Education remains one of the most influential and longstanding resources in ending global poverty. Higher education institutions are increasingly reaching beyond borders, offering abroad scholarships to students from developing nations. Through study-abroad scholarships, students from developing countries are equipped with the skills and knowledge to address poverty-related issues in their home countries. With more than 700 million people living in extreme poverty globally as of the end of 2020, addressing these issues appears to be imperative.
Education Endangered
In developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), tertiary education such as college and university is a privilege, not a right. Furthermore, as of 2020, only 9.4% of secondary education graduates in SSA enrolled in any form of tertiary education. This is almost 30% below the global average and 60% below that of the U.K.
Deprivation of education all too often goes hand in hand with broader poverty. In 2018, an estimated 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived below the poverty line of $1.90 a day as estimated by the World Bank.
This deficit carries significant repercussions. The tertiary education system primarily generates professionals equipped with the expertise and skills to navigate political, corporate and economic systems effectively.
The absence of these professionals significantly complicates the task of sub-Saharan African nations in constructing a financial and political infrastructure resilient enough to withstand the challenges of the global landscape. Indeed, a 1991 World Bank Report highlighted this as one of the major hurdles facing these nations in their developmental journey. Regrettably, this challenge persists even today.
Saved By the Scholarship
In our increasingly globalized world, prestigious universities worldwide are recognizing exceptional talents that do not need train tickets but air miles to reach their campuses. Academic promise deserving of encouragement and backing blossoms from Kibera, Kenya, to Dharavi, India — the talent that scholarships can nurture to its full potential.
In response to this trend, numerous independent organizations and government-funded educational institutions have introduced scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate studies, particularly targeting individuals from developing nations. Some of these scholarships encompass comprehensive support, including funding for travel and accommodation.
The Saïd Foundation
One prominent illustration of this trend is the Saïd Foundation, which has been awarding scholarships and educational opportunities for master’s degree programs in the U.K. since 1984. The foundation’s primary mission revolves around fostering the progress of the Middle East by empowering individuals through advanced education at the master’s level.
By affording outstanding individuals from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine the chance to cultivate the skills needed to become pioneers in various fields, ranging from international development to neuroscience, the Saïd Foundation paves the way for these extraordinary individuals to return to their home countries and lead transformative changes.
Saïd Scholars have initiated substantial positive transformations at the very core of social, political and economic structures. For instance, Ambassador Husam Zomlot, who completed a doctorate in International Political Economy from SOAS University of London in 2000 with support from the Saïd Foundation, exemplifies the impact of such scholarships. His LinkedIn profile attests, “The combination of scholarship and practice has given Dr. Zomlot an edge in conducting scholarly and policy-oriented research in the area of international peace and security, with a focus on the Middle East. His work centers on international interventions in conflict and post-conflict zones.”
After founding the Birzeit School of Government, working as an economist with the Palestine Policy Research Institute, and serving as the Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Palestinian President, Zomlot currently holds the position of Head of the Palestinian Mission to the U.K.
Furthermore, in addition to facilitating long-term transformations in developing nations, study-abroad scholarships confer significant benefits upon the countries and institutions that make these scholarships possible. By supporting groundbreaking research and pioneering initiatives aimed at addressing global poverty, guided by individuals who have firsthand experience with this issue, these nations and institutions solidify their status as leaders in both economic and academic development on the global stage.
The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship
The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship has funded a cohort of five African scholars each year since 2014. As with the Saïd Foundation, the focus of the scholarship is to fund those working on projects designed around positive impacts on their home countries. There is also a strong focus on relevance to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals; 17 goals related to tackling global poverty by 2030.
As such, this study-abroad scholarship has enabled recipients to make research strides in several fields that will positively benefit issues plaguing the African continent. For instance, terrorism and specific diseases.
For example, South-African-born Nikita Hiralal’s contributions to countering Islamic State cyberjihad through a postgraduate thesis as part of the 2020-2021 Cambridge-Africa Scholarship cohort, and Ghanaian Mark Asare Owusu’s research as a 2021-2022 Cambridge-Africa Scholar into the epidemiology and control of meningitis in his home country, speaking to the World Health Organization’s objective to defeat meningitis by 2030.
It appears that these scholarships are only the start of a deeply valuable and widely beneficial dialogue between nations across the globe. This dialogue is the beginning of a conversation that remains expansive and ongoing. A conversation that articulates education as a global institution built on equal access and aspiration, valuing countries not by economic output or political circumstance, but by innovation, ideas and intelligence. And it is study-abroad scholarships that allow such intelligence to make a real difference.
Graduates return to developing countries to tackle issues of poverty, sustainable development and education, inspiring economic and political connections and new markets by enhancing the standing of such nations on the global stage and introducing new ways of solving old problems. As such, scholarships prove an invaluable resource for a better world.
– Izzy Grout
Photo: Unsplash
Combating blindness in Africa
Eye Diseases Impacting Communities Across Africa
Common eye conditions such as cataracts are raging through African countries, leading to vision deterioration and blindness in some cases. However, some eye diseases, such as onchocerciasis, are regional to certain river valley-based farming communities. Onchocerciasis, also known as “river blindness,” exists mainly in Africa, with 99% of its victims being African. The disease, caused by a parasitic worm transmitted to humans by infected blackfly bites, has been effectively reduced by population-based treatment in other countries around the globe. However, in order to be effective, 80% of a community must partake in mass drug administration (MDA).
Blindness in African Children
A major cause for concern is blindness in African children. According to a study conducted by Gilbert and Foster, “in low-income countries with high under-5 mortality rates, the prevalence [of blindness in children] may be as high as 1.5 per 1,000 children.” To put this into perspective, in higher-income countries, 0.3 per 1,000 children are blind. Blindness erects barriers to education and job prospects.
Looking Forward
Thanks to advancements in the fields of optometry and technology, 80% of conditions causing sight loss are curable. Therefore, greater access to eye care across the African continent would dramatically decrease the number of adults and children developing vision issues. Not only would increased access to health care have a drastic impact on the quality of many people’s lives, it would also reduce the burden of blindness on the economy. A recent study found that 160.7 million people suffering from vision loss were within the working age bracket. As a result, around $408.5 billion is lost in potential productivity annually.
In Mali, located in West Africa, where the climate is harsh on crops and clean water is scarce, malnutrition is common. Malnutrition is known to be a cause of cataracts, a disease that causes the clouding of vision. The damage caused by the disease can be improved with a 10-minute surgery; however, with many Malians living in remote communities, access to medical assistance is scarce. Many charities such as “Embrace Relief” facilitate traveling doctors to provide check-ups and surgeries to these communities in need. With the help of donations and willing volunteers, Embrace Relief has delivered 60,000 health checkups and 3,700 cataract surgeries.
Blindness in Africa is massively exacerbated by the lack of access to appropriate health care. Furthermore, the African economy would see improvement — even if small — if access to eye care were improved across the continent.
– Christian Vince
Photo: Flickr
Empowering Youth: Vocational Training Centers in Syria
The Youth Crisis in Syria
The Syrian conflict, now spanning over a decade, has exacted a heavy toll on the country’s youth. A generation has grown up amid violence and displacement, facing a bleak future marred by lack of education, employment opportunities and prospects for advancement. The youth of Syria bear the brunt of this crisis, with many facing economic vulnerability and the risk of being trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Empowerment Through Vocational Training Centers
Vocational training centers in Syria have emerged as a transformative solution to the challenges faced by Syrian youth. These centers offer comprehensive training programs in a variety of fields, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, computer programming and more. By providing practical skills, these centers enable young Syrians to acquire expertise that is in demand both within and beyond their communities. In 2018 alone, over 3,200 children and adolescents benefitted from a UNICEF-sponsored program.
One of the key advantages of vocational training centers is their ability to equip youth with skills that directly align with local job markets. As a result, graduates are not only better positioned to secure gainful employment but also contribute to their local economies. This localized approach helps break the cycle of poverty by fostering self-sufficiency and economic stability within communities.
Breaking Down Barriers
These centers do more than just impart skills; they break down barriers that hinder youth empowerment. Many of the young people in Syria have been deprived of traditional education due to conflict. Vocational training offers them an alternative pathway to self-improvement and economic independence. Additionally, these centers often incorporate life skills training, which equips participants with valuable skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork — skills that are essential for success in any field.
Furthermore, vocational training centers promote gender equality by welcoming both male and female participants. In a region where gender disparities persist, these centers provide a platform for women to access education and skills training that were once out of reach. By empowering women through vocational training, these centers contribute to a more inclusive society and economy.
Fighting Global Poverty
The impact of vocational training centers in Syria extends beyond its borders. By investing in skills development, these centers indirectly contribute to the fight against global poverty. Equipped with skills that are in demand internationally, graduates of these centers are better positioned to secure jobs not only within Syria but also in neighboring countries and beyond. This reduces the burden on already strained host countries and helps create a more stable economic environment for the region.
Moreover, the concept of vocational training centers can be replicated in other conflict-affected regions or areas with high levels of poverty. The success of these centers serves as a model for how targeted skill development initiatives can lead to self-sufficiency and economic growth, even in the most challenging circumstances.
– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr
Drinking Cup Project Improves Access to Drinking Water in Africa
How the Project Works
Hannover 96 is a second-tier football club in the city of Hannover, Germany. On average, around 30,000 fans pour into the Hannover 96 stadium on home match days and with the help of the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project, these football fans are able to help improve water access in Africa while supporting their team.
The project, which is run on matchdays by around a dozen volunteers, works by collecting the cup deposits of fans who buy drinks in the stadium. As is the case in many stadiums, Hannover 96 sells these drinks more expensively but offers some money back for returning the cups to the food stands. Alternatively, Hannover 96 fans can give their cups to volunteers stationed in stalls around the stadium as a donation to the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project.
At the end of the match, all the collected cups are then returned to the food stalls by the volunteers and the collected deposit money is donated to the project’s partner organization, the Global Nature Fund. The Global Nature Fund, a German-based nonprofit, then uses the donated money to fund projects that provide more people with access to drinking water in Africa.
Project Success
Now going into its 15th year, “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” has enabled football fans to make a real difference in a number of countries. Overall, the Global Nature Fund reports that the deposit donations have created better clean water access for 125,000 people in the Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. This is the result of local projects led by the Global Nature Fund, improving and building wells. These initiatives to provide improved access to drinking water in Africa are significant as the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health reported that in 2020, more than 50% of people who lacked access to safe drinking water resided in Africa.
In Malawi, for example, funds from the charitable project enabled the creation of three clean water wells at local schools. Given that UNICEF estimates that more than 30% of Malawians do not have access to safe drinking water, improving access to water in the country is an immediate priority. The three wells provide clean water to around 10,000 schoolchildren as well as to households in the local area. To ensure the long-term success of its water access initiatives, the GNF also uses donations to educate local people on maintenance and engineering matters concerning the installations. By doing this, the organization ensures that the communities are able to repair and maintain their water access points while being self-reliant and independent from outside help. This guarantees that football fans are making a difference in the long term and provides work opportunities in the project regions.
Looking Ahead
“Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” looks poised to continue expanding its charitable work and bettering access to drinking water in Africa. In the last season, football fans raised nearly €70,000 for the initiative — a new season record. In the 23/24 season, the project is projected to surpass the donation mark of €500,000 to commemorate its 15th anniversary.
Apart from the increasing generosity of football fans, the project’s volunteers are also expanding the project’s reach by educating other football clubs on the idea, which could lead to more clubs getting involved. The success of “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” shows that when united for a good cause, football fans are making a difference for people in need and have the power to drastically improve access to drinking water in Africa.
– Patrick Brownlow
Photo: Flickr
Toys Relieve Children’s Distress After Turkey-Syria Earthquakes
On February 6, 2023, two 7.8 magnitude earthquakes struck Turkey and neighboring Syria, killing more than 50,000 people. The destruction of hundreds of thousands of homes and unthinkable death tolls dominated news coverage, with little mention of the mental ramifications for child victims of the disaster. Research undertaken by UNICEF places 5.6 million children at the scene of the tremors, living in affected provinces, when the earthquakes struck. Of these child victims, approximately 700,000 endured displacement from their homes, relying on tents and other temporary sites for refuge. Post-disaster, toys have played a critical role in easing the distress of children and providing comfort to traumatized young victims. Media outlet Al Jazeera highlights how toys relieve children’s distress after natural disasters and other traumatic events.
Stories from Child Survivors
Al Jazeera investigated the role of toys in alleviating children’s distress in the aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes. Al Jazeera interviewed 8-year-old Elif who resided in Gaziantep, Turkey, the epicenter of the earthquake that occurred on February 6. Like thousands of other children, the quake left Elif traumatized and in fear of aftershocks. But, she took comfort in a doll that she grabbed from her home the night her family fled the earthquake. “This doll helped me fall asleep while I was afraid of all the aftershocks that lasted for weeks,” Elif told Al Jazeera.
Similar to Elif, the earthquake in February 2023 displaced 8-year-old Eymen and his family and pushed them to live in a car for a number of days following the earthquake. His mother told Al Jazeera that he has carried a toy car around with him ever since — a remnant of the only place where he felt safe.
The stories of Elif and Eymen are more than anecdotes. The stories confirm that, while toys cannot fix such unprecedented trauma, they offer comfort to those with minds too young to cope with the mental and emotional stress of such atrocities.
The Psychology
Clinical psychologist and disaster trauma expert, Zeynep Bahadir, told Anadolu that toys can “work as therapy” for child victims of natural disasters. Likening toys to words, Bahadir recommended that child victims play with toys related to the disaster in order to “digest the situation.” Evidently, in need of stability and comfort, children like Elif and Eymen rely on playtime to manage the distress of an unexpected crisis.
Solidarity Through Sport
On February 27, 2023, Besiktas fans made a heartwarming contribution to relief efforts in their Turkish Super Lig fixture against Antalyaspor. As the stopwatch reached four minutes and 17 seconds, officials paused the match occurring in Istanbul so that fans could shower the pitch with thousands of stuffed toys for the children impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquake that initially occurred at 04:17 a.m. on February 6. The gesture aimed to provide emotional and mental support to children impacted by the disaster via toys and moved millions of viewers watching from around the world.
Long-Term Implications
Six months after the initial shocks, survivors are still grappling with the aftermath. The British Red Cross has explained that “while the immediate physical danger has stopped, […] the road to recovery for the 17 million people affected is extremely long.”
This explanation is solidified by statistics. The World Health Organization reported in May 2023 that Turkey and Syria have faced more than 30,000 aftershocks since the initial earthquake in February 2023 and 1.6 million people remained displaced, living in temporary settlements, as of June 2023. Evidently, survivors are feeling the impact of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes far beyond the initial quake on February 6.
Looking Forward
With victims’ homes, families and access to schooling destroyed in an instant, the IFRC has described the situation as a “mental health ticking time bomb.” While toys relieve children’s distress, for many of the 6.2 million children affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes, mental health support is needed now more than ever if the psychological ramifications of the worst earthquake in modern history are to be rectified. UNICEF is committed to providing mental health support to displaced children and families but a great need still exists for further support in this regard.
– Imogen Townsend
Photo: Flickr
Khalsa Aid’s Response to Flooding in India
As a testament to the increasing severity of the monsoon rains, flooding from the Yamuna River reached the walls of the Taj Mahal. As the Yamuna reached its highest level on record at 684 feet, other sectors of Indian life were affected as well.
The Jamuna River, which runs through the capital of New Delhi, rose 681.5 feet, forcing schools to close, making residents evacuate and submerging cars and homes.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) classifies India as one of the nations most affected by climate change, and the flooding in India is only expected to worsen. Northern India received a month’s worth of rainfall in a single day, leading to 30,000 residents being moved to relief camps, 600 homes damaged and 300 people stranded.
How Impoverished Indians are Affected
The flooding in India affects poor populations the most. As homes are destroyed, individuals are displaced from their neighborhoods and forced to move. In fact, it is projected that 45 million Indians will be forced to migrate by the year 2050 as a result of climate-related disasters.
The destruction of homelands is not the only factor contributing to India’s climate refugee crisis. Although monsoon rains were traditionally necessary for successful crop yields, the damage of extreme climate events outweighs the benefits.
Individuals are forced deeper into poverty from flooding in India. Small farmers depending on agriculture to make a living can no longer cope with damage caused by severe weather. Since floods damage crops, roads, homes and land, workers cannot travel to their jobs or grow and transport their crops. In fact, the International Institute for Environment and Development found that 70% of households migrated after extreme weather disasters. To escape poverty, India’s most vulnerable populations abandon their livelihoods in hopes of finding jobs elsewhere.
Khalsa Aid International
Luckily, organizations such as Khalsa Aid are committed to mitigating the effects of extreme flooding in India. Khalsa Aid is an international non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid in disaster areas. The organization has been relying on the help of volunteers and donors since 1999 to help vulnerable populations dealing with issues like famine, water scarcity, civil war and more.
As a response to the July 2023 floods, Khalsa Aid coordinated emergency relief efforts in the Punjab region of northern India. Teams on the ground operated in Ropar, Morinda, Rajpura and other cities to provide food and shelter to people stranded in their villages by the flooding.
Looking Ahead
So far, Khalsa Aid U.S.A. has already donated $250,000 to clean-up and rebuilding efforts after the flooding in India. Although flooding and extreme weather events are expected to continue, the work of Khalsa Aid is a reminder that vulnerable populations throughout India and the world will be supported by those who care.
– Meilyn Farina
Photo: Unsplash
Venezuelan Immigrants in Peru
Dealing with this international crisis requires an understanding of the rise in immigration, the immigrants’ situations, the public’s perception of Venezuelan immigrants and the positive impact they have on Peru’s economy.
The Rise in Venezuelan Immigration
Venezuelan migration to Peru started to take off in 2017, with the Peruvian government taking action and granting Venezuelan refugees a temporary stay permit (PTP) for two years, with authorization to work included.
The number of Venezuelan migrants went from 8,000 in 2016 to 110,000 by the end of 2017. In 2018, that number increased to more than 530,000 migrants. As of 2023, there are more than 1.5 million Venezuelans settled in Peru, with no less than 530,000 of them asking for refugee status.
The Situation for Venezuelan Immigrants
According to a World Bank report, the average Venezuelan immigrant is between 18 and 29 years old, comes from primarily urban areas and is highly educated. Around 57% have completed secondary school, and half of that 57% have a university degree.
In fact, more Venezuelans have been living in Peru irregularly since 2018. This is because of the government’s withdrawal of their 2017 PTP and the introduction of the humanitarian visa in 2018, and once again, the return to the PTP in October 2020. The last two procedures were more specific than before, asking for internationally valid identification (passports) as well as imposing high fees for people who overstayed their original permits.
Due to their irregular migration status, Venezuelan immigrants are prone to working in the informal sector. In an assessment by the International Rescue Committee, 45% of 900 Venezuelan families in Peru declared to be working informally. This percentage increases when focusing explicitly on Venezuelan immigrants receiving financial aid.
Public Perception of Venezuelan Immigrants
Public perception of Venezuelan immigrants in Peru has been in steady decline for the last few years. In a 2019 survey by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP), 73% of respondents disapproved of Venezuelan migration. However, 83% of the respondents admitted to not having any contact with Venezuelan immigrants.
Much of this discontent from Peruvians, especially those residing in Lima, Peru’s capital, stems from the belief that Venezuelan immigrants are the root of crime, despite this being unproven. A 2020 study by Equilibrium-CenDE shows that Venezuelan migration has had no impact on either crime rates or citizen security indices in Lima, Peru.
One true effect of Venezuelan migration is the displacement of female Peruvian workers in favor of Venezuelan workers, especially young women with low education levels. Other than that, the overall impact of Venezuelan migration on Peruvian workers is not significant, as a study shows that wages in Lima, Piura and Arequipa have not decreased due to the influx of Venezuelan workers.
Organizations Aiding Venezuelan immigrants
Fortunately, there are plenty of organizations aiding Venezuelan immigrants. For instance, the international NGO Save The Children has reached more than 37,000 Venezuelan citizens living in Peru, including 16,152 children, between 2019 and 2020.
In addition, the World Bank donated $3.5 million to the “COVID-19 Emergency Response for Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees in Peru.” This project is taking place in four regions of the country, and will mainly distribute financial aid to the Venezuelan population located in those regions.
– Luciana Mena
Photo: Flickr
Fragility and Rule of Law in Rwanda
A Brief Overview
Rwanda has a significant history of poverty and instability, attributed to various factors, from geography to politics. Approximately 38% of Rwandans currently live below the poverty line, defined by the U.N. as living on less than $2.15 a day. This means many struggle to maintain even a basic standard of living, exacerbating the fragility of Rwanda’s rule of law.
Fragility in Rwanda
Between 1990 and 1994, civil war overcame Rwanda, resulting in fragility and weakly upheld rule of law throughout the nation. A rift between the two major ethnic groups present in Rwanda at the time, the Hutus and the Tutsis was the pretext behind the civil war. The genocide had a lasting effect on Rwanda, decimating families and resulting in more than 800,000 civilian casualties.
Although the presence of fragility and unstable rule of law in Rwanda has diminished, it remains a complex factor affecting the country’s development. Despite efforts to rebuild and foster development, Rwanda still grapples with the legacy of its tragic history. Conflict traps such as these have been shown to have a catastrophic effect on the future development of any nation. The result is slow and unstable development, making it all the more challenging to establish security throughout the nation.
Democracy and Rule of Law
Government corruption also contributes to fragility in Rwanda. While Rwanda’s government structures have improved over time, its democracy and criminal justice system still face challenges. The current ruling party of Rwanda is the RPF, also known as the Rwandan Patriotic Front. There are basic barriers to fair democracy present, such as high administrative requirements for RPF opposition parties, as well as instances of imprisonment for opposing party members.
In the past, individuals labeled as ‘opponents of the government,‘ including bloggers and journalists reporting on political issues, have faced arrest and illegitimate trials. This raises questions about the stability of democracy and the preservation of political freedom of speech.
Previous allegations of corruption have also raised concerns about the integrity of Rwanda’s criminal justice system. Reports from Human Rights Watch have highlighted maltreatment of inmates, along with claims of unaccounted disappearances and deaths, indicating weaknesses in Rwanda’s rule of law. Journalists have previously reported on topics such as unlawful detention and torture, suggesting that human rights in Rwanda are not fully protected and that the rule of law remains fragile.
The Good News
Rwanda has introduced several frameworks and policies to address the lasting damage from its history of violence. One example is the ‘Rwanda Vision 2020’ development program, which outlines specific goals for sustainable development. The Rwandan anti-corruption policy, a component of Rwanda Vision 2020, recognizes the need for national development that can enhance the quality of life, promote a competitive economy and deliver effective and efficient public services. Achieving these goals involves good governance, strengthening law enforcement and monitoring and evaluation frameworks to uphold the rule of law.
Government stability can be best preserved by increasing transparency, which reduces the likelihood of corruption and illegal activity. Transparency International reports that Rwanda recently ranked as the fourth-least corrupt African country. Rwandan officials’ statements support this, noting the acceptance and adoption of a culture of ‘transparency and accountability’ within the Rwandan government. Increased government transparency is likely the primary reason behind these improvements in Rwanda’s government, as strong checks and balances are essential to long-term stability and preventing government failure.
Addressing fragility has had and will continue to have beneficial effects for Rwandans living in absolute poverty. One framework included in Rwanda Vision 2020, the Vision Umurenge Program (VUP), aims to target absolute poverty and elevate Rwanda to a middle-income country. VUP provides financial assistance to accelerate poverty reduction through economic advancement schemes. This framework includes female beneficiaries, empowering women, who often belong to the poorest socioeconomic groups, by distributing funding more equitably among household members. This effectively targets some of the lowest-income individuals and accelerates poverty reduction.
Following Rwanda Vision 2020, which set targets to be achieved by 2020, Rwanda has introduced the Rwanda Vision 2050 policy. This policy outlines goals for improving health care and education provision, as well as increasing workforce productivity. By enhancing access to public goods and boosting productivity levels, Rwanda aims to reduce absolute poverty rates, ensuring more Rwandans have access to basic necessities, regardless of their household income. Overall, Rwanda is making steady progress toward eradicating absolute poverty.
– Hannah Bugeja
Photo: Flickr
Study Abroad Scholarships Address Issues of Developing Countries
Education Endangered
In developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), tertiary education such as college and university is a privilege, not a right. Furthermore, as of 2020, only 9.4% of secondary education graduates in SSA enrolled in any form of tertiary education. This is almost 30% below the global average and 60% below that of the U.K.
Deprivation of education all too often goes hand in hand with broader poverty. In 2018, an estimated 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived below the poverty line of $1.90 a day as estimated by the World Bank.
This deficit carries significant repercussions. The tertiary education system primarily generates professionals equipped with the expertise and skills to navigate political, corporate and economic systems effectively.
The absence of these professionals significantly complicates the task of sub-Saharan African nations in constructing a financial and political infrastructure resilient enough to withstand the challenges of the global landscape. Indeed, a 1991 World Bank Report highlighted this as one of the major hurdles facing these nations in their developmental journey. Regrettably, this challenge persists even today.
Saved By the Scholarship
In our increasingly globalized world, prestigious universities worldwide are recognizing exceptional talents that do not need train tickets but air miles to reach their campuses. Academic promise deserving of encouragement and backing blossoms from Kibera, Kenya, to Dharavi, India — the talent that scholarships can nurture to its full potential.
In response to this trend, numerous independent organizations and government-funded educational institutions have introduced scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate studies, particularly targeting individuals from developing nations. Some of these scholarships encompass comprehensive support, including funding for travel and accommodation.
The Saïd Foundation
One prominent illustration of this trend is the Saïd Foundation, which has been awarding scholarships and educational opportunities for master’s degree programs in the U.K. since 1984. The foundation’s primary mission revolves around fostering the progress of the Middle East by empowering individuals through advanced education at the master’s level.
By affording outstanding individuals from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine the chance to cultivate the skills needed to become pioneers in various fields, ranging from international development to neuroscience, the Saïd Foundation paves the way for these extraordinary individuals to return to their home countries and lead transformative changes.
Saïd Scholars have initiated substantial positive transformations at the very core of social, political and economic structures. For instance, Ambassador Husam Zomlot, who completed a doctorate in International Political Economy from SOAS University of London in 2000 with support from the Saïd Foundation, exemplifies the impact of such scholarships. His LinkedIn profile attests, “The combination of scholarship and practice has given Dr. Zomlot an edge in conducting scholarly and policy-oriented research in the area of international peace and security, with a focus on the Middle East. His work centers on international interventions in conflict and post-conflict zones.”
After founding the Birzeit School of Government, working as an economist with the Palestine Policy Research Institute, and serving as the Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Palestinian President, Zomlot currently holds the position of Head of the Palestinian Mission to the U.K.
Furthermore, in addition to facilitating long-term transformations in developing nations, study-abroad scholarships confer significant benefits upon the countries and institutions that make these scholarships possible. By supporting groundbreaking research and pioneering initiatives aimed at addressing global poverty, guided by individuals who have firsthand experience with this issue, these nations and institutions solidify their status as leaders in both economic and academic development on the global stage.
The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship
The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship has funded a cohort of five African scholars each year since 2014. As with the Saïd Foundation, the focus of the scholarship is to fund those working on projects designed around positive impacts on their home countries. There is also a strong focus on relevance to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals; 17 goals related to tackling global poverty by 2030.
As such, this study-abroad scholarship has enabled recipients to make research strides in several fields that will positively benefit issues plaguing the African continent. For instance, terrorism and specific diseases.
For example, South-African-born Nikita Hiralal’s contributions to countering Islamic State cyberjihad through a postgraduate thesis as part of the 2020-2021 Cambridge-Africa Scholarship cohort, and Ghanaian Mark Asare Owusu’s research as a 2021-2022 Cambridge-Africa Scholar into the epidemiology and control of meningitis in his home country, speaking to the World Health Organization’s objective to defeat meningitis by 2030.
It appears that these scholarships are only the start of a deeply valuable and widely beneficial dialogue between nations across the globe. This dialogue is the beginning of a conversation that remains expansive and ongoing. A conversation that articulates education as a global institution built on equal access and aspiration, valuing countries not by economic output or political circumstance, but by innovation, ideas and intelligence. And it is study-abroad scholarships that allow such intelligence to make a real difference.
Graduates return to developing countries to tackle issues of poverty, sustainable development and education, inspiring economic and political connections and new markets by enhancing the standing of such nations on the global stage and introducing new ways of solving old problems. As such, scholarships prove an invaluable resource for a better world.
– Izzy Grout
Photo: Unsplash
Urban Poverty in Argentina: The Struggle for Big City Survival
The Dimensions of Urban Poverty
The extent of urban poverty in Argentina has had devastating effects. During the first semester of 2020, millions of city dwellers were burdened by poverty levels. The impact is widespread, with almost 12 million Argentines living below the national poverty level, constituting 40.9% of the urban population. Additionally, 3 million people live below the extreme poverty level, representing 10.5% of the urban population. This marked the most significant rise in urban poverty since 2016. While the impact is felt across various age groups, there is an unequal distribution of its effects. The age group between 15 and 29 experienced the most pronounced increase in poverty. Notably, the highest concentration of urban poverty is in children between 0 to 14.
A Multifaceted Lack of Access
Alarming statistics from 2021 reveal that 26% of urban Argentinians struggle to access adequate food and health services, while 28% lack basic amenities like running water and electricity. Housing conditions exacerbate the issue, with 21% enduring insecure living arrangements and limited access to health care. Environmental factors further compound the hardships, as 26.5% live in polluted surroundings. Education for adults and youths, a crucial pathway out of poverty, remains a concern, with 31.5% lacking suitable opportunities.
Furthermore, a 2016 national exam showed that students from urban primary schools scored lower on average than rural establishments in both language and math.
Labor Market
Underdeveloped neighborhoods and those who live in these communities have also been experiencing a harsh labor market with a growing presence of impoverished workers, as half of the urban workforce is grappling with labor-related challenges. These workers receive a monthly income 30% lower than the average employed worker. The Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) published a report on national employment from 2003 to 2022, showing disheartening results. The report highlights the alarming dominance of unregulated and informal jobs in urban Argentina. A shocking 43.8% of the urban labor force worked in the informal sector in 2022. Argentinian urban poverty leaves millions working in an industry without social protection and with income instability and exploitative working conditions.
Fundación Si
While urban poverty in Argentina is a damming issue, some people work tirelessly to improve these people’s livelihoods. Fundación Si Argentina is an NGO founded in 2012 that specializes in tackling poverty nationwide. Its focus is to improve the quality of life and chances of social inclusion for those in vulnerable economic positions. The NGO has projects regarding youth housing, homelessness, community development and natural disasters.
Fundación Si Argentina offers housing and financial aid for underprivileged graduates to promote access to education. It also performs nightly trips to provide food, medical attention and emotional support to the nation’s homeless. Community involvement is prevalent, as programs give the young and underprivileged a sense of togetherness, solidarity and social responsibility while also creating a nurturing space for expression and belonging. Moreover, the organization swiftly provides aid as it collects donations and plays its role in rebuilding affected communities when natural disasters occur.
The organization´s Argentinian altruism has had an impressive impact. Fundación Si Argentina has over 3,000 volunteers across the country who address the realities of urban poverty. There are 520 students living in Fundación Si Argentina’s student housing centers, 1,147 people are supported on a nightly basis, more than 2,100 kids participate in its weekly programs and more than 400 food shelters are supported. Numerous Argentinians are getting consistent aid due to the tremendous work of this organization.
Looking Ahead
Urban poverty in Argentina is a pressing issue that hinders the quality of life of millions of people. The struggle to access essential resources like food, health care, housing and education is compounded by an arduous labor market, leaving these people in a state of vulnerability. Nevertheless, efforts like those of Fundación Si Argentina provide a glimmer of hope. Individuals are working tirelessly to remedy these harsh realities and enable citizens to achieve improved standards of living.
– Agustín Pino
Photo: Unsplash
New Successes in Fighting Period Poverty in Kyrgyzstan
Menstrual Hygiene Management in Kyrgyzstan
Global leaders recognize menstrual hygiene management, or MHM, as an important public health and development issue. The end goal of programs committed to supporting MHM is to transform schools for menstruating girls who face societal challenges. These include not being allowed to go to school while menstruating as well as municipal challenges that more closely resemble the common idea of period poverty. Problems extend to not having access to period supplies, or possibly not having clean water or facilities in schools where girls can clean themselves during their periods.
Period poverty in Kyrgyzstan most often takes the form of unreliable access to sanitary necessities, such as clean water. Up to 67% of Kyrgyz in country villages cannot consistently access clean water, according to the United Nations (U.N.), UNICEF reports that public discomfort surrounding menstruation is so high, that often the only advice menstruating girls receive is that they should keep themselves clean, but “they are generally unable to follow this advice due to the poor condition of school latrines.”
Period poverty in Kyrgyzstan is just another example of how it affects individuals and communities all around the world. It can look very different in various places and situations. Education surrounding menstruation is another tool that everyone can equip to fight period poverty, and it can change lives in both tangible and societal manners. The programs Kyrgyzstan is implementing happily lend support to that idea. Jane Dineen, a UNICEF Contributor at Forbes Magazine, writes that when schools talk about periods and other age-appropriate health and hygiene issues, “positive attitudes and behaviors” surrounding such topics are encouraged.
Ongoing Efforts
In 2017, UNICEF, Save the Children and the NGO Our Voice worked together to create educational programs focused on menstruation aiming to empower Kyrgyz educators and girls to teach their communities and combat the incorrect and harmful preconceived notions many people have about menstruation. In 2018, Save the Children also helped improve sanitary conditions in school restrooms to provide girls with a safer place to clean themselves. Menstrual hygiene management and UNICEF’s tools to disseminate it are essential in the fight against period poverty in Kyrgyzstan.
The first program, as well as the research and advocacy that went into its construction and implementation, stems from the Wins4Girls project, which the Government of Canada funds. It breaks down into two organizations as follows:
WaSH: Water, Sanitation, and Health
WaSH is an acronym people frequently use to describe the public health goal of providing children access to clean water, toilets and good hygiene practices.
WinS4Girls: WaSH in School for Girls
This Canadian program focuses on the menstrual practices of girls and aims to provide them with better education surrounding menstruation, as well as better facilities and tools they need to take care of themselves during their periods.
UNICEF WaSH Officer Esen Turusbekov came up with the idea of involving municipality-run youth centers to create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, which Wins4Girls implemented in the second program. The training available to the girls is more than instructional and has helped girls to think of menstruation as a natural, biological act and not something dirty that they should be ashamed of.
New Success in Fighting Period Poverty in Kyrgyzstan
As of 2023, the UNICEF health app ‘Oky’ is available in Kyrgyzstan. ‘Oky’ is the first app designed for, with and by girls that allows them “to take control of their menstrual cycle,” as UNICEF put it in an early 2023 press release. Open Line Public Foundation collaborated with UNICEF to localize and adapt the ‘Oky’ platform for the specificities of Kyrgyzstan, such as internet speeds and the availability of different brands and models of devices.
‘Oky’ wants to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation. It also can help debunk myths and increase the amount of reliable information regarding the menstrual cycle. The ‘Oky’ app is an accessible and innovative creation that will undoubtedly go on to do much good for the young population of Kyrgyzstan, as it has helped people in 13 countries already.
Timeline of Progress
Final Takeaways
Despite the prevailing taboo surrounding menstruation, recent victories have emerged in the battle against period poverty in Kyrgyzstan. Access to clean water remains a significant challenge for girls in the region, contributing to stigma and health concerns arising from inadequate hygiene. Nonetheless, Wins4Girls has taken proactive steps by introducing comprehensive educational MHM programs across Kyrgyzstan. These efforts extend to peer-to-peer initiatives aimed at raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and enhancing sanitation facilities in school restrooms, offering crucial support to menstruating girls. Adding to these advancements, the newly introduced ‘Oky’ period tracking and personal health app by UNICEF has made its debut in Kyrgyzstan, providing accessibility and countering misinformation perpetuated by the stigma attached to menstruation.
– Katherine Olsen
Photo: Flickr