Information and stories about developing countries.

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26 Letters School – A Lesson on Empowerment

26 Letters School
The economic collapse of Lebanon has severely impacted the country’s education system. These unprecedented challenges have affected the Lebanese children and refugee children present in the country. The World Food Programme (WFP) has stated that more than half of the Syrian refugee children in Lebanon are unable to access primary education as a result of economic hardships and other factors. 

A study by the Center for Lebanese Studies has indicated poor academic performance and depletion in psychological well-being due to the Lebanese crisis. Children no longer attend schools and face potential exposure to different forms of abuse and exploitation. Children from low-income households, those living in rural areas, migrants and refugees are the most impacted. Fortunately, 26 Letters School is making a difference by providing education to Lebanese children.

About 26 Letters School

26 Letters School is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) based in Beirut, Lebanon. The purpose of the school is to offer free quality education for all children and teenagers who live in Beirut. It recognizes that its pupils come from different economic, social and religious backgrounds. Keeping this in mind, the school emphasizes the importance of plurality and respect for all individuals. Here are 10 reasons why the 26 Letters School is a phenomenal initiative to change students’ lives beyond education and literacy. 

10 Ways 26 Letters School is Making a Difference

  1. Power of the Alphabet: In 2015, Janira, a 19-year-old Spanish exchange student, met Salah, a 13-year-old boy in Beirut, Lebanon. The harsh realities of war pushed Salah into child labor. Salah planted the seed for the 26 Letters School when he asked Janira for English Classes. These improvised English lessons led to the creation of a safe space for lifelong learning.
  2. A Safe Space: The 26 Letters School is no longer just about improvised English lessons. These English lessons became a safe and inviting space for many more children—a space free of discrimination on one’s background, identity, religion or orientation.
  3. Holistic Development: Lessons in Ethics, History, Geography and Math ensure holistic development by integrating critical thinking and creativity into the students’ educational framework. Most importantly, the 26 Letters School believes in free quality education for all.
  4. Representation and Inclusivity: The school carefully crafts its books to guarantee that students feel representation and inclusivity when learning from these books. Open conversations and workshops about conflict, racism, sexism and other issues help the students grow into well-rounded individuals. These conversations help to break the glass ceiling on these issues.
  5. Humanitarian Aid: It also recognizes the importance of humanitarian aid for the people of Lebanon. In Lebanon, more than 75% of its population lives below the poverty line. The increase in food prices by 400% in the past years and salaries having lost 80% of their value highlights the need for the people of Lebanon to have that additional support. The institute provides baby products, food, hygiene products and medicines to more than 450 families comprising 2,529 people.
  6. Physical and Mental Health: It conducts workshops to encourage physical health hygiene. The school provides financial medical care, medicines and accompaniments for doctor appointments. The school prioritizes mental health with equal importance. The impacts of daily discrimination, economic struggle, migration and war bring about the need to have psychological support. Therefore, the 26 Letters School has a psychologist who helps ensure students’ well-being. These psychological services are available to the parents and relatives.
  7. Women Empowerment: The 26 Letters School recognizes the need to empower both the students and members of its community. The school provides mothers of these students with access to practical and vocational education. Women have access to empowerment, health, hygiene and rights lessons. There are self-organized literacy classes. Mothers who can read teach the others who cannot do so.
  8. Big Sibling System: The 26 Letters School considers its students siblings. The educators undertake the position of being friends, role models and siblings. This creates an atmosphere of friendship, encouraging the students to partake in the lessons. An educator can have a maximum of four students assigned to them. This enables the educator to give systematic attention, care and energy to their team of students. The school inculcates the need for learning about plurality, respect and a supportive atmosphere.
  9. Target Group: This free quality education is accessible to every child or teenager in Beirut, Lebanon. Those who need educational, emotional or vocational support can access the school services. There is no discrimination based on economic, social or religious backgrounds.
  10. Democracy: In 2021, the 26 Letters School became a democratic school. The school’s main team comprises six teenagers. The students and parents are the ultimate decision-makers of the school. This ensures a platform to listen, shape and transform into what it is today.

Looking Ahead

The organization 26 Letters School is a unique educational initiative offering personalized learning experiences and a creative curriculum tailored to every individual student. 26 Letters School’s commitment to inclusive and creative educational practices and community involvement sets it apart as a forward-thinking institution.

– Caren Thomas

Caren Thomas is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Leading The Way: Cabo Verde’s HIV Fight

cabo verde's HIVCabo Verde, a West African country consisting of islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, has become a leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa through its health care investments and social initiatives. Currently, Cabo Verde is estimated to have an HIV prevalence of around 0.6%. At the same time, AIDS-related deaths decreased from around 200 in 2004 to less than 100 in 2022. This progress has involved declining poverty, which dropped to 28.1% in 2022 from 56.8% in 2001. Cabo Verde’s HIV fight is now focused on projects directed at vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, children and disabled people.

Investment in Communities

Combating HIV and AIDS requires involving both the general public and individuals living with HIV in decision-making processes. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has reported that the West Africa region is not on track to meet the goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030, a target set during the Africa Rising Forum in 2014.

The group’s Executive Director expressed the need for “policies and programs that focus on people not diseases.” This involves community-led HIV testing to reach more people. Furthermore, support groups for mothers living with HIV and individual visits by social assistants are also key. One assistant in Cabo Verde expressed how this work allows patients to “have a good quality of life and avoid stigma and social marginalization.”

Regional Asymmetry

A key challenge for Cabo Verde is the disparity in resources between islands, which affects HIV patients’ ability to access care. At independence in 1975, the country had only 13 doctors. However, the health system has since expanded in both size and sophistication, with 80% of the population now living within half an hour of a health facility. The decentralization of smaller health centers has improved access to care, enabling HIV patients to receive antiretroviral therapy to manage the disease. UNAIDS estimates that by 2023, 72% of individuals living with HIV in Cabo Verde were accessing antiretroviral therapy.

Free Health Care

Cabo Verde’s economy has grown significantly since the ’90s, driven by foreign investment and tourism. This growth has led to increased health care spending, rising from $65 per person in 2001 to $165 in 2013. Citizens are entitled to free basic health care, including preventive care and treatment for HIV and AIDS. The country’s social protection efforts are supported by widespread health education, facilitated by high literacy rates and good access to electricity, fostering greater public awareness and engagement.

Advocacy for the Disabled Community

Despite Cabo Verde’s broad progress, vulnerable communities, such as those with disabilities, continue to face challenges. Handicap International, active in Cabo Verde since 2006, has worked to include disabled individuals in the fight against HIV. The organization improved data on the biological vulnerability to HIV infection and promoted inclusive education on HIV and AIDS.

Research found that the HIV prevalence rate among people with disabilities in Cabo Verde is 2.3%. Additionally, about 79% of disabled participants unaware of available HIV care and support. However, the study itself led to 96% of participants gaining an improved understanding of HIV and AIDS.

Preventing Vertical Transmission

Preventing vertical transmission of HIV from mother to fetus is a key priority for Cabo Verde in reducing new infections. Minister of Health Arlindo Nascimento do Rosário emphasized, “Every child has a right to be born healthy and to live a healthy life.” As part of the free health care system, pregnant women are offered HIV testing. If they test positive, they receive antiretroviral drugs and antenatal support to minimize the risk of transmission.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) shared the story of Leila Rodrigues, a mother who discovered she had HIV just weeks before giving birth. Thanks to the care her son received, transmission was prevented. Rodrigues later joined the National Network of People with HIV of Cabo Verde.

Final Note

Cabo Verde’s progress in HIV health care has not come without challenges. However, the country has become a model for investing in change and empowering communities. The WHO Africa Health Forum has highlighted Cabo Verde as an exemplar, with participants visiting to observe how innovations have built a strong health care system. Emulating Cabo Verde’s commitment to social inclusion, universal health coverage and decentralized HIV testing could enable the West African region to more effectively combat the disease.

– Daisy Outram

Daisy is based in Kent, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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China and the World Bank Address Energy Security in Ethiopia

Energy Security in EthiopiaEnergy security is a constant concern for sub-Saharan African countries: out of the 20 countries with the largest energy deficits in the world, a staggering 18 are found in the region. At the same time, the area is home to about 80% of the global population lacking access to electricity.

Energy Security in Ethiopia

According to the World Bank, Ethiopia has the third largest energy deficit in Africa, with about half of the population unable to access reliable electricity. There is also a stark rural-urban divide: as of 2022, only 40% of rural households had reliable access to electricity, compared to 93% of urban households. Ethiopia has been making strides on this issue and recently expanded the electricity grid to cover almost 60% of towns and villages.

The main challenge, however, is the lack of adequate energy infrastructure rooted in a broader shortage of resources. Fortunately, several international actors have recently stepped up to help address Ethiopia’s energy gaps, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA).

China

China has been heavily involved in Ethiopia’s development for more than a decade now, reflected by the fact that Ethiopia is China’s second-largest debtor on the continent. Ethiopia was an early signee to China’s BRI, which has resulted in several multi-million dollar infrastructure projects in the country, including a flagship $5 billion railway from Addis Ababa to Djibouti.

Ethiopia doubled down on this partnership by joining BRICS+ in late 2023. This will grant the country access to BRICS’ multilateral financing institutions, thus paving the way for easier access to Chinese funding in the future. One program with particular appeal for Ethiopia is China’s “Africa Solar Belt” program, which aims to provide solar power to 50,000 African households. Ethiopia also plans to import more than 100,000 electric vehicles and 5,000 electric buses from China in the coming years in a bid to upgrade the country’s transportation infrastructure.

The World Bank

While China has often been Ethiopia’s main development partner, the country also cooperates extensively with the World Bank, primarily on financing. In the realm of energy security, the World Bank recently unveiled a program called Power Sector Reform, Investment and Modernization in Ethiopia (PRIME). This program provides Ethiopia with a “financing envelope” of $1.5 billion, disbursed in multiple phases in the next 10 years, to upgrade its energy sector.

The program focuses on investing in critical energy infrastructure and expanding electricity access more broadly. In an attempt to diversify and stabilize Ethiopia’s energy supply, PRIME will only invest in non-hydropower renewable energy sources since 96% of Ethiopia’s electricity is currently derived from hydropower. Almost all of the funding comes from the IDA, the World Bank’s fund for least-developed countries, with the remainder coming from a green energy trust fund, leaving none of the funding burden on Ethiopia.

Final Thoughts on Energy Security in Ethiopia

While energy security in Ethiopia remains an entrenched issue, the situation is improving: for instance, access to electricity has more than quintupled in the last two decades, rising from about 10% in 2001 to 55% in 2022, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, with Ethiopia’s new membership in BRICS+ and its 10-year financing deal with the World Bank, chances are good that energy security in Ethiopia will continue to improve.

– Kipling Newman

Kipling is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Meesanallur in Tamil Nadu Is Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Meesanallur in Tamil NaduThe village of Meesanallur in Tamil Nadu, India, has become a symbol of hope and transformation for marginalized communities, particularly the Irula tribe, who have long been trapped in cycles of poverty and bonded labor. Through strategic interventions by government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), Meesanallur has transitioned into a thriving community, offering security, stability and a model for rehabilitation replicable for other impoverished populations in regions susceptible to economic exploitation.

About Meesanallur in Tamil Nadu

Prior to its transformation, Meesanallur was a typical example of the challenges faced by many rural villages in Tamil Nadu. The village was characterized by extreme poverty, with most of its inhabitants, particularly those from the Irular tribe, living in dilapidated huts with little to no access to basic amenities like clean water, sanitation or electricity. The lack of education and employment opportunities perpetuated a cycle of poverty, forcing many families into bonded labor to survive. This economic exploitation was compounded by social marginalization, as the Irular community faced significant discrimination, further limiting their access to resources and opportunities for advancement.

Transforming Lives Through Planned Resettlement

One of the most significant aspects of Meesanallur’s transformation is the resettlement of Irula families who were once kept in near-perpetual poverty, often for generations, as the victims of exploitative working conditions and bonded labor. These families have now been resettled in the planned community of Meesanallur, where they have been provided housing, education and economic opportunities. The resettlement initiative, supported by the International Justice Mission (IJM) and local authorities, has been crucial in providing these families with the security and stability they lacked for generations.

In Meesanallur, the construction of new homes, complete with basic amenities such as electricity and sanitation, has been a game-changer. These homes have provided physical shelter and a sense of dignity and belonging. The availability of legal land ownership has further empowered the residents, giving them a stake in their future and a foundation upon which they can build better lives.

Economic Empowerment and Education

Economic empowerment has been a cornerstone of Meesanallur’s success. The community has been equipped with resources and training to engage in various income-generating activities. For instance, residents have received support to start small businesses, engage in agriculture and access employment opportunities. These initiatives have significantly reduced the community’s reliance on exploitative labor practices, helping them achieve financial independence.

The Broader Impact and Future Potential

The success of Meesanallur as a model for breaking the cycle of poverty holds significant potential for other vulnerable communities, particularly those facing similar challenges of bonded labor, marginalization and economic deprivation. The approach taken in Meesanallur—combining resettlement, economic empowerment and community building—can be adapted and implemented in other regions with similar demographics.

For instance, the model can be applied to other tribal communities across India, many of whom face similar issues of exploitation and poverty. By providing secure housing, legal land ownership and opportunities for economic and educational advancement, these communities can be lifted out of poverty and given the tools to sustain themselves long-term.

Conclusion

Meesanallur stands as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities across India and beyond. Through strategic interventions and a holistic approach to rehabilitation, the village has successfully broken the cycle of poverty and provided its residents with the means to build a better future. The model of Meesanallur has the potential to be replicated in other vulnerable communities, offering a pathway to security, stability and dignity for those who have long been deprived of these fundamental human rights.

– Sophia Lee

Sophia is based in Media, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Reverse Osmosis: A Path to Clean Water in Jamaica

Clean Water in JamaicaAccess to clean, safe drinking water is integral for maintaining the health and everyday life of any human being, with the World Bank stating that it is “essential for human and economic development.” However, with less than 1% of the water on Earth being drinkable, not everyone has access to clean, safe water.

Access to Clean Water in Jamaica

The anthropogenic change in the climate is placing further stress on natural freshwater sources due to increasingly irregular rain patterns and more frequent extreme weather, such as droughts and flooding. This affects access to safe drinking water and damages water infrastructure, further limiting availability. In Jamaica, this has led to indefinite water restrictions in some areas as reservoirs like the Hermitage System and Mona Reservoir operate well below capacity, at 37% and 33%, respectively.

In recent years, Jamaica has even had to resort to water shutoffs where water is only accessible at certain times. This demonstrates that although Jamaica is known as “the land of wood and water,” access to clean and safe water remains an important issue and is only predicted to worsen if no intervention is undertaken to combat the impact of climate emergency.

Increasing Access to Clean Water in Jamaica

Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), in response to the nation’s worsening clean water situation and the threat posed by adverse climate conditions, signed a grant agreement with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on July 31, 2024. The grant “will support the development of reverse osmosis technology” by facilitating a study undertaken by the NEPA into 13 different national reverse osmosis sites and four international sites “that are environmentally responsible and reduce the impact on groundwater and marine life.”

Advancements in Reverse Osmosis Technology

Reverse Osmosis (RO) “is a multistage water filtration process that is used to remove up to 99.9% of contaminants.” This could simply be removing salt from seawater and turning it into safe and clean potable water for households or industries. However, it can also have other less obvious applications, such as removing heaving metals and dangerous chemicals from industrial wastewater, allowing it to be reused or distributed to the public. Both these applications of RO technology can help reduce water insecurity and help provide greater access to clean water in Jamaica.

Current developments in RO technology are also promising, offering increased efficiency at lower energy costs through a new pressure exchange system that fully automates the RO process. These new technological developments, combined with the implementation of RO systems made possible by the USTDA grants, can reduce Jamaica’s water insecurity while reducing the operation costs of such technology, making these services much more cost-effective and viable for a developing economy such as Jamaica’s.

Safe Water, Health and Poverty

While most people intuitively understand the importance of access to safe and clean water because it’s used copiously in daily life, it is also inextricably linked to health and, by extension, poverty. Clean water is essential not only for drinking and basic sanitation but also for many industries, including agriculture, which accounts for about one-twentieth of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP). Therefore, a lack of access to clean and safe water can cause diseases such as cholera or diarrhea and reduce economic growth by impacting and limiting industries such as agriculture, which accounts for 29% of GDP and 65% of jobs in developing countries.

Poor health is a major cause of poverty and a significant barrier to escaping it, as medical treatment often forces those living in or near poverty to cover out-of-pocket expenses. Ill health also prevents the sick individual or those caring for them from working, creating a loss of earnings that “is often larger than that through medical expenses.” Therefore, disease and poor health caused by unsafe water, often resorted to when clean and safe water is unavailable, can directly impact or cause poverty. A lack of safe and clean water can also affect early childhood development due to time spent fetching water and associated illness with poor hygiene and sanitation, leading to disrupted education, another factor directly linked to increases in poverty.

Final Remarks

Achieving 100% access to clean water across Jamaica is essential for reducing poverty-related factors and fostering economic growth. The USTDA’s support will help accelerate progress toward this goal while facilitating the implementation of sustainable, long-lasting infrastructure to meet Jamaica’s ongoing demand for clean water. Advancements in RO technology further support meeting future water demands while lowering energy costs, making RO a more viable long-term solution for Jamaica’s clean water needs. This will help reduce the impact of a lack of clean and safe water as an influencing cause of poverty and its continuation, hopefully paving the way for further poverty reduction measures in the country.

– Archie Day

Archie is based in St Andrews, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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3 Agricultural NGOs in East Timor

Agricultural NGOs in East TimorEast Timor is a small Pacific island near Australia and Indonesia. Of its economically active citizens, nearly 80% are active in agriculture. Agriculture makes up 25.4% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), with its main exports being coffee, rice, corn, beans and more. As the main activity and source of income for most of the population, agriculture is vital for East Timor’s economy and people. Despite being a crucial sector of the economy, many Timorese farmers lack high-quality equipment and knowledge of sustainable crop production methods, leading to low yields and poor-quality crops. This is where agricultural nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in improving farming practices in East Timor. Here are three examples of NGOs focused on enhancing agricultural development in the region.

RAEBIA

RAEBIA is a local organization that promotes conservation agriculture to support communities. In response to challenges such as drought and adverse climatic conditions, the organization focuses on teaching sustainable farming techniques to rural farmers in East Timor, ensuring agricultural practices are resilient and future-oriented.

To achieve its goals, RAEBIA operates two key programs—Seeds of Survival and Community Seed Banking. Through these initiatives, the organization has established two community seed banks, which serve as local institutions to preserve seeds. Additionally, several hectares of farmland have been conserved using techniques like terracing, controlled grazing and controlled deforestation.

By teaching and implementing these practices, farming in East Timor can become sustainable as the soil quality improves. The programs have also committed to educating the local communities on combating climate emergencies and empowering local leaders in the farming community, including women and youth.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is another NGO operating in Timor Leste and it is working to support the country’s agricultural census and management systems for its agriculture. Guided by its Country Programming Framework (CPF), FAO works to improve farming livelihoods and support smallholder fishing. For example, FAO collaborated with the Secretary of State of Fisheries to develop sustainable marine management in East Timor. Furthermore, it strengthened regional and national fisheries governance.

Additionally, FAO also donated money to East Timor’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to enhance their monitoring and evaluation capacity. This was achieved by developing a system and improving its planning, programming and decision-making, using the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries data. FAO’s goal was to push East Timor’s aquaculture to enhance from the top down, with the government using “the developed M&E system to inform evidence-based policy planning and decisions.”

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program

The NGO has a program operating in East Timor called the Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Improvement Program (SAPIP) that focuses on increasing smallholder agriculture productivity. In rural areas, crops are typically watered only by rainfall due to a lack of proper irrigation equipment. These crops are often grown through unsustainable small-scale subsistence farming on poor-quality soil.

SAPIP aims to enhance food security in East Timor by boosting public sector investments to increase smallholder agricultural productivity. Furthermore, it connects farmers to markets, helps mitigate risks such as floods and offers technical assistance. The NGO plans to train farmers using the Farmer Field School model. This will equip them with knowledge of good agricultural practices and demonstrate the benefits of collective farming.

As of December 2021, SAPIP had benefited 70,121 people, 47% of whom were women. This has been achieved by providing 123,554 days of training to scientists, extension agents, agro-dealers, farmers and community members to boost agricultural productivity. Additionally, 14,386 farmers became members of associations, approaching the end target of 16,500. SAPIP has made a substantial impact on East Timor’s agricultural communities.

Conclusion

These three agricultural NGOs in East Timor each have slightly different focuses, but all share the goal of improving and strengthening the country’s agriculture sector. Whether by promoting sustainable practices, uniting and empowering farming communities or advancing aquaculture, all three organizations have significantly contributed to enhancing East Timor’s agriculture quality.

– Hannah Chang

Hannah is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Common

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Project Mano: Ethiopia Uses Bitcoin to Fight Poverty

Project ManoIn Ethiopia, 40% of the population still doesn’t have access to electricity, contributing to high unemployment, particularly among young adults. Without proper technological skills and access to electricity, people are less likely to find jobs. Nearly 4% of the country’s population is unemployed across both rural and urban areas. Ethiopia’s new initiative, Project Mano, aims to address these challenges by utilizing Bitcoin. The project focuses on Bitcoin mining facilities and substations to strengthen the country’s economy.

Project Mano

Project Mano aims to integrate intensive bitcoin mining into Ethiopia’s economy, powered by the country’s renewable energy resources, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest dam in Africa. Led by the Russian bitcoin mining company Bitcluster, the project will support Ethiopia’s environmental goals of clean energy while also boosting technological infrastructure and growing the nation’s economy. If GERD is repurposed for bitcoin mining, it could generate billions of dollars annually for Ethiopia. At full capacity, the dam could power 200,000 similar machines, potentially yielding more than $2 billion per year.

Project Mano will establish a mining facility in Addis Ababa, strategically located near the GERD. Ethiopia’s climate is also a significant advantage for the facility’s construction. With temperatures ranging from 9°C to 24°C throughout the year, the country provides ideal conditions for bitcoin mining, as facilities are less likely to overheat or freeze. Additionally, Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, the largest on the continent, offers direct flights to most global capitals, making it a key transport hub and helping reduce the cost of importing equipment and materials.

The Benefits

Project Mano will offer significant benefits to Ethiopia’s population in the fight against poverty. Inflation remains high and the crises in Ukraine and Gaza have increased pressure on import prices. With 55% of the population unbanked, money circulation is limited, forcing the government to print more money and worsening inflation. One of Project Mano’s initiatives is to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, allowing it to be used for purchases, employee salaries and taxes. Since bitcoin maintains its value, this could help reduce poverty by stabilizing Ethiopia’s economy and promoting fiscal security.

Furthermore, using the GERD for bitcoin mining will provide 24/7 electricity access, helping Ethiopia combat poverty. The “electrification” of rural areas will lead to the establishment of bitcoin mining substations, allowing remote communities to gain access to electricity while creating new tech-related job opportunities. This increase in employment will boost Ethiopia’s economy and significantly reduce the number of people struggling with food poverty.

Summary

Project Mano proposes bitcoin mining as a solution for securing a stable economy. It plans to establish a facility in Addis Ababa powered by Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and other renewable energy sources. The project aligns with Ethiopia’s renewable energy goals while having the potential to generate billions of dollars for the economy. By expanding technological infrastructure, bitcoin mining will create more employment opportunities, address the high unemployment rate among young adults and help alleviate food poverty. Additionally, the Bitcoin facilities present significant opportunities for foreign investment and access to foreign currency, improving the quality of life for average Ethiopians and stabilizing the economy on a larger scale.

– Chelsey Saya McLeod

Chelsey is based in Southampton, Hampshire, UK and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Initiatives of World Food Program in Ukraine

World Food Program in UkraineMillions of Ukrainians are facing food insecurity due to Russia’s invasion. Since 2022, World Food Program (WFP) has invested more than $700 million into the economy of Ukraine to combat hunger. Furthermore, it has provided food to more than 3 million people along the frontlines.

Hunger Crisis

Present-day food insecurity in Ukraine began with Russia’s occupation and annexation of Crimea in 2014. The crisis intensified significantly following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, leading to severe disruptions and damage to Ukraine’s agrifood systems. As a result, approximately one in three Ukrainians—about 11 million people—are now food insecure.

The destruction of livelihoods and increased inflation due to war have further impeded access to nourishment for millions of Ukrainians. Additionally, as a major global grain producer, Ukraine plays a critical role in supplying more than half of its exports to low-income countries. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted this supply chain, worsening global food security, amplifying pre-existing food insecurity and driving up food prices.

Foreign Aid to Ukraine by World Food Program

While there is a high density of food insecurity in Kyiv, the greatest proportion of people experiencing Ukraine’s hunger crisis are located close to the war’s frontlines to the north and east of Ukraine. Here, one in four households was discovered to experience severe food shortages. As of March 2022, WFP has provided aid in the form of food and cash, equal to 2.5 billion meals, to tackle hunger in Ukraine.

WFP currently provides food assistance to three million internally displaced and affected individuals in Ukraine on a monthly basis, dispensing food throughout frontline regions. Most of the food is locally sourced and distributed in collaboration with local responders. For example, the nonprofit empowers local female-led bakeries in Mykolaiv to produce bread that is later distributed to thousands of households residing on the frontlines.

WFP also extended its school lunch scheme. The scheme has provided around 100,000 children in more than 700 schools in Ukraine with food. Additionally, WFP schemes work with local organizations and farmers to aid future crop cultivation. This is being achieved by removing landmines and explosive residues from farmlands. Approximately 25,000 square kilometers of arable land may contain landmines and other hazardous debris from the ongoing war, which have already injured and claimed hundreds of lives.

These WFP initiatives aim to rehabilitate mined land into productive farmland, restore agricultural livelihoods and reduce hunger in Ukraine. However, for now, many Ukrainians have to rely on WFP food boxes until local farmers and agrifood systems recover.

Future Outlooks

The Ukraine Third Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA3) conducted by the World Bank estimated that it would cost $56 billion to recover and reconstruct Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Humanitarian aid, therefore, will be crucial in preventing a more severe and extensive humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

– Viola Cuthbertson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Voluntary Service Overseas Helps People in Developing Nations

Voluntary Service OverseasWhile many organizations work with people in developing nations experiencing poverty and other hardships, Voluntary Service Overseas works in a way that makes them stand out from the crowd. This is because it helps people in developing nations not by merely providing aid but by working closely with people living in poverty and members of marginalized groups to determine what is preventing them from being able to meet their needs and breaking down these barriers.

Three-Point Strategy

Voluntary Service Overseas supports people in developing nations in three key ways. First, with the help of local and international volunteers, the organization collaborates with communities to design programs that identify specific needs. This approach allows volunteers to build strong relationships with community members.

The second step focuses on helping locals develop the skills and knowledge needed to improve their lives. As a result of learning new skills, community members often become volunteers themselves and carry on the organization’s work long after they have left, which is the program’s final step.

Rwanda and Bangladesh

Voluntary Service Overseas helps people in developing nations across the globe. In Bangladesh, the organization provides education for Rohingya refugees ages 3 to 5, teaching them the basics of literacy and numeracy to give them a strong start on the path to education. Older children also benefit from the program through 12 learning centers that offer education and a much-needed respite from the challenges of living in a refugee camp. The program has been tremendously successful, reaching more than 6,600 refugee children ages 3 to 14.

Voluntary Service Overseas also supports marginalized groups in Rwanda, focusing on Deaf young people. Volunteers provide lessons in Rwandan sign language and Deaf culture to 200 local health care professionals, enabling them to offer vital sexual and reproductive health information to 250 Deaf young people. As sexual and reproductive health information becomes more accessible, the overall health of both hearing and Deaf communities improves. Health care professionals also benefit from the program by better understanding how to communicate with and treat Deaf patients. This reduces miscommunication and language barriers, enhancing the quality of care they provide to members of the Deaf community.

Cambodia

Cambodia is another country where Voluntary Service Overseas helps people in need. Through its GREEN program, the organization helps protect the fishing industry in the region’s Tonle Sap Lake from adverse weather, deforestation, domestic and industrial sewage and other factors affecting water quality and the habitat of native fish. This is achieved by educating locals on more environmentally friendly ways of living through theater and outreach from local volunteers.

The organization also works in collaboration with local businesses by helping them establish alternative waste management strategies that have less of an impact on the lake’s cleanliness. Local schools and families are also educated on these strategies, allowing the future generation to continue protecting the environment when they enter the world of work. This program has had a positive impact on the ecosystem of Cambodia, with 70% of families adopting more environmentally friendly ways of living and 50 green businesses headed by women and young people being established.

Closing Remarks

Voluntary Service Overseas helps people in developing nations through various initiatives. The organization provides education for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, teaches Rwandan health care workers how to assist Deaf young people with sexual and reproductive health and educates Cambodian individuals and businesses on environmentally friendly practices and waste management. These strategies significantly improve the lives of people in developing nations.

– Sue-Joyce Headon

Sue-Joyce is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A Path Forward: Addressing Disabilities and Poverty in Serbia

Disabilities and Poverty in SerbiaIn Serbia, the intersection of disabilities and poverty presents significant challenges. While the country has made strides in improving conditions for people with disabilities, many still face barriers that hinder their access to essential services and opportunities.

The Scope of Disabilities and Poverty in Serbia

Serbia, a country in Southeastern Europe with a population of around 6.6 million, has a significant portion of its population living with disabilities. According to the United Nations (U.N.), around 8% of the population has a disability. Many of these individuals face challenges that are exacerbated by poverty, limiting their access to essential services and opportunities. The combination of disability and poverty creates substantial barriers to health care, education and employment, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage.

Barriers Faced by Disabled Individuals

The poverty rate in Serbia is a significant concern, with around 24.3% of the population living below the national poverty line. However, individuals with disabilities are disproportionately affected, facing an even higher likelihood of poverty compared to the general population. This disparity exacerbates their struggles with accessing health care, education and employment opportunities, further entrenching them in a cycle of poverty and marginalization. The gap between the overall poverty rate and that of the disabled population highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Health Care Access

Disabled people in Serbia face significant challenges in accessing health care services. Approximately 8% of the population, nearly 600,000 individuals, lives with some form of disability. One in five women and adolescent girls with disabilities report difficulties accessing needed health services. Additionally, one in four women with disabilities is dissatisfied with the sexual and reproductive health services she receives and one in seven has never had a gynecological examination. These challenges are compounded by negative stereotypes and barriers that persist even among health professionals.

Solutions

Several organizations and activities aim to improve conditions for disabled persons in Serbia. For instance, the National Organization of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS) focuses on advocating for disability rights and providing various support services. With representation for more than 800,000 individuals with disabilities, NOOIS has implemented programs such as accessible transport services and educational workshops. In addition, Nordeus, the largest IT company in Serbia, established a corporate foundation with $2.7 million to support the education and training of young IT professionals in the country.

A Call to Action

Addressing the intersection of disability and poverty in Serbia requires continued effort and collaboration. Key areas for improvement include increasing funding for support programs. Additionally, enhancing the accessibility of public services and raising awareness to combat social stigma, will support efforts within the country.

By focusing on practical solutions and promoting positive change, Serbia can make significant strides toward reducing poverty and improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.

– Aneela Agha

Aneela is based in Dubai, UAE and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr