Information and stories addressing children.

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Initiatives Improving Palestinian Children’s Mental Health

Palestinian Children’s Mental HealthAs the war in Palestine continues, Palestinians’ mental health is suffering. At least 10 children lose a limb a day and 17,000 children have been separated from their parents. Additionally, 96% of Palestinian children feel that death is impending. The numerous traumatic events the children undergo at a crucial time for their development have taken a toll. However, there are some vital initiatives in place aiming to tackle and improve Palestinian children’s mental health.

MAP Mental Health Services

Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP) is addressing Gaza’s mental health challenges in collaboration with the health ministry to improve access to mental health services. MAP has set up specific locations within the city to offer psychosocial and clinical support.

MAP also utilizes the close-knit community within Gaza by implementing a peer support model, enabling individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges to offer moral support to others facing similar struggles. This approach perpetuates the belief that everyone can help each other, hopefully bringing hope.

Furthermore, the organization is training its staff in psychological first aid, ensuring that they are prepared to support others and themselves through mental health challenges regardless of their role. This initiative helps ensure that as many people receive such help as possible.

GCMHP

The Gaza Community Mental Health Program (GCMHP), currently led by Dr. Yasser Abu Jamei, provides counseling over the phone. Additionally, they visit shelters and refugee camps to provide therapy. The initiative has clinics in Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir al Balah, offering a range of services to support patients, including talking therapy, play therapy and occupational therapy.

In 2024, the GCMHP assisted more than 26,000 people in 298 days, offering care and support to individuals and families of all ages. It has also established Psychological First Aid (PFA) teams that visit camps and shelters to reach displaced families. These teams distribute toy bags to children, encouraging them to engage in familiar and enjoyable activities promoting calmness. Additionally, the teams assess whether anyone in these camps requires urgent intervention and ensure they are referred for specialized treatment.

Education and Mental Well-Being

The occupation has led to the destruction of many schools, with approximately 87.7% of educational buildings affected as of March 30, 2024. This disruption has severely impacted Palestinian children’s education and mental health, exacerbated by food, water and electricity shortages, as well as the loss of stability and educational infrastructure.

However, individuals like Israa Abu Mustafa are working to counter these challenges. She established a school for primary-aged children in Khan Younis in September 2024, starting with 35 students and expanding to 70. Despite lacking basic equipment like desks and chairs, the children continue to learn and participate in enjoyable activities. This initiative supports their well-being by restoring normalcy and safety through education.

Summary

The psychological well-being of Palestinian children is deeply impacted. However, several initiatives are offering support by providing mental health services, education and safe spaces, helping children regain a sense of stability and hope.

– Maryam Abdalla

Maryam is based in the UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Kids Club Kampala Is Helping Vulnerable Children in Uganda

Kids Club KampalaKids Club Kampala is an award-winning charity supporting vulnerable children in the slums of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The organization aims to transform children’s lives by providing education and safeguarding their childhoods and futures. Uganda, one of the world’s most impoverished countries, has 42% of its population living in poverty, with 3.3 million people residing in slums as of 2012.

The slums are overcrowded, leading to poor sanitation and high crime rates. One in three adults has never received an education. Similarly, more than half of the population struggles to afford food, surviving just one meal daily. Kids Club Kampala currently supports 300,000 people across 12 slum communities in Kampala.

About Kids Club Kampala

Kids Club Kampala was founded in 2007 when two women visited Uganda for seven months and met a local who shared his struggles growing up in a challenging environment. Inspired by his story, the three joined forces, gathered volunteers and launched a charity to improve living conditions in Uganda’s slums.

Kids Club Kampala supports both children and their immediate families. The organization aims to transform children’s lives and lift their communities from poverty. It focuses on helping children aged 3 to 18 living in the slums through four key programs: community outreach, protecting, educating and skilling.

Community Outreach

Kids Club Kampala’s Community Outreach program efforts continue to make a significant impact, engaging children and youth in meaningful programs. In 2024, a total of 64 boys regularly participated in the initiative’s football project, benefiting from field training sessions that foster teamwork and discipline.

Additionally, 696 vulnerable girls have received crucial support through counseling sessions, providing them with guidance and emotional well-being. Every Saturday, 861 children actively join the charity’s Kids Clubs, creating a safe and enriching learning and social interaction space. To address period poverty, it has distributed 2,386 menstrual products to girls who would otherwise lack access, ensuring their dignity and uninterrupted education.

Child Protection

Further, the foundation’s Child Protection program safeguards children in imminent danger, ensuring their safety and well-being. In 2024, it rescued nine children from abuse and abandonment, while its community safeguarding officers responded to 14 child protection cases.

On top of that, the initiative, in efforts to provide stable and nurturing environments, has reintegrated 14 children into families through kinship care. Currently, 84 children are receiving love, care and protection at the Ewafe Project home, offering them a secure and supportive environment.

Access to Education

Kids Club Kampala’s Access to Education program is committed to providing high-quality education to children through sponsorship opportunities. In 2024, 17 new children were enrolled in the Child Sponsorship Project, bringing the total number of sponsored children to 176.

Additionally, 90 children have consistently attended its Encouraging Education Project every day over the past year, ensuring they receive the academic support they need. To further support their well-being, these 90 children have also benefited from daily nutritious meals at the charity’s education center, helping them stay healthy and focused on their studies.

The Skilling Program

Kids Club Kampala’s Skilling program equips individuals with essential business and professional skills to create sustainable livelihoods. Through the program, 12 young people enrolled in a carpentry training course in 2024, gaining practical expertise to secure future employment.

Additionally, 79 students have received business training and support, empowering them with the knowledge to start and manage their own ventures. To further enhance economic opportunities, the program provided training in tailoring and knitting for 132 individuals, enabling them to develop marketable skills that contributed to their financial independence and overall family stability.

Conclusion

Through community outreach, child protection, education access and family strengthening, Kids Club Kampala continues transforming lives. Indeed, the organization empowers vulnerable children and families by providing essential support, education and skill development, fostering a brighter and more sustainable future.

– Jennifer Cermak

Jennifer is based in York, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Educational Disparities Among Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam

Ethnic Minority Groups in VietnamOver the past 20 years, Vietnam has prioritized education, with economic growth boosting funding from the government, international donors and parental tuition payments. These efforts are paying off, with the nation having a more than 95% literacy rate. However, education disparities still exist, especially among ethnic minority groups living in Vietnam.

Childhood Education Disparities

In Vietnam, primary schooling, covering grades one through five, is government-mandated. Secondary education consists of two levels: lower secondary (grades six through nine) and upper secondary (grades 10–12), neither of which is mandatory. In 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners reported that nearly 98% of children in Vietnam completed primary education.

However, completion rates dropped to 87% at the secondary level, with ethnic minority groups having the lowest rates (between 55%-60%). Although ethnic minorities only make up approximately 15% of Vietnam’s population, they represent the largest group of people with the lowest education, largely due to socioeconomic barriers.

Limited School Infrastructure and Language Barriers

About 86% of ethnic minorities in Vietnam live in rural and mountainous areas, where limited school infrastructure poses a significant challenge. Hazardous terrain and a lack of transportation further hinder access to education. As a result, 91% of urban children attend lower secondary school, compared to 85% in rural areas.

Vietnam is home to more than 50 ethnic minority groups, each with its own language. Many ethnic minority children struggle in lower secondary school because educational materials, including textbooks, are written in Vietnamese, a language they may not understand. As a result, more than three million ethnic minorities in Vietnam could not read or write in 2023.

Positive Changes to Address Education Disparities

Vietnam’s Politburo has announced a policy to waive tuition fees for all students from preschool to high school in the public school system nationwide, effective from the 2025-2026 academic year, starting in September 2025. This initiative aims to expand access to education and reduce financial burdens on families. Under this policy, private and nonpublic school students will receive tuition subsidies equivalent to those in public schools, with families covering any difference in fees. This move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education and is expected to enhance the quality of education nationwide significantly.

Furthermore, Vietnam has collaborated with international organizations like the United Nations (U.N.) to enhance educational infrastructure and accessibility, particularly in mountainous and rural areas. The U.N. and other nonprofit organizations in Vietnam work closely with national partners to improve access to inclusive education. This collaboration leverages global partnerships, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), to support national initiatives to transform the education sector.

To address language barriers faced by ethnic minority children, a significant initiative was launched in March 2024. The Nippon Foundation and GPE announced a joint contribution of $5.2 million to support education for children from ethnic minorities across Vietnam. This program, implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, aims to provide high-quality, inclusive education by developing bilingual educational materials and training teachers to deliver instruction in native languages and Vietnamese.

These collaborative efforts underscore Vietnam’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities and addressing the unique challenges faced by ethnic minority children in accessing quality education.

– Kelly Chalupnik

Kelly is based in Kirkland, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mercy Rescue Trust: Foster to Forever Family

Mercy Rescue Trust: Foster to Forever FamilyWorldwide, 16.6 million children under 18 have lost one or both parents to HIV; 90% of these orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2019, about 53 million children in this region had lost one or both parents. According to UNICEF, Kenya alone has approximately 2.08 million orphans. Previous estimates reveal that about 3.6 million children in Kenya are orphaned or vulnerable, comprising nearly one-fifth of the country’s population under 18 years old. To combat this, Mercy Rescue Trust, a rescue center based in Kitale, Kenya, finds homes for abandoned babies and young children. The organization aims to protect children in vulnerable situations by providing medical care, shelter and long-term support.

Mercy Rescue Trust’s Mission in Kenya

Financial challenges and family instability in Kenya have led to severe neglect and abandonment of many infants. With limited social support systems, children often endure harmful conditions, suffering from malnutrition and poor physical and emotional health. Rescuers find many in life-threatening situations and bring them to Mercy Rescue Trust, where doctors conduct comprehensive health screenings to detect diseases or health risks caused by exposure to unsafe environments. Once medically stable, children enter temporary foster care with local families who provide a nurturing environment until a permanent home becomes available. If a child requires emergency medical care, doctors oversee their treatment until they recover.

From Rescue to Reunification and Adoption

After rescuing an infant, Mercy Rescue Trust searches for biological family members and prioritizes reunification whenever possible. To support successful reintegration, the organization provides regular meals and financial assistance for education, increasing the child’s chances of thriving in their home. If reunification does not work, the child remains in temporary foster care while Mercy Rescue Trust arranges a permanent, loving home. The adoption process follows strict guidelines to ensure each child finds a secure and nurturing environment. Social workers follow up regularly to monitor the child’s development and well-being after placement.

The Role of Foster Families in Child Welfare

Mercy Rescue Trust emphasizes a family-centered approach by placing children in local, family-based foster care rather than institutional orphanages. Foster families, often volunteers, provide infants with a stable home environment during this transitional period. Since its inception, Mercy Rescue Trust has placed more than 400 children in homes, including 269 with local foster families and reunited 114 with their biological families. Foster care gives infants the emotional security needed to rebuild trust and recover from trauma. Living in a home-like environment allows them to develop attachments, experience daily routines and build a sense of stability, making their transition to a permanent family much smoother.

Emergency Care and Community Support

Mercy Rescue Trust operates a 24-hour emergency care center where medical professionals provide immediate care to rescued infants. These services depend on donations that fund food, medical care and education programs for children in need. The organization also welcomes volunteers, photographers and supporters to help raise awareness and expand outreach efforts.

Looking Ahead

Mercy Rescue Trust continues to rescue, protect and advocate for vulnerable children, ensuring they receive the care, stability and opportunities they deserve. Furthermore, by prioritizing family-based care, education and long-term support, the organization is working to break the cycle of abandonment and poverty, providing children with a path to a brighter future.

– Jennifer Cermak

Jennifer is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Spotlight: The Peace Center

The Peace CenterThe Peace Center is a Ugandan-based organization that aims to provide shelter, education and safety for some of the country’s neediest and most vulnerable orphaned children. Since its inception in 2015, The Peace Center has helped dozens of children by providing them with a safe home, an education and, above all, a family.

Empowering Bukinda’s Children Through Education

The Peace Center is situated in Bukinda, a town in southwest Uganda, where limited access to education is one of the most pressing challenges residents face. Without proper schooling, many children struggle to escape the cycle of poverty that has affected their families for generations.

According to the CIA World Factbook, the actual fertility rate in the country at large is more than twice the desired rate, suggesting unmet contraceptive needs. This, in turn, contributes to ongoing poverty and educational barriers. The Peace Center’s core mission is to educate children in need, helping break this cycle.

The PEACE Program

To accommodate the children’s varying needs in its program, the organization has implemented two distinct programs. The PEACE (Providing Education and Community Empowerment) program focuses on orphaned children who may have relatives to live with but do not have the resources to provide for the children’s schooling.

The PEACE program provides these children with school attendance fees and a uniform to help them gain an education. In return, these children must maintain a minimum attendance record and grade score each semester.

1-To-1 Sponsorship

For children without immediate family who require full-time support and care, The Peace Center offers a 1-to-1 sponsorship program. The nonprofit provides children in this program with “housing, schooling, three meals a day, school uniform as well as basic health and sanitary care.”

Through this program, the organization encourages families in other countries to provide both financial and emotional support to the child. This sponsorship fosters a connection between the child and the sponsor’s family through letters, photos and other forms of correspondence.

Impact

In the past 10 years, The Peace Center has worked tirelessly to provide the neediest children in Uganda with stability, safety and a place to call home. Indeed, several current and former program students have provided testimonies, expressing their gratitude to the organization.

Some children have attributed their college success to The Peace Center, sharing how the organization helped them with leadership, communication and other essential life skills. Furthermore, The Peace Center provides these children with a lifelong sense of belonging, with many students saying they have kept in touch with the staff and other students years after leaving the program.

Summary

Since its founding, The Peace Center has offered holistic care to those in greatest need, supporting orphaned children in Uganda with nowhere else to turn. It has two programs oriented toward empowering children to break generational cycles of poverty and gaining education and emotional support throughout their lives.

The Peace Center is always looking for more opportunities to help children in need and is looking toward the future and more chances to provide this much-needed support.

– Lizzie Mazzola

Lizzie is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Footprints Family Is Transforming Lives in Shimba Hills

Footprints FamilyIn Shimba Hills, Kenya, many challenges keep families from meeting basic needs. With a population of more than 866,000, Kwale County is Kenya’s 27 most populated counties. Kwale is also one of Kenya’s most impoverished and marginalized counties.

Primarily, the youth of Shimba Hills face a lack of quality schools, limited access to health care and essential medications, poor infrastructure and inhumane living conditions. The primary catalyst of these issues is the lack of government support. Both at the local and national level, there is little to no federal interference to resolve these life-threatening matters.

Poverty in Kenya

The overall poverty rate of Kenya in 2022 was 39.8%, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. In Kwale County, the child poverty headcount rate is 51.1%, with almost 1,000 children below the poverty line.

Rural areas are also hit at an unequal rate compared to urban areas, forcing them into a more difficult cycle of poverty. In 2022, the hardcore poverty rate in rural Kenya was 9.3%, affecting around 3.2 million people. Along with being hit at an unfair rate, rural areas such as Shimba Hills also show weaker recovery from poverty rates yearly, especially post-COVID-19.

Footprints Family

In 2007, Kerry Watson visited East Africa. Her trip turned from simply volunteering to a widespread child poverty activism project in Kwale County. That same year, Watson bought land and created the U.K.-based charity Footprints Family. After opening its doors in 2010, Footprints Family has profoundly helped more than 200 people in the Shimba Hills community.

After nearly two decades, Footprints Family has achieved numerous milestones in supporting Kwale’s most vulnerable children. Hundreds have benefited from free education programs, secure on-site accommodations during school terms and improved access to education through dedicated transportation services.

Along with nurturing relationships among families facing unfortunate situations, Footprints Family offers three programs to target specific problems at home.

Mama Kerry’s Home-Based Care

Introduced in 2019, Mama Kerry’s Home-Based Care program offers essential support tailored to the unique dynamics of children’s families. In partnership with the Children’s Welfare Society of Kenya, the program conducts assessments and provides financial assistance and food packages to those in need. As a result, most children are successfully reintegrated into kinship care, with regular follow-up visits ensuring continued support.

The Mkwakwani Stepping Stone Youth Program

The Mkwakwani Steppingstone Youth Program supports children in their transition to adulthood, equipping them for a brighter future. Upon completing formal education, participants receive continued assistance through counseling, educational programs, cyberlearning centers and more.

The Early Years Academy

In 2021, the nonprofit introduced Early Years Academy to address education and learning poverty by creating a school accessible to children ages 4-11. The staff consists of trained educators and transportation is provided to and from schools in surrounding villages. The extensive grounds allow each child to learn hands-on and make the most of the nature surrounding them.

Conclusion

Footprints Family remains a lifeline for vulnerable children in Shimba Hills, filling the gaps left by inadequate government support. Through education, family reintegration and youth empowerment programs, the organization transforms lives and creates lasting change. With continued support and donations, Footprints Family can expand its impact and provide a brighter future for the children of Kwale County.

– Rachael Wexler

Rachael is based in Chicago IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Mica Mining in Madagascar: Ending Child Labor

Mica Mining in MadagascarMadagascar, an island nation off the coast of Africa, has one of the world’s highest poverty rates, with 80.7% of its population living in poverty. This economic hardship has contributed to widespread child labor in the country’s mica mining industry. Due to weak regulations and poor enforcement of labor laws in Madagascar, an estimated 10,000 children are being exploited in mica mining.

What Is the Issue?

Mica mining is dangerous as there is a risk of “landslides, burial, physical injuries from falling into holes, respiratory infections, suffocation, ocular infections and blindness due to mica particles.” Beyond the physical dangers, child labor in the mines also deprives children of education, limiting their future opportunities.

The mica mining industry in Madagascar lacks the legal frameworks that help protect its workers and sustain the business. The volumes of mica collected in Madagascar “are exported to China at relatively low prices that lead to uneven value distribution.” This means that the people working in mines get paid lower wages and are forced to send their children to work.

Solutions

The financial burden placed on these families helps explain why it was “found that cash transfers were the most effective basis among various programmes that aim to improve access to education.” Having the finances to send children to school could significantly reduce the number of children forced into mica mining in Madagascar.

The Madagascar Shines project is a program dedicated to improving the mica mining industry in Madagascar and reducing child labor. It aims to help communities “through community engagement, coordination and capacity building.” The program was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Its strategy targets improvement through various areas such as households and livelihood services, officials, organizations, public awareness and more.

Empowering Women

Women’s income has been shown to have a direct positive impact on their families. Building on this approach, Pact, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing child labor in mining, implements its WORTH community banking program to empower women by helping them save money, generate income and develop new skills. The program also provides key information on positive parenting, the importance of education and the dangers of child labor. By supporting women, these efforts can ultimately help reduce the number of children working in Madagascar’s mica mining industry.

Providing child care services is a crucial way to support women and their children. The nonprofit Pact is exploring two child care program models to ensure children have a safe place to go. One model involves services promoted by the private sector and local authorities. At the same time, the other would be supported by mica processing centers committed to offering safe child care options for their employees.

Good News

Positive changes are already being made to improve mica mining in Madagascar. Some mica processing centers have already agreed to undergo an analysis to implement child care centers. Additionally, “parents of 265 children in four mining communities have agreed to enroll their children in child care centers.” These are promising signs of these centers’ need for and future success.

Targeting women to reduce child labor is also showing results, as “approximately 200 women from mica households are now members of WORTH groups.” Women are being taught how to use their wages best to support their families. This will decrease the need to send children to mines. They are also learning about the importance of education for their children and the best ways to take care of their futures.

The lives of children are already being impacted, as “about 500 children are now out of mining and supported with direct educational services.” “Approximately 1,500 children from mica communities are also maintained in school.” Mica mining in Madagascar is still a significant issue impacting many families. However, there is hope for progress to be made. Continued support and awareness of this issue is vital to its continued success.

– Sydney Morrow

Sydney is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Education Divide: Why Millions of Children Lack Education

The Education Divide: Why Millions of Children Lack EducationMillions of children worldwide remain out of school due to poverty, gender inequality, conflict and lack of resources, limiting their future opportunities and economic mobility. According to UNESCO, 244 million children globally do not have access to formal education, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing the highest rates of out-of-school children. Education serves as one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty, as research indicates that each additional year of schooling can increase a person’s income by up to 10%. Despite international efforts to promote universal education, many barriers persist. Addressing this crisis requires targeted policy action, increased education funding and community-driven solutions to ensure that all children have access to learning opportunities.

Economic Struggles and the Cost of Education

Education offers a proven pathway out of poverty, but for families living on less than $2 a day, school costs remain out of reach. In many low-income countries, even when tuition is free, the costs of uniforms, books and transportation prevent children from attending school. According to the World Bank, students from the wealthiest households are four times as likely to complete secondary school as students from the poorest households. Without financial assistance, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are forced to drop out and work to support their families.

In Nigeria, for example, an estimated 10.5 million children are out of school, with many forced into child labor to help their families survive. The economic divide continues to limit educational access, perpetuating cycles of hardship. Governments play a key role in expanding access to education by implementing free school meals, scholarships and subsidized learning materials to remove financial barriers and increase enrollment.

Gender Inequality and Cultural Barriers

Girls in many parts of the world face unique challenges in accessing education. Deep-rooted cultural beliefs, early marriage and safety concerns often prevent girls from continuing their education. The Malala Fund reports that 120 million girls worldwide remain out of school, with South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa experiencing the highest gender disparities.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s 2021 takeover led to a nationwide ban on secondary education for girls, forcing 1.4 million girls out of classrooms. Similarly, in rural India, families often prioritize their sons’ education over their daughters’, limiting girls’ opportunities for personal and economic growth. However, solutions exist. In countries like Malawi and Bangladesh, organizations have launched cash transfer programs that incentivize families to keep girls in school, significantly reducing dropout rates. Expanding such female-centered initiatives could help close the education gap for girls globally.

Lack of Infrastructure and Trained Teachers

Beyond financial challenges, many children cannot attend school simply because there are no schools nearby. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 30% of children live more than five kilometers from the nearest school. For those who do attend, many classrooms suffer from overcrowding, a shortage of teachers and inadequate facilities.

A BBC photo essay documented the experience of Sylvia, an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania, who walks more than one and a half hours each morning to reach her classroom. While her determination is inspiring, no child should have to endure such hardships to receive an education.

Additionally, UNICEF reports that nearly 50% of schools in sub-Saharan Africa lack basic sanitation facilities, making learning especially difficult for girls once they reach puberty. Investing in infrastructure, teacher training and mobile classrooms could help bring education to underserved regions.

Conflict and Displacement: The War on Education

In war-torn areas, conflict disrupts schooling by destroying infrastructure, displacing families and creating unsafe environments for students. Schools often become targets of violence or are repurposed for military use, preventing millions of children from learning. Refugee children face even greater obstacles. According to the UNHCR, more than 15 million refugee children globally are out of school, with less than half of displaced children completing primary education. In Syria, South Sudan and Afghanistan, entire generations of children risk growing up without literacy or formal skills due to prolonged conflict. Governments and organizations could play a critical role in integrating refugee children into local school systems, establishing temporary learning centers and maintaining education continuity during emergencies.

Solutions: Bridging Education Gaps

  • Increasing Education Funding and Policy Reforms. Many governments allocate less than 4% of their GDP to education, which is far below recommended levels. Increased investment in school construction, teacher salaries and learning resources can significantly boost enrollment and learning outcomes. Additionally, policy reforms—such as removing school fees, subsidizing transportation and implementing cash transfer programs—can ensure that the poorest families have access to education.
  • Expanding Community-Based Learning Programs. NGOs play a crucial role in bridging education gaps in underserved regions. Organizations like Room to Read, UNICEF and Save the Children have developed mobile classrooms, after-school tutoring and community-run learning centers to reach children who would otherwise remain out of school. These programs provide literacy and vocational training, ensuring that even children in remote or conflict-affected areas receive some form of education.
  • Leveraging Technology for Remote Education. Technology can revolutionize education access. In countries with limited school infrastructure, digital learning programs and radio-based education initiatives have proven successful in keeping children engaged. For example, Kenya’s Tusome Initiative uses tablets and interactive software to improve literacy rates, while Bangladesh’s “TV Schools” provided distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Strengthening Protections for Refugee and Conflict-Affected Children. Allocating emergency funds for temporary classrooms, teacher training and psychological support can help displaced children continue their education despite crises. Expanding programs that integrate refugee children into local schools—as seen in Jordan and Lebanon’s education reforms for Syrian refugees—can also provide long-term solutions for displaced learners.

Looking Ahead

Bridging the global education gap requires sustained investment in resources, targeted policy reforms and innovative learning solutions. Efforts to improve school accessibility, enhance teacher training and integrate technology have already expanded opportunities for many children. Addressing the needs of students in conflict zones and underserved communities could be essential for breaking cycles of poverty and ensuring long-term development.

– Bailie Cross

Bailie is based in Pensacola, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Aruba

Charities Operating in ArubaAruba is a well known and beautiful island in the Caribbean. Its population is only around 125,000. However, it is estimated around 1.5 million people visit the island each year, that was until a global pandemic hit. COVID-19 devastated Aruba’s economy and is still in recovery from it, as the country relies heavily on tourism for income. The good news is, while the country is still recovering, there are many charities on the island that can help with issues such as food insecurity, health and education. Here is a list of five charities operating in Aruba right now.

5 Charities Operating in Aruba

  1. HIAS – HIAS is an organization which opened its Aruba office in 2019, and works to create programs to help the island’s most vulnerable groups, such as refugees fleeing violence and poverty, single women, the elderly and those with disabilities and medical conditions. HIAS has implemented economic inclusion programs that have helped hundreds of people living in Aruba by providing food vouchers, school supplies as well as medical and hygiene kits to those living in poverty on the island. Through all its programs, it has been able to give direct support to 3,005 in Aruba in 2023.
  2. Kids Inc. Aruba – This organization was founded in 2006 and offers classes for kids in Aruba with newer educational practices so they have a leg up for modern day and future opportunities. It focuses mainly on creating a new generation of hard working and smart entrepreneurs and teaching kids financial literacy. It offers multiple programs which advocate for smart spending and have set many children up for financial responsibility. 
  3. Red Cross Aruba – The Red Cross in Aruba helps with first aid and relief during natural disasters, and also has a long term impact through its CPR, AED and first aid training. It also holds events to help the impoverished on the island. Events like their “drive by for back 2 school” aim to provide school supplies for children in need. It also holds a monthly charity bazaar, selling donated items to raise money to provide food for families in need. 
  4. Kiwanis Club of Aruba – This club, founded in 1964, is dedicated to providing Aruba with necessary community service with a specific focus on children. It holds events and galas to fundraise and then use the money to hold different events for those in need. The club’s annual back to school drive donates clothes and school materials to children in primary school. Furthermore, it offers them a fun experience or activity on the day. Its members also give free services such as dental care to children who would otherwise go without it. The community as a whole averages 7,300,000 hours of community service a year and each member reaches about 100 kids.
  5. Micky’s Foundation – Micky’s Foundation started in 2014 after a family in need recognized the lack of treatment for specialized pediatric therapy in Aruba. They started the foundation which has been able to provide free intensive pediatric therapy to those in need. The foundation not only offers therapy but also focuses on educating those of pediatric therapy and why it is necessary, as well as lobbying to change the systems in place that withhold it from those in need. Since its beginning, the Foundation has been able to help 203 kids with more than 22,500 hours of free therapy. 

Looking Ahead

These five charities operating in Aruba give lasting services and contributions to those on the island. They have been able to help countless people, and continue to do so in their work. These charities are operating to improve Aruba. They do so through their positive missions and goals to improve the health of the island and its people

– Cheyenne Weller

Cheyenne is based in Boston, MA, USA  and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Charities Operating in Senegal

Charities Operating in Senegal
Senegal, the westernmost country in Africa, is a country of rich history and culture, however many of the Senegalese people continue to face the challenges of poverty despite its economic progress in recent years. As of 2024, nearly 36% of the population lived below the national poverty line, with rural communities being the most vulnerable. Food insecurity is one of the most common issues, and malnutrition is a large concern, with 66% “of children under five years old suffering from anemia,” a condition that impacts how children grow and develop. While the country has made strides in health care there were an estimated 44,000 citizens living with HIV in 2023. Despite these difficulties, Senegal is full of resilience with many charities operating in Senegal to provide for those in need. Below are five charities operating in Senegal. They are dedicated to uplifting communities and making a difference in Senegal.

Food for Life Senegal

Food for Life Senegal is an international charity that focuses on combating hunger and malnutrition. This organization is dedicated to providing meals to the affected communities with the hope that it will lead to healthier living. Aside from combating hunger, the organization also looks to further health care and educational resources. Food for Life Senegal sees how all of these areas are interconnected, so by focusing on all three they are able to create a more lasting impact on selected communities.

The organization also identifies the most in need communities when looking for areas to assist. Its work not only relieves immediate hunger, but also teaches able community members agricultural practices so the community can become more sustainable.

Caritas Internationalis

Caritas Internationalis has had a large role in humanitarian aid since it received recognition in 1966. This global Catholic relief organization provides emergency assistance and long-term development programs to support communities. Their main focus is poverty reduction in the eyes of emergency assistance when addressing different public health crises, with most of their focus going to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Caritas Internationalis helps to empower these extremely poverty-stricken communities in Senegal by providing health care. Whether it be short or long term, this organization is one of the top providers in health care for developing countries.

ADIFS

Empowering women is the overall theme of the Association pour le Développement Intégral de la Femme au Sénégal (ADIFS). This organization looks to better the lives of Senegalese women by offering education, vocational training and essential health services. This helps the women of Senegal become more independent, as well as becoming better equipped to provide for themselves or their family.

In addition to skill training, this organization helps to create campaigns that raise awareness for issues like “gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and early marriage.” The combined areas help to empower the women of Senegal by providing them with the tools, freedom and support necessary to succeed.

Plan International Senegal

Plan International is a global organization that fights poverty and inequality through targeted interventions for children. In Senegal, the organization focuses on providing educational opportunities for children as well as improving access to health care and other important services. The belief behind this strategy is that children are the path to creating a greater future.

Sahel École Sans Frontières

Sahel École Sans Frontières (SESF) is a grassroots organization committed to improving access to quality education in the more rural areas of Senegal. Founded in 2007, SESF has played an important role in building schools and creating educational opportunities for the underserved communities of Senegal. Helping create the infrastructure needed is one of the largest challenges that Senegal faces in terms of quality education.

Looking Ahead

These five charities operating in Senegal are committed to helping the country of Senegal create the path to becoming a more sustainable nation. Whether it is through food assistance, healthcare, education or women’s empowerment, the efforts they make are shaping a more sustainable future. By supporting the work of these charities, people worldwide can contribute to meaningful change for the Senegalese people.

– Joey Picolli

Joey is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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