5 Poverty-Fighting NGOs in Mali

NGOs in MaliMali is a country located in the Sahel region of West Africa, home to 21 million people. According to the World Bank’s measurements, the Sahel is one of the only regions in the world where poverty is on the rise, and Mali is no different from its neighbors. 44.6% of the population lives below the national poverty line and 19.1% under the international poverty line of $2.15. Factors such as growing regional instability and a continuing insurrection in Mali’s northern province explain this growth in extreme poverty. Nevertheless, in the face of this great challenge, different organizations have multiplied their efforts to stem the tide and fight against the increasing misery. This article presents five such NGOs in Mali.

5 NGOs in Mali

  1. GAIA Vaccine Foundation – Since its foundation in Rhode Island in 2001, the GAIA Vaccine Foundation has fought to reduce the incidence of contagious diseases in Mali through vaccination campaigns for those most in need. The foundation has created four main sectors for its programs: education, prevention, access to care and vaccination. With the support of several U.S.-based organizations, including the U.S. embassy in Mali, it has achieved outstanding results, with more than 1,300 pregnant women receiving HIV treatment in 2020 or vaccinating 750 little girls against HPV. The GAIA Vaccine Foundation is a clear example of an NGO in Mali with international backing working to improve people’s lives and contribute to the international fight against poverty.
  2. A Child For All – ACFA began its operations in late 2008, founded as a local initiative to fight against child poverty and injustice in Mali. Today, it maintains this goal with the four main pillars of its operations: shelter, nutrition, education and health care for its children. Its operation provides these four services in its installations and through the support of professionals in each field. Among its main achievements lies the creation of a safe house complex in the village of Zorokoro, which now houses 30 children in need between the ages of 3-18.
  3. Ouelessebougou Alliance – The Ouelessebougou Alliance became the first Utah-based NGO to start operations in Mali in 1986. Its activities focus on its namesake region of Ouelessebougou and has taken a different, more inclusive approach towards its aid programs. They focus on collaboration with the local community to aid them in solving what they identify as their most urgent needs sustainably. Programs such as Preventative Health or Continuing Education have proven successful. The combined results of the programs include the vaccination of more than 14,600 women and children, the training of more than 50 health professionals, the enrollment of more than 2,000 students and 12 partnerships with educational institutions throughout the region. The Ouelessebougou alliance proves that NGOs in Mali can impact the fight against poverty.
  4. Cordaid – Cordaid is the result of a unification process of several Dutch NGOs in 2000. They expanded their operations to Mali in 2009, opening their headquarters of the West Africa division in the Malian capital of Bamako. Since then, Cordaid has been working in the field to promote local job creation, aid in conflict prevention and help reduce the impact of contagious diseases. Cordaid has achieved this goal with remarkable efficacy, with more than 32,000 farmers provided with training, 5,100 jobs created and 48,000 people increasing their income just in 2020. Cordaid is an established and respected actor in Mali and aids the local population effectively.
  5. The Alliance for International Medical Action – ALIMA, the Alliance for International Medical Action, opened its doors in 2009 in Niger to reduce child mortality and malnutrition. Nowadays, its operations span 14 countries, including Mali. Operations in Mali started in 2011 and have since achieved commendable results. In 2022, the alliance vaccinated more than 540,000 people against COVID-19, trained 153 health professionals, supplied 40 health centers, treated more than 11,000 cases of infant malnutrition and provided 153,000 medical consultations to those in need. These results illustrate how, even in the most dire of situations, a little aid can impact thousands of lives.

Prospects for the Future

While Mali’s situation might be worsening, the actions of the aforementioned NGOs prove that localized success is possible and that the fight to end poverty is not a lost cause. In the despair of poverty, these NGOs bring hope to those most in need.

– Daniel Pereda
Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Syria

Charities Operating in Syria
Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war which to date has claimed more than 230,000 civilians. The destruction of Syria’s economy and society means that today, 90% of its population lives in poverty. Here are five charities operating in Syria currently working to change this.

5 Charities Operating in Syria

  1.  Syrian Arab Red Crescent: Founded in 1942 and admitted into the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1946, the organization supports the victims of conflict in Syria. In 2022 alone, in collaboration with the ICRC, the organization helped repair vital infrastructure that war destroyed. This included giving 16.5 million people improved access to clean water, and 447,000 better reach to health care services.
  2. Islamic Relief Worldwide: The faith-based organization, Islamic Relief Worldwide, is one of the largest operating in Syria today. Its program includes distributing food aid, supporting social services and assisting refugees who have moved beyond Syria. Since 2012, more than 3 million people have received food packages through Islamic Relief’s Ramadan and Qurbani distributions.
  3. Save the Children: War has left 2.5 million school-aged children out of school, and a further 1.6 million at risk of dropping out. Save the Children are providing temporary learning pathways, to ensure Syrian children receive the quality education needed for them to ultimately re-enter formal education opportunities. It also works with community members to enhance knowledge about child protection and strengthen community-based systems.
  4. Christian Aid: Another faith-based charity, Christian Aid has been operating in the country since 2015. It played a key role in the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to distribute more than 8,000 hygiene kits to camps in the northwest of the country. Alongside this, it has worked with the European Union on a project: “Creating Alternative Futures: educating Syrian adolescents.” This has involved setting up four community centers as safe spaces for young people through education, psychological support and community involvement.
  5. International Rescue Committee (IRC): More than half of all Syrians are displaced from their homes, making Syria the world’s largest displacement crisis. With teams in both Syria and the neighboring countries of Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon, the International Rescue Committee has been able to reach close to 1.2 million people. Its work has included training health workers to manage cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as creating safe spaces for women and girls who have been victims of trauma and violence.

Looking Ahead

 While the Syrian civil war has had a destructive effect on its population, these charities operating in Syria have been working hard to improve the lives of ordinary Syrians. With current UN estimates suggesting that 13.1 million Syrians are in need of assistance, its work will continue to be vital moving forward. 

– Jack Arrowsmith
Photo: Flickr

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Treat People With Kindness: Harry Styles’ Recent Charitable Efforts

Treat people with kindnessIn a world often marked by self-interest, few figures stand out as beacons of compassion and change. However, the British singer and songwriter Harry Styles’ commitment to making a positive impact on the world has become as notable as his musical talents. Beyond his artistry, Styles has consistently demonstrated a profound dedication to philanthropy, embodying his personal mantra: “Treat people with kindness.” While Styles has a history of charitable efforts, his recent endeavors underscore the breadth of his commitment to creating a better world.

Responding to Crisis

In April 2020, amidst the global uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Harry Styles unveiled a gesture that resonated deeply with his “Treat people with kindness” ethos. He released a t-shirt featuring the message “Stay Home. Stay Safe. Protect Each Other.” on the front and “This T-shirt fights COVID-19. Treat people with kindness.” on the back. All proceeds from the shirt sales were directed to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Fund. Styles aptly reminded his fans of the power of human connection during challenging times, urging those who could, to contribute and support the fight against the pandemic.

In that same year, Styles extended his support to the Black Lives Matter Movement, advocating for change and justice. He made significant donations to help post bail for arrested organizers and shared a resounding call to action: “Look inwards, educate yourself and others. LISTEN, READ, SHARE, DONATE and VOTE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. BLACK LIVES MATTER.”

MusiCares Charity Relief Auctions

In a testament to his belief in the healing power of music, Styles donated a signed Gibson guitar to the MusiCares Charity Relief Auction in 2020, where it became one of the top-selling items at $28,125. MusiCares, a foundation that supports musicians in times of hardship, benefited from the proceeds. Styles’ dedication to fellow artists and the music community echoed his commitment to kindness and solidarity.

Styles continued his support through another MusiCares auction in 2022 by offering another signed guitar, along with a signed copy of his hit song ‘Watermelon Sugar’ and exclusive photos from its music video shoot. Through these contributions, Styles reinforced his dedication to fostering a resilient music industry.

Music as a Catalyst for Change

In 2022, Styles collaborated with Apple Music for a commercial. However, he agreed to participate on the condition that his payment for the ad would be entirely donated to the International Rescue Committee. This organization addresses global humanitarian crises, extending a helping hand to those affected by major conflicts and disasters. Styles’ decision exemplified his conviction that art and compassion should intertwine for the greater good.

Harry Styles’ benevolence extends to the heart of his music — his tour, “Love on Tour,” stands as both a celebration of his artistry and a platform for philanthropic action. Having raised over $6.5 million for various charitable causes, including but not limited to Save the Children, CARE and Rebuild Foundation, the tour serves as a testament to the communal spirit that Styles cultivates among his fans. At his final performance in 2023, Styles expressed gratitude for the atmosphere of togetherness his fans created, reaffirming the transformative power of music and kindness.

Harry Styles’ journey from a chart-topping artist to a champion of compassion exemplifies the potential for celebrities to wield their influence for good. His motto, “Treat people with kindness,” is more than just words — it’s a call to action that he embodies through his charitable efforts. Styles’ recent initiatives, coupled with his consistent past contributions, underscore his belief in the collective strength of humanity. In a world that often craves inspiration, Harry Styles serves as a shining example of how a simple message can spark meaningful change.

– Mari Caitlin Riggles
Photo: Flickr

4 Charities Operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Charities Operating in the Democratic Republic of the CongoBy 2030, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will have the second-highest number of people who are living in extreme poverty (on less than $2.15 per day) in the world. Because so many of the world’s extremely poor will be living in the DRC, poverty reduction efforts in the DRC are increasingly crucial.

Fortunately, although a great deal of work remains to be done, there are already charities doing excellent work to alleviate extreme poverty in the DRC. Here are the top four charities operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including their ratings by charity watch groups and the needs they are addressing. 

Doctors Without Borders

Severe conflict and instability have pervaded the DRC since the 1960s. This violence has created an overwhelming need for health care while simultaneously making it incredibly difficult for humanitarian organizations to operate safely in the area. Doctors Without Borders is leading the medical charge by operating in some of the most dangerous regions of the DRC and providing both physical and psychological care to the people in the war-torn eastern area of the country. They also provide other life-saving necessities (such as water and cooking kits) to people in the areas they are in. In 2022, Doctors Without Borders:

    • Was the first to respond to last year’s cholera outbreak in the DRC.  
    • Fought a measles flare-up and vaccinated two million children against measles.
    • Administered 2,116,500 outpatient consultations. 
    • Treated 757,800 malaria cases. 
    • Fought HIV, tuberculosis and malnutrition.

Doctors Without Borders has a 98% score on Charity Navigator and a Platinum status on GuideStar.

ABFEC/Action Kivu

The second of the four charities operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ABFEC began with a single couple who live in the DRC. Nevertheless, it now transforms the lives of people affected by violence in the area. As it grew, Action Kivu was developed to support the important work that ABFEC is doing. ABFEC teaches local women entrepreneurial skills and sustainable agricultural techniques while educating the community about HIV/AIDs. Additionally, ABFEC established the Peace School, which teaches nonviolence and is open to disadvantaged children. Although this organization had humble beginnings, it is doing great work in the community.

Action Kivu by the numbers: 

  • More than 300 women have been provided with vocational education through ABFEC’s programs.
  • 100% of Peace School’s high school seniors in 2023 passed the national exam required for them to graduate, outpacing all other schools in the region.
  • 1,400 people were tested for HIV.

Action Kivu charity has a Charity Navigator rating of 97% and a GuideStar rating of Silver.

Eastern Congo Initiative

The Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) is the third of the four charities operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ECI addresses the DRC’s ongoing conflict by fighting to reform three areas of life: security, maternal and newborn care and economic opportunities within the DRC. If these issues are properly addressed, the DRC will be well on its way to becoming a stable state. The initiative focuses on advocacy work for the DRC within the U.S., with the goal of bringing the country’s unique issues to the forefront and the light. The ECI also attempts to bridge gaps in information about the DRC’s issues so that a lack of information will not reduce the help that the DRC receives. Further, it assists the people of the DRC by providing grants to local organizations so that they can make a difference in their communities. 

In 2021-2022, the Eastern Congo Initiative: 

  • Started five centers to legally support displaced people. 
  • Helped start two businesses in the DRC. 
  • Delivered emergency aid after Mt. Nyiragongo erupted.
  • Provided 58 million liters of clean water to people living in the DRC.

The Eastern Congo Initiative has a 97% Charity Navigator rating and a Gold rating on GuideStar.

The Panzi Foundation

Various armed groups that are fighting in the DRC consistently use rape as a weapon. The Panzi Foundation provides holistic care to the women affected by conflict-related rape in one hospital. This Congo-specific organization has been in operation since 1999, and its methodology has four main elements covering physical, social, economic and legal care. 

The Panzi Foundation’s impact by the numbers: 

  • 85,000 women have been treated by the hospital since it opened. 
  • 3,500 babies are delivered by the hospital per year. 
  • The Panzi hospital has a 99.1% live birth rate. 
  • Almost 500,000 people have been treated for non-specific health issues.  

The Panzi Foundation has a 92% rating on Charity Navigator and a Platinum rating on GuideStar.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces many challenges on the road to reducing its high levels of extreme poverty. However, because so many of the world’s poor are set to reside in the DRC by 2030, focusing on the DRC is critical to reducing global poverty. Doctors Without Borders, the Panzi Foundation, Eastern Congo Initiative and Action Kivu are four charities operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fight poverty and its contributing factors in the DRC. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the organizations that are already in the DRC are doing fantastic work. 

– Abigail Leland 
Photo: Flickr

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Burna Boy’s History of Charity Work in Nigeria

Burna BoyRenowned Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy is actively contributing to the betterment of his homeland, Nigeria. In celebration of his 2021 Grammy win for Best Global Music Album with “Twice as Tall,” he generously provided food packages to 300 families in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Burna Boy is committed to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including extreme poverty and issues of police brutality. He actively supports charitable endeavors, such as the Global Citizen’s Demand Equity campaign based in the United States (U.S.). Additionally, he has established the Project Protect fund, which focuses on assisting protesters wrongfully detained in cases of police brutality. Through these efforts, Burna Boy is making a significant impact on his country and advocating for positive change.

In reference to his charity work, Burna Boy also released his very own 16-minute documentary in December 2022 called “Whiskey” about the pollution and poverty affecting his Nigerian hometown of Port Harcourt that features interviews with locals about how crude oil waste has polluted the city’s water and its negative effects on the health of the local population and is in collaboration with the Nigerian charity Reach Every Available Communal Household (R.E.A.C.H.), which will donate all of its proceeds to help provide the community itself with food, clean water, medication and other necessities in general.

Burna Boy’s Comments on His Documentary

At a screening of the documentary “Whiskey” in December 2022, Burna Boy commented that the run-down way that the Nigerian area of Port Harcourt looks in the film is the same type of environment that people from where he is from live in every day of the year. Additionally, he also stated that he hopes the accompanying song he made for the film, titled “Whiskey,” which centers on the area’s problems with poverty and pollution, helps bring forth change and awareness relating to the area itself and other places around the world that are suffering from extreme poverty in general, such as other parts of Africa and the Caribbean.

Burna Boy’s Thoughts on Police Brutality in Nigeria

In response to the surge in incidents of police brutality in Nigeria in October 2020, which reignited calls for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian police force, Burna Boy conveyed his stance on the matter via Twitter. He asserted that police brutality has been a persistent issue in Nigeria, resulting in harm and loss of life among its citizens. Burna Boy emphasized his commitment to leveraging his platform to advocate for his fellow countrymen, striving to bring about meaningful progress and change within his homeland.

What’s Next?

Burna Boy is still standing up for his country of Nigeria by combating its pollution, immense poverty and police brutality to lead the country down a path of progress.

– Deon Roberts
Photo: Flickr

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The USAID Budget for 2024

The USAID Budget for 2024
In March 2023, the President released a Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, reserving $63.1 billion for foreign aid, as well as $32 billion specifically for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The USAID Budget for 2024 is an important step up, with an increase of $3 billion, or roughly 10% from the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. This allows the agency to further address the important development goals that it has set, bettering the lives of those globally and domestically.

The Budget

The USAID Budget for 2024 addresses a wide range of topics with regard to global poverty and quality of life. The largest portion of this budget is reserved for food security and humanitarian aid, $10.5 billion to address rising crises and natural disasters around the world as well as $1.11 billion to Feed the Future to address food insecurity throughout the world, specifically Ukraine.

With the war in Ukraine, more than 14 million families have had to flee their homes and cities from February 2022 to February 2023. This has had an increasingly detrimental effect on Ukraine’s economy, which shrunk by roughly 30% last year, forcing millions into food and economic insecurity. The USAID budget reserves an additional $522 million to address the food and economic insecurity in Ukraine. 

Additionally, the budget aims to address health insecurity, which is an important part of addressing global poverty, with $4.1 billion for USAID programs aimed at addressing health issues around the globe, where vaccines and prenatal care may be difficult to find. 

Implementation

This money is deployed in a variety of ways, and implementation is an important aspect of the USAID Budget for 2024. Feed the Future, which is administered by USAID, works to reduce food security in 20 countries throughout the world. In many of the world’s developing countries, agriculture is integral to food security as well as the economy, and resiliency is imperative to feed rural communities. Feed the Future’s efforts in Mali, where 80% of the country relies on agriculture in some form, including improving resiliency through supplying better seeds for farmers as well as improved water conservation, can make sure that farmers can continue to earn a living, feed their families and feed the community. These efforts have been extremely successful, and in 2021, more than 2 million children under 5 were helped through Feed the Future’s efforts in Mali.

Since the beginning of the war, USAID has spent more than $1.4 billion on humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people. One of these ongoing efforts is the AGRI-Ukraine initiative. AGRI-Ukraine is meant to provide assistance to farmers, who may have difficulty growing, storing and transporting their crops due to the war. This will help maintain an important sector of the economy, as well as assist in feeding millions of Ukrainians. An additional, often overlooked, impact of the war is access to important, life-saving medications for Ukrainian citizens. USAID efforts have helped to ensure that Ukrainians still have access to those medicines. 

Outlook

USAID’s efforts throughout the world have been imperative in helping many efforts to eliminate global poverty. It has addressed food, health and economic insecurity throughout the world, ensuring that millions of the world’s poor have access to lifesaving medications, inventions and technologies. This helps to reduce poverty globally, while also working towards U.S. interests around the world. The USAID Budget for 2024 will ensure that these efforts are able to continue in full.

– John Rooney
Photo: Flickr

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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Poverty Reduction in South Africa

Poverty Reduction in South AfricaIn 2015, all United Nations (U.N.) members adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which outlines 17 Goals in an urgent call to action by all states. The primary focus was on poverty reduction, sustainability, hygiene education and quality education. In 2019, the South African government finalized the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2020-25, which includes a multidisciplinary approach to tackling poverty in South Africa through consultation with civil society, academia, the private sector and others.

No Poverty

Goal 1, No Poverty, is a priority for many nations because of its pressing nature. Goal 1 includes eradicating all extreme poverty, to ensure people are living on at least $1.25, the benchmark, per day. In South Africa, there has been concern, as elsewhere in the continent, that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more people into poverty and has created more inequality between the rich and the poor.

The World Bank estimates that poverty in South Africa was 63% in 2022, based on the upper-middle-income country poverty line. Severe electricity shortages caused by ‘power rationing’ by the government of up to nine hours per day have also impacted and halted the economy since many sectors such as IT, water and service delivery cannot function. Alongside this, South Africa’s history of Apartheid still lingers today through inequality and poverty. For example, the 2020 multidimensional poverty report by UNICEF revealed that Black children were almost seven times more likely to live in poverty.

Taking Action

The South African government has taken some steps toward poverty reduction in South Africa. In 2012, the government adopted Vision 2030, a National Development Plan (NDP) aiming to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. In the NDP, 74% of the SDG targets are directly addressed, showing a good alignment of the plan in tackling poverty in South Africa.

Focus areas of the National Development Plan included poverty reduction in South Africa, alongside the creation of employment and sustainability. The government administered financial assistance to around 17 million people, including grants to pensions, child support, disability and more, within the NDP. Despite these attempts, poverty continues to persist.

The Intervention of Charity Organizations

Charities have also been extremely important in realizing and helping to implement the SDGs. The Borgen Project spoke with Iris Salemi, an International Intern for the charity Where Rainbows Meet, who spent a month working in South Africa and witnessing first-hand the impact of poverty. Where Rainbows Meet provides weekly computer, sewing, gardening and business lessons, alongside CV and child education workshops to increase the employability of young people in the Vrygrond area in Cape Town. Daily power cuts have hindered the ability of charities such as Where Rainbows Meet to carry out crucial work that impacts poverty reduction in South Africa. For example, charities cannot provide computers during power cuts, the kitchen is out of use and the education programs cannot happen without electrical power. For Iris, charities need more government support in order to fight unemployment in a community-based manner.

Other charities also operate and work to reduce poverty in South Africa with the SDGs in mind. These include Nkosi’s Haven, which supports HIV-infected mothers and children through residential and holistic care and provides education to affected communities. For example, it developed Nkosi’s Haven Village, a 2.5-acre plot of land south of Johannesburg that accommodates 22 mothers and 121 children. Operation Hunger also operates in the country and provides food parcels all over South Africa for the most vulnerable. While these are just a few examples, they show the meaningful and crucial ongoing work to address poverty-related issues in South Africa in line with the SDGs.

The Interlinkage of the SDGs

The connection and overlapping of the SDGs are extremely important in addressing multidimensional poverty. For example, quality education (Goal 4) is linked to reducing poverty (Goal 1), as is decent work (Goal 8) and reduced inequalities (Goal 10). Salemi outlined this during her work in the Vrygrond community, saying that “tackling youth education is, as I see it, the most effective way to fight poverty”.

In South Africa, the 2020 multidimensional poverty report revealed that, as of 2021, 50% of individuals aged 15 to 24 were without employment. In her research, Salemi discovered that many individuals grappled with issues related to self-confidence, belief in their abilities and a lack of understanding about what constitutes success. For instance, some young learners struggled to discern the value of education, while others found themselves drawn into negative influences such as gangs. Additional factors contributing to this predicament encompass subpar educational opportunities and skill development, insufficient career guidance within educational institutions and the financial burdens associated with job-seeking, particularly for those residing in rural regions.

Where Rainbows Meet set up workshops in order to help more young people realize their ambitions and see their own value. With better work opportunities and quality education, there is hope for achieving poverty reduction. The role of the government and the work local charities do are consequently imperative in helping South Africa achieve the SDGs.

Taytin’s Experience

The interlinkage of the SDGs is shown in the case of Taytin, whom Iris met during her internship. Coming from a family engaged in drugs and gangs, Taytin’s only option to avoid engagement in this was the street, where he, his brother and father spent all of Taytin’s childhood. Taytin went to Where Rainbows Meet and is now a computer teacher at the charity, and Iris states, “he has helped so many kids and so many adults find a brighter path.” This personal story allows one to observe the importance of achieving the SDGs, all of which influence each other.

Looking Ahead

The pursuit of the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a complex and urgent task. Exacerbated by the pandemic, its historical inequalities and electricity shortages, South Africa faces challenges in reducing poverty. Charities have made meaningful and impactful strides toward addressing poverty-related issues, in line with the SDGs. In addressing poverty and implementing the framework necessary for its alleviation, South Africa can work toward meeting many of the other SDGs simultaneously, as underscored by the work of charities in the country.

– Rosie Lyons
Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Aiding People in Guatemala

Aiding People in GuatemalaSeveral organizations are aiding people in Guatemala through efforts that focus on health, water, sanitation, food, housing and education. These efforts are vital considering that “Simulations for 2019 suggest that about 54[%] of the population was below the poverty line, only slightly below the 55.4[%] in 2014, the last official poverty estimate,” according to the World Bank.

3 Organizations Making a Difference in Guatemala

  1. Many Hopes. This organization, established in Boston, equips disadvantaged children in several countries, including Guatemala, to become adults who can break cycles of poverty. Many Hopes partners with global leaders and other organizations to provide education, shelter and health care to vulnerable children. Currently, Many Hopes gives 22 abused and orphaned Guatemalan children a safe place to live. These vulnerable children are referred to the organization by “local community and government agencies that are part of a network who coordinate with local police,” the Many Hopes website says. The organization also runs an onsite elementary school that provides education to 160 disadvantaged Guatemalan children and also provides scholarships for college and opportunities for vocational training. According to the World Bank, Guatemala ranks in the top 10 for the highest under-5 child malnutrition rates globally, at a staggering 47%. In light of this, Many Hopes provides medical care and food to ensure the well-being and nutrition of young children in Guatemala. The children under the organization’s care receive holistic assistance that covers all areas of development, including mental and emotional well-being.
  2. Water For People. Water For People is an international nonprofit based in Denver and established in 1991. The organization constructs piped water supply systems and partners with governments to train communities to maintain these developments over time. The organization began working in Guatemala in 1997 in the disadvantaged state of El Quiché. In Guatemala, Water For People collaborates with the One Drop Foundation to use social art to promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The Water For People website interviewed Teresa, a water leader in one of the villages of El Quiché. “Many people came together to get us to the point of having water,” says Teresa. Teresa remembers walking half an hour to get water from a small well, which was often contaminated. Where rural access to basic water services is 44%, sometimes there is not enough water due to high demand. Teresa wanted more for her three daughters; she did not want them to undertake unsafe journeys on foot to collect water. Teresa began to advocate for the families in her small, forested town who had lived years without running water in their homes. It was all thanks to her outreach efforts that water inadequacy issues caught the eye of Water For People and the local government. Through the support of Water for People and the local government, the local community participated in building a water system that now benefits 200 people in the community.
  3. Cooperative for Education. Cooperative for Education, more commonly known as CoEd, partners locally with educators and families to break the cycle of poverty through high-quality educational opportunities. Established in the early 1990s, CoEd has served more than 278,000 Guatemalan students through its programs. This influential organization in Guatemala is aiding people in Guatemala by running sustainable programs that aim to bridge Guatemala’s educational gaps. Ninety percent of rural Guatemalan schools do not have access to textbooks; CoEd helps schools build financially self-sustaining textbook rental programs. Additionally, CoEd’s Spark Reading Program ensures children learn at double the rate of a traditional classroom. CoEd also offers a Computer Program as an opportunity for students to gain technological skills to enhance their future prospects considering that about  60% of entry-level jobs in Guatemala require computer skills. Ninety-five percent of graduates continue their education past high school or go on to find a job. In Guatemala where 90% of impoverished people cannot read or write, according to the CoEd website, 80% of participants of CoEd’s Rise Program find a job or continue their education beyond high school. And, more than 50% of these graduates also help their siblings out of poverty by funding their siblings’ education.

With missions surrounding health, water sanitation and education, Many Hopes, Water For People and CoEd are influential organizations aiding people in Guatemala by helping to break cycles of poverty.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Unsplash

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5 Anti-Poverty Charities Operating in Colombia

Charities Operating in Colombia
Anti-poverty improving health care or the education system, or simply building infrastructure and low-cost housing for people living below the poverty line. The World Bank reports that 19.6 million (or roughly 39.3%) of the Colombian population lives below the national poverty line. 

This shows the importance of the nonprofit organizations working within the country; they contribute heavily to improving the Colombian way of life. Here are five charities operating in Colombia.

5 Anti-Poverty Charities Operating in Colombia

  1. Fundación OCMAES – The OCMAES foundation is a nonprofit working to improve academic standards and encourage academic pursuits domestically in Colombia. The organization operates on the principle that a “positive transformation of a country” is simply impossible without education; in its eyes, it is the key to breaking inequality. It helps realize this by offering renewable scholarships every six months and maintaining academic agreements with a host of universities and educational institutions within Colombia, including Rosario University and the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá. 
  2. Fundación Juanfe – “La Juanfe” is an organization working towards the betterment of children in many different parts of the Spanish-speaking world. In Colombia, it operates in the city of Cartagena. Primarily a health care organizer, the organization provides therapeutic care for young mothers and others below the poverty line. In 2023, it renewed its Inspira de la Juanfe program, a collaborative effort with JCT4 Education focused on teaching young individuals the power of social entrepreneurship and encouraging a passion for improving their communities. 
  3. Fundación Barco – The Fundación Antonio Restrepo Barco is an organization focused on those living in crisis areas. The foundation operates with the idea that those living in these areas are far more susceptible to social and poverty shortcomings. It operates directly with the government and international donors and maintains an investment portfolio to remain sustainable in the region. It helps to bring projects related to education, regional development and health care benefits to fruition. In the last year, it has been able to provide benefits to 48,816 students and to 286 individual educational institutions. 
  4. Fundación Niños de los Andes – The Children of the Andes Foundation is an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children, especially those living on the streets and those living below the poverty line. The organization operates programs in five boarding schools hosting more than 1,510 children a year and provides direct access to educational and health care-related services in the region. It strives to impart to children that they have rights as citizens, and encourages them in their social, physical and mental development as they mature. 
  5. Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC) – An organization dedicated to improving the standard of life for rural Colombian coffee farmers, FNC institutes export standards and helps optimize production costs in the region. Beyond being apolitical and operating entirely as a nonprofit entity, the organization is also notable for being one of the largest rural non-governmental organizations in the world. 

Looking Ahead

The above anti-poverty charities operating in Colombia have all worked to eliminate poverty in numerous ways. Through their continued work, one can expect to see further improvements in education access, health care and more in Colombia.

– Marc Federici
Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Taiwan

Charities Operating in Taiwan
Tensions between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan have remained high since the Second World War. China continues to claim that Taiwan should be considered a part of its mainland by putting forward the “One China Policy.”

Taiwan also has a different method of measuring poverty. There is a relative poverty line, and the poverty threshold is different for every region. Only around 2% of the population is considered to be poor. However, income inequality is prevalent as more than 65% of workers earn a below-average salary in Taiwan. If a person’s income crosses even slightly above the poverty threshold for a particular area, then benefits and aid become scarce. Here are five charities operating in Taiwan that are helping both locally and internationally to rapidly decrease the rate of poverty.

Tzu Chi

Tzu Chi means “relieving suffering with compassion.” The compassion relief organization was founded in Hualien City in May 1996 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen. One of the Buddhist charities in Taiwan, Tzu Chi believes in healing spiritual poverty, by “spreading the essential values of love and compassion to all.” It has established grassroots volunteers across the world and has up to seven bases in the United Kingdom, including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

Tzu Chi believes in “educating the rich to help the poor; inspiring the poor to realize their riches.” It spreads a message of universal love and encourages bringing out good in everyone. In February 2023, it fundraised and mobilized aid for the disastrous 7.8 magnitude earthquakes in Turkey. The charity provided warm blankets and food. The local Tzu Chi volunteers in Turkey also provided citizens with gift cards to buy supplies from supermarkets.

Garden of Hope

Garden of Hope is a charity that is fighting gender-based violence in Taiwan. It was established in 1986 by Angie Golmon, Liang-Wan Hui and a group of Christian missionaries. It was one of the first charities in Taiwan to help girls rehabilitate and heal from sexual abuse. It spreads the values of justice and love by actively preventing sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and domestic violence of children and women.

More than 68% of women to whom the charity has provided aid have significantly lowered the risk of being in a violent environment. About 76% of women have been aided to start work and become financially independent. More than 75% of children who are victims of domestic violence have been provided with therapy and feel that they can protect themselves better.

Ti Hwei

Ti Hwei is a charitable nursery that fosters orphans and underprivileged children by providing them with shelter and education. Tang Lesong founded the charity in 1980 using their own savings and loans from relatives to establish a sports welfare kindergarten. Lesong’s passion has encouraged more destitute families to reach out and ask for help.

Ti Hwei also launched a project called Kyobo Croner with the mission of helping children attain long-term placement in an establishment that can provide personal care, education and training services.

The Mustard Seed Mission

The Mustard Seed Mission believes that “the mustard seed can grow into a big tree and bear fruits for others under proper care.”

The Foundation offers initial funding for small startup projects initiated by churches globally. It aims to support these projects as a minority partner, providing financial assistance for a defined period while fostering self-sustainability and reliance on the local church.

The Foundation is one of the first registered welfare charities operating in Taiwan. It was established by the late missionary Lillian R. Dickson, often called the “Mother of Orphans” in Taiwan, after the Second World War. Initially, the organization provided medical clinics and vocational training. Now, the Foundation extends grants to churches and Christian organizations worldwide, particularly for new ministry endeavors encompassing outreach, discipleship and economic empowerment.

The ongoing “Sprout of Love!” project continues to help more than 5,000 disadvantaged children in Taiwan.

The Children Are Us Foundation

The Children Are Us Foundation is a charity focused on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. It was established in June 1995 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan by parents of intellectually disabled individuals. The organization’s primary objective is to nurture and empower the untapped potential of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The heartwarming and self-reliant reputation of Children Are Us has now become a significant symbol for intellectually disabled individuals in Taiwan. Notably, the Children Are Us bakery and restaurant have emerged as successful models of social enterprise in Taiwan, benefiting both the public and its employees.

All of these charities operating in Taiwan are actively shaping a brighter future for the country. Despite the misleading poverty rate measurements, such charities create positive change on a local level and will shape generations to come.

– Sharvi Rana
Photo: Pixabay