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Making a Difference: 3 Philanthropic Organizations in Greece

Philanthropic Organizations in Greece Due to income inequalities and the lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis, many Greeks continue to face threats of poverty. Of note, insufficient incomes caused 22.2% of the population to suffer severe material deprivation in 2015. While housing, food, education, training, health care and legal aid are difficult to access for those living in poverty,  philanthropic organizations in Greece are making a difference across the board.

3 Philanthropic Organizations in Greece

  1. Hellenic Hope. Child poverty in Greece impacts more than 686,000 children. Children are at risk of limited accessibility to nutritious diets and living in inadequate conditions to meet their developmental needs. Hellenic Hope is an organization that provides support to children living in poverty in Greece. Hellenic Hope focuses on raising funds for organizations to fight the child poverty crisis in Greece while increasing awareness about child poverty and encouraging collaborative efforts internationally. Since its establishment in 2012, Hellenic Hope has partnered with various organizations in Greece to provide food and clothing as well as emotional and educational resources. In 2015, Hellenic Hope participated in SOS-Eliza VIMA/STEP program to protect 95 vulnerable children. SOS-Eliza focuses on child abuse prevention and works with vulnerable families facing unemployment, poverty and social isolation.
  2. METAdrasi. METAdrasi is a grassroots organization established in 2009 that strives to eliminate human oppression. Founder Lora Pappa developed this organization to protect the rights of people displaced by war or prosecution. In 2019, METAdrasi received the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. The organization received a $2 million award for its work with refugees, migrants and unaccompanied children in Greece. The funding will allow the group to strengthen its advocacy efforts in Greece. Through the efforts of social workers and interpreters, METAdrasi has rescued refugee children from detention centers, conditions of homelessness and other unsafe environments on the island. METAdrasi has been able to help approximately 11,000 children in 4,000 escorting missions. In addition to this, METAdrasi continues to expand its services through innovative approaches that allow the organization to provide legal support, certification of victims of torture, education and protection for unaccompanied children.
  3. Kivotos tou Kosmou – Ark of the World. This is a philanthropic institution in Greece founded by Father Antonios Papnikolaou. The organization provides services for children and young mothers who are in need or in danger. Kivotos has been able to care for more than 220 children who have separated from their parents and support 150 single-parent families. With approximately 150 apartments, Kivotos provides housing so that these families can remain together. The organization also provides education, training and access to scholarships. Kivotos has helped teenage mothers by teaching them parenting skills and offering mental health care services and therapy.

Looking Ahead

While rebuilding from the financial collapse has been slow, thoughts of a prospering economy remain. Still, philanthropic organizations in Greece are finding ways to make a difference in many lives today. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development urges government reform to address poverty and inequality in Greece with hopes of economic recovery.

– Brandi Hale
Photo: Flickr

Tackling Mental Health in Palestine

Mental Health in PalestinePalestine, although a small nation in the Middle East, contains a large population and a very long and deep history. Marked by political and social unrest, many Palestinians endure conflict every day that continuously strain their mental health. This is the state of mental health in Palestine.

How Big is the Problem?

Mental health is a huge problem in Palestine, yet is hardly talked about or addressed. In Palestine, estimates say that around a third of the population are in need of mental health services and that Palestine has the highest rate of mental health disorders in the Middle East. These staggering statistics can broadly be attributed to the 50-year history of violence and the current political and social events in the region.

Medical experts have established a connection between trauma and declining mental health, which makes the conflict, poverty and danger in this region all the more damaging. The evidence for this link is obvious in the estimates of various mental health disorders among Palestinians. Research that has been done, although limited, suggests that upwards of 40% of Palestinians suffer from depression.

The situation becomes more alarming when it comes to children and adolescents. The same study found that 54% of boys and 46.5% of girls ages 6-12 had emotional or behavioral disorders. Specifically in the Gaza Strip, Medical Aid for Palestinians estimates that after 2009, 30% of adolescents reported symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. This figure increased to 54% after 2014. The children’s reported symptoms included flashbacks, nightmares, distressing thoughts, trouble sleeping and avoidant behavior.

Stigma

Although the need for mental health services is very high in Palestine, it remains a very under-funded sect of public health. A part of this is because of the stigma that still remains around mental disorders, which discourages acknowledging, talking about, or treating these issues. A lot of this stigma comes from religious views that say mental illness is a test or punishment by God and is something to be shameful about.

The Palestine-Israel Journal also reports that stigma also comes from core aspects of the Palestinian identity. Much of this identity is about surviving and enduring against all odds and focusing on the community overall rather than individual needs. To be mentally ill, or incapable to face trauma or endure, can be seen as contrasting with what it means to be Palestinian.

A part of this lack of mental health awareness has a specific effect on Palestinian women. A result of men facing trauma and mental health issues can often result in an increase in domestic abuse on women. It is estimated that 25% of women in the Gaza Strip have faced domestic violence or abuse at some time, either from a spouse or another family member. Women also tend to have higher rates of mental disorders than men. In Palestine in particular, the traditional patriarchal society is starting to shift as women take on a larger role in society and the home. Men are increasingly away for work and experience long travel times, and women are starting to be more politically active. These shifts can cause stress and hardship that if not treated correctly can have an adverse effect on mental health.

What Services are Currently Provided?

The current mental healthcare system lacks money, resources and proper development. The budget for mental health services is 2% of the entire budget of the Ministry of Health, and 73 % of this allotment is spent on the psychiatric hospital. Currently, in the West Bank, there are only 20 psychiatrists which is much lower than what is needed to properly help the large population.

There are also only 13 mental health clinics in the West Bank, and only one psychiatric hospital in Bethlehem. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, has built mental health centers and has helped to train teams of providers, as well as attempted to reduce the negative stigma. The WHO’s broader goal is to help develop a mental health system that focuses more on community provision of care than on in-patient services. NGOs, like Palestine Trauma Centre, Palestine Counselling Centre and Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre are also working to help the community, but operate with low funding. Many of these health providers have reported an overabundance of demand, lack of modern medications and weak management systems. In spite of this work, total services and providers still are lower than it should be and what Palestinians need.

– Claire Brady
Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About Life on the Native American Reservations

Native American ReservationsLow qualities of life exist in developing countries as well as developed countries, including the United States. Within the 326 Native American reservations in the U.S., Indigenous peoples experience unequal life conditions. Those on reservations face discrimination, violence, poverty and lack of access to education. Here are five facts about the Native American population and reservations.

5 Facts About Native Americans and Life on the Reservations

  1. Native Americans are the most impoverished ethnic group in the United States. According to a study done by Northwestern University, one-third of Native Americans live in poverty. The population has a median income of $23,000 per year and 20% of households earn less than $5,000 a year. Due to the oppression of Indigenous peoples, reservations cannot provide adequate economic opportunity. As a result, a majority of adults are unemployed. Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota has better numbers than most reservations — 43.2% of the population lives under the poverty line. However, this rate is nearly three times the national average.
  2. Native Americans have the highest risk for health complications. Across the board, Native American health is disproportionately worse than other racial groups in the United States. This population is 177% more likely to die of diabetes and 500% more likely to die from tuberculosis. Native Americans also have a 60% higher infant mortality rate when compared to Caucasians. Most Native American reservations rely on the Indian Health Service, a severely underfunded federal program that can only provide for approximately 60% of the needs of the insured. That does not account for a majority of those on the reservations. Only about 36% of Native Americans have private health care and one-third of the non-elderly remain uninsured.
  3. Native Americans, especially women, are frequently victims of violence. A study from the National Institute of Justice concluded that more than 84% of American Indian and Native Alaskan women have experienced violence in their lifetimes. These women are more likely to be victims of interracial perpetrators and are significantly more likely to suffer at the hands of intimate partners. The numbers are similarly high for men of this population. More than 80% of men admit to experiencing violence in their lifetimes. Most victims report feeling the need to reach out to legal services, but many severely lack the tools to get the help they need. A few law practicing organizations have dedicated their existence to ensuring Native American voices are heard in the legal world. Native American Rights Fund (NARF), for example, is a nonprofit organization that uses legal action to ensure the rights of Native Americans are upheld. Since its inception in 1970, NARF has helped tens of thousands of Native Americans from more than 250 tribes all over the country.
  4. Native students hold the highest national dropout rate. Conditions on reservations leave schools severely underfunded and many children are unable to attend. This delay in education leaves early childhood skills undeveloped. According to Native Hope, “Simple skills that many 5-year-olds possess like holding a crayon, looking at a book and counting to 10 have not been developed.” Inadequate education is highly reflective of Native American graduation rates. Native students have a 30% dropout rate before graduating high school, which is twice the rate of the national average. This number is worse in universities — 75% to 93% of Native American students drop out before completing their degrees. Such disparity between Native American students and their colleagues has inspired the increase in scholarships for this community. Colorado University of Boulder, for example, offers a multitude of scholarships and campus tours specifically for those of Indigenous descent. Further, the university founded the CU Upward Bound Program dedicated to inspiring and encouraging the success of its Native American students. Third-party scholarships also come from a multitude of organizations, such as the Native American College Fund and the Point Foundation.
  5. Quality of Life on Reservations is Extremely Poor. Federal programs dedicated to housing on Native American reservations are severely inadequate. Waiting lists for spaces are years long and such a wait does not guarantee adequate housing. Often, three generations of a single family live in one cramped dwelling space. The packed households frequently take in tribe members in need as well.  Additionally, most residences lack adequate plumbing, cooking facilities and air conditioning.

Help for the Reservations

The condition of these Native American reservations is receiving increased attention. Some reservations are taking matters into their own hands. Native Hope is a volunteer-based organization working to address the injustices the Native American community faces. Its commitment to the tribes has not stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. One woman from Illinois handmade more than 2,500 face masks so Indigenous children could still go to school amid COVID-19. The organization also provided 33 households with necessary groceries and personal hygiene supplies.

How to Help

Solutions to the marginalization of the Native American population have recently gained traction through the internet and social media. New and established charities alike are receiving more attention, which allows them to have stronger impacts on the Native American population.

Native American tribes have been around for hundreds of years but are only recently receiving the help they require. With continued attention and advocacy, Native Americans can one day receive the justice and equality they deserve.

– Amanda J Godfrey
Photo: Flickr

Access to Inclusive Education in Nepal

Inclusive Education in NepalNepal has made great strides to improve education on a broad scale and currently boasts a primary net enrollment rate of 97%. However, issues of inequity persist especially in terms of factors such as gender, economic status and location. A group neglected more than the average is the large population of children with disabilities in Nepal. Of the approximately 200,000 children with disabilities in Nepal, a study found that around 30.6% of them did not attend any school at all. There are also limited lesson plans for students with disabilities and those who do not attend school have very few basic skills. For these reasons, the government and various organizations are focusing on making inclusive education in Nepal a standard and not an outlier.

Implementation of Inclusive Education in Nepal

Since 2017, the Nepal government has publicly supported legislation that would combat the lack of education services for students with disabilities. In that year, Nepal created both the Disability Rights Act and the Inclusive Education Policy for Persons with Disabilities. Both aim to put a focus on the issue and ensure that no student faces discrimination in school based on their disability. In addition, the Disability Rights Act seeks to have a curriculum set by 2030 and allow students with disabilities to obtain their education in community schools or independently.

However, lack of implementation of the Act has resulted in limited success since 2017. Despite the intent of the Disability Rights Act, inclusive education in Nepal remains very sparse and tens of thousands of children with disabilities still have no prospect of receiving some form of formal education. Some of the clearest factors behind the slow change in inclusive education include:

  • Lack of funding: The Nepal government has made acquiring the funds necessary to implement change difficult for many schools. One specific rule indicates that there must be a minimum number of students with a given disability at a specific school before the school can qualify for funding. This lack of funding means that there will be less money to improve the structure of the school, such as ramps and other accessibilities that many special needs students will require.
  • Lack of educators: In line with low funding, many schools face issues training and retaining educators to teach students with disabilities. Some schools utilize “resource classes” with advanced teaching curriculums and trained teachers to cater to specific disabilities. However, the prevalence of such classes is limited, with only 380 of the roughly 30,000 schools in Nepal offering these classes to students with disabilities. Training of teachers has also been slow, and currently, Nepal faces issues ensuring that there are enough educators for these students. Often, this will mean that students with similar disabilities will receive an education in over-packed classrooms or will not secure a position in a school able to teach them.
  • Lack of materials: Lastly, many schools are still having trouble acquiring enough materials for all students with disabilities. This includes specialized equipment, braille textbooks and audio programs. Without more focus on inclusive education in Nepal’s budget, there will be no effective way to ensure schools provide for all students.

Programs Making a Difference

  1. Nepal Youth Foundation: The Nepal Youth Foundation is a scholarship organization that assists families of children with physical disabilities with the cost of boarding school. The organization is aware of the hardships in finding affordable inclusive education in Nepal, especially for the most impoverished people in the nation. The organization aims to alleviate some of the strain on Nepal families, providing financially for students with specific dietary and living requirements.
  2. Inclusive Education Initiative: Launched by the World Bank in 2019, the Inclusive Education Initiative aims to broaden inclusive education in impoverished nations, including Nepal, where it provides training and other materials. As part of the broader initiative, there is also a pilot program that has delivered an additional $2 million in funding for students with disabilities. In the coming year, the program aims to create a working response to the COVID-19 outbreak that will still allow students with disabilities to receive some education.
  3. Autism Care Nepal Society: The Autism Care Nepal Society is responsible for the creation of daycare centers focused on children and young adults with autism. This includes daily attendance at the centers, education and development assistance and adult supervision. Even now, as the COVID-19 outbreak forces children out of the center, there is still some assistance available online. While not an exact substitute for classroom education, the Society ensures that more young people with disabilities have at least some options to pursue an education.

Looking Ahead

While relief for students with disabilities has been slow to begin, it is clear that the Nepal government and outside groups are determined to find a solution. Ongoing support for inclusive education in Nepal and added funding to structural improvements and accommodating materials in the country could accelerate development across the country.

– Matthew McKee
Photo: Flickr

Combating Malaria in Mozambique Through Life-Saving Nets

Malaria in MozambiqueNearly half of all Mozambicans live in poverty, with poverty rates rising in rural areas over the past two decades. However, things in Mozambique are changing because of organizations like Malaria Consortium. This nonprofit organization works to fight communicable diseases, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. Its focuses include the treatment, prevention and control of malaria, dengue, diarrhea and more.

This is vital work, as in 2017 there were 219 million malaria cases that caused 435,000 deaths, most of which were children under 5 years of age. Malaria Consortium also helps nations develop public policy and provides expertise and training to help build capacity in healthcare systems.

Malaria Control and Prevention

A major tool that the Malaria Consortium uses is Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets or LLINs. LLINs are placed over beds and can reduce the risk of death for children under 5 by 20%. Further, widespread usage across a community can even reduce mosquito populations. The distribution of LLINs can even help those without nets over their heads at night.

LLINs are laced with insecticides that can last for years, making them a cost-effective and sustainable solution. LLINs have already had success in Mozambique: in 2017, Malaria Consortium distributed more than 1 million nets to 415,000 households in the Niassa province, where in some parts there are as few as nine inhabitants per km2.

Limited access roads frequently cause issues with the delivery of aid to rural Mozambicans. To overcome this, Malaria Consortium used a top-down approach. LLINs were distributed at the district-wide level, all the way down to the local level. Malaria Consortium credits the local government, the District Directorates, support teams, various service providers and more as critical in the delivery of the nets.

Malaria Consortium also has a focus on community outreach. It sends workers to schools to educate both children and teachers about the risks of diseases like malaria. Additionally, health workers undergo training provided by Malaria Consortium so they can better protect Mozambicans.

Through one of Malaria Consortium’s projects, significant progress was made in public awareness. The project titled Malaria Prevention and Control in Mozambique ran between 2011 and 2016 and reached more than 200,000 people. Mozambicans received vital information regarding the spread of malaria and what they can do to prevent it. This was just one of many ways Malaria Consortium is helping global health initiatives.

Looking Forward

Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Mozambique sits at an unfortunate intersection of poverty, widespread tropical diseases and insufficient healthcare. Organizations like Malaria Consortium are working to improve conditions bit by bit. Malaria mortality rates for children under five have already fallen by 34% since 2010. Much remains to be done –e specially in the face of the coronavirus pandemic — but as the distribution of LLINs continues, things are looking up.

– Evan Driscoll
Photo: Flickr

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Linking Poverty and Terrorism in Pakistan

Poverty and Terrorism in PakistanPakistan is a country in southwest Asia, with a population of about 212.2 million people. Of this population, about 24.3% of people lived below the poverty line in 2015. The country has struggled with years of terror, a poor economy and a corrupt taxation system, all leading to high rates of poverty. However, recognizing the cycle of poverty and terrorism in Pakistan, juxtaposed with recognizing the importance of assistance from the United States, highlights the importance of foreign aid.

Poverty and Terrorism in Pakistan

In Pakistan, four out of every 10 people are without essentials like food, shelter, access to healthcare and education. Furthermore, 22.5 million children are out of school, a statistic that is only worsening with the COVID-19 pandemic. Girls are especially affected as there are very few opportunities for female education or places in the workforce. Additionally, the taxation system targets those who cannot afford to pay their taxes. A whole 80% of Pakistan’s tax revenue comes from the poor, while only 5% comes from the rich. This inequality pushes the population further below the poverty line.

In addition to the poverty crisis, Pakistan has a long history of terrorism, which is a problem that only worsens humanitarian issues. The GDP is generally low for the country and has been shown to have an inverse relationship with terror-related killings. In 2010 specifically, killings were at an all-time high and the GDP plummeted. As a result, Pakistan has paid a steep price for its terrorism. Over 17 years, from 2001 to 2018, Pakistan spent almost $126.7 billion on damage involving terror-related incidents.

Importance of United States’ Involvement

While poverty and terrorism in Pakistan may seem like a Pakistani internal issue, it is not. For homefront reasons, the United States must continue to invest in Pakistan. As export income has proven, in 2019, the United States exported $2.6 billion worth of goods to Pakistan. This is crucial for the U.S. economy, as exports create a chain of supply and demand, which in turn, increases the need for more U.S. jobs. If the Pakistani economy worsens, the United States will export fewer goods, which directly impacts the U.S.

The need for the United States’ involvement goes beyond the economy though. About 8,600 U.S. troops are deployed in Afghanistan, in part due to the tense dynamic between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Many defense and security experts have implored the United States to continue working with Pakistan to improve relations with Afghanistan. Providing more foreign aid for Pakistan helps its relations with Afghanistan, which increases the possibilities of sending U.S. troops back home. Furthermore, foreign aid allows Pakistan to improve its economy by increasing security, which decreases terrorism. Decreasing terrorism in Pakistan is a national security benefit for the United States as well, thus improving both countries’ living conditions.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that works to provide global solutions to children impacted by terror and social unrest. In Pakistan, 500,000 children are internally displaced and another 1 million refugees come from Afghanistan. These high rates of homelessness are a result of the mass amounts of violence, political unrest and poor diplomatic relations with other countries. With children making up over 48% of Pakistan’s population and 38% suffering from malnutrition, children in Pakistan are overlooked.

However, Save the Children has provided solutions to help Pakistani children. It has lifted 86,000 Pakistani children out of poverty. Furthermore, the organization has worked with programs such as the National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network to train healthcare workers to provide reproductive health services. Through the Literacy Boost approach, the organization was able to increase reading comprehension by 30% for Pakistani children. Save the Children also advocates for children’s rights, educates young girls and women and provides shelter and supplies to that extreme violence most affects.

The Need for Foreign Aid to Pakistan

United States’ foreign aid helps the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan but also provides benefits for the U.S. Save the Children demonstrates the impact of U.S. humanitarian relief in impoverished countries like Pakistan. There is a critical need to continue to support Pakistan and being in a position to help people in need is reason enough.

– Alyssa Hogan
Photo: Flickr

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Torch Tile Addresses Housing for Morian Refugees

University of Southern California (USC) has a course called “Innovation In Engineering and Design for Global Crises.” As part of the class, a team of USC undergraduates visited the Moria refugee camp to learn from and engage with the displaced peoples about their experiences. The need for more livable housing was the impetus for students’ project development. The result was Torch Tile — an adaptable, low-cost, user-friendly solution to the sheltering challenges of the displaced peoples in Moria.

Living Conditions of the Sprawling Moria Refugee Camp

On the eastern coast of the Greek island of Lesvos, is the Moria refugee camp. Moria is the largest refugee camp in Europe. It is the landing pad for the daily stream of refugees fleeing from Afghanistan, Syria and Turkey via a harrowing boat trip across a six-mile stretch of the Mediterranean Sea. The camp was originally designed to shelter 3,000 people. Currently, it is overflowing with over 13,000 refugees.

Tents sprawling the foothills surrounding Moria have constituted as impermanent shelters or “homes” for these refugees. Some asylum-seekers have even established residence with flowers, hand-made tandoori ovens and power cords for hijacking electricity. Despite these additions, the tents are no match for the temperature swings of Greece’s climate. In the summers, heat waves can break 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters on the island bring lasting snow from the sea moisture. Asylum-seekers can expect to wait a year before their asylum applications are processed ensuring they will experience both extreme weather conditions.

In the past, asylum-seekers have employed cardboard and tarps in an attempt to block out the extreme cold and heat. Increasing the temperature a few degrees led to refugees living in environments with dank, humid air that condenses on the tent inner walls. Running water is only available inside of Moria, and these moist environments put asylum-seekers at risk for health complications. Many suffer from pneumonia and heat stroke, which there are limited resources with which to treat.

In stepped the Torch Tile.

The Product

After over thirty different prototypes and dozens of hours of overnight testing, the team created the Torch Tile. The users’ needs were at the forefront of the creation’s design. The product comes in 36 or 55 sq. ft. sheets that can be laid side-by-side (like tiles) to fully surround a tent. The sturdy, lightweight and flexible material of the tiles is Aluminet.

The knitted screen-like material allows for airflow, reduces indoor humidity and lets light into the tent for visibility. Secured using zip ties and draped over the tent ceiling, the Torch Tile cools the interior by deflecting outdoor heat and light on warm days. Similarly, in winter weather one layers a tarp over the Torch Tile to warm the tent by 5-15 degrees by reflecting body heat inward.

Then, the team founded Torch Global Inc., a nonprofit currently fundraising to mass produce tiles for distribution. The goal is to provide tiles for those in Moria and for the unsheltered populations in Los Angeles.

Protecting Homes during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The distribution of Torch Tiles has been paramount to enabling people to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic. One Torch Tile user from Los Angeles shared, “I have COVID and can’t isolate because my tent is too hot. This product will keep my tent cooler, so I can actually stay inside and isolate.” Recently Torch Global Inc. fundraised $13,000 for the ordering of 1,500 more Torch Tiles — protection for 1,500 more people in their homes.

The collective, global mobilization and coordination of resources necessary to resolve the refugee crisis in Greece is unlikely to occur soon enough. Even when it is, situations and conflicts will likely displace more people in the future, and asylum-seekers living in tents will be inevitable. By thermo-regulating shelters, Torch Tiles alleviate one aspect of refugees’ vulnerability and address the downstream effects of displacement.

– Tricia Lim Castro
Photo: Flickr

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Members of Congress Advocating for Foreign Aid

Congress advocating for foreign aidThere is plenty of debate on the significance of foreign aid as well as a lot of misconceptions. John F. Kennedy once said regarding foreign aid, “…our economic obligations as the wealthiest people in a world of largely poor people, as a nation no longer dependent upon the loans from abroad that once helped us develop our own economy – and our political obligations as the single largest counter to the adversaries of freedom.” Although foreign support is met with resistance from some, the majority of Congress and its constituents see the importance. According to a Chicago Council survey in 2019, 69% of Americans thought it would be best for the U.S. to take an active part in world affairs. However, 30% thought the U.S. should not be involved at all. Despite attempts to cut the budget and its value put in question, there are many members of Congress advocating for foreign aid.

U.S. Foreign Aid

Foreign aid is funding allocated from the United States’ budget for global health programs. It also goes towards U.S. military training, United Nations peacekeeping and global development assistance. There are many aspects in which U.S. foreign aid is beneficial to the entire world. For example, foreign aid increases national security. U.S. foreign aid does this by helping alleviate the poor conditions that lead to terrorism by stabilizing poverty-stricken and conflicted countries.

When other countries are doing well, there is more exchange for American goods and the increase of global trade partners. Giving aid to others also improves our nation’s diplomacy and higher position in world leadership.

According to most opinion polls, Americans think about 25% of the U.S. budget goes to foreign assistance. However, in reality, it’s significantly less. In 2018, the United States allocated an estimated $46.89 billion to foreign aid which is only about 1% of the total federal funds. Many political leaders are aiming to protect and increase the foreign assistance budget. Here are just a few of the many members of Congress advocating for foreign aid.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH

One of the members of Congress advocating for foreign aid is Senator Shaheen. She is currently serving as the senior United States senator from New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen is also a member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations. She advocates for a strong and clear foreign policy to restore and sustain global relations and national security. She co-sponsored The Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act of 2009. This is a bill aiming to make U.S. foreign assistance more effective and transparent.

Shaheen also raised concerns about foreign aid budget cuts. She said there is too much humanitarian work needed in the world right now.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ

Senator Menendez served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the 113th Congress and is now a ranking member. He is serving as Senator of New Jersey and has a reputation for his global leadership and staunch commitment to helping others. While Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he sought to modernize foreign policy and give substantial support to the most vulnerable; always advocating for the underdog. In regards to cutting the foreign aid budget, he equated it to cutting funding for human rights and democracy which he states doesn’t speak to the nation’s core values.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL

Currently serving as a Majority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and senator of Florida, Senator Rubio has advocated the importance of bolstering foreign aid and foreign affairs stating, “foreign policy is domestic policy”. For instance, Senator Rubio has been noted to advocate for global engagement through foreign aid. In acknowledgment of past suggested budget cuts, he responded that retreating from global engagement is bad for national security and our economy.

Strengthening the Foreign Aid Budget

The many members of Congress advocating for foreign aid understand the importance of protecting and maintaining a healthy budget for foreign assistance. Foreign policy is a non-partisan interest and it benefits the entire world. Foreign policy is not charity, it is imperative for the nation’s diplomacy, security and economy. For all developed countries and global leaders, assisting developing nations is also a matter of human rights. It also concerns maintaining peace and prosperity for all. In conclusion, when we help others, we help ourselves.

– Tara Hudson
Photo: Unsplash

3 Organizations Promoting Swim Instruction in Africa

Swim Instruction in AfricaThink Global Health recently conducted an interview with Olive Kobusingye, the Executive Director at the Injury Control Center in Uganda, addressing drowning and drowning-related injuries happening in Africa. “There are many risk factors that congregate around these communities [that] result in high rates of drowning,” she mentioned, “…a majority of people here are actually drowning away from their homes, and they are young adults.” According to this interview, half of the Africans who regularly use or work on lakes do not know how to swim, resulting in high injury and mortality rates among not only young children but working citizens.

According to the World Health Organization, there are an estimated 320,000 global deaths by drowning annually, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization lists Africa as having the highest rate of drowning in the world, with the region accounting for 20% of drownings worldwide. In response to these harrowing statistics, these three organizations are making efforts to expand swim instruction in Africa, with hopes to eliminate the danger that bodies of water present for a large percentage of the African population.

3 Organizations Promoting Swim Instruction in Africa

  1. The Help Africa Swim Foundation – The Help Africa Swim Foundation identifies itself as, “a small organization with big ambitions.” The organization teaches necessary swimming and fitness skills through an integration of local customs and traditions, providing enrolled Africans with a culturally-relevant swimming education. This organization sees swimming as, not only a life-saving skill but a therapeutic activity that is capable of promoting joy and encouraging physical and mental development. One of the organization’s major projects is The Swim Education Foundation of Gambia. With 11.5% of Gambia being water, 99.3% of the population cannot swim. Professions in fishing, lifeguarding and water sports are unable to be carried out properly, as many workers have little to no swimming experience. The Help Africa Swim Foundation looks at swimming as a skill that both improves the safety and wellbeing of families and bolsters the region’s workforce.

  2. Swim Strong Foundation in Africa – Since 2007, the Swim Strong Foundation has provided more than 10,000 people with swim instruction and safety courses. Priding themselves in promoting attributes such as discipline, goal setting and commitment, the Swim Strong Foundation is on a mission to save lives through water safety education and classes. This foundation has recently expanded swim instruction in Africa, conducting lessons throughout Rwanda and Kenya. The Swim Strong Foundation also includes out-of-water training as well. The organization’s “Know Before You Go” series is a course that emphasizes the dangers of water and steps people can take to ensure safety for all.

  3. Swimming South Africa – Based in South Africa, the Swimming South Africa organization provides a plethora of opportunities, from a water polo league to a disabled swimming program. The Education and Training Unit of Swimming South Africa is one of the most transformative services that the organization provides. With a thorough instructor training program, Swimming South Africa emphasizes comprehensive swim programs that prioritize water safety. The organization targets not only children but adults in these courses, as they believe that “it is essential that as many adults as possible receive water safety education…this premise will make it easier for children to be keen on taking part in aquatics.” The organization realizes that in order to drastically improve swimming rates in Africa, the mindset of adult Africans toward swimming and the need for swim education needs to positively shift.

Looking Forward

Although expanding swim instruction in Africa will not completely eradicate drownings, studies suggest that formal swim instruction reduces drowning rates among 1 to 4-year-old children, as well as reduces the risk of drowning among the adult population. With a continued effort to promote swim and water safety education, these organizations hope to see a severe decline in Africa’s high drowning rates, as well as improved life-saving water practices throughout the region.

– Karli Stone
Photo: Flickr

5 Films from Africa that Will Change the Way You Look at Poverty

Films from AfricaIn the age of digitalization, film is quickly becoming one of the most popular and accessible forms of art. As cameras and filmmaking equipment become increasingly universal and affordable, filmmakers from around the world are able to use film as an expression of culture and art. In particular, the expansion of film is transforming how the world views Africa, as cinema serves an agent in expressing the reality of issues Africa is facing. Below are five films from Africa that will challenge the way you look at poverty, not only within the region but as poverty as a whole.

5 Films from Africa that Will Change the Way You Look at Poverty

The First Grader – This film is a 2010 biographical-drama that is based on the true story of a Kenyan farmer named Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge. As an illiterate member of the Kikuyu tribe, Mr. Maruge enrolls in public school at the age of 84 following the Kenyan government’s order for free universal education in 2003. Daniel Battsek, a National Geographic Entertainment prexy, commented that this film “is not only about historical political events, but it tells a personal story with great warmth and humor.” The First Grader balances telling a story of poverty through an image of tribal struggle and illiteracy, all while painting an intricate view of Kenya and its people.

Neria – The highest-grossing film in Zimbabwe’s history focuses on a recent widower named Neria. Living in a small village still under the grip of ancient traditions, Neria is stripped of her farm and belongings and cast aside by her family after the death of her husband. Director Godwin Mawuru challenges the narrow view the world has of Africa by infusing themes of feminism, family dynamics and the defiance of culture.

Big Men – This film tells a story of corporate oil firms working off of the coast of Ghana in 2007. The documentary beautifully juxtaposes corporate big men in suits profiting off of these resources with African citizens living in poverty and experiencing the effects of exploitation and greed. This piece of cinema has been applauded by The New York Times as a “cool and incisive snapshot of global capitalism at work”. “Big Men” is sure to challenge not only viewers’ perceptions of poverty but their beliefs about the causes behind it.

Tsotsi – This South African production is a crime drama set in the slums of Johannesburg. The protagonist is a street criminal who unintentionally kidnaps a baby while stealing a car. The film is saturated in empathy and warmth as the young criminal is transformed and softened by the helplessness of a baby. Winning an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, “Tsotsi” extends beyond a story of poverty and despair and into one of hope. It humanizes the delinquent and breathes life into the hopeless.

Stealing Africa – This documentary highlights corruption in the copper mining industry in Zambia. Essentially all of Zambia’s copper mines are owned and operated by large corporations, and within the last ten years, they have extracted $29 billion in copper. Yet, Zambia remains one of the top 20 poorest countries in the world. Zambia is home to the third-largest reserves of copper in the world, while 80% of their population is unemployed and 60% live on less than a dollar a day. “Stealing Africa” is one of the many films from Africa that uses corporate greed and exploitation to explain why poverty remains prevalent in the country despite an abundance of resources.

 

These films from Africa provide an elaborate and complex layer to poverty that is sure to challenge many stereotypes that Western society holds about what life looks like in the region. To appreciate international cinema as a means to assert and express culture, tradition, and socio-economic conditions is to have an open-mind towards accurately understanding diversity and poverty.

– Karli Stone
Photo: Flickr