practices to monitor water sources and maintain water quality within the Central Forest Corridor. This hands-on approach is key to addressing the region’s water challenges.
Rather than accepting payment, the university wanted science equipment to study the water that flowed into the city. A water research department and a lab were created to examine the link between microbiology, climatology, water and physics. The lab made important disaster information and water modeling. It shows a leap forward in providing science, which is key to addressing the crisis.
Women were developing their bio-fertilizers from local plant life to sell to markets. Xilot spoke to a young person who was the leader of the fire brigade and stated that the project taught her how to prepare during the forest fire season.
The university has secured grant funding to continue its project, including from the International Atomic Energy Agency. It has also allowed the climate adaptation program in the U.N. to request water analyses to better reveal water sources along the forest with increasing demand and natural disasters.
– Hailey S
Photo: Unsplash
Bridging the Job Divide in Urban Slums in India
The Landscape of Urban Poverty in India
Despite its economic progress, India continues to face the formidable challenge of poverty. According to research by economists Arvind Panagariya and Vishal More, a significant portion of the Indian population, almost 26.9%, lives below the national poverty line, with urban areas harboring a substantial share of these impoverished citizens. In this context, urban slums represent pockets of deprivation, where there is limited access to education and employment opportunities, and this perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
The Role of Tech-Enabled Skill Development
Tech-Enabled Skill Development emerges as a pivotal solution to this entrenched problem. Initiatives leveraging technology to impart skills have gained momentum in recent years, providing a glimmer of hope for those residing in urban slums. These programs address the immediate need for employment and equip individuals with the technical expertise required to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) reports a surge in the enrollment of individuals from marginalized communities in tech-oriented courses, indicating a growing interest and recognition of the importance of digital skills.
Addressing the Job Divide With Tech-Enabled Solutions
Tech-Enabled Skill Development is not just a theoretical solution but a practical and tangible way to address the job divide in urban slums. By providing training in digital literacy, coding and other relevant skills, individuals receive the support that helps them meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
A report by NASSCOM, the Indian IT industry trade association, emphasizes the potential of Tech-Enabled Skill Development to create a skilled workforce ready for the jobs of the future. It states that digital skill development is already a significant part of the business strategy of various startups, multinationals and upcoming businesses. India is focused on providing accessible and relevant training, with technology as the enabler to reduce the job divide and improve the skilled workforce in the nation.
Present Initiatives: A Ray of Hope
Several organizations and government bodies have undertaken initiatives to bridge the technological gap in urban slums.
For the past two decades, the Digital Empowerment Foundation has been actively involved in digitally empowering local communities. It achieved this involvement by establishing 1,000 Community Information Resource Centres and a network of 10,000 digital ambassadors across 24 states and 135 districts, focusing on urban, rural, tribal, marginalized and unreached regions.
Conclusion
Tech-Enabled Skill Development appears to be a beacon of hope for those living in the shadows of poverty in India’s urban slums. These initiatives bridge the job divide by equipping individuals with digital skills and laying the foundation for a more inclusive and empowered society. As the digital revolution continues to reshape the global economy, the impact of such programs becomes increasingly significant in ensuring the inclusion of everyone. In the context of urban slums in India, change is happening through the transformative power of technology, bringing about a brighter future for those who need it the most.
– Srishti Arora
Photo: Unsplash
The Children of Guinea-Bissau and Poverty
Children under 5 years of age account for 291,000 of the population and face the highest risk of malnutrition, stunting and high mortality rates. Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau has a detrimental effect on a child’s future by restricting opportunity. Poverty forces children as young as 5 into work, becoming debt slaves, and into sexual exploitation, with “17% engaging in child labor.”
Health and education challenges in Guinea-Bissau limit opportunities for children due to factors such as poverty, malnutrition and cultural norms. These obstacles hinder a child’s prospects. Efforts to address period poverty are ongoing, including increased pad donations, aiming to make lasting progress in ending this issue.
High Child Mortality Rates
For children under the age of 5, malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia account for 27% of deaths, with death in the first month of infancy accounting for 43%. These diseases pose a greater risk in urban areas where only 35% of children are vaccinated.
Between 2014 and 2019, child mortality rates dropped from 8.9% to 5.1%. The COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on child mortality rates, due largely to health care strikes, lack of vaccinations and essential medicines, which has left them unable to access appropriate medical care.
Malnutrition
Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau causes wasting, affecting 5% of children under the age of 5, with 28% also having stunted growth.
Limited education around infant feeding and consuming food that is poor in nutrition, alongside preventable illnesses like diarrhea and malaria, have raised the rates of malnutrition.
For children living in poverty in Guinea-Bissau, 40.6% of children experience stunting, and even for those with a more significant income, stunting still affects 17.8%.
Health and Access to Clean Water
Accessing pediatric care for children under 15 is difficult in Guinea-Bissau due largely to the lack of pediatricians. According to UNICEF, the country has three pediatricians for every 720,000 children, and 66% of the population has to walk at least one hour to a health center.
In terms of health, inadequate sanitation exacerbates conditions. Approximately 84% of households lack access to soap and water for proper handwashing. In 2019, merely 18% of households could access uncontaminated water, free from fecal bacteria, while just 45% had access to water points. These challenges contribute to public health issues.
Diarrhea is the second-highest cause of death for children under 5. Inadequate access to clean water causes diseases and can lead to infection or even death.
Children’s health is a priority with Vitamin A supplements and deworming becoming “routine activities of community health workers.”
Supported by UNICEF, the integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) has created training and supplies for adequate treatment. It has opened up 78 healthcare facilities nationwide to treat malnutrition.
Education
Guinea-Bissau Annual Country Report conducted in 2022 found that “93% of cases of children who had to repeat an educational year in primary school were strongly linked to malnutrition.”
Guinea-Bissau’s children struggle to gain an adequate education, resulting in a lack of basic skills. Teachers are often under-trained and lack suitable knowledge and resources, resulting in substandard teaching outcomes.
For children aged between 7-14, 88% do not have basic literacy skills, and 93% are unable to demonstrate numeracy skills, with Guinea-Bissau having “a primary education completion rate of under 30%.”
Positive Steps
The World Food Programme (WFP) is working with the Guinea-Bissau government to tackle the impact of malnutrition. 179,000 children receive hot and nutritious meals. In May 2023, WFP implemented a program to provide vegetable gardens in schools, focusing on children with special needs. The program aims to promote home-grown produce that can be used in schools.
The WFP provides nutritious meals to children, and alongside the Social Behavior Change and Communication campaign, the organization is tackling cultural views on eating habits and locally sourced food.
Children in Guinea-Bissau with disabilities face further challenges when accessing education. The Humanity and Inclusion U.K. has been working to make schools more accessible to disabled children, and while its education program ended in March 2022, it is working toward implementing further programs and improvements.
The children of Guinea-Bissau face difficulties accessing health care, education and getting out of poverty. However, key steps by organizations like UNICEF, WFP and Humanity & Inclusion U.K. are creating opportunities for children to reach their full potential. With continued support and investment, there is hope for the children of Guinea-Bissau to rise above poverty and access better health care and education.
– Isabel R. Burnside
Photo: Flickr
Public Health in Argentina
Argentina is one of the leaders in Latin America concerning health care expenditure per capita. When compared to other countries in the region, its health care system performs well on several key indicators, including life expectancy, child mortality rate and access to health services. However, like other countries in Latin America, Argentina struggles with challenges related to equity and efficiency.
Argentina’s Health Care System
Health services in Argentina are divided into three main parts: the public sector (national, provincial, and municipal), social insurance (Obras Sociales) and private health services. Approximately 35% of the population depends on public health care. This division helps manage and deliver health services to different groups of people. The public sector covers a significant portion of the population, ensuring access to healthcare services for those who rely on it. The rest have some form of health care coverage, either from the Obras Sociales (60% of the population) or the private health care system (13%). Approximately 10% of the population has access to more than one coverage system.
An administrator at the Secretary of Public Health of San Isidro, Buenos Aires, stated in an interview with The Borgen Project, “Due to the economic situation, many people are falling out of the private system, which is overwhelming the public system.” To combat this high influx of patients and ensure that everyone’s needs are met, the administrator stated the government set up a 35-day window for the maximum number of days that a patient can wait to receive an appointment. However, this wait is often greater in rural areas. This stems from the discrepancies between resources available between urban and rural areas. For example, the Hospital Central de San Isidro contains around 300 beds, while a hospital 500 miles away could have only 12 beds. The number of beds offered is calculated based on the size of the population.
Public Health Disparities
While public health care is accessible to everyone, significant disparities exist at the provincial level in terms of public health care expenditure, the availability of medical professionals and infant and maternal mortality rates. For instance, the mortality rate in colorectal and cervical cancer is 7 and 5.4 times higher, respectively, between the most affluent and the most economically disadvantaged provinces in the country.
These disparities in cancer mortality have been linked to variations in provincial capabilities for early detection, diagnosis and patient treatment. For instance, just 29% of women aged 50 to 70, who depend solely on public health services, have had a mammogram. One reason for this is the elevated transportation costs encountered by residents in rural communities when going to hospitals.
New Initiatives for Addressing Disparities
To enhance public health care access, the World Bank Board of Directors has sanctioned a $50 million investment for Argentina. This funding aims to assist 6.5 million vulnerable residents in Buenos Aires province. Under this initiative, the province will provide high-quality health care services to all citizens, regardless of their location, whether in rural or urban areas. This endeavor seeks to bridge health care gaps and ensure comprehensive coverage for the province’s diverse population.
In 2019, cardiovascular diseases and cancer accounted for 50% of deaths in the province. Treating these diseases requires constant attention and ongoing efforts. Noncommunicable diseases disproportionately affect the vulnerable population group due to lifestyle dynamics influenced by social and economic factors. In tackling these challenges, the investment will concentrate on strengthening electronic medical records and advancing the implementation of telemedicine.
Argentina’s Recent Successes Against Health Disparity
The Protecting Vulnerable People Against Noncommunicable Diseases Project Project (also known as PROTEGER) aims to strengthen the preparedness of Argentina’s public health facilities. This involves expanding and improving services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) specifically tailored to vulnerable population groups. The project’s overarching goal is to shield these vulnerable groups from prevalent risk factors associated with NCDs.
From 2015 to 2022, Argentina achieved several noteworthy outcomes through this project. For example:
Looking Ahead
Argentina still faces challenges related to public health, but substantial progress has been achieved. The nation remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the accessibility, equity and effectiveness of its health care system for the benefit of all citizens.
Speaking on the future of health care in Argentina, the administrator stated, “Public health care is a real thing that can be applied in every country of the world because it has been verified by many countries. I can say from my experience in Argentina that you can have the best equipment and resources you could [under any other system of health care].”
– Cameron Alcocer
Photo: Flickr