Villages in Partnership is an organization that has assisted Malawi in its fight against poverty. More than 50% of the population in Malawi lived under the national poverty line in 2019, the World Bank notes. Villages in Partnership has contributed by providing electricity, wells to access clean water and many other basic necessities that the people of Malawi lack.
Infrastructure
During the rainy seasons, areas of Malawi easily become flooded, which makes it more difficult for the people of Malawi to travel from one place to another. Bridges allow students to get to school and allow people to access wells for clean water while allowing others to travel to health care centers and access goods and services. Villages of Partnership’s mission is to build more bridges to provide this crucial access to the people of Malawi.
Malawi is known for its lack of electricity. Less than 10% of the population of 18 million is connected to the electrical grid. And, access to electricity stands at just 1% for the 80% of people who live in rural areas.
Electricity is very important to the infrastructure of a country. In 2013, Villages of Partnership provided electricity to the village of Kaupe to power the maize mill. The mill makes flour, which is an important ingredient in the staple dish called nshima. Because of the electricity access, the mill can supply flour in minutes instead of producing it through hours of labor without electricity.
Food Security
Unlike countries like Congo, Malawi does not have rich soil. This forces farmers to depend on successful rainy seasons. However, the climate in Malawi is very unpredictable, and this often leads to food insecurity.
Villages in Partnership has created a solar irrigation technology for the farmers in Malawi. In 2020, the organization added a second site for this technology, which has created a water source for more than 70 farmers and families that are now able to depend on it.
Alongside that, Villages in Partnership also provides improved seed varieties and fertilizers to farmers to increase their crop yields and gives goats and chickens to families in need. The animals provide eggs and meat, which improves the food security of many families in Malawi.
Access to Water
In Malawi, 4 million people lack access to safe water, USAID reports. Along with that, only 6% of the population has the ability to access clean sanitation facilities. Unfortunately, this lack of access to clean water and sanitation can lead to disease and even death.
One of Villages in Partnership’s top priorities is providing accessible and safe water to villages that need it. In Malawi, women and girls are spending their time walking several miles to source clean water. Sometimes, the women source this water from contaminated rivers.
Many villages in Malawi have been hesitant to accept the option of building wells and donating land due to the time-consuming nature of the process. Nevertheless, since 2019, there has been significant progress in efforts to improve water accessibility in the town of Sakata. A total of 23 boreholes and 15 shallow wells have been dug, and many damaged wells have been repaired.
Villages in Partnership takes a proactive approach to addressing water scarcity issues in Malawi. Every year, it organizes the Water Walk, a global event that brings people together to understand the needs of Malawian villages and the significance of clean water. Participants in the Water Walk contribute to various initiatives, including providing solar irrigation, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating access to health care through the Khanda Health Center. The primary focus remains on raising funds to drill wells in Malawian villages.
Education
In 1994, the Malawi government initiated free primary education, providing a valuable opportunity for children to receive education at no cost. However, this move resulted in challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and insufficient supplies, leading to decreased educational quality and poor student performance.
Presently, Malawi faces low literacy rates, with only 65% of the population able to read or write, and limited access to secondary education, with one-third of students attending. For Sakata’s community, the percentage of people who have attended university is as low as one-tenth of 1%, highlighting the education system’s shortcomings.
Nonetheless, education remains a crucial pathway out of poverty. Recognizing this, Villages in Partnership supports 15 community-based childcare centers, acting as preschools to foster the mental, social and physical development of Malawian children.
Additionally, Villages in Partnership has undertaken projects like Chimpeni School, providing education to children who previously had limited access to schools. The organization also undertook the reconstruction of Sakata School after it began to deteriorate in 2016. These efforts aim to improve education opportunities and enhance the prospects of the Malawian community.
Looking Forward
Villages in Partnership is making a significant impact in Malawi by addressing key challenges such as infrastructure, food security, access to water and education. Through building bridges, providing electricity and implementing solar irrigation technology, the organization is enhancing the lives of people in need. By focusing on clean water initiatives and supporting educational opportunities, Villages in Partnership is empowering communities and contributing to the fight against poverty in Malawi.
– Abigail DiCarlo
Photo: Pixabay
USAID programs in Jamaica
Education
In 2014, USAID collaborated with the Government of Jamaica on a Government-to-Government scheme focused on improving literacy skills and reading comprehension among children. The project targeted 450 of Jamaica’s poorest-performing schools, with a strategic focus on regions facing high poverty and crime rates.
The ongoing ‘Positive Pathways’ project, running until 2025 with a budget of $15 million, plays a crucial role in providing essential opportunities for Jamaican children to make better choices in their early lives. Key components of the program include business training, career guidance and enhanced psychosocial support.
The scheme primarily targets children aged between 10-17, particularly those demonstrating behavioral issues, as they are at a higher risk of gang involvement and criminal activity. To address this, parenting interventions and conflict resolution training are prioritized to reduce children’s exposure to violence.
COVID-19 Response
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID collaborated with the Pan-American Health Organization, Jamaica Aids Support for Life and various other partners to deliver crucial support in Jamaica.
More than $7 million was invested in funding vaccination efforts, ensuring food security and equipping hospitals with essential equipment. USAID provided 1,000 health care workers with protective gear and distributed care packages, including masks and sanitizers, to 1,500 of the most vulnerable individuals. Additionally, hospitals received extra beds to accommodate severe cases.
During the initial outbreak, immediate relief was provided to the most impoverished in Jamaica. More than 1,000 food and sanitation vouchers were distributed, alongside educational supplies such as book vouchers and laptops to facilitate online study.
In the second phase of assistance, which commenced in September 2021, USAID focused on strengthening Jamaica’s health care infrastructure. The efforts included enhancing logistics and digital information systems to ensure a more efficient vaccine rollout and a stronger response to future health crises.
Energy Security
In 2021, USAID partnered with the Cadmus Group to launch a $4 million alliance dedicated to boosting Jamaica’s energy sector. The initiative aimed to enhance the reliability of energy systems and reduce the risks of major energy loss during natural disasters.
Under the scheme, hundreds of local businesses will be provided with solar photovoltaic electricity systems, a method of energy generation that is renewable and can adapt easily to meet energy demands due to its modular structure.
As stated by USAID, “Damage to the energy system can lead to sudden increases in the price of fuel and reduce access to affordable electricity, including the country’s most vulnerable.”
About 96% of Jamaica’s population is at risk of multiple natural hazards including earthquakes and hurricanes. The alliance, with potential investment reaching $50 million from investors, aims to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fuels, enhance solar energy generation and increase tourism. As Jamaica’s largest economic sector, improved energy security in the hospitality industry could foster sustained economic growth, create new job opportunities and provide hope to millions of vulnerable and impoverished individuals.
USAID’s unwavering commitment to Jamaica has significantly impacted the lives of the 12.6% of people below the poverty line, offering them a chance to achieve financial stability while safeguarding human rights. The organization’s efforts and achievements have instilled hope and contributed to building a better country for more than 300,000 Jamaicans.
– Oliver Rayner
Photo: Unsplash
HIV/AIDS in Brazil: Progress, Initiatives, Results
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Brazil
The Centers for Disease Control defines HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, as a virus that affects the body’s immune system for the duration of one’s life. Furthermore, improper treatment or management of HIV can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which can be fatal. In other words, it is not possible to contract AIDS without having HIV first. According to UNAIDS, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Brazil has been steadily declining since 2010.
As of 2021, UNAIDS data shows that an estimated 960,000 children and adults in Brazil live with HIV, with a further 50,000 new diagnoses in children and adults in Brazil in 2018. Furthermore, an estimated 13,000 Brazilian children and adults died from HIV-related causes.
HIV/AIDS is more prevalent in specific populations, including LGBTQ people and sex workers. UNAIDS also provides data on prevalence rates in specific populations. According to the organization’s data, as of 2018, “Transgender people are estimated to have an HIV prevalence rate of 30%; 18.3% for gay men and other men who have sex with men; 5.9% for people who inject drugs; and 4.5% for prisoners.”
Access to Care and Treatment
Brazil has put multiple prevention and treatment programs into practice since its initial HIV/AIDS outbreak. Since 1996, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has provided free access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for any HIV patient living in Brazil. According to the National Institute of Health, since the 1980s, when Brazil’s HIV/AIDS outbreak emerged, there have been campaigns and initiatives surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. These include free, nationwide condom distribution, HIV testing, sexual education in schools and prevention campaigns targeted toward communities that are highly vulnerable to HIV, such as sex workers.
Results and Progress Made
While the country is still working to combat this ongoing health concern, Brazil’s comprehensive efforts and initiatives to reduce its HIV/AIDS prevalence rate have been successful. While infection rates are increasing, mortality rates are decreasing. According to UNAIDS data, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Brazil was at its highest in the 1990s and has steadily decreased since 2000.
The prevalence rate of AIDS has shown a significant decline over the years. In 2000, it was approximately 12%, whereas, in 2022, it dropped to approximately 5%. Moreover, mortality rates related to AIDS have also seen a decline. In 1996, the peak number of AIDS-related deaths reached around 26,000 patients, but by 2021, that number had decreased by 50%, with an estimated 13,000 patients succumbing to AIDS.
Looking Ahead
HIV/AIDS patients in Brazil have access to readily available assistance, relief and education. Successful initiatives by government officials and health professionals have played a crucial role in combating HIV/AIDS in the Latin American nation, leading to a decline in its prevalence. Although there is still work to be done, the efforts put forth have made a significant impact in addressing the issue.
– Nicholas DeLuca
Photo: Unsplash
Fragility and Rule of Law in Kashmir
History
The Jammu and Kashmir territories have been under dispute since the Partition in 1947 when the British Raj withdrew and India and Pakistan separated based on religious divisions. With a Muslim majority, Kashmir had the choice to join either country. Initially planning for independence, the Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh later acceded to India after a tribal invasion, setting the stage for the fragility and ongoing struggles for the rule of law in Kashmir.
However, the Maharaja’s agreement to join India was based on terms outlined in Article 370 and Article 35A. Article 370 granted Kashmir autonomy to create its own Constitution, make laws and have its flag, while Article 35A ensured equal opportunities for Kashmiris in land ownership, employment and assistance. The Indian government deployed its army to counter the tribal invasion and although the United Nations (U.N.) established a ceasefire, both Indian and Pakistani troops remain in the region as of July 2023.
Political System in Kashmir
On August 5th, 2019, the Indian government revoked Articles 370 and 35A. The revocation undermined the rule of law in Kashmir and deprived citizens of the same rights and liberties they once had legal entitlements to. Jammu and Kashmir lost their state status and became Union Territories (UT), regions administered entirely by the central government, further contributing to the political fragility of the region.
Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have had limited political participation since the last state assembly elections in 2014. While India prides itself on being one of the world’s largest democracies, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s state status raises concerns about the fragility and the rule of law in Kashmir. With the new UT status, both executive and legislative power rests with the central government and the State Assembly of Kashmir has been dissolved. This lack of representation has led to calls for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Human Rights Violations
In addition to the ever-changing and fragile system of government, arrests and enforced disappearances of activists and journalists have become increasingly common, undermining the fundamental principle of the rule of law in Kashmir. Notably, journalist Irfan Mehraj was arrested by the National Investigation Agency for exposing human rights abuses.
According to the Free Speech Collective, the arrest of Irfan Mehraj is “an alarming indication of how far the authorities will go to clamp down on independent journalism.” The organization emphasizes the need to stop targeting independent journalists in Kashmir, allowing them to practice their profession without fear or favor.
Furthermore, the government has imposed numerous internet shutdowns, restricting communication and preventing the flow of information. In 2021 alone, Jammu and Kashmir experienced 85 internet shutdowns, violating the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression, as ruled by the Indian Supreme Court. This demonstrates the fragility of Kashmir, where the government perceives freedom of the press as a threat.
Additionally, the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act grants the military broad powers in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to further human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture and rape. These violations often go unpunished, fueling controversy and perpetuating human rights abuses.
Political instability and human rights violations directly contribute to poverty in Kashmir. The region’s militarization, as seen through policies like the Armed Forces Act, is a leading cause. Additionally, 73% of people lack access to health care and 43% of children are out of school. The forced disappearances, violence and arrests have caused distress and instability within family structures, hindering socioeconomic success. Political instability has worsened inflation, with no state government creating opportunities for Kashmiris.
Take Action
Kashmir Action provides a variety of resources to educate individuals about the crisis in Kashmir. The website is run by the organization, Justice For All, which addresses issues and politically mobilizes for causes that have not garnered sufficient international support. For instance, Justice for All advocates for independent Kashmiri media, creates petitions for specific issues in Kashmir, organizes protests and provides educational material. In 2020, the organization reached more than 6 million social media interactions and distributed 75,000 educational brochures. A few ways to support Justice for All include signing petitions, making awareness posts and reading their reports.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development is another organization dedicated to providing direct humanitarian aid to Kashmiris on both sides of the border. It offers resources to those in need through its campaigns across the world. For example, in 2021, the organization provided in-kind gifts to 4,718,872 containing food, furniture, hygiene items, school supplies, medical equipment and clothes. The essential items in the relief kits assist people across the globe living in poverty while alleviating their suffering. Moreover, Helping Hand’s Kashmir Relief Campaign goes to projects such as Winter Relief, Ramadan Food, Water for Life and the Medical In-Kind Gifts Program. These campaigns are especially important for global poverty alleviation as they provide necessities to vulnerable populations in Kashmir.
Looking Ahead
The people of Kashmir continue to show resilience under the unstable political system and the ongoing human rights violations that undermine the rule of law. Raising awareness of the attacks on human rights is pivotal to garnering international support. While political instability and human rights violations contribute to socio-economic disparities in Kashmir, taking both political actions and donating to humanitarian aid play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for Kashmir.
– Mehreen Syed
Photo: Unsplash
Learning to Read in Ghana: Adult Literacy Programs
ALPs and Education
Adult Literacy Programs, or ALPs, serve exactly the function the name suggests. These programs help adults learn how to read. However, literacy is much more than understanding words or numbers on a page. It serves an important societal function that allows people to interact with the world around them. ALPs can help increase skills among populations struggling with underdeveloped education, poor health and labor market participation.
These programs seek to provide adults with a well-rounded education that they may apply to their daily lives. Programs that utilize creative approaches rather than traditional classroom pedagogy are often more successful. For example, modern advances such as cell phones help adults retain new, relevant information.
History of ALPs in Ghana
Adult Literacy Programs in Ghana have a long history, stretching back to the time before the nation was independent. In the early 18th century, the Dutch Reformed Church introduced local language adult literacy work to Ghana, then the Gold Coast. After the Second World War, in 1948, the British Colonial Government officially adopted literacy as a component of the national education system and set out to establish similar programs. Since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has embarked on several literacy-based initiatives beyond the scope of colonizing powers.
Within the past 50 years, the state has instituted a variety of educational acts, such as the Education Act of 1961 and the 1992 Constitution, which established education as a basic right for all citizens. Similarly, the state partnered with several NGOs and instituted programs such as the Free and Compulsory Universal Basic Education. Current estimates suggest that the youth and adult literacy rates are around 80% and 75% due to these programs.
Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program (NFLP)
One such program is Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program or the NFLP. It seeks to increase the national literacy rate, and defines a functionally literate person as “one who can engage in activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his/her…community and also for enabling him/her to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his/her own and the community’s development.”
In classroom settings, adult Ghanaians learn reading, math and other complementary skills. Some classes are women or men only, while others are a mix of both. Studies have noted substantial gains in reading skills, but relatively weak writing and numeracy skills. Still, the NFLP has led to more labor market participation, greater income and generally more economic liberties for newly literate Ghanaians. One hypothesis for the NFLP’s notable success is its longer duration of 21 months, whereas many other ALPs tend to last for only nine.
The Literacy and Community Development Program
Another ALP in Ghana is the Literacy and Community Development Program, a literacy and socio-economic development program which targets adults 15 and above with little to no formal education. There are specific efforts that serve to accommodate vulnerable or marginalized groups such as women, youth, prison inmates, nomads and people living with disabilities. Pamoja Ghana launched this program officially, with financial and technical support from Action Aid Ghana (AAG).
Since its founding, numerous groups have been established across the entire country and currently, there are about 3,340 active participants. Adults and adolescents can learn basic literacy and life skills through this program, and many learners have even gone on to hold positions in district assemblies in their localities or have become elders in their various religions. Some younger participants who were forced out of school due to poverty or societal pressures were able to continue learning informally before eventually re-enrolling in formal school. Overall, this ALP has assisted many adult Ghanaians with learning to read, thus allowing them to interact with their communities in new and improved ways.
– Char Nieberding
Photo: Unsplash
HIV/AIDS in Namibia
PEPFAR in Namibia
PEPFAR is a United States (U.S.) initiative that aims to address HIV/AIDS internationally and is now the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. According to the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, PEPFAR has contributed nearly $1.1 billion toward reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia since the program’s inception in 2003. The U.S. works with Namibia to identify people living with HIV/AIDS and ensure they are receiving medical care, preventing new infections and caring for vulnerable people afflicted with HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR Namibia works more closely with the Namibian government, identifying high-volume areas of infection and decentralizing services to spread treatment further.
PEPFAR’s primary goal in Namibia is to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which means 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of those diagnosed receive treatment and 90% of those receiving medical care maintain a suppressed viral load.
ART Treatment and C-BART Sites
In an effort to reach the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, the Namibian government has implemented ART treatment and C-BART sites, both of which have been successful. ART stands for antiretroviral therapy, which is an HIV treatment that involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day to reduce an HIV-positive person’s viral load. C-BART sites are decentralized sites that bring ART treatments to peoples’ homes in rural parts of Namibia.
ART treatment is distributed on a “Treat All” basis, meaning that anyone who tests positive for HIV is automatically recommended for the treatment, no matter their circumstances. This “Treat All” initiative, along with the wide implementation of ART treatment through C-BARTs, has been very successful in reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia, helping PEPFAR complete two out of the three “90s” in the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The C-BART plans were especially successful, assisting in the destigmatization of HIV/AIDS in local communities because of the facilities’ community ownership.
Project HOPE
Project HOPE is an international global health and humanitarian aid nonprofit that aims to reduce HIV/AIDS in Namibia and around the world. The organization’s Namibia chapter is one of the largest nonprofits working against HIV/AIDS in Namibia and focuses on creating small-scale HIV/AIDS programs across the country. Since its inception, it has reached more than 32,000 adolescent girls and young women with its DREAMS program, which encourages women to focus on a future free of HIV. Project HOPE has also put more than 13,000 young women on PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, an HIV-preventative treatment).
Looking Ahead
Since 2000, Namibia has made tremendous progress in mitigating its HIV/AIDS crisis. By working with other governmental organizations, community health centers and nonprofit organizations, Namibia has reduced the stigma around HIV and spread treatment for the disease to the most rural areas of the country. Compared to the past, this continued increase in testing and treatment has made Namibia a much safer place to live for HIV-positive people.
– Aidan Johnstone
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About the New TB Vaccine
How it Works
The M72 vaccine is a subunit vaccine, meaning that it contains two antigens that are found on the surface of TB bacteria. These antigens, when recognized by the body, provoke an immune response to the TB bacteria. The antigens were specifically selected by the vaccine developer, GSK, for having such a solid ability to provoke this immune response against TB. In 2019, early trials of the M72 TB vaccine showed it to be 54% effective in adults with latent TB, a group that no vaccine has worked on before.
Latent TB refers to the period after initial infection with the TB bacteria but before the active TB stage begins. When initial infection occurs, the body mounts an immune response, but some bacteria survive this. During the latent stage, these surviving bacteria multiply, and patients usually do not experience any symptoms. This stage can last months or years until the immune system can no longer control the bacteria, at which point the active stage of TB begins.
The only existing TB vaccine, the BCG vaccine, is made from a weakened strain of TB. While it is effective at combating meningitis and TB in children, it does not prevent primary infection or the reactivation of TB bacteria after the latent stage. Therefore, unlike the M72, it is not effective in adults with latent TB.
Funding the Trial
Despite this vaccine being the first to affect people with latent TB, GSK decided that it was not financially viable to pursue further trials because of the 54% efficacy. However, two charities have stepped in to keep the vaccine alive.
The stage three trial that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is making a contribution toward will cost $550 million. The Foundation’s $400 million donation, its largest-ever investment in a single project, will be combined with a further $150 million from the Wellcome Trust to make up this total. The trial will take place at a dozen locations across Africa and Asia, selected for their unusually high rates of latent TB infection so that scientists can efficiently determine if the vaccine prevents active TB from beginning. The trial will involve around 26,000 participants and will take four to six years to complete.
However, the investment from charities alone may not be enough. The vaccine could still need a commercial partner, something that the Foundation hopes to secure in the next 12 months. There is concern about this, since the lack of a market for the vaccine in the developed world may discourage many vaccine makers. However, Indian vaccine producers have expressed interest, since the jab would significantly impact their country, where it’s estimated 504,000 people died from TB in 2021.
The Bottom Line
According to the WHO, if the trial proves that the new TB vaccine really does have a 50% efficacy rate, it could save up to 8.5 million lives by 2050, with the most significant impact being in developing countries and for people living in poverty. Additionally, it could prevent the prescription of 42 million courses of antibiotic treatment, and therefore hopefully combat TB’s antibiotic resistance.
With the potential to be the first new vaccine in 100 years, the M72 jab is promising. However, the fight against TB is not yet over. Despite the lack of burden in wealthier countries, this vaccine still needs attention in the developed world, particularly from vaccine producers, so that, if it proves viable, it can help people in poverty around the world.
– Lily Cooper
Photo: Flickr
Health Care in India: 5 Things to Know
Looking Ahead
Overall, the flagship program to improve infrastructure across health care in India demonstrates the country’s response to COVID-19 and efforts to protect the well-being of future generations. There is hope that the health sector will continue to improve if the government maintains its effort toward reforming the public sector.
– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Wikimedia
Reducing Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in Bahrain
Mental Health in Numbers
Looking at the statistics for mental health in Bahrain, 4.9% of people have anxiety disorders and 4.5% have depression. A study conducted in 2010 found that 19.3% of patients in primary care centers had lifetime depression and 5.6% had current depression. Of those who suffered from a mental illness in the past, only 41% had received treatment. Here lies the primary issue—seeking help.
Bahrain is one of three countries in the Gulf that had more than 30 psychiatric beds (33.8) per 100,000 individuals in 2007. In the 2011 WHO-AIMS report, Bahrain reported having only one mental health hospital, at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the country’s capital, Manama. One of the key values of the psychiatric hospital is ‘personal responsibility’—encouraging a sense of responsibility through increasing awareness and education regarding mental health. Reducing poor mental health in Bahrain through improving education and awareness is a primary way more people can not only take care of their mental health but also reduce stigma around mental health and its treatment.
In 2015, psychiatrists conducted a study evaluating the pattern of mental health disorders in Bahrain. The results revealed that people with poor education and low income had the highest risk of developing mental illness. The results further showed that over 30% of the participants were from social class 5 (with primary school level education or less, unskilled workers or unemployed). In addition, over 42% were from social class 4 (with education less than high school but more than primary school level, working class, semi-skilled and skilled). While the reasons behind these statistics were not investigated, the World Health Organization has labeled poverty as the primary cause of global suffering, including poor mental health.
The Prevailing Stigma
Some can view struggling with mental health as a test from God or a sign of a weak connection with God. This sometimes prevents people from seeking help from medical and psychological professionals, believing the answer to their mental health struggles is to pray. While prayer can definitely offer comfort, seeking help is also very important.
In an interview with the Daily Tribune, News of Bahrain in December 2022, licensed psychologist Dr. Mariam Alammadi explains that she has witnessed an increase in the number of people seeking help. She believes there has been a shift in the general attitude toward mental health in Bahrain, with the stigma surrounding it slowly diminishing.
Help for People in Bahrain
The past few years have seen an improvement in the resources available and organizations dedicated to educating the public on mental health in Bahrain. One such organization is the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), a charity founded in 1971. Alongside its other admirable work, BRCS strives to provide psychological support to citizens. The organization provides a training program in psychological first aid, holds workshops on mental health in Bahrain as well as elsewhere in the Gulf and continues its “Your Mental Health Matters” initiative. The latest training program was attended by 67 participants and aimed to enhance the capability of volunteers and staff in providing psychological care to those in need before, during and after disasters and crises. The participants’ test score rate improved from 60% before the training to 90% after the training, demonstrating the benefit of the program.
The Instagram account @unknotted.bh is another nonprofit community organization that provides free support group sessions for mental health, making help more accessible for those suffering but who cannot afford to seek treatment elsewhere. It also uploads informative, educational posts that aim to educate people on mental health and shares advice on how to deal with others’ mental health as well as one’s own. The posts are in both Arabic and English, thus making the resources accessible to a wider audience.
Fighting for a Promising Future
BRCS and @unknotted.bh are just two nonprofit organizations working tirelessly to improve mental health in Bahrain through better education. These organizations are fighting to end the stigma surrounding mental health treatment in Bahrain. Hopefully, by progressively reaching a wider audience, these organizations and others can make people more comfortable asking for help, thereby reducing the number of people that suffer as a result of not seeking treatment.
– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Unsplash
How Villages in Partnership Relieves Poverty in Malawi
Infrastructure
During the rainy seasons, areas of Malawi easily become flooded, which makes it more difficult for the people of Malawi to travel from one place to another. Bridges allow students to get to school and allow people to access wells for clean water while allowing others to travel to health care centers and access goods and services. Villages of Partnership’s mission is to build more bridges to provide this crucial access to the people of Malawi.
Malawi is known for its lack of electricity. Less than 10% of the population of 18 million is connected to the electrical grid. And, access to electricity stands at just 1% for the 80% of people who live in rural areas.
Electricity is very important to the infrastructure of a country. In 2013, Villages of Partnership provided electricity to the village of Kaupe to power the maize mill. The mill makes flour, which is an important ingredient in the staple dish called nshima. Because of the electricity access, the mill can supply flour in minutes instead of producing it through hours of labor without electricity.
Food Security
Unlike countries like Congo, Malawi does not have rich soil. This forces farmers to depend on successful rainy seasons. However, the climate in Malawi is very unpredictable, and this often leads to food insecurity.
Villages in Partnership has created a solar irrigation technology for the farmers in Malawi. In 2020, the organization added a second site for this technology, which has created a water source for more than 70 farmers and families that are now able to depend on it.
Alongside that, Villages in Partnership also provides improved seed varieties and fertilizers to farmers to increase their crop yields and gives goats and chickens to families in need. The animals provide eggs and meat, which improves the food security of many families in Malawi.
Access to Water
In Malawi, 4 million people lack access to safe water, USAID reports. Along with that, only 6% of the population has the ability to access clean sanitation facilities. Unfortunately, this lack of access to clean water and sanitation can lead to disease and even death.
One of Villages in Partnership’s top priorities is providing accessible and safe water to villages that need it. In Malawi, women and girls are spending their time walking several miles to source clean water. Sometimes, the women source this water from contaminated rivers.
Many villages in Malawi have been hesitant to accept the option of building wells and donating land due to the time-consuming nature of the process. Nevertheless, since 2019, there has been significant progress in efforts to improve water accessibility in the town of Sakata. A total of 23 boreholes and 15 shallow wells have been dug, and many damaged wells have been repaired.
Villages in Partnership takes a proactive approach to addressing water scarcity issues in Malawi. Every year, it organizes the Water Walk, a global event that brings people together to understand the needs of Malawian villages and the significance of clean water. Participants in the Water Walk contribute to various initiatives, including providing solar irrigation, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating access to health care through the Khanda Health Center. The primary focus remains on raising funds to drill wells in Malawian villages.
Education
In 1994, the Malawi government initiated free primary education, providing a valuable opportunity for children to receive education at no cost. However, this move resulted in challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and insufficient supplies, leading to decreased educational quality and poor student performance.
Presently, Malawi faces low literacy rates, with only 65% of the population able to read or write, and limited access to secondary education, with one-third of students attending. For Sakata’s community, the percentage of people who have attended university is as low as one-tenth of 1%, highlighting the education system’s shortcomings.
Nonetheless, education remains a crucial pathway out of poverty. Recognizing this, Villages in Partnership supports 15 community-based childcare centers, acting as preschools to foster the mental, social and physical development of Malawian children.
Additionally, Villages in Partnership has undertaken projects like Chimpeni School, providing education to children who previously had limited access to schools. The organization also undertook the reconstruction of Sakata School after it began to deteriorate in 2016. These efforts aim to improve education opportunities and enhance the prospects of the Malawian community.
Looking Forward
Villages in Partnership is making a significant impact in Malawi by addressing key challenges such as infrastructure, food security, access to water and education. Through building bridges, providing electricity and implementing solar irrigation technology, the organization is enhancing the lives of people in need. By focusing on clean water initiatives and supporting educational opportunities, Villages in Partnership is empowering communities and contributing to the fight against poverty in Malawi.
– Abigail DiCarlo
Photo: Pixabay
Disability and Poverty in Peru
3 Key Facts To Know About Disability and Poverty in Peru
Persons with disabilities are classified as anyone who is in a state of vulnerability. With this classification, amongst the indigenous population and migrant population, there is a lack of data that identifies the portion of people with disabilities within these groups. Thus, as the country pushed for improvements in the rights of everyone with a disability, it faced a challenge when ensuring the operations took a fair and intersectional approach to the issue.
There is a close link between disability and poverty in Peru and the older population. According to a recent study, while the older population in extreme poverty is more likely to have a disability, they have limited access to health care services. The study defined disability as ADL disability where the individual’s activities of daily living would be impacted. Results of the study established that more than 60% of people with ADL disability had never been evaluated for preventative measures. Additionally, older Peruvians with an ADL disability had significantly less chance of having insurance compared to individuals without a disability.
Interestingly, half of Peruvians with disabilities are of working age, representing an estimated 1 million people. Unfortunately, their unemployment rate is 12.1%, in stark contrast to the overall population’s unemployment rate of 3.7%.
Movement in the Right Direction
In 2009, the National Institute for Radio and Television established the ‘No Barriers’ program with the mission to promote the visibility of Peruvians with disabilities and ensure disability was no longer considered a hindrance. As part of this program, broadcast television introduced sign language interpretation to make information accessible to individuals with disabilities. This initiative contributed to shaping public policy on appropriate language around disability.
A decade later, in 2019, Peru implemented the National Gender Equality Policy, aligned with its human rights obligations outlined in the National Agreement. The policy aims to address discrimination against women and its root causes. Its goals include reducing violence against women, increasing women’s participation in decision-making and eradicating sociocultural patterns of discrimination in the country’s population. The policy aims to achieve these objectives by 2030, with indicators such as a 40% increase in women’s representation in Congress. Notably, emergency centers for women now cover 100% of the nation, reflecting the progress so far under this policy.
The focus of this policy is on women’s rights, but it has also shed light on broader issues of structural discrimination and lack of diversity, including disability and poverty in Peru. A significant recent achievement in addressing disability and poverty is the launch of the Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development in 2021.
The Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development
This policy will be implemented in 2030, marking the first national public policy focused on disability. Since its implementation, a progress report has recognized the success of the policy. For example, 127 penalties were received by businesses that had an insufficient number of persons with disabilities employed. In addition to this, Peru introduced a protocol to ensure public services can provide appropriate accommodation to persons with disabilities.
Peru’s government mission is to set a new standard for the inclusion and understanding of persons with disabilities within the next seven years.
Positive change is also evident in the work of the Adecco Foundation and its contact with Peruvian companies. The Adecco Group, as part of its work, campaigns for inclusivity in employment globally and one of its partners is the International Labour Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network. With this, the President of the Adecco Group, in consultation with 30 Peruvian companies, shared human resources management practices with a particular acknowledgment of the circumstances of people with disabilities. Findings from this network recognize how improving diversity in employment also benefits businesses. A specialist in ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities, Villamil, explains ‘the inclusion of these people improves the work climate, teamwork, elimination of stereotypes, increased innovation and improved corporate reputation.
It is clear that the country has made promising progress in addressing the relationship between disability and poverty in Peru. With government intervention and companies following suit, Peru’s journey to a more inclusive country spurs reasons for hope.
– Poppy Harris
Photo: Unsplash