Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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Poverty Reduction in Italy Strengthens Communities

poverty reduction in italyIn a country with one of the largest European economies, many people still struggle to make ends meet. In 2024, more than 5.7 million individuals lived in absolute poverty, meaning they did not have enough income for basic needs like food, housing and services. Absolute poverty was highest in the southern regions of the country and remained relatively stable compared to the previous year. While poverty affects people of all ages, children also face hardship. In 2024, more than 1.2 million minors were living in absolute poverty, or about 13.8% of children nationwide. These persistent levels show that social and economic challenges remain widespread even after short‑term economic recovery.

Because of these challenges, the Italian government and partner organizations have pursued policies and programmes that support families, help people find work and improve local economies as part of broader poverty reduction in Italy efforts. These actions focus on income support, job services, skills training and community development.

Income Support and Job Services

Even though income support helps families meet basic needs, long‑term stability often depends on access to employment opportunities. Italy’s Citizens’ Income program, which was in place until 2024, provided conditional financial assistance to low‑income households alongside job training and job search support. The program helped many families connect with employment services while easing short‑term financial stress.

When individuals receive both financial assistance and employment support, they have a better chance of finding stable work. Government employment centres across Italy provide job search assistance, vocational reviews and connections to employers. These services help people transition from immediate support to long‑term economic independence.

Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Vulnerable People

While government programs are important, nonprofit organizations also play a key role in helping communities respond to economic hardship. Caritas Italiana is one of Italy’s largest charities that works directly with people experiencing poverty and exclusion.

Caritas works with a network of local groups across Italy to provide food assistance, counselling, basic services and community support. It also promotes inclusive education and training for vulnerable people such as youth and families struggling with financial hardship. These services help people build confidence, access services and find work when they are ready.

In addition to direct services, Caritas conducts research on poverty and social exclusion so that policymakers and civil society can better understand the root causes of economic hardship and develop effective responses. The organization also coordinates with Catholics charities across Europe to broaden its support network.

Education and Workforce Development

Although income support and immediate services help families meet basic needs, long‑term stability often depends on people gaining employment and important skills. According to the OECD Employment Outlook, Italy’s unemployment rate has declined in recent years but still remains above the OECD average and job growth could be moderate in the near future. These trends show how critical workforce development and labour market programmes are for increasing opportunities for people at risk of poverty.

While employment support is essential, government and EU programs for training and labour inclusion also play a key role. Italy’s National Program for Guaranteed Employability of Workers (GOL) is an active labour market policy that offers retraining, skills upgrading and job placement services to unemployed and vulnerable workers. The program has already reached hundreds of thousands of people, and that number could hopefully increase in the future.

Because lifelong learning and skills development boost a person’s chances of finding work that pays a living wage, ongoing education initiatives are important for future progress. According to a survey by European training authorities, adult participation in learning increased in Italy in recent years, and reforms tied to national recovery plans aim to strengthen vocational training and workforce readiness across sectors. These efforts help individuals adapt to evolving labour market demands and improve their economic prospects.

Progress and Path Forward

Even though regional inequalities and economic hardship still affect many families, coordinated policies and partnerships show that poverty can be addressed through targeted solutions. Employment initiatives, income support services and education programmes work together to help people build confidence, connect with employers and gain stable incomes. These efforts contribute to broader poverty reduction in Italy by giving people stronger tools to support themselves and their families.

Since improving economic opportunity is an ongoing process, continued investment in workforce development, social services and community programmes could be essential for sustained poverty reduction in Italy and the well-being of future generations.

– Anaisha Kundu

Anaisha is based in Skillman, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How the Sehlumile Project is Saving Girls’ Education in Zimbabwe

girls' education in Zimbabwe Every month, more than 2 billion people around the world menstruate. That is an expensive experience for women all around the world, whether they need medical attention or a sanitary pad, but for those in countries like Zimbabwe, the price is girls’ education and self-confidence. According to UNICEF, 76% of surveyed girls in both rural and urban areas reported that they did not have the basic information to help them understand and therefore cope with the changes happening to their bodies during adolescence.

In addition, 62% of girls in Zimbabwe miss school during their periods, which demonstrates that the stigma surrounding a woman’s body is costing much more than a pink tax. There is a global poverty of information happening, derived from cultural shame and a lack of understanding about women’s health.

Girls’ Education in Zimbabwe

It may come as no surprise that Zimbabwe struggles with female school attendance, given the issues with feminine health care and period poverty. In fact, when UNICEF reviewed 50 studies on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), it found that dysmenorrhea, or period pain, was a major complaint amongst teenage girls, yet despite the effect on their quality of life and these girls’ education, medical care was not sought out.

These reviews also showed the reasons for this inaction, being that the same girls felt shame and low self-esteem due to embarrassment. In Zimbabwe, 70% of rural schools reported having no clean water or soap needed for menstruating girls. The 62% of girls missing school due to this issue of shame equates to a lost 20% of the school year.

Further research shows that only 14% of girls finish higher secondary level education. This drastic drop in the completion of girls’ education emphasises the obstacle of ignoring feminine health care, as does the fact that 76.5% of women, as of 2024, work in vulnerable employment. The absence of a formal and comprehensive education has immeasurable knock-on effects for a girl’s future economic opportunities, and therefore, the intersectionality between female health care, girls’ education, and professional exclusion is unavoidable.

The Efforts

None of this is to say that work is not being done. Charities and NGOs are working to encourage girls to stay in school, such as Education Out Loud, which interviews and empowers young girls in primary school. One girl, Tabeth Jasi, stated, “When I came to Nyakabau Primary School, I identified Period Poverty as a barrier to education,”  and detailed how 15 of every 20 girls regularly missed school during their periods, losing up to four days every month. Working to instil pride and confidence in young girls before they feel the effects of socially embedded shame is invaluable to promoting their education, medically and academically speaking.

A group that highlights the shifting mindset in Zimbabwe are the Zimbabwe Medical Students Association (ZiMSA), which has worked to unite and represent the issues previously sidelined in their health care system. One of its projects is the Sehlumile initiative, which translates to “she has sprouted”. A transformative project such as this reframes the idea of female health care, rewriting the narrative of stigmatised menstruation. Sehlumile started in 2021, at a time when there was a gross secondary level enrolment rate of 46% for girls.

The initiative helped distribute more than 600 reusable pads, reaching more than 100 girls in awareness training and support sessions, and recording that 50% of girls in Zimbabwe now have better access to resources and information, which has allowed them to stay in school.

The Future

The effect ZiMSA and Sehlumile have had on the country can be seen at a political level as well as an educational one. In the 2025 national budget, Zimbabwe’s government allocated approximately $3.27 million to provide free feminine hygiene resources in schools to safeguard girls’ education, according to Education Out Loud. This contribution reinforces the government’s efforts on their Girls’ Education Accelerator (GEA) grant that aims to improve their schools’ infrastructure to create a more equal environment that further decreases female dropout rates.

The landscape of female health care and education in Zimbabwe looks brighter thanks to the efforts of these students and volunteers, and the hope is that with continued efforts, all girls will have the resources to follow any path they desire, uninhibited by a lack of confidence or knowledge.

– Jaya Noonan

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

Photo: Flickr

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Just Be A Child: Volunteers in the UK Improve Education in Kenya

Education in KenyaJust Be A Child is a U.K.-based organization that works to improve education in Kenya and it relies on U.K. volunteers and donations. It has multiple programs both in Kenya and in the U.K.

Kwale County Programs

Just Be A Child began its work in Kenya’s Kwale County, where access to educational resources, training and safe spaces for children to learn and play was limited. To address this, the organization built libraries and learning centers in 40-foot shipping containers. These centers provide a place for all community members to access books, skills training and play-based learning programs.

Now, the organization has six libraries set up in Kenya. These libraries engage residents as community members convert shipping containers and local volunteers are trained to run the spaces. The libraries are stocked with thousands of books and are restocked annually by Just Be A Child. Each library also includes a playground, giving children a space to play alongside accessing educational resources.

Library Starter: Small Books Donation Scheme

This scheme provides approximately 1,000 books to public benefit organizations that apply. The organization charges 5,000 Kenyan Shillings (about $40) for four boxes of books, each containing approximately 250 books. It has so far delivered more than 50,000. This helps schools and other community organizations set up and maintain libraries, improving educational access for children in the area.

Library Builder: Large Book Donation Scheme

This scheme provides anywhere from 1,000 to 30,000 books to NGOs, government bodies, schools and community groups. It offers a wide range of books at affordable rates to help create learning environments with varied materials that might otherwise be difficult to access. This supports literacy and learning for local children and communities, further improving education in Kenya.

Dr. Kathleen Anangwe from the University of Nairobi told Just Be a Child: “JBAC helped us establish in a community that lost hope after forceful resettlement. Now they flourish and thrive.”

Targeted Giving

This program ensures that books, toys and sports kits donated to Just Be A Child reach the places where they are most needed. For example, specialized books are given to students, professors or educational institutions that require them. In contrast, toys are given to vulnerable children who may need comfort and support.

The organization’s U.K. programs revolve around volunteering. These include book packers, the Art Brigade and the Crafters Crew. Book packers help count, organize and pack donated learning supplies. 

The Art Brigade provides art sessions for children in Kenya, equipping them with the skills and resources to express themselves creatively. The Crafters Crew knits, crochets or sews to provide handmade baby blankets, clothes and knitted toys to vulnerable children across Kenya. Volunteers who sew also donate fabric bags for Kenyan schoolchildren to help them physically access school. 

All of this allows U.K. volunteers to feel personally involved in improving education in Kenya.

The Impact of Just Be A Child

Just Be A Child reports that it has trained more than 17,000 teachers and volunteers in Kenya, reaching around five million readers and creating or stocking almost 60 libraries. Across these libraries, it has distributed more than a million books and engaged 3,500 school-aged children across Kenya.

The impacts have also been extensive in the U.K., with the organization engaging more than 5,000 participants and nearly 800 corporate volunteers. It has also helped save more than a million books from landfill.

Final Remarks

Just Be A Child is an organization that supports improving education in Kenya. While it does accept monetary donations, the ability to donate books and handmade items makes it a great option for those who may not have the means to give money. This allows the organization to engage a wider range of people across the U.K., raising awareness of the impact international aid can have.

– Ryan Cowen

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

Photo: Flickr

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Expanding Education in Punjab for Scheduled Castes

Education in PunjabIt was July 1942 in Nagpur, India, at the All India Depressed Classes Conference. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the eventual architect of the Indian Constitution and a member of the lower castes, told his followers to “Educate, Agitate, Organize.” Ambedkar was calling for an education that the dominant castes had denied to the lower castes. While the caste system was outlawed in 1947, even now, expanding education in Punjab for the Scheduled Castes is proving difficult because of prejudice from non-Dalits. Financial difficulties for the community are a significant factor too, since figures from 2022 show that about 34% of Dalits remained below the poverty line compared to 9% of general caste people. 

Educational Poverty

According to the 2011 census, nearly one-third of Punjab’s population is Dalits, so educational poverty for the group is a significant social issue. Historically, India’s government has initiated affirmative actions for Dalits to enter education, such as quotas, scholarships and a more relaxed process for admission. However, expanding education in Punjab for the Scheduled Castes has proven to be a challenge for the Punjab government. For instance, previous attempts to provide scholarships have resulted in irregularities in the administration, which have led to the nonpayment of dues.

The Rangla Punjab Scholarship Scheme

At the end of January 2026, 270,000 students were given scholarships by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These post-matric scholarships for the Scheduled Caste student community were worth Rs 271 crore (approx. £22 million) and are intended to fund higher education and professional courses such as medicine and engineering, which are considered costly. Officials have stated that the initiative, called “Rangla Punjab” (Colourful Punjab), is aimed at preventing financial constraints from dictating the terms so that students from marginalized communities can access quality education. 

Speaking at the event, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that “Education is the only key to changing the destiny of the weaker and underprivileged sections” and invoked Dr. Ambedkar by declaring that “This scheme reflects our government’s commitment to social justice and is rooted in Babasaheb Ambedkar’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon to eliminate social inequality.” 

Expanding education in Punjab for Scheduled Castes in this way was highlighted by the AAP Punjab on its social media handle, which declared that the Mann government is “taking new steps in the field of education every day,” that “the expenditure on education will become a thing of the past” and “[t]he scholarship scheme will fulfill the dreams of students.” 

Mann stated that “This scholarship is not merely financial assistance but a powerful means of making students self-reliant. The effort is to ensure that no child is deprived of education or forced to abandon their dreams due to lack of money.” 

Brighter Prospects for the Scheduled Castes

Scholarships for the Scheduled Castes may enable wider access to higher education in Punjab and bring in a greater diversity of students who are not limited by cost considerations to study. Higher education is one of the most certain routes for achieving social mobility and therefore reducing poverty around the world. Such students may use the skills and knowledge they gain in higher education to innovate in Punjab and India and to improve society. With scholarships and by further expanding education in Punjab for the Scheduled Castes, they could create a path toward systemic reduction in poverty and open channels for social mobility for those marginalized and forced into a precarious life.

– Suneel Mehmi

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

Tackling Digital Poverty in PunjabTackling digital poverty in Punjab is currently one of the highest priorities in achieving fair access to education. There is a low level of digital literacy in Punjab as a result of socioeconomic constraints, gender inequality and rural-urban divides. Rural and marginalized populations have limited device ownership, inadequate connectivity and high levels of digital illiteracy. Within the education system, children from low-income households, rural communities and female students face additional hurdles because of digital poverty.

In India, for every household that is online, about one household remains offline. This gap underscores how digital poverty is shaping educational outcomes and the scale of the challenge in addressing it. Academic performance is impacted by the digital divide. Disadvantaged learners face reduced educational persistence and limited career prospects.

To ensure fair access and inclusion for all students and to create equal opportunities both in school and in the job market later in life, digital poverty has become a pressing issue for India and Punjab.

POISE and Tackling Digital Poverty in Punjab

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors is addressing digital poverty in Punjab to improve education through the Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) program. An investment of $286 million has been made available for the project, which uses technology to monitor learning outcomes.

The investment means that 1.3 million primary school students are enrolled and more than 2.2 million secondary school students are also attending classes. In addition, 592,000 students in early childhood education will receive support through POISE. Digital infrastructure in schools will be expanded through the installation of computer labs, tablets and projectors, particularly for science and mathematics curricula.

Creating a Future Without Digital Poverty in Punjab

Paul Proccee, acting country director for the World Bank India, stated that “digital infrastructure has the potential to significantly drive economic development and poverty reduction.” He also noted that digital infrastructure can help fulfill “India’s vision of Viksit Bharat through quality education for better jobs.” 

Meghna Sharma and Ragnvald Michel Maellberg, task team leaders for the program, stated that “POISE will help to improve school readiness at pre-primary level, foundational learning at primary level, skills at the secondary level for school to higher education or work transition, as well as teacher training and school management.”

In recent years, India has shifted toward technology-led development. The aims of POISE include strengthening readiness for school, improving literacy and numeracy skills, enhancing the quality of STEM education and improving pathways into higher education and employment for students.

Looking Ahead

Tackling digital poverty in Punjab has the potential to transform education and expand opportunities for many students. The Digital Poverty Alliance has emphasized that digital poverty limits social and economic inclusion. The issue involves not only a lack of access to technology but also a lack of digital literacy and skills, which are essential in an increasingly connected world. POISE in Punjab represents a step toward ensuring that, regardless of background, more students have access to the opportunities created by the digital age.

– Suneel Mehmi

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

Photo: Unsplash

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ZNotes: Reducing Learning Poverty Through Education

ZNotesEducation does not just reduce learning poverty. It also provides a better future and enhances the chances of people who did not have access to education before. This can provide greater access to jobs and reduce income inequality. 

Education can transform lives socially and empower people across demographics to improve their own lives. Even people in developing nations like India are achieving state ranks due to these educational opportunities. 

ZNotes

ZNotes is an educational platform created by Zubair Junjunia, who witnessed the inequalities students faced during their end-of-year exams. Junjunia launched the platform when he was just 16. Now, this platform has amassed a wealth of information to help people gain further access to educational rights.

With more than 500,000 subscribers to its databases, ZNotes has had a profound impact on more than 6 million students from more than 190 countries. Epic Angels is one of the educational platform’s biggest benefactors in the Asia Pacific region. 

The Importance of Education

UNESCO reports that global poverty would be reduced by more than 50% if everyone completed secondary education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning poverty rate skyrocketed to about 70% due to limited access to educational resources. ZNotes is a good way to quell this hindrance. 

If everyone (including those in developing or low-income households) had proper access to education, then 171 million people would be able to have better lives and be free from poverty. Although ZNotes has garnered support from more than 4.5 million students globally, coverage of certain topics remains limited. 

How ZNotes Is Reducing Learning Poverty

ZNotes is an immensely popular online learning tool that has also won awards for its syllabus-tailored study materials, which increase the chances of getting good grades. What started as a personal effort quickly turned into a global fight against educational inequality. It has worked to reduce the rate of learning poverty ever since by connecting learners across cultures, genders and faiths. 

In these diverse spaces, students exchange guidance on university, internships and career pathways, widening access to valuable social capital. Beyond preparing students for high-stakes exams, ZNotes equips them for life after school. Through its internship and contribution programs, young people gain real-world experience in a global social impact startup, building both academic and employability skills. The results are clear: 77% of interns report stronger candidacy for jobs and future internships.

Conclusion

Education is a powerful yet complex tool to foster growth, independence and success. ZNotes is an online educational platform dedicated to working collaboratively with students to reduce learning poverty. With millions of supporters, ZNotes has significantly contributed to reducing learning poverty by empowering students to become globally connected, career-ready leaders through a combination of academic support and real-world experience.

– Shruti Reddy

Shruti is based in Cedarhurst, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Reduction in Namibia: Progress and Practical Solutions

poverty namibiaNamibia has made steady progress in reducing poverty since gaining independence in 1990, but many communities still face economic hardship. High unemployment, regional inequality and limited access to services continue to shape daily life for millions. Strengthening social protection, expanding education access and investing in rural development remain central to long-term poverty reduction in Namibia.

Poverty Trends and Current Challenges

Namibia reduced its national poverty rate from 37.7% in 2003 to 17.4% in 2021, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Yet broader indicators show that many households still experience deprivation. OPHI reports that 43% of Namibians live in multidimensional poverty, which includes limited access to health care, education and basic services.

Rural communities face the highest risks. UNICEF report notes that poverty is the highest in northern regions, where access to water, sanitation and employment remains limited.

Women and children experience the greatest vulnerability, according to Namibia’s 2024 Voluntary National Review, which highlights persistent gaps in nutrition, education and income stability.

Unemployment also remains a major barrier. Reuters reports Namibia’s broad unemployment rate as more than 36%, one of the highest in southern Africa.

Supporting Families and Skills Development

Namibia operates one of the most extensive social protection systems in the region. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare provides old-age pensions, child grants, disability support and food assistance. In 2023, more than 600,000 Namibians relied on social grants, according to The Namibian.

UNICEF’s Social Protection Budget Brief shows that grants significantly reduce poverty and narrow inequality gaps, especially for children and elderly residents.

Namibia has also tested innovative approaches. The Basic Income Grant pilot in Otjivero-Omitara showed improvements in nutrition, school attendance and local economic activity.

Education has been a national priority since independence. Namibia now maintains primary school enrollment above 95%, according to UNICEF. In 2025, the government announced plans to introduce free higher education and vocational training beginning in 2026. This expansion aims to help young people enter careers in agriculture, construction, information technology and renewable energy.

Agricultural Investment and Economic Diversification

Agriculture remains a major source of income for rural households. The Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP) provides farmers with equipment, improved seeds and training to strengthen food security. 

The Green Scheme irrigation program expands crop production and market access for small-scale farmers. Recent reporting from New Era shows that Green Scheme projects are increasing productivity and helping communities adapt to climate challenges. 

Land access remains central to Namibia’s poverty reduction strategy. The Legal Assistance Centre documents ongoing efforts to redistribute commercial farmland and provide training to resettled families. Beneficiaries who receive continued technical support report higher food security and more stable incomes. Rural development projects (including road upgrades, water infrastructure and electrification) could also help communities access markets, schools and health services. These improvements strengthen local economies and reduce regional inequality.

Namibia is internationally recognized for its Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program. Through conservancies, communities manage wildlife and benefit directly from tourism and conservation income.

Maliasili’s analysis highlights that conservancies generate millions of dollars in community revenue each year and support women’s cooperatives, youth enterprises and local governance. 

Look Forward To What’s Ahead

Namibia’s progress shows that consistent investment and inclusive policy can reduce poverty. Strengthening social protection, expanding education, supporting farmers and improving land access remain essential pillars of poverty reduction in Namibia. Continued collaboration between government agencies, community organizations and international partners will be vital to ensuring long-term stability and shared economic growth.

– Angela ‘Phoenix’ Garrett

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

Photo: Flickr

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Eradicating Extreme Poverty in Brazil: Brasil Sem Miséria

Brasil Sem MisériaBrazil is a country situated in South America, consisting of 26 states and is home to the official language, Portuguese. With a population of 211,140,729 as of 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it occupies nearly half of South America. A governmental social program named Brasil Sem Miséria, created in 2011, aims to lift a large proportion of the country suffering from extreme poverty. Some focuses include providing access to social services for individuals and improving rural production for farmers. The scheme has primarily been targeted in the Northeast region of the country.

Poverty in the Northeast of Brazil

The Northeast of Brazil is the largest region in Latin America suffering from rural poverty. According to the World Bank, 5.4 million of the 45 million people living in the Northeast live on around $1 a day. The area suffers from geographical struggles, such as frequent severe droughts and unequal distribution of land, causing individuals to be reluctant to engage in social programs and government assistance.

It comprises nine states, including Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe and Bahia, as well as Fernando de Noronha. According to ScienceDirect, more than 70% of farmers in the Northeast Region are classed as poor or extremely poor. The agricultural sector is a significant income generator for a large number of people in rural areas. Farmers, especially, are reliant on their income from agricultural work, and climate change and prolonged periods of drought have and continue to result in fluctuating markets due to the unpredictability of price, supply and demand.

Brasil Sem Miséria

Brazil Without Extreme Poverty, also known as Brasil Sem Miséria, consists of various social programs to lift Brazil from extreme poverty. Created in 2011 by President Dilma Rousseff, the program was designed to support a large number of individuals. Some targets include:

  • Targeting children
  • Full-time education
  • Access to jobs
  • Rural food production and farmers

Accomplishments So Far

  • Targeting Children. Children must learn the foundations of human development, relating to their health, intellectual mind and physical well-being, especially for those living in poverty. According to World Without Poverty (WWP), Brasil Sem Miséria provided investment worth R$450 million in 2013 to enable children to stay well-fed and motivated as they grow.
  • Full-Time Education. The program consisted of expanding school days through Brasil Sem Miséria to strengthen learning and reduce inequalities. The policy has been adopted by nearly 30,000 schools. The Ministry of Education (MEC) invested and aimed to increase the number of full-time schools in Brazil from 32,000 to 46,000.
  • Access to Jobs. Free courses were available through the Brasil Sem Miséria job program, called the Plan’s Access to Technical Learning and to Jobs National Program. To date, there are 481 choices of profession, oriented to various sectors, including industry, trade, agriculture and cattle farming. More specific courses include computing, electrician, receptionist, etc.
  • Rural Food Production and Farmers. To maintain Brazil’s rich agricultural economy, Brasil Sem Miséria intended to work with rural families to enhance their production rates so the quality, quantity and value of produce increase, contributing to increasing income for family farmers. The Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Ater) was hired to support 260,000 families, according to World Without Poverty (WWP).

Looking Ahead

Extreme poverty in the Northeast rural region of Brazil remains and continues to impact a large proportion of the population. However, government social programs, like Brasil Sem Miséria, have and will continue to lift various individuals out of poverty. Young children, farmers and rural families have already experienced progress by stabilizing healthier lives for the future.

– Zara Ashraf

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Education Innovation in Cuba Expands Cultural Learning

Education Innovation in Cuba Expands Cultural LearningEducation innovation in Cuba is advancing inclusive classroom practices through a new interactive educational game introduced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Havana. The tool, titled “African Diaspora,” encourages students to explore African heritage and its cultural influence in the Caribbean through participatory learning.

UNESCO Launches “African Diaspora” Game

UNESCO introduced the “African Diaspora” game through its Regional Office in Havana as a new educational tool for learning about Africa and its descendants in the Caribbean. The resource uses illustrated cards, game boards and creative activities that promote collaboration and help participants place episodes, characters and Afro-descendant traditions in context.

Supporting the General History of Africa Project

UNESCO launched the General History of Africa project in 1964 to address gaps in how Africa’s history is documented and taught from an African perspective. The United Nations (U.N.) describes the project as an effort to remedy widespread ignorance of Africa’s history and to promote a fuller understanding through education.

The “African Diaspora” educational game draws inspiration from this broader initiative by focusing on Africa’s connections to the Caribbean region.

Education Innovation in Cuba and Inclusive Learning

Education innovation in Cuba reflects efforts to modernize teaching approaches while supporting student engagement through interactive classroom tools. According to World Bank data, Cuba reports near-universal adult literacy.

The “African Diaspora” tool aims to help students examine cultural traditions and historical narratives linked to Africa and Afro-descendant communities in the Caribbean.

Regional Collaboration and Broader Impact

Prensa Latina reported that the resource highlights Afro-descendant traditions from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, supporting a regional approach to learning. 

UNESCO continues to promote and expand the General History of Africa project as a long-standing effort to strengthen educational materials on Africa and its diasporas, showing how interactive classroom tools can support cultural awareness while strengthening student engagement.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

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

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Poverty Through Education in Latin America

Education in Latin AmericaWhen thinking about their childhood, most people remember their first day of school, learning their ABCs and basic math operations. For most, childhood and education go hand in hand as essential steps that help an individual learn, mature and transition into adulthood. However, many children in Latin America lack access to this experience. 

Before COVID-19, roughly 52% of children in Latin America were unable to read and understand simple text. The pandemic has made this situation even worse, with young generations being less educated and lacking the tools necessary to transition into adulthood. However, international organizations are fighting poverty through younger generations by increasing investments in education to create a brighter future for millions of children across Latin America.

Learning Crisis

Over the last two decades, many countries in Latin America have experienced a learning crisis related to their younger generations. This crisis can take different forms across countries, depending on their specific geographic and social characteristics. In Argentina, for example, the most affected children are those living in rural areas, far from cities and their services. 

As a result, many teachers are forced to teach children from multiple grades, ages and abilities in the same classroom, being unable to personalize the learning experience and focus on individual students. In other countries, such as Haiti, the learning crisis is related to the provision of educational opportunities to all members of the population. 

In Haiti specifically, nearly 80% of primary schools are non-public, thus limiting access to education to those who can pay, on average, $130 per year. Many families cannot afford education and other necessities, so they decide not to send their children to school.

What Is Being Done?

To address the education crisis plaguing Latin America, several international organizations have stepped up efforts to expand access to education across the region. In September 2025, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) launched the LAC Future Bank. It is a five-year strategy designed to benefit 50 million children in Latin America through a $5 billion regional investment.

These funds will be used to develop projects that prioritize children and their needs, including education. Although this initiative addresses other issues related to childhood well-being, education is a main area of focus to “break cycles of poverty and inequality.” In Haiti, programs and organizations, such as the International Development Association (IDA) and its partners, have focused primarily on funding for millions of children. 

From 2013 to 2023, IDA and partner organizations provided roughly half a million tuition waivers to children who could not afford to attend school. In other countries, such as El Salvador, projects like the “Growing up and Learning Together: Comprehensive Early Childhood Development Project” are working to create safe, clean schools with essential services for children.

The Impacts

Although it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of these investments in the short term, there have been early signs of improvement. World Bank investments have enabled middle-income countries to reduce their dropout rates and boost learning outcomes. Slowly but surely, improvements in education quality and access in Latin America are key to a more productive, inclusive and sustainable development pattern in the future for many countries across the region.

– Rodrigo Salgado

Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash