COVID-19 has impacted the world in several dire ways, but one that calls for immediate attention is the impact of immunization vaccinations. In light of this, “The Big Catch-Up” to immunity for children is making efforts through initiatives to inspire change.
The Importance of Vaccines
The development of vaccines is, what the president of Global Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Chris Elias, describes, as “a public health triumph.” Due to vaccines, the world has near eradicated once-fatal diseases such as poliovirus, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever. For instance, poliovirus in particular has seen a 99% decrease in cases since 1988, dropping from 350,000 a year to a record 30. The World Health Organization (WHO) has forecasted that by the year 2030, vaccines could save 50 million lives.
Beyond immunity and personal health, the importance of vaccines extends to communal and financial benefits. There is a domino effect when children who do not receive vaccines become ill. These children miss out on education, while the caregivers experience a loss of income and productivity as they stay home to provide care. A recent study that examined 94 low to middle-income countries reported a $20 return on every $1 “invested in immunization between 2021 and 2030,” according to the U.N. Foundation. That profit is the result of good health enhancing productivity, education and ability.
The Impact of COVID-19
Before COVID-19, the rate of children receiving immunization vaccinations across the globe was at 86%. According to the U.N. Foundation, this percentage dropped to 81% in 2021, representing approximately 67 million children in more than 100 countries with vulnerability to preventable fatal diseases, with reports of increasing outbreaks. In Africa alone, 8.4 million children go without essential vaccines in 2021.
The reasons for this setback all link to COVID-19. Overburdened health workers, decreased access to clinics, diverted resources, attention and supplies, reduced travel, school closures and increased vaccine misinformation all contributed to the lag in immunization vaccinations across the globe. Fortunately, several health organizations are banding together to catch up to the initial progress in immunity.
The Big Catch-Up Plan
Organizations including WHO, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation formed “The Big Catch-up,” in response to COVID-19’s impact on immunization vaccinations. Its mission is to, quite literally, catch up to the immunity progress made pre-pandemic and continue to push beyond that. In addition, there are efforts to introduce the HPV vaccine in low to middle-income countries where the risk is highest, according to the WHO.
The plan particularly focuses on providing vaccines to the 20 countries that saw the most decrease in immunity vaccines for children. These countries include Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Chad, DPRK, DRC, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania and Vietnam.
“The Big Catch-up” aims to restore immunization levels by:
- Improving health care workforce
- Projecting accurate information and enhancing trust around vaccines
- Strengthening health service delivery
- Addressing obstacles and gaps to restoring immunization
“Catching up is a top priority. No child should die of a vaccine-preventable disease.” – WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Doing Important Work
“The Big Catch-up” to immunity for children is crucial to avoiding another pandemic – this time vaccine-preventable diseases that the world had almost eradicated completely. In fact, measles outbreaks are already being reported across the globe, and just a “small pocket…can be enough to fuel pandemics,” according to News Medical. Part of The Big Catch-up’s plan includes integrating immunization into primary health care, so the disruptions to vaccines experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic are never seen again.
“The longer we wait to reach and vaccinate these children, the more vulnerable they become and the greater the risk of more deadly disease outbreaks. Countries, global partners and local communities must come together to strengthen services, build trust and save lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Kat Katha’s Mission to Empower Sex Workers on GB Road in New Delhi
Human Trafficking
In the 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, India is still not fully compliant with international human trafficking laws, but it is making significant efforts to improve. For this reason, the report categorizes India as a tier 2 country. The report also revealed that in 2020, there were 6,622 victims of trafficking, with 59% of trafficked persons being female and 47% being children.
It has been well established over the years that traffickers target those who are most vulnerable to socio-economic disadvantages. When fewer options are available to those that experience economic insecurity, the risk of being exploited and falling victim to human trafficking is far greater. Gender discrimination and experiencing poverty play a large role in determining women’s economic opportunities, and many women’s and girls’ decisions regarding education, career and marriages are far more restricted than men’s.
Kat Katha’s Vision
Gitanjali Babbar founded Kat Katha in 2011. After performing an inspection on GB Road for the National AIDS Control Organisation, she saw the living conditions of the women in the brothels. They had limited access to hygiene facilities, slept in crowded bedrooms and had to work until 4 AM tending to clients. Indeed, she reported hearing women say “humari zindagi toh narakh se bhi bhattar hai” (our life is worse than hell).”
The absence of autonomous choices and isolation from the mainstream community in their neighborhood characterizes the life of these women and their children. Stigma follows the sex workers and their children whenever they leave GB Road. Whether it is to purchase a train ticket or to attend school, authorities inspect their Aadhaar (identity cards), and this reveals their infamous address. The issue of stigma also impacts the experiences of children of sex workers; they experience bullying in schools due to the reality of their mothers’ line of work. What’s more is that some of the women do not even have Aadhaar numbers, meaning that they have great difficulty accessing state-provided welfare schemes or other government relief programs.
But Babbar and the rest of the Kat Katha team do not believe that these women and their children are mere victims of their circumstances. Hence, the organization aims to inspire mothers and their children to pursue a life of “Dignity, Ownership and Compassion.” Kat Katha’s mission is to empower women on GB Road, helping them realize their agency and independence and to give them the chance to lead a free life that is far removed from forced sex. The organization sets about achieving this goal by providing education through the Kat-Katha Bridge school and implementing skill-based programs.
HeARTshala
Kat Katha’s HeARTshala program teaches beneficiaries sewing and tailoring skills, equipping them to make products such as bags and face masks. The program opened in response to the shock of COVID-19 and its effect on the sex industry, as many women sought to find alternative means of income. HeARTshala provided steady work and even partnered with Goonj, an NGO in New Delhi that provides disaster relief. Goonj ordered 350 double-layered masks to hand out to surrounding communities, creating alternative income opportunities for the women enrolled in the program.
Kat Katha provided a training stipend and rent allowance to aid the women to not have to depend on sex work for survival while they dedicate themselves to developing skills that can help them secure alternative means of income in the future. So far, more than 50 beneficiaries have now left sex work and now lead alternative livelihoods.
Looking Ahead
Through its programs and initiatives, Kat Katha is working to empower sex workers and their children in the notorious GB Road neighborhood. The organization aims to break the cycle of exploitation by providing education, skill-based training and alternative income opportunities. With several beneficiaries having already transitioned away from sex work, Kat Katha is making a positive impact and offering hope for a better future to those affected by human trafficking in India.
Photo: Flickr
How Better Public Transportation Can Reduce Pollution and Poverty in Cairo
Pollution and Poverty in Cairo
According to IQAir, Egypt is number nine out of the 10 most polluted countries in the world. Much of this pollution comes from its crowded capital city. But in addition to its high rate of pollution, Cairo also suffers from a high rate of poverty.
Up to 63% of residents live in informally or extra-legally developed areas, more commonly known as slums. In these slums, residents live without access to many basic necessities such as electricity, clean water and sanitation. And while poverty in Cairo itself is due to several different factors, pollution is one that continues to impact the region’s most vulnerable.
Much of the pollution in Cairo comes from its vast fleet of private vehicles, many of which are old and reliant on fossil fuels. Of the 4 million vehicles used within Cairo, 60% are at least 10 years old. This high number of vehicles means traffic volumes may go as high as 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane, rising far above Cairo’s acceptable maximum flow of vehicles.
Impact of Public Transportation
Currently, air pollution affects the people of Cairo in two different ways. First, it leads to overall negative health outcomes. According to the World Bank, “as many as 2 million people a year seek medical treatment for respiratory problems related to poor air quality.” In 2019, air pollution caused nearly 100,000 premature deaths throughout Egypt. And in addition to respiratory problems, air pollution also contributes to other health issues, including heart disease, strokes and cancer.
The second problem caused by pollution, which stems from the first, is its economic burden. In 2018, the estimated cost of air pollution due to health problems was around 100 billion in EGP or 2.8% of the nation’s GDP. Plus, the average Egyptian pays “nearly double the global average for out-of-pocket spending on health” or around 10% of their total monthly income, according to Alternative Policy Solutions.
Those suffering most from the negative effects of pollution in Cairo are its poorest citizens. But the development of clean public transportation could give them better health and economic outcomes. Most obviously, the reduction in air pollution from fewer cars could mean fewer health problems and allow them to save money for other necessary expenses. In addition, a larger system could give them access to better essential services and economic opportunities.
Current Developments
On the bright side, the Egyptian government recognizes the harmful effects of air pollution in Cairo and is taking steps to mitigate it. Its overall aim is to reduce emissions by 50% by the year 2030, as reported by the World Bank.
Some of the initiatives undertaken by the Egyptian government include:
And studies show that these developments alone could reduce emissions by 34% by 2030. However, there are also several proposals for further improvements. Among these proposals include the creation of a new electronic bus fleet and better inspection and vehicle maintenance within greater Cairo.
Looking Ahead
As Cairo grapples with the dual challenges of pollution and poverty, there are encouraging signs of progress. The Egyptian government has recognized the need to tackle air pollution and has implemented initiatives to expand public transportation and promote non-motorized transport. These efforts, coupled with proposed improvements such as an electronic bus fleet, hold the potential to significantly reduce emissions and improve the health and economic well-being of Cairo’s residents, particularly those in marginalized communities. With continued commitment and implementation, a cleaner and more equitable future for Cairo is within reach.
–Jonathon Crecelius
Photo: Flickr
“The Big Catch-up” to Immunity for Children
The Importance of Vaccines
The development of vaccines is, what the president of Global Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Chris Elias, describes, as “a public health triumph.” Due to vaccines, the world has near eradicated once-fatal diseases such as poliovirus, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever. For instance, poliovirus in particular has seen a 99% decrease in cases since 1988, dropping from 350,000 a year to a record 30. The World Health Organization (WHO) has forecasted that by the year 2030, vaccines could save 50 million lives.
Beyond immunity and personal health, the importance of vaccines extends to communal and financial benefits. There is a domino effect when children who do not receive vaccines become ill. These children miss out on education, while the caregivers experience a loss of income and productivity as they stay home to provide care. A recent study that examined 94 low to middle-income countries reported a $20 return on every $1 “invested in immunization between 2021 and 2030,” according to the U.N. Foundation. That profit is the result of good health enhancing productivity, education and ability.
The Impact of COVID-19
Before COVID-19, the rate of children receiving immunization vaccinations across the globe was at 86%. According to the U.N. Foundation, this percentage dropped to 81% in 2021, representing approximately 67 million children in more than 100 countries with vulnerability to preventable fatal diseases, with reports of increasing outbreaks. In Africa alone, 8.4 million children go without essential vaccines in 2021.
The reasons for this setback all link to COVID-19. Overburdened health workers, decreased access to clinics, diverted resources, attention and supplies, reduced travel, school closures and increased vaccine misinformation all contributed to the lag in immunization vaccinations across the globe. Fortunately, several health organizations are banding together to catch up to the initial progress in immunity.
The Big Catch-Up Plan
Organizations including WHO, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation formed “The Big Catch-up,” in response to COVID-19’s impact on immunization vaccinations. Its mission is to, quite literally, catch up to the immunity progress made pre-pandemic and continue to push beyond that. In addition, there are efforts to introduce the HPV vaccine in low to middle-income countries where the risk is highest, according to the WHO.
The plan particularly focuses on providing vaccines to the 20 countries that saw the most decrease in immunity vaccines for children. These countries include Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Cameroon, Chad, DPRK, DRC, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania and Vietnam.
“The Big Catch-up” aims to restore immunization levels by:
“Catching up is a top priority. No child should die of a vaccine-preventable disease.” – WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Doing Important Work
“The Big Catch-up” to immunity for children is crucial to avoiding another pandemic – this time vaccine-preventable diseases that the world had almost eradicated completely. In fact, measles outbreaks are already being reported across the globe, and just a “small pocket…can be enough to fuel pandemics,” according to News Medical. Part of The Big Catch-up’s plan includes integrating immunization into primary health care, so the disruptions to vaccines experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic are never seen again.
“The longer we wait to reach and vaccinate these children, the more vulnerable they become and the greater the risk of more deadly disease outbreaks. Countries, global partners and local communities must come together to strengthen services, build trust and save lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Maximo Nivel Volunteers Help to End Poverty in Latin America
Poverty in Latin America
According to the details of the Social Panorama 2022 report, at the end of 2022, about 201 million Latin Americans lived in conditions of poverty and 82 million Latin Americans endured conditions of extreme poverty.
In Costa Rica specifically, the most recent findings by the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica (INEC) reported that, in 2022, almost 400,000 households endured poverty. Of these households, 110,631 endured extreme poverty. Peru has scarcely recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with about 26% of the country experiencing poverty and another 4% experiencing extreme poverty as of 2021, the World Bank notes. In Guatemala, 2019 estimates indicated that more than half of the population has remained below the poverty line since 2014, says the World Bank.
Maximo Nivel’s exclusive focus on these countries directly improves living conditions and increases access to opportunities for those who need assistance the most. And this is all in a bid to end poverty in Latin America.
Maximo Nivel Volunteer Programs
The Power of Volunteerism
Maximo Nivel’s efforts suggest that volunteers can make a significant difference in developing countries. Poverty remains a massive issue across Latin America, but projects like those run by the organization promote hope and advance progress in communities facing the impacts of impoverishment.
– Rachel Rebecca Smith
Photo: Flickr
7 Reasons to Invest in Albania
Albania’s economic growth has had a positive impact on the country’s poverty levels. It has also represented huge opportunities for investors looking to make money amid Albania’s success. In light of this, the following are seven reasons to invest in Albania:
7 Reasons to Invest in Albania
Looking Ahead
Albania’s remarkable economic growth and favorable investment environment offer lucrative opportunities for investors. With tight ties to Europe, a liberal business environment and a serious anti-corruption drive, Albania presents a seamless and secure investment destination. Moreover, the country’s success in reducing poverty and its conscious efforts to tackle societal challenges make investing in Albania not only financially rewarding but also impactful in promoting further development and creating well-paying jobs for its population.
– Sam Rucker
Photo: Unsplash
The Importance of Community-Led Projects in the Aid Sector
The charity sector plays an important role in poverty reduction but its approaches have at times garnered criticism in terms of efficacy and reach. From Peace Direct, Third Sector and Non-Profit Quarterly comes a swelling of proposals to make charity work more effective, more democratic and more conscious. More specifically, community-led projects in the aid sector stand as a solution to strengthen aid efforts globally.
Issues in the Charity Sector
Decolonization academic Khadijah Diskin said at the BAME Fundraising Virtual Conference 2021 that the charity sector was “explicitly tied to the colonization of the Global South” and if “charities do not acknowledge their histories, they are likely to be repeated.”
A report published by Peace Direct and partners, including Adeso (African Development Solutions), Alliance for Peacebuilding and WCAPS (Women of Color Advancing Peace Security and Conflict Transformation) sheds further light on the issue.
The report published in 2021, titled “Time to Decolonise Aid,” claims that “power and resources remain dominated by, and between, certain organizations and relationships largely based in the Global North.” As a result, decision-making often ignores indigenous knowledge and experience. Instead, aid efforts are centered around “Western values and knowledge,” leading to misunderstanding and the reinforcement of old ways of perceiving the Global South as unknowledgeable and desperate.
From a purely practical standpoint, this makes the delivery of aid very difficult. It means extra people have to be employed to do a job that would otherwise be done by local people with intimate knowledge of the issues. Peace Direct closes the report with recommendations. NGOs are to adopt a “transitional mindset,” which puts in place targets for the “transfer of power and resources to local organizations.” Finally, NGOs are asked to “re-evaluate partnerships… so that they are more equitable and mutually accountable.”
Progress
Since the publishing of the “Time to Decolonise Aid” report, progress is invisible. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) is a global institution that boasts membership from the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OCHCR). The IASC organized the Grand Bargain Caucus on Funding for Localisation in March 2023, in response to criticisms of efficacy and reach in regard to the aid sector.
Those represented in the agreement included USAID, DG-ECHO, Denmark, OCHA, UNHCR, Save the Children, IFRC, A4EP and the Northwest Syria NGO forum. All agreed that localization, or community-led projects in the aid sector, stood as the solution. All present also agreed that a target of 25% of total spending by NGOs should go toward community-led projects. A roadmap formalizes this target and directs all to:
Targeting 25% of all budgets to community-led projects in the aid sector is a huge win for social justice. The signatories present have great reach and can provide the necessary capital to get genuinely transformative local action off the ground.
Impactful Community-Led Projects
Community-led projects are not only more ethically sound but they are also more effective. This is according to Sami Adler of Global Giving, an NGO that “actively work[s] to shift power toward [their] partners.” This is because, as the executive director of the Solidarity Foundation Shubha Chacko suggests, “emotional closeness, shared sentiments and beliefs and commonality in terms of background and experiences” all collide and contribute to impactful service.
The Solidarity Foundation
This is visible in the work of the Solidarity Foundation. The Solidarity Foundation is a registered trust based in India that supports sex workers and gender/sexual minorities. Sex workers in India face a multitude of issues that contribute to “extremely poor” conditions of life. Prostitution is legal, but there are multiple barriers to soliciting and brothel keeping. Labor laws do not safeguard sex workers and sex workers have no access to trade unions. As a result, abuse cannot be policed, pushing sex workers further into the shadows.
Instead of receiving protection, sex workers are subject to violent and moral policing that seeks to correct their “deviancy” rather than seeking to investigate the roots of their condition. Poverty is a “contextual factor” regarding sex work in India.
The Sarvojana Coalition
According to the Sarvojana Coalition, an NGO that supports sex workers in the region, poverty pushes as much as 68% of women into the trade. Solidarity Foundation supports these sex workers by hiring those who previously worked in the trade into outreach and leadership roles. The empathy that comes from a former sex worker means sex workers are more likely to seek help. Sex workers can expect no moral judgment or shaming. Rather, the organization shows them that they matter and that there are viable alternatives to sex work if they desire it. Crisis Management, for example, is a project that the Solidarity Foundation team organizes. It is a hub in the local area that “increases a sense of well-being and improves access to justice” by offering walk-in support in times of crisis.
The Solidarity Foundation highlights the importance of community-led projects in the aid sector. By allowing members of a particular to take the lead on projects, aid can improve in terms of both reach and efficacy.
– James Durbin
Photo: Flickr
Why Providing Accessible Childcare Services Is the Smart Thing to Do
Research and Initiatives
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in cooperation with the World Bank, launched an initiative Invest in Childcare. USAID alone pledged $50 million to support the initiative. This childcare incentive fund works with governments to provide support in creating childcare programs and improving policies. Subsequently, the initiative seeks to gather more accurate data on childcare development and its effects on economic growth.
The World Bank has already supported many countries, including Senegal, Liberia, Burkina Faso and Mongolia, through the development of country-specific programs. These encompass the creation of mobile preschools for rural areas in Mongolia which have already benefited more than 8,500 of the country’s most remote children, the enrollment of thousands of children in preschools in Senegal and the financing of early childhood schools’ construction in Liberia.
Whether government-sponsored, NGO-supported or community-grown, initiatives developing and liberalizing early childcare are a necessity. Throughout the world, NGOs of diverse sizes and recognition seek to improve childcare. The most prominent include UNICEF and Save the Children, but many other organizations on the ground make efforts to provide help specifically tailored to their community. The Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India, for example, has created childcare cooperatives in an attempt to support women working in agriculture or independently in local cooperatives.
These organizations are often informal and face challenges in obtaining funding and accessing training and professional development. This struggle highlights a need for formalization, which could enable the affected organizations to unlock more investments and growth.
Childcare Closely Affects Gender Equality
Though a lack of accessible childcare hinders an entire society, data shows that women are the first to be affected and quit the labor force. World Bank data for Indonesia in 2021 revealed that 40% of women quit employment after childbirth and marriage. Another 2022 report showed that 73% of low-income respondents partaking in a survey in Bangladesh stayed at home to care for their children instead of working, and in 2018, a study “found that having a child under five years of age reduced a Sri Lankan woman’s participation in the labor force by 7.4%.” In poorer countries, when mothers cannot provide care for these children, an older sibling usually assumes responsibility. And more often than not, this older sibling is a girl. She may consequently neglect or forgo her chance at an education, which builds up stark gender inequalities for the next generation.
Improving the Economy and Children’s Health
On the other hand, the Eurasia Group has found that providing accessible childcare for women could add $3 trillion to the $45.8 trillion currently generated by women in the global economy each year. According to the Gates Foundation, this would be achieved through the creation of 43 million jobs globally. This would broaden opportunities for women, boosting economic growth and giving countries an opportunity to reclaim a productive segment of their labor force.
World Bank data has also shown that accessible childcare improved women’s financial outcomes and positively affected their families. When compared to men, women usually spend more money on their children’s education, health and nutrition. Moreover, childcare keeps children safe, with reduced mortality due to lack of supervision. For example, Bangladesh saw the mitigation of drowning risk and malnutrition reduced in Guatemala, where childcare provides up to 70% of children’s recommended energy intake.
Fostering a Foundation and a Future
The Research and Information System for Developing Countries and UNICEF have created a panel on ‘Investing in children: Investing in future’, demonstrating that early childhood care is a wise long-term investment. World Bank data shows that by prioritizing early childhood development, it is possible to pave the way for a brighter future, where children entering the labor market 15 years to 20 years later receive the abilities necessary for higher-paying, stable and innovative jobs. This positively impacts their learning, health, behavior and life opportunities. Investing in high-quality childcare not only has profound implications for individual children but also yields significant social and economic benefits. Providing children with a strong foundation in their early years can foster a generation of productive, skilled individuals. This leads to improved learning outcomes, reduced social inequalities, enhanced workforce participation and overall economic growth.
– Hanna Bernard
Photo: Flickr
How Project Isizwe is Empowering People Through Internet Access
The organization began with the Tshwane Free WiFi Project in South Africa in 2013. The project had remarkable success, with an estimated 1,000 new free WiFi hotspots providing Internet connection to more than 600,000 people monthly.
Internet Access and Equality
In developed countries, the Internet is accessible at home, in schools, businesses, coffee shops and train stations. For those living in this environment, it is difficult to consider a world without access to the Internet, and even unclear how a computer can empower people through Internet access. For perspective, the IMF reports that the highest rates of Internet use among businesses in Sub-Saharan hover at around 60%, whereas the number is as high as 85% in Europe and Central Asia.
In terms of economic benefits, financial institutions both within and between countries rely heavily on the Internet. This is evident even in developed economies where rural areas with limited internet access suffer isolation from the rest of the world. Internet equality is also closely linked to the national economy, as the IMF suggests that a 1% increase in internet users within a country can boost per-capita growth by up to 0.4%.
Internet Access as a Human Right
An Internet connection is a guaranteed path to information about education, work, health and safety. According to estimates, one-fifth of children in the elementary school age bracket in Sub-Saharan Africa are not in school. Brick-and-mortar schools are often far away, unsanitary and lack adequate funding. These problems are less of a concern when children can attend school from home by taking advantage of the Internet.
Although Internet access is not universally recognized as a human right, many countries consider it one. Among these countries are Canada, Germany and Finland. Even in the United States (U.S.), the Supreme Court has acknowledged the empowering nature of the Internet.
The Internet’s Impact on Africa
According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of Sub-Saharan Africans think the Internet has a positive impact on education; 63% believe the same is true about the economy. Despite the widespread belief, Africans use the Internet far less than people in other areas. In 2015, more than 90% of adults in countries such as South Korea and Australia reported occasional Internet usage. In contrast, South Africa was the only Sub-Saharan country where more than half of all adults used the Internet. The number was even lower in Tanzania, with less than 30% of adults reporting occasional internet usage.
The way Africans use the Internet is also interesting. Connecting to the Internet via mobile phones is extremely popular and is an important part of staying connected to careers, finances and information. The Pew Research Center reports that in 2017, 59% of mobile phone users in Sub-Saharan Africa use their devices to keep track of payments. Similarly, just over one-quarter of adults use the Internet to find and apply for jobs, while 14% use it to earn certificates through online courses. Additionally, about one-third of adults use their phones to find information about topics like politics and medicine. These trends highlight the importance of empowering people through internet access.
Project Isizwe’s Efforts
Project Isizwe provides WiFi to people who need it. It has helped more than 20,000 students across 15 schools in South Africa gain access to all the tools the Internet provides. The organization also maintains 70 additional hotspots for mining, solar and wind farm communities and hundreds of homes throughout South Africa.
Project Isiwe also empowers people through Internet access by connecting multiple shopping centers throughout South Africa to the Internet. Through its work with the Futuregrowth Community Property Fund, more than 30,000 consumers can access online employment opportunities and engage in online shopping. As a result, these people stand a better chance of securing equitable positions in both the digital world and the real world.
Looking Ahead
In its mission to connect millions of people to the Internet, Project Isizwe has made significant strides in empowering individuals and bridging the digital divide in South Africa. By providing free WiFi hotspots in schools, communities and shopping centers, the organization has enabled access to educational resources, employment opportunities and online services. With its efforts, Project Isizwe is playing a crucial role in creating a more equitable and connected society, where the power of the Internet can be harnessed by all.
– Christina Albrecht
Photo: Flickr
How Former Yugoslavian Countries Rebuilt
Slovenia
The first country to leave Yugoslavia was Slovenia in 1991, leading to a 10-day war between the new nation and the military. According to reports, the war was not as violent as future conflicts. This fact has been highlighted as one of the possible reasons for the following period of stability in Slovenia. Prior to the Yugoslavian breakup, the region was doing well for itself in terms of economy and international relations. The new nation grew economically and it joined the EU and NATO in 2004. Aside from the odd political dispute, the nation and economy remain strong today. The country is able to assist its poorer citizens directly with social transfers, which is about 12% of them. This is a lower poverty rate than in other former Yugoslavian countries.
Croatia
Slovenia and Croatia declared independence on the same day, but the war in Croatia lasted for four years. The conflict mostly revolved around the Serbian minority rebelling. Over time, however, the Serbians and Croatians reconciled. By the time Croatia entered the EU in 2013, the animosity was considered to be mostly over. So far, it is unclear whether the country’s coming into the EU will help the 20% of people at risk of poverty. Nonetheless, the nation itself is implementing programs to help its poorer citizens. Croatia’s rich history and landscape have also contributed to the country’s recovery. Its status as a popular tourist destination could also continue to grow the economy, especially in the post-pandemic era. Around 36,000 Croatians work in the tourism industry which welcomes around 15 million tourists.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina was an ethnically diverse country in 1992, with Croats (Catholics), Serbs (Orthodox Christians) and Bosniaks (Muslims) making up most of the population. This was the cause of the post-independence war, which led to around 100,000 deaths and more than 2 million displacements. Following the peace treaty, countries like the U.S. sent foreign service officers to mediate. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to work with European organizations to ensure the protection of minority rights. The country championed both religious and ethnic diversity. There is still a long way to go as many minorities cannot serve in influential positions, and this makes them unable to advocate for or implement their rights.
Kosovo
In 1998, Albanians in the Kosovo region rebelled for their independence from Serbia. The fighting led NATO to try to broker a peace deal. Kosovo finally declared itself free in 2008, albeit to varied recognition. Even then, conflict with the nation of Serbia continued, as some members of the international community did not recognize Kosovo. This means that Kosovo has not been able to enjoy the benefits of membership. Its citizens can not move freely between the EU, even though many wish to migrate. Talks have recently begun for Kosovo to join the EU. The Council of Europe has also been providing assistance in Kosovo since the war ended and continues to work to help the oppressed.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia) was able to secede from Yugoslavia peacefully in 1991. A decade later, Macedonia’s Albanian minority rebelled seeking independence. This rebellion led to the realization of a peace deal. One of the continuing factors is North Macedonia’s rural development. And in 2019, the government made Albanian an official language.
Looking Ahead
Following Yugoslavia’s breakup, the former nations have made significant strides in rebuilding and achieving stability. Countries like Slovenia have experienced economic growth and international integration, resulting in lower poverty rates. Croatia has overcome past animosities and leveraged its rich history and tourism industry for recovery. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to work towards protecting minority rights, while North Macedonia has achieved peaceful transitions and recognized the Albanian language. These nations demonstrate resilience and progress despite the challenges faced during the breakup.
– Josh Sobchak
Photo: Flickr
Education system in Cameroon
It is home not only to a diverse geographic landscape but also a complex cultural landscape that has been deeply scarred by its colonial past. Since 2017, the English-speaking minority has been waging a war against the Francophone-dominated government. The U.N. estimates that more than half of the population in the Anglophone regions are in need of humanitarian support while about 600,000 children are not able to access standard education because of the conflict.
The spread of COVID-19 across Cameroon brought with it many challenges and forced the entire population to change their habits. With the disruption to normal routines and face-to-face activities, people have become more aware of the importance of technology and how much Cameroon’s education system can benefit from these alternative solutions.
Existing Problems
Cameroon has had a complicated past; following the end of World War I, the League of Nations divided what was then German Kamerun into two new sections, with France ruling most of modern Cameroon and the Western Fifth (today’s Northwest and Southwest regions) under British rule. Tensions between Anglophone and Francophone regions have been consistent since the beginning and education has often been a key battleground in the conflict. In 2019, UNICEF reported that 855,000 children in the Northwest and Southwest regions were out of school.
These social fractures inherited from years of colonial rule have made it hard to create a coordinated countrywide curriculum, with the education system in Cameroon divided between the Anglophone and Francophone systems.
The government does not exactly consider education to be a priority. In 2020, Cameroon spent just 3.2% of its GDP on education, well below the world average of 4.5%.
Attacks that the terrorist organization Boko Haram led mainly targeted schools in northern Cameroon, and involved the killing and kidnapping of thousands of school children and the closure of hundreds of schools.
There is a marked gap between the education of the rural and urban population, boys and girls and rich and poor. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated this and forced schools to close and resort to other alternatives.
The Impact of COVID-19
As in the rest of the world, the pandemic has had damaging effects on Cameroon’s education system. This has led to worries that more people could fall into poverty, and this could further intensify the gap between rich and poor.
On the bright side, the pandemic has also been a chance for Cameroon to demonstrate its desire for technological advancements. The closure of all schools and universities in March 2020 forced students to continue their learning from home. For those with a stable internet connection and television, access to learning resources was more simple; the government transformed the national television channel, CRTV, into a classroom during certain time slots in the day and students were able to send SMS messages (in theory) for any queries they had. Unfortunately, many people, especially those in rural areas were not able to access these classes. This is because around 35% of Cameroonians do not have access to electricity, highlighting the need for other learning alternatives. In light of this, Cameroon adopted a software program known as the Avicenna Virtual Campus Network (AVCN), showing its eagerness to embrace technological solutions.
Avicenna Virtual Campus Network
In July 2019, as part of the response to the Anglophone conflict in the North West and South West regions, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the support of Education Cannot Wait, implemented an Emergency Response Plan to provide education to all children in the area. Only 20% of formal schools have been able to remain open since the beginning of the conflict. This suggests that home learning initiatives such as the Avicenna Platform have been essential in the continuation of education in Cameroon.
The aim of AVCN is to support the promotion of a more equitable education system in Cameroon with its online and offline learning platform (its Mobile Virtual Avicenna Classroom works without electricity or the Internet). The system comprises a Nano-server, a Nano-projector and solar tablets that allows students to learn even in the most isolated regions of the country. The closure of all schools across the country in 2020 meant that the Avicenna Platform became even more relevant, reaching over 21,000 children who would have otherwise struggled to continue learning.
Looking Ahead
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing digital solutions for the education system in Cameroon. Although there is still a lot of work necessary, the rate of digital penetration since the outbreak of COVID-19 has increased by 10%. The ongoing conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 4,000 civilians and displaced millions of people is now the main problem facing further advancements in the education system. Focusing efforts on technological advancements could be a key part of ensuring a more positive future for the country’s education system.
– Almaz Nerurkar
Photo: Flickr