Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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The Rapid Economic Development in Ethiopia

Economic Development in EthiopiaEthiopia is a low-income country in the Horn of Africa. It is one of the world’s oldest countries, but the territorial borders have changed multiple times during its existence. The country has a history of conflict and war.  In 2020, a civil war broke out in the country, which lasted for two years. Not long before this war started, the long-lasting conflict with Eritrea ended. Ethiopia also has a history of famine and poverty. However, in the last few years, the economic development in Ethiopia has been booming and the economy continues to grow.

About Poverty in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the poorest states in Africa and the second-most populated country after Nigeria. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 68% of Ethiopia’s population was multidimensionally poor in 2021. Poverty has various adverse effects on the country, including the prevalence of serious diseases.

The population is highly susceptible to diseases such as malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In 2019, NCDs caused 43% of deaths in Ethiopia. Furthermore, its average gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is $1,028 as of 2022 and a significant portion of the population struggles to access an adequate food supply. This widespread food insecurity in Ethiopia is attributed to overall poverty, droughts and past conflicts, among other factors.

Economic Growth

Ethiopia is experiencing rapid economic growth, with an impressive 7.2% increase in the 2022/23 fiscal year. The country has made significant progress in reducing poverty. Between 1995 and 2015, the percentage of Ethiopians living below the international poverty line decreased from 69% to 27%. The list below showcases the main reasons why Ethiopia’s economic development is booming:

  1. In 2018, the Ethiopian government launched an Urban Institutional and Infrastructure Development program. The program’s goals are to promote structural and economic transformation through increased productivity, build resilience and inclusiveness, support institutional accountability and confront corruption. The program, which will end in July 2024, has improved the living conditions for at least 6.6 million Ethiopians living in the countryside.
  2. Agriculture is an essential driver of economic development in Ethiopia. The industry accounts for 40% of Ethiopia’s GDP and an estimated 75% of the country’s workforce finds itself in this field. The government has set a plan to replace wheat imports with local production. It has introduced farming techniques that allow wheat to be harvested twice a year. By 2022, Ethiopia had become completely self-sufficient in producing wheat for its inhabitants. In the same year, it made more than one million tons of surplus, which it exported. The wheat initiative has been a great success.
  3. Due to the rapidly growing population, the government is facing challenges in creating enough jobs. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in the Ethiopian economy. Therefore, the government has begun to focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses as part of its plan to create three million more jobs annually.
  4. Some of the elements mentioned are part of the government’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda. This is an economic reform that was launched in 2021 and focuses on:
    • Ensuring macroeconomic stability to sustain the rapidly growing economic growth.
    • Rebalancing the public and private sector’s role in the economy.
    • Unlocking new and existing potential.

Looking Forward

In January 2024, the leaders of Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding. Ethiopia, which is landlocked, will be allowed to use Somaliland’s port for commercial traffic. In return, Somaliland will get a share of Ethiopia Airlines. This deal has irritated Somalia, which considers Somaliland to be part of its territory. However, if or when this deal is set in motion, Ethiopia’s economic development will likely reach new heights.

– Sigrid Nyhammer

Sigrid is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How FUNDAP Is Improving Women’s Education in Guatemala

Women’s Education in GuatemalaAs a strongly patriarchal society, Guatemala has made progress toward gender equality in the past years. This is partially due to work done by the Foundation for the Integral Development of Socioeconomic Programs (FUNDAP). This nonprofit organization uses six different programs (education, health, microcredit, handicraft, agricultural and environmental) to educate women. FUNDAP is elevating and empowering women to cultivate growth in various impoverished regions of Guatemala.

What Is FUNDAP?

FUNDAP is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 that focuses on improving the lives of people (specifically women) in rural areas of the Republic of Guatemala. It is dedicated to moving forward with respect for people’s dignity and culture, avoiding the patriarchy to empower local women.

How Does FUNDAP Work toward Empowering Women?

FUNDAP operates by first monitoring at-risk and poverty-stricken areas and then evaluating the best ways to assist the residents. Following the evaluation, it implements various changes, which often involve creating job opportunities, offering financial support to local women and developing tools for sustainable environmental use.

After these changes are enacted, FUNDAP will focus specifically on individual women, limiting its view from the wider community to the impoverished woman. It will help the women learn important habits (like hygiene, nutrition, literary and financial literacy), develop their sense of self (through self-confidence) and then educate those women until they are qualified workers in a specialized field.

Like many patriarchal societies, Guatemala holds a deep cultural belief in specific gender roles and biases. These cause great difficulties for women trying to achieve financial stability or even financial independence, as many locals do not support women’s businesses. This is not to say that women entrepreneurs do not exist in Guatemala. In fact, they make up the majority of lower-level businesses. The problem lies in the fact that they lack access to the necessary tools and are being denied opportunities to enhance their businesses and progress to the next level.

FUNDAP assists women in advancing to the next level by providing them with the education that has been denied to them due to their gender. The organization also works with them to cultivate self-confidence and affirm gender equality. By teaching women how to save, invest in equipment smartly and handle their finances, the organization allows local women to feel confident and secure in their businesses.

FUNDAP Improves Women’s Education in Guatemala

FUNDAP offers six programs that Guatemalan women can join. The programs focus on providing specialized training to make women highly qualified in areas such as education, healthcare, microcredit, handicrafts, agriculture and the environment. These programs are designed to educate and empower women to excel in specific fields of their interest.

Impacts

While many international programs and nonprofits have focused on education, FUNDAP provides diverse opportunities for women’s education in Guatemala. According to the World Bank, in 1980, only 17% of Guatemalan women were enrolled in secondary education. However, by 2022, that number had risen to 47%. These programs are effective and although they take time, they often achieve their goals.

In 2023 alone, FUNDAP helped more than 181,000 people with its programs, with more than 83% of those beneficiaries being women. FUNDAP is an organization with a wide reach throughout Guatemala. It identified a problem and took active steps to address it by providing education and empowerment to women.

– Paige Tamasi

Paige is based in Los Gatos, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Mali’s Sugu Yiriwa Market

Mali's Sugu Yiriwa Market In 2022, Mali experienced an increase in its poverty rate from 44.6% to 45.4%, with an additional 1.3 million people requiring humanitarian aid, 20% of schools closed and 2.5 million individuals without health coverage. To combat these ongoing challenges, the Feed the Future initiative launched the Sugu Yiriwa Market in Mali, designed to stimulate economic growth and support disadvantaged communities.

Sugu Yiriwa Market

The Sugu Yiriwa Market, launched in 2021 with CARE Mali and other organizations, serves 12 districts across 80 communities. This initiative focuses on three primary objectives: enhancing the quality of products, boosting income and expanding access to nutrient-rich goods. The market aims to foster a network of interconnected markets and businesses to ensure a more reliable supply of quality, necessary products and to enhance overall market access for the community.

The Sugu Yiriwa Market introduces quality products that provide essential nutrition to communities traditionally lacking access to such resources. This availability is crucial for addressing malnutrition and ensuring safer consumption options. The market also supports local farmers by offering efficient production methods and introducing new technologies that assist with pricing and weather forecasting. Additionally, these technology advancements aim to reduce post-harvest labor and enhance overall agricultural productivity.

Its Impacts

In 2023, the Sugu Yiriwa Market achieved $20 million in total annual sales, with women comprising about half of its participants, aligning with the market’s focus on empowering this demographic. The market also targeted children’s nutritional needs, successfully delivering interventions to more than 2,000 children that year. Additionally, more than 100 traders and suppliers received training in sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing food security and boosting sales.

Mali businessman, Sidiki Badian, who profits from cereal and grains, navigated a crisis when the Mali government banned cereal exports, leaving him with surplus stock. Through the Sugu Yiriwa Market, Badian engaged with ministers to facilitate a government purchase of his remaining millet. This support mechanism has bolstered local farmers and businessmen like Badian, enhancing their revenue and providing essential economic support.

Looking Ahead

The Sugu Yiriwa Market has become a vital part of Mali’s efforts to combat poverty and malnutrition. The initiative plans to expand its reach, incorporating more advanced agricultural techniques and supporting additional communities. Efforts could focus on creating more training programs for farmers and traders, to ensure sustainable growth and stability. Through ongoing initiatives, Mali can potentially make strides in improving food security and supporting local economies amid ongoing challenges.

– Dorothy Howard

Dorothy is based in Greensboro, NC, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Alleviating Poverty in Guatemala City Garbage Dump

Guatemala City Garbage DumpGuatemala is characterized by its diverse and vibrant landscapes and equally rich cultural mosaic. However, with an estimated 55% of the population surviving on less than $6.85 a day, poverty frequently drains the color from everyday life there. According to the World Bank, limited access to services and opportunities is one reason why Guatemala’s steady economic growth, which has made the Guatemalan economy the largest in Central America, has yet to lead to significant poverty reduction. The poverty rate is the third highest in Latin America and the Caribbean and nowhere is the issue more visible than in the community surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump.

Life in Landfill

A country of rolling mountain ranges and lush tropical forests, Guatemala is known as the Land of Eternal Spring. The Guatemala City garbage dump is an open-air landfill. An estimated 60,000 people live in extreme poverty along the periphery of the 40-acre landfill. According to a recent article by the environmental magazine Mongabay, underdeveloped infrastructure allows for build-ups of methane gas that ignites deadly fires, for waste to amass into mountains that shift underfoot. The surrounding neighborhood is rife with dangers and devoid of opportunity. Many inhabitants survive by scavenging through hazardous mounds of waste in search of materials for resale.

How Safe Passage Is Clearing Pathways Out of the Dump

Safe Passage is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that helps families in this community free themselves from cyclical poverty. With the average adult resident having yet to progress beyond the fourth grade, the organization works towards long-term development. This is achieved by providing children with free quality education.

Within its full-day school, Safe Passage employs an experimental methodology called “Expeditionary Learning,” which integrates off-site activities into an immersive curriculum focusing on life skills and citizenship as well as traditional academic disciplines. Creating experiences away from the dump shows students how the knowledge they gather at school can be applied to real life. With this approach designed for maximum engagement, 90% of the organization’s students graduate in the ninth grade. In contrast, the national retention rate between the sixth and 10th grades is estimated at 42%.

Students navigating the transition between school and adult life can access vocational guidance, support with university and job applications, and training and employment opportunities with Safe Passage’s partner organizations through the “Próximo Paso” program. In 2023 alone, 32 students started vocational training and 14 began the university enrolment process. Furthermore, with Guatemalan schools opening for just four hours a day. The “Oportunidades” program offers students from other institutions the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities. This, in turn, provides a refuge from the chaos of life in the neighborhood and from the grip of its gangs.

Forging Futures with Creamos

Creamos was established in 2008 as an entrepreneurial initiative when a group of women began selling jewelry made from upcycled materials and were able to leave a life of scavenging in the dump behind them. It has since evolved into an NGO that helps others surmount the systemic barriers facing the community. Although its services extend to all in need of them, Creamos focuses especially on the neighborhood’s women. The women are subject to the converging forces of poverty and gender-based inequalities and violence. On a national level, Guatemala’s female labor force participation rate is the lowest in Latin America and the Caribbean at just 32% as of 2018. Similarly, the femicide rate is among the highest in the world, with 1.6 deaths per 100,000 women in 2021.

In 2020, Creamos introduced its Accelerated Education Program. It steers adult learners, many of whom were forced out of school and into work at the dump by a lack of resources, through a compressed academic curriculum and toward a high-school diploma. It also offers flexible scheduling and free childcare. As of 2022, an incredible 434 individuals had re-enrolled in education with Creamos. Furthermore, in 2022, the organization implemented its Workforce Development Program, through which students can access vocational training courses and internships with numerous partner organizations. They can specialize in various sectors, all selected to match current labor trends. In 2022 alone, the program served 250 people.

Holistic Approaches

In alignment with their shared mission of personal and community development, Safe Passage and Creamos provide various health care services. Safe Passage operates an on-site infirmary that treats health complaints and fosters long-term community well-being through education. It also has a social services team and offers pastoral care and a support program for at-risk families.

Epidemic levels of gender-based violence plague the community surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump. To help address this, Creamos seeks to create safe spaces for vulnerable women. This includes providing a range of emotional care services operated by licensed psychologists, such as specialized support groups and a program designed to fortify family dynamics.

Looking Ahead

Guatemala has a human capital index of 0.46. This indicates that children born there today are projected to attain just 46% of their lifetime potential. However, organizations like Safe Passage and Creamos are working determinedly to equalize access to resources. Safe Passage is guiding children from the fringes of society inward.

Creamos, meaning “we create” in Spanish, began as a jewelry-making initiative but now strives to provide marginalized people with the tools they need to manufacture a life for themselves. Both organizations are creators at their cores: creators of safe spaces, opportunities and hope for a future where all of its people can feel Guatemala’s vitality.

– Leila Powles

Leila is based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Emergency Relief to Sudan

Emergency Relief to SudanSudan is a country full of conflict between the people and between the people and their government. This instability has only compounded the country’s difficulties. While Sudan is still recovering from COVID-19 and various government aid programs and World Bank projects are on pause, the Sudanese have been left to fend for themselves. However, the Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project has been enacted to provide temporary relief until the previous poverty prevention and relief projects are resumed.

Why Have the Preexisting Programs Stopped?

During COVID-19, Sudan was wrecked economically, as many people became unemployed and were unable to find jobs afterward. Compound this with the near-constant fighting occurring in the country and the Sudanese food security is limited to none. This fighting has caused the humanitarian aid front of the World Food Programme (WFP) to stop, as its teams cannot enter active combat zones to provide relief safely. While the WFP can aid the Sudanese people in different areas, those trapped in the middle of conflict cannot receive relief.

This is not unusual when providing humanitarian aid to active conflict provinces. However, the fighting in Sudan is so intense and ongoing that the combat zones change frequently. More and more people are trapped in dangerous provinces away from the WFP’s. At least four military groups are fighting for control of Sudan: the Sudan Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces and many from previous Sudanese civil wars. With so much conflict, providing humanitarian aid is difficult and dangerous.

The Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project

The Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project has two halves: the safety nets and the infrastructural supports. The safety nets include both food and cash, but the value of both is equivalent to $7 in food. This may not seem like much, but the $7 can provide up to 1000 kilocalories, about half the daily required caloric intake. In a country with little consistency and food security, even something as little as $7 can change a person’s life. These Safety nets will focus on households and use its new infrastructural support system to monitor caloric intake per household to maximize their humanitarian aid.

The infrastructural support systems in question can be divided into delivery, monitoring and evaluation and project management. The delivery programs will work to ensure safe evaluation and social information. The programs will also ensure that payments, enrollment and information can safely be delivered to the Sudanese people.

The monitoring and evaluation system will assess potential risks and benefits for future projects and allow people to make informed choices about whether specific aspects of projects are safe to conduct. The hope for this system is to attempt to combat the paused humanitarian relief by monitoring risk factors in Sudan and either acting before it is too dangerous or finding another way around it.

The project management aspect of the infrastructural support system will focus on financing and executing the Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project. While Sudan is in such turmoil and conflict, the political systems are functionally unilaterally, as this is the nature of civil wars. The project management aspect of the Emergency Safety Nets Project will take on all the administrative and financial aspects that may be done by a political party to ensure that humanitarian relief avoids becoming a political piece in the military conflict.

Final Thoughts

Sudan is struggling with limited food security and constant military conflict. Where the fighting escalates, emergency relief to Sudan is limited and removed to ensure the safety of the relief workers. The Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project works during these tumultuous times to ensure that the high-conflict areas of Sudan may still receive humanitarian aid. This project works during the halts of other humanitarian projects so that the people of Sudan do not suffer during the civil wars.

– Paige Tamasi

Paige is based in Los Gatos, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Food Systems in the Bahamas

Food Systems in the BahamasCountries in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, are located in a part of the world where problems induced by varying climatic conditions, such as extreme droughts, destructive flooding and ocean acidification, could negatively affect food systems in the Bahamas.

Reliance on Imported Goods and Health Impacts

Like most Caribbean nations, the Bahamas has little access to land and relies heavily upon imported goods. The Bahamas imports more than 90% of its food needs. Many of these imported goods are processed and contain large amounts of salts and sugar, which negatively impact the health of the Bahamian population.

Food Insecurity and Health Concerns

Between 2019 and 2021, it was estimated that 17% of the Bahamian population faced modest to extreme levels of food insecurity. Although this statistic is considerably below the global average of 33% and the regional average of 38%, there are other concerns. Specifically, 32% of the adult population is obese compared to the global average of 21%. The problem of obesity can be attributed to the country’s reliance on imported goods that are often lacking in nutritional value and unhealthy. Diabetes is also another major health problem in the Bahamas.

Food Accessibility and Government Support Programs

In terms of overall access to food in the country, food is readily available in urban areas; however, the accessibility of food in rural communities remains uncertain. The government aids in making food more accessible by providing grants and financial assistance to impoverished residents, allowing them to purchase food. The National School Feeding Programme supplies meals for young students from low-income families and the government also subsidizes certain foods. Despite these efforts, the National School Feeding Program and subsidy program struggle to provide nutritious options for these underprivileged communities.

In light of these challenges, the Bahamian government is looking to make changes to create a more sophisticated and responsive food system. Notably, the Bahamian government aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imported food by 25% by 2025. Prime Minister Davis explained that this will require increased agricultural output locally, with an emphasis on growing and cultivating healthier options for the population.

In addition, in 2021, the Bahamas became a member of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative, which focuses on promoting sustainability in developing countries like the Bahamas. Through this program, the Bahamas will work on developing sustainably, working with local farmers to utilize more environmentally safe farming methods. Furthermore, it will put effort into research and development of new agricultural techniques meant to minimize environmental impact and increase output.

Summary

Like other countries in the Caribbean, the Bahamas has little arable land. Therefore, it imports almost 100% of its food needs. However, the government is working to increase local food production in an effort to combat food insecurity and unhealthy diets, whilst improving food systems in the Bahamas.

– Brendan Sheehan

Brendan is based in San Rafael, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Cabo Verde

Child Poverty in Cabo VerdeUp until 2019, Cabo Verde, previously known as Cape Verde, was one of the most successful sub-Saharan African countries working toward poverty reduction. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, which initiated a disruption of labor activities, tourism and businesses, the poverty index rose by 3.8%—the equivalent of 10,000 more people in Cabo Verde facing extreme poverty. As a result, parents, guardians and caregivers struggle to provide for their children. As of 2024, nearly one in 10 children is malnourished.

Lack of Housing

One of the greatest challenges experienced by children in Cabo Verde is the lack of affordable housing. Many families have to settle for underdeveloped and unsafe homes, which often lack public water supply, sewage and electricity. As a result, the children of Cabo Verde are at a huge disadvantage in terms of educational and social opportunities. The housing crisis is present in nearly all Sub-Saharan African countries.

Child Labor

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many families in Cabo Verde have had to withdraw their children from school to help provide for their households. Consequently, approximately 3.2% of children aged 10 to 14 were working as of 2020. In rural areas, many children are especially subject to harsh physical working conditions, such as agriculture and housework. However, progress has been made in recent years. In 2014, Cabo Verde established the Action Plan for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor. Additionally, in 2022, the country increased the minimum age of employment to 15 years old.

Poor Nutrition and Sanitation

In Cabo Verde, 31 out of every 100 people lack access to the country’s public water network and approximately 15% lack proper sanitary systems. As a result, anemia remains a common disease among young children. Typically caused by malnutrition, anemia may result in low energy, tachycardia and delayed growth and development. In Cabo Verde, anemia affects about 72% of children aged less than 2 and 52% of older children.

Solutions

Recently, Cabo Verde has been making efforts to improve the living conditions of these children. As of 2024, the Cabo Verde government is addressing the challenges left by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine conflict. According to the United States (U.S.) Department of Labor, “Through the Cape Verde Social and Educational Action Institute, the government implements various initiatives to increase access to education among the poor. For children who may still be subject to school fees, efforts include the provision of school fees, school materials and free meals to low-income families.”

Additionally, in 2020, all 434 public schools in Cabo Verde received the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant support, improving health standards for both the children and teachers. Additionally, in 2020, all 434 public schools in Cabo Verde received the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant support, improving health standards for both the children and teachers. This is just a step toward diminishing child poverty in Cabo Verde and hopefully, it will influence remaining impoverished countries to follow suit.

Conclusion

While Cabo Verde is one of the more progressive sub-Saharan African countries when it comes to child poverty, there’s still work to be done, particularly regarding safe and affordable housing, proper sanitation and child labor reduction. With the implication of the resources and solutions listed above, Cabo Verde is on its way to a more promising future for their children.

– London Puc

London is based in West Palm Beach, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Tackling Poverty in the Cook Islands Post-Pandemic

Poverty in the Cook IslandsThe Cook Islands, an idyllic South Pacific archipelago, faced significant socioeconomic and poverty challenges after the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally reliant on tourism, global travel restrictions severely disrupted the nation’s primary industry, leading to widespread economic hardship.

Economic Disruption and Job Losses

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a devastating blow to the Cook Islands’ economy. Tourism, which contributed approximately 70% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, abruptly halted as global travel restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of the virus. This led to a dramatic decline in national income, with the GDP recession estimated at 26% in 2021.

The immediate consequence was widespread job losses, particularly in the hospitality and service sectors. Many businesses were forced to close their doors permanently due to the lack of revenue. This economic shock rippled through the community, significantly increasing poverty in the Cook Islands.

Government Response and Social Welfare

In response to the crisis, the national government implemented a series of financial aid packages and social welfare programs to reduce poverty in the Cook Islands. The COVID-19 Active Response and Economic Support (CARES) Program, backed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), provided much-needed financial assistance.

These initiatives supplied grants and loans for businesses to help them stay afloat. The programs also supported households with food programs and educational opportunities for children. These measures were crucial in preventing a complete economic collapse and maintaining social stability during the height of the pandemic.

Recovery and Diversification of Economy

  1. Fisheries and Agriculture: Investments are being made to enhance sustainable fishing practices and improve agricultural productivity. These efforts aim to provide alternative sources of income and ensure food security. For instance, the government has introduced high-yield crop varieties and modernized fishing fleets with support from international partners like the Australian Government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
  2. Digital Economy: Expanding digital infrastructure has become a priority in integrating the Cook Islands into the global digital economy. Projects funded by organizations like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aim to improve internet access, foster new business opportunities and support remote work. This digital expansion is crucial for economic diversification and for creating new avenues of income.
  3. Renewable Energy: The Cook Islands government has set ambitious targets to transition to renewable energy, aiming for 100% renewable energy in the near future. Significant progress has been made with solar and wind energy projects contributing to the national grid. These projects reduce dependency on imported fuels while creating green jobs and attracting investment in clean technologies.

Looking Forward

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Cook Islands economy. However, it also presented an opportunity to rethink and diversify economic strategies. By focusing on other sectors of the economy, poverty in the Cook Islands can be replaced by prosperity. The collective efforts of the government, international organizations and the community will be instrumental in driving this transformation and ensuring that the nation emerges stronger post-pandemic.

– Asiya Siddiqui

Asiya is based in Fremont, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Mental Health in Nicaragua: 3 Promising Programs  

Mental Health in NicaraguaMental health is a significant global health concern, and many countries are striving to find effective solutions. According to the 2022 World Mental Health Report, about one in eight people in the world live with a mental disorder. Creating a positive mental health environment has been a complex journey for the citizens of Nicaragua, as they have faced many external hardships, including political regimes and natural disasters.

Mental Health in Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, there is a severe lack of health care professionals for those suffering from mental health issues. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mental Health Atlas in 2020, there were only 250 mental health professionals in the entire country. That means for every 100,000 people, there are less than four mental health professionals. Medical professionals are necessary for Nicaraguan citizens to attend to their health needs. Without their care, the citizens must manage their health issues on their own.

The lack of those professionals is only one part of the problem. The places where those people go to get the help they need are also an issue. There are only five mental health outpatient facilities attached to a hospital in the country and only one main mental hospital which had a total number of 1, 179 admissions, according to WHO. This severe lack of resources for those dealing with mental health in Nicaragua can lead to many people not receiving the help they need.

Within the population of Nicaragua, approximately 24.9% live in poverty, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Since there are few medical professionals and places, those who live in poverty and suffer from mental health have almost nowhere to go.

This difficult reality is still prevalent in Nicaragua, even so, the country is working towards fostering positive mental health. Education and outreach are two of the key factors when it comes to changing the mental health crisis. Here are three programs that are reworking mental health in Nicaragua:

ANDEPSI

Due to the lack of mental health professionals in Nicaragua, The Nicaraguan Association for the Development of Psychology (ANDEPSI) has set out to change this issue. ANDEPSI started in 2016 and has continued to promote mental health to the citizens of Nicaragua. Psychology professionals in Nicaragua are better equipped to address mental health issues through the dedication of ANDEPSI to enhancing their training. Education is the first step, as ANDEPSI works with both students in university and senior professionals, updating both groups on advancements in mental health. This leads to better-equipped workers handling mental health challenges.

The association educates those within this field and those in the community through regular educational events in the media. Through this level of outreach, the ANDEPSI is promoting a well-rounded education of professionals that trickles down to the individuals affected by mental health in Nicaragua. More educated professionals can result in those who live in poverty getting the help they need closer to them rather than travelling to one of those five outpatient facilities. The group has made small but meaningful progress such as creating alliances with national universities, joining the International Union of Psychological Science, and has organized meetings to discuss climate change action in the country, according to the American Psychological Association (APA).

The Mental Health Innovation Network

The Mental Health Innovation Network (MHIN) is conducting a research project focusing on improving Nicaragua’s mental health literacy. The project’s approach includes educating teachers who will then educate students and developing an “innovative tech platform to support youth self-education on mental health.” This allows both students and teachers to learn more about the reality of mental health and decrease the surrounding stigma. The group conducted their initial research which showed promising program results such as lower psychological distress scores among students. Researchers within the group also reported that “90% of intervention teachers and students were very satisfied with the curriculum and felt it was important to continue to offer it in school programming.”

The project plans to implement a variety of resources beyond the education curriculum, such as a platform to discuss these issues. Platforms like this help educate and encourage those who face these issues to get the help they need. The Ministry of Education plans to continue this form of education and the research group is looking to work with policymakers to increase the program’s outreach.

CISWH

The Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH) has gone a different route regarding mental health in Nicaragua, through social work trips. In 2022, the CISWH trip partnered with many Nicaraguan companies and organizations, such as the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua FAREM-Estelí (UNAN-FAREM). The Superemos Foundation, based in Estelí, conducted psychosocial seminars as part of its community development work through health and social services.

The seminars, focused on trauma and mental health, educated many community members such as the Estelí Department of Public Defense and medical personnel from the University. CISWH travelled to other parts of the country to conduct seminars on other issues, including the environment.

Along with mental health, the group pushes for environmental activism. They met with La Mariposa, a school and hotel that uses its profits to fund rural community projects. Those on the trip learned about La Mariposa’s current plan to improve access to clean water. By educating people on these issues in communities, it brings awareness and potential help within these programs. For those living in poverty, community outreach is one of the many ways they can receive training and education on issues such as mental health and the environment.

This form of outreach allows citizens to engage with each other and get educated on global issues. In the future, CISWH plans to continue this outreach remotely as it trains UNAN-FAREM students in social and psychology.

The Path Forward

Mental health in Nicaragua is a critical and complex issue with deeply intertwined with the country’s socio-political landscape. Through these organizations, it is clear that the solutions to the mental health crisis start with educating those on the front lines. Medical professionals and students alike must be kept informed and updated on the various aspects of mental health care. Community outreach goes hand in hand with that as it empowers the citizens to receive education on this topic.

Mental health and poverty are two sides of the same coin. When a person is mentally sound, they can reach for better opportunities to work out of poverty. This boosts the economy as well since if more people are working then the economy is bound to grow. By engaging with people, the country can alleviate mental health and open the door for more conversations regarding it.

While mental health is still an ongoing issue in Nicaragua, suicide-related deaths have been improving since 2018 and stands at 4.35 deaths per 100,000. There has also been an increase in community-based mental health services from 2017 to 2020. As Nicaragua continues to navigate its country’s challenges, addressing these mental health issues needs to be a priority to ensure the well-being and resilience of its population.

– Tess Curran

Tess is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for TheBorgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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5 Things Being Done to Solve Child Poverty in Togo

Child Poverty in TogoTogo is located in West Africa along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. With a population of 8.8 million, this small, mostly French-speaking country whose lush climate supports agriculture still struggles with poverty; 45.5% of the country’s population falls below the International poverty line. With so many people living below the poverty line, children are significantly affected. Many succumb to preventable diseases due to a lack of medical facilities. Additionally, 30% of children in Togo leave school to work, often facing exploitation in these environments. Despite these challenges, numerous organizations are working to end child poverty in Togo. Here are five organizations/legislative initiatives currently working on improving child welfare in Togo:

SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages has helped youth and families in 138 countries and territories, including Togo. Its approach is to prevent child and family separation, protect those children who are separated from their families and advocate for children’s rights policies.

In Togo, 380 children are under the care of SOS, with 6,800 children attending SOS Kindergartens and schools. SOS has provided 33,730 medical services, such as creating medical facilities that help aid kids with diseases such as diarrhea, tuberculosis and cardiovascular disease.

Social Safety Net and Basic Services Project

The World Bank supports the Social Safety Net and Basic Services (FSB) project, which the National Grassroots Agency implements. FSB provides financial assistance to families in need in Togo. For example, it helped one man double the size of his gardening business, enabling him to support his four children. Following initial successes in smaller villages, the World Bank increased its budget to $100 million in 2023 to support a larger number of villages in Togo.

International Conventions

Togo has already ratified the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 138 on the minimum age for admission to work and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. These conventions and the Children’s Code of 2007 ensured nondiscrimination, the right to life and the principle of children’s best interests. The adoption of these initiatives shows great steps into the future of protecting children through legislation.

CARE

CARE has been working in Togo since 1986. Its work focuses on supporting women and girls through training, health services and knowledge sharing. CARE helps girls who experience exploitative and hazardous child labor receive education. CARE provides training, specifically in agriculture, to give women and girls knowledge in areas that will help them support themselves. The organization has reached 7,031 girls and is continuing to help more.

Humanity and Inclusion

Humanity and Inclusion (HI) is an organization working in Togo to create a more inclusive society by improving the living conditions of people with disabilities and individuals experiencing extreme hardship. One of its major initiatives is to make primary and secondary schools accessible to children with disabilities. HI’s teams train teachers, support schools and provide educational resource centers to make these schools a more welcoming place for children with disabilities.

Conclusion

There are many organizations and legislation initiatives at work to help end child poverty in Togo. Each of these provides aid for families, creating a foundation of their own. They have made education more accessible, which keeps children out of work. They have even specialized in certain groups, such as children with disabilities and women. This ensures that they are helping to cultivate an equitable life for these children. The work of these organizations gives hope for the future and a light at the end of the tunnel for the children of Togo.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA. and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr