Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Diseases Impacting Belize: A Story of Progress and Persistence

Diseases Impacting BelizeIn April 2025, news of a measles outbreak spread through Belize City and lines of anxious parents formed around pop-up clinics. Three months later, health officials announced the containment of the outbreak. This was a promising reminder that while diseases impacting Belize are still a serious threat, public health improvements are very real.

Poverty and Health in Belize

Since becoming independent in 1981, tourism has become the largest economic driver in Belize. Over the past few years, notable progress has occurred in reducing poverty with incidence rates falling from 36.5% in 2021 to 22.1% in 2024. Despite this, the intensity of deprivation among those still affected remains unchanged.

According to the Health Care Access and Quality Index, Belize ranks 55 out of 100, demonstrating visible gaps in both availability and quality of care. Rural populations in particular continue to face the greatest hardships with poverty rates as high as 67.9%. Currently, 23% of health care spending comes out of pocket, leaving low-income families struggling to gain access to essential medical services.

Strengthening Belize’s Health System

In spite of challenges, Belize achieved notable public health milestones, showing that progress is possible amidst poverty. Along with the rapid containment of the 2025 measles outbreak, the country was officially declared malaria-free in 2023.

The Belize Ministry of Health, in partnership with PAHO/WHO, launched the Strategic Plan 2025-2034 to strengthen the health system and modernize health care. This decade-long plan tackles key public health challenges to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Building on this framework, officials established public health campaigns to prevent dengue and implemented rapid immunization response teams, strengthening the nation’s ability to contain outbreaks.

These initiatives demonstrate progress towards improved health outcomes and malaria and measles are no longer a threat. However, there are several diseases that continue to pose significant concern, highlighting areas where continued efforts are essential.

Top 5 Diseases Impacting Belize

  1. Dengue Fever: This mosquito-borne infection causes flu-like symptoms which can become fatal. Cases of dengue fever surged more than 260% over the last year, mostly in rural areas where access to health care is limited. Currently, there is no treatment, and prevention is focused on mosquito control through improved sanitation and  public awareness. Better access to medical services and early detection can lower fatality rates to under 1%.
  2. Heart Disease: Heart disease is the leading non-communicable disease in Belize, accounting for 11.27% of total deaths. Poverty and food insecurity prevent access to proper nutrition, resulting in reliance on inexpensive high-calorie foods that fuel heart disease. Better access to medical services and trained providers is key to prevention and reduced mortality rates. Leading the way forward is the HEARTS program that allows physicians to better manage heart disease risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
  3. Tuberculosis (TB): TB affects 27 people per 100,000 every year. Treatment rates have increased to 80%, but poverty remains a driving factor. Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and increases vulnerability. Limited health care access also delays diagnosis and treatment. The Ministry of Health’s current strategy includes promoting regular checkups and the use of DOTS (directly observed treatment strategy) to improve early detection and diagnosis.
  4. HIV/AIDS: Belize has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Central America. Only 80% of affected individuals are aware of their status with just 60% receiving treatment. Poverty is a significant social factor as low-income populations face limited access to education, health services and prevention resources. Despite these challenges, progress has been made recently in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission through improved prenatal testing. 
  5. Kidney Disease: Chronic kidney disease is a serious health threat to Belizeans experiencing poverty. Limited access to nutrition, treatment and prevention resources increase the risks and mortality rate. Currently, less than 4% of affected people are aware of their condition. Efforts like the Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure are now focused on training providers and educating communities to improve prevention and care.

Building on Progress

With diseases impacting Belize still a major concern, efforts to address poverty and expand health care access are vital. The Cornerstone Foundation is currently a key player in those efforts. Through community-driven programs it is:

  • Providing relief and aid through food assistance programs, health care services and job training. 
  • Supporting government initiatives to provide basic nutrition, clean water and healthy sanitation to underserved areas.
  • Offering health programs that include outreach and education, clinical services, senior support and natural healing initiatives. 
  • Raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, supporting prevention and disease management. 

Despite these efforts, and those of other organizations, challenges remain to reduce diseases impacting Belize. Poverty is a key barrier, restricting access to proper nutrition, clean water and quality medical services. By expanding health care access, improving clinics, training health care workers and strengthening immunization and prevention programs, Belize can build on its progress and success.

Persistence and continued effort are essential to ensure health improvements for all communities. The quick containment of the 2025 measles outbreak reminds us that progress is real. Sustained commitment will bring healthier futures to all Belizeans. 

– Tina Kusal

Tina is based in Montrose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Whooping Cough Outbreak In South Korea: Vaccination Efforts

Whooping Cough Outbreak In South KoreaIn 2024, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported a 54.5% rise in non-COVID-19 infectious diseases in South Korea, driven by an increase in respiratory illnesses among children. Pertussis, colloquially known as whooping cough, was the most significant contributor, increasing from 293 cases in 2023 to 48,048 cases in 2024. Between January and April 2025, reported cases increased by 770% compared to the same period the previous year. Despite the country’s 90% vaccination rate among children, a rate that exceeds that of most countries, the acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine’s failure to provide long-lasting immunity continues to underscore the effectiveness of vaccination efforts.

Whooping Cough Outbreak In South Korea

Pertussis, or the whooping cough, is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. This infectious disease begins with cold-like symptoms that can develop into more severe symptoms such as a prolonged, uncontrolled cough and vomiting. The cough can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months, earning it the nickname “the 100-day cough.”

The KDCA warns that one individual could infect up to 70 others, due to its highly transmissible nature via respiratory droplets. The DTaP vaccine is included in South Korea’s National Immunization Program (NIP), currently scheduled at 2, 4 and 6 months; between 15 and 18 months; between 4 and 6 years; for children aged 11-12; and for all pregnant women, as of 2015. However, immunization efforts have not been able to slow the outbreak, as immunity wanes after two to four years with the current DTaP vaccine.

The 2023 whooping cough outbreak in South Korea began in Gyeongsang Province, primarily linked to transmission in kindergartens, elementary schools and high schools.

Screening and Vaccination Efforts

The KDCA implemented a nationwide screening program for individuals with persistent coughs. In 2024, cases began to surge in four additional regional hotspots. By November 2024, Korea reported its first pertussis-related death since 2011, involving an infant under two months old. In 2025, children and adolescents aged 5–19 accounted for 70% of cases, as pediatric clinics across the country struggled to cope with an overwhelming number of patients. The KDCA currently encourages boosters for children aged 11-12 and all adult/elderly guardians; however, uptake has been low, as the measure has not been fully implemented in the NIP, with only 83% of 11-12 children and less than 2% of adults receiving the booster shot in 2024.

South Korea Rebuilds Health Care System

The whooping cough outbreak comes at a time when the South Korean health care system is under stress from the pandemic, an aging population and the recent medical student strike, which has worsened the current understaffed pediatric and emergency care fields. In February 2024, 10,000 medical students and residents stopped attending classes or submitted resignations to hospitals in protest of the previous administration’s plan to increase medical school admissions from 2,000 to 5,000 as of 2025.

The previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration ordered all medical personnel to resume their duties and medical students to return to classes, threatening penalties for non-compliance. At the time, 8,305 students faced academic consequences and medical staff who continued to strike faced license revocation on the basis of negligence. The 18-month standoff led to procedure postponements and patient backlogs, prompting a mass deployment of military doctors and nurses across the region to fill vacancies.

The drastic increase in admissions, aimed at addressing South Korea’s low doctor-to-patient ratio, was deemed insufficient by the medical students and staff, as it could not address the shortage of doctors in less lucrative fields, such as emergency medicine and pediatrics, or the number of overworked and underpaid doctors across the nation. They further argued that this drastic increase in cohorts would affect the level of schooling received, due to a lack of personnel to teach the additional students. 

End of Strike Action

The end of the strike, as of July 2025, occurred under the new Lee Jae Myung administration, where he promised that students and residents could return to school without penalties and re-establish the number of student admissions to its annual target of 3,000 for Fall 2025. On Sept. 4, 2025, the new administration passed the Special Act on Essential and Regional Health Care and the Regional Doctor Training Act, which aim to reform the current health care system. Under the Regional Doctor Training Act, the government would fully cover the tuition of newly admitted medical students, with the promise of employment in a public health institution post-licensure for a specified period.

South Korea Expands Immunization Efforts

In 2020, South Korea joined the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), aiming to accelerate the development of vaccines for infectious diseases to prevent a pandemic situation. In 2017, CEPI launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos in response to the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak. Its major contributors include more than 30 national governments, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, the European Commission and private sector partners. CEPI 2.0, part of the 2022-2026 plan, features the 100 Days Mission to develop vaccines against the next Disease X threat within 100 days.

In 2020, the KDCA and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) joined CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network, which entails the collaboration with 20 labs worldwide to evaluate vaccine candidates under uniform protocols. IVI is a U.N.-founded nonprofit, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, that focuses on developing and delivering vaccines for low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on research, training and global collaboration. Since collaborations began, CEPI has allocated roughly $350 million to South Korean institutions, with the government contributing $51 million, strengthening research, international cooperation and South Korea’s infectious disease response systems.

Looking Ahead

The whooping cough outbreak in South Korea highlights the ongoing challenges this and other infectious diseases present, but recent reforms and expanded vaccine research signal progress. The implementation of strengthened health care policies and global collaborations points toward hope for a more resilient country where populations get more protection from outbreaks.

– Elsa van Blokland

Elsa is based in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Top 3 Causes of Energy Poverty in Cyprus

Energy Poverty in CyprusEnergy poverty in Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean, is at an all-time high. Energy poverty is when a household struggles to access reliable and affordable energy to fulfill daily needs such as heating, cooling, cooking and lighting.

More than 50% of the population in Cyprus experiences energy poverty. These are the top three reasons for energy poverty in Cyprus and ongoing solutions to bring affordable energy to the island.

Energy Isolation

Cyprus is the only country within the European Union (EU) that is not connected to energy networks. This isolation results in relying on imported fuel to power the country. Because importing fuel is expensive, the energy cost for consumers is high.

About 85% of Cyprus’s energy comes from imported oil and costs 35.7 PPS per 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Other countries in the EU pay as little as 14.33 PPS or 15.4 PPS.

Rising Costs of Living

Energy poverty in Cyprus is worsened by the high cost of living relative to the average monthly salary. More than half of Cypriots earn less than $2,214 per month, while apartment rental costs range from $821 to $1,994.

After covering expenses such as groceries, health insurance, car payments and student loan debt, little remains in household budgets for high electricity bills. Nearly 20% of Cypriots report being unable to afford to heat their homes.

Poorly Insulated Houses

Most homes and apartments are not properly insulated, creating difficulties in heating and cooling those spaces thoroughly. Electric bills are inevitably higher if homes cannot properly maintain a comfortable temperature without constant heater or air conditioning system interference.

Continuous use of heating or cooling systems also increases the wear and tear on those devices, leading to added repair costs. Health issues may arise for those who cannot afford to heat or cool their homes properly. Heat exhaustion, dehydration and even asthma attacks are possible.

Solutions to Energy Poverty in Cyprus

The Cypriot government is making progress toward solving energy poverty in Cyprus. It is also working to reduce the price of electricity through the Great Sea Interconnector and the Solar Energy for All Program. The Great Sea Interconnector is designed to electronically connect Cyprus, Greece and Israel to share power grids and access.

This plan would lower the price of electricity and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels to meet energy needs. Electricity bills in Cyprus are expected to decrease significantly. Providing an accessible path to clean, renewable energy and eliminating Cyprus’s energy isolation will improve the quality of life for Cypriots.

The submarine electrical connection is anticipated to be one of the largest power transmission projects in the world. Cyprus will first be connected with Crete, a Greek island. After that connection is built, Israel will be linked in. The project is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

The Solar Energy For All program assists with the funding necessary to install solar panels. With a budget of more than $35 million, the program will help 6,000 individuals afford the installation. Using solar panels will reduce reliance on imported oil, along with the price of electricity for users.

With both the Great Sea Interconnector and the Solar For All Project, the electrical costs for Cypriots will undoubtedly decrease soon. 

– Sydney Uhl

Sydney is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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China’s Investment in Rwanda and its Agricultural Future

China’s Investment in RwandaRwanda is a small, landlocked country in Eastern Africa that faces significant socioeconomic challenges. According to the World Bank, 63.8% of its 14 million citizens live in poverty. One of the most pressing issues is food insecurity, which affects communities across the country. Government data shows that 20.6% of the population does not have reliable access to adequate nutrition. China’s recent investment in Rwanda could change the dire situation of food insecurity in the country.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition occurs when a person does not receive the nutrients their body needs, either due to insufficient food intake or a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. It can lead to stunted growth in children, weakened immune systems, increased risk of disease and, in severe cases, death. Malnutrition is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children, as it can cause irreversible developmental problems.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Rwanda’s average life expectancy is 67.5 years. This is nearly 10 years shorter than in the United States, which is at 76.4 years and 17 years less than in Japan, where life expectancy reaches 84.5 years, one of the highest in the world. Studies show a strong link between improved nutrition and increased life expectancy, suggesting that access to adequate nutrition could significantly improve health outcomes in Rwanda.

Rwanda has naturally fertile land due to its nutrient-rich volcanic soil, and more than half of its territory is classified as arable. Despite this agricultural potential, the country still depends heavily on food imports, with food products making up more than 20% of total imports. This dependency contributes to high food costs and limited access to nutritious food, especially in rural areas. To reduce food insecurity and malnutrition, Rwanda must better utilize its land by expanding agricultural infrastructure and supporting local farmers.

China’s Involvement

In January 2025, Rwanda and China signed a $40 million agreement to finance the Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project in the Gisagara District. This project is a recent example of China’s investment in Rwanda and its growing role in supporting development across key sectors. Designed to irrigate 2,640 hectares of farmland, the project could provide consistent water access for agriculture, enabling farmers to produce food year-round and improve crop variety.

More than 900 farming households could benefit directly from the project, while local markets could see increased food supply and affordability. The resulting growth in agricultural productivity is expected to help stabilize food availability, improve nutrition, and lift communities out of poverty. China’s investment in Rwanda not only supports food security but also strengthens local economies by enhancing self-sufficiency.

This initiative aligns with Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which prioritizes sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Funded through a concessional loan, the Giseke project reflects China’s investment in Rwanda as part of a broader partnership aimed at long-term, mutually beneficial development.

Rwanda’s struggle with malnutrition is tied to poverty and underused agricultural potential. Projects like the Giseke Dam, supported by China, show how investment in local farming can improve food security, boost nutrition, and support long-term development.

– William Brentani

William is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Working with Refugee Resettlement Sites

Refugee Resettlement SitesCatholic Charities in the Greater Boston area helps to resettle refugees from all over the world, including the countries of Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Cuba, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and Vietnam. These individuals and families face linguistic, economic, cultural and legal challenges and they help arrivals integrate into society. They offer families a place to live and job support by helping refugees find places to work as well as English language training.

The Borgen Project spoke with a volunteer who has worked as the lead of a community sponsorship site for the past two years about her experience working with the families and leading a team of volunteers. As a student and somebody who works with individuals with varying levels of immigration status, they did wish to remain anonymous. Asking her about her experience working with newly arriving families, specifically from Haiti and Cape Verde, at a location that focuses on refugee resettlement and integration into the community. 

Refugee Resettlement Camps

Resettlement happens when a conflict prevents refugees from being able to go home or they’re living in conditions that are dangerous or aren’t meeting their needs. Formerly, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) defines resettlement as the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another state that has agreed to admit them. Often, resettlement requires the participation of many different agents, including different states, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), civil society and the communities that the refugees are relocating to.

Working with Refugees

The Borgen Project spoke with a volunteer about her experience working at a refugee resettlement camp for the past two years, asking what she does during her volunteer hours and what it is like working with the people there. The particular site they worked with was set up as a temporary housing facility for refugees coming into the area so that they could start to look for jobs. Their children, if they had any, could get acclimated in the school system and they could participate in English workshops. 

“During my past two years at this resettlement location, I’ve primarily worked with the children at the site, which has been a very fulfilling and insightful experience. Most of the families coming to this site are coming from Haiti and Cape Verde, meaning that, along with being in a new environment, there is a language barrier as well. The kids I’ve been working with speak a mix of French, Spanish, Portuguese and Creole while trying to learn English. Something I’ve been the most impressed by is how quick the kids, in particular, are able to learn English.”

Residents spend afternoons hanging out and playing with the kids. On some days, they are outside playing soccer or basketball. On other days, they are helping out with homework. “The kids at these sites are amazing, always looking out for their siblings and the other kids there. While some days are tougher than others, putting it into perspective, these kids are living in one-bedroom, one bathroom suites with their entire families, with other families next to and across the hall from them.” 

The Reality of Refugee Resettlement

Refugee resettlement is hard and the majority of refugees have made long journeys under tough circumstances and it takes a lot of support to get to a stable position. Organizations like Catholic Charities are just one example of NGOs that invest resources with the intent of helping refugees find a community that welcomes them with open arms. 

There are many aspects of the resettlement process and supporting and creating a space for the children is often an overlooked part of the process. Working with families, specifically the kids upon their arrival and helping them adjust, as well as being an outlet for them, is incredibly important but does not get as much recognition. Refugee resettlement also involves many critical components, including the legal work required for families and individuals. While volunteers at resettlement sites may not always contribute to the legal needs of refugees, donating their time and skills has proven to be just as valuable.

Looking Forward

Going forward, refugee resettlement remains an essential service supported by numerous NGOs and dedicated volunteers. People around the world face resettlement for many reasons and they often encounter linguistic, economic, cultural and legal challenges when they arrive. Through the work of NGOs, refugee resettlement programs provide the support needed to help individuals and families adjust and thrive in a new environment.

– Olivia Peters

Olivia is based in Newport, RI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need To Know About Poverty in Malaysia

Poverty in MalaysiaOver the past decades, the impressive economic strides have brought down the official poverty rate in Malaysia. Yet, significant challenges remain, especially across rural regions and within Indigenous communities.

Current Poverty Landscape

  • National Progress: By 2019, Malaysia’s national poverty rate had declined to 5.6%, a testament to decades of targeted policy and development.
  • Staying Above Global Benchmarks: Despite this progress, disparities persist compared to other countries. An October 2019 World Bank blog emphasizes the urgent need to update the country’s poverty line, which has not kept pace with cost-of-living changes.

Who Is Being Left Behind?

  • Indigenous Communities – The Orang Asli: The Indigenous Orang Asli remain among Malaysia’s most disadvantaged groups. A 2021 report by Malaysia’s Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) highlights this community’s staggering poverty rate of 89.4%.
  • Historical Context: Earlier, in 1999, 50.9% of the Orang Asli population lived in poverty and 15.4% in hardcore poverty. This far exceeds the national averages of 7.5% (overall poverty) and 1.4% (hardcore poverty).
  • Income Disparities: Earlier studies (2013–2014) showed that 34% of Orang Asli lived below the national poverty line and nearly one in three earned less than RM1,000 (about $236) per month.

Root Causes of Persistent Inequality

  • Outdated Poverty Line: The outdated national poverty threshold fails to reflect rising living expenses, effectively underestimating the scale of deprivation.
  • Structural Marginalization: The Orang Asli’s high poverty levels stem from limited access to education, economic opportunities and essential services. These include electricity, clean water and health care, which are especially lacking in remote settlements.
  • Bureaucratic Hurdles: A 2024 Malay Mail assessment points to bureaucratic rigidity, inefficient service delivery and insufficient community participation as key barriers to progress.

Government Strategies and Frameworks

  • Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030): Launched in 2019 and formalized in 2020, SPV 2030 pledges “sustainable growth along with fair and equitable distribution” across income groups, ethnicities and regions. It includes the Orang Asli, women, youth and senior citizens.
  • Policy Goals and Gaps: Analysis cautions that while SPV 2030 stresses equity, it sometimes remains too focused on income distribution and lacks clarity around enabling basic needs like health and education.
  • Implementation in Planning: Malaysia’s Twelfth Malaysia Plan (2021–2025) aligns with SPV 2030, highlighting economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and social equity. However, critics question whether marginalized groups like the Orang Asli are effectively prioritized.

How Global Advocates Can Help

  • Push for Poverty Line Revision: Advocate for Malaysia to revise its national poverty threshold to reflect current costs, making anti-poverty programs more impactful.
  • Target Indigenous Inclusion: Support NGO, U.N. and community-led initiatives that empower the Orang Asli through education, infrastructure and cultural preservation, amplifying JAKOA’s efforts.
  • Champion Equitable Implementation: Promote accountability in SPV 2030 and the 12th Malaysia Plan—ensuring that resources reach those most in need, not just top-down frameworks.
  • Lift Marginalized Voices: Advocate for participatory policymaking, where Orang Asli communities shape programs designed for their benefit, ensuring sustainability and local relevance.

Conclusion

Malaysia’s battle against poverty has made remarkable progress. Yet, systemic inequities continue to constrain its most vulnerable citizens, particularly within Indigenous communities. By advocating for updated poverty measurement, better policy implementation and inclusive participation, global partners such as nonprofit organizations can support Malaysia in translating its commitment to shared prosperity into real change. This also helps ensure that no one is left behind.

– Paige Javor

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

Photo: Flickr

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Federer and Kolisi Expand Early Learning in Southern Africa

Early Learning in Southern AfricaIn February 2025, Roger Federer, the celebrated Swiss tennis champion, collaborated with South African rugby player Siyamthanda Kolisi to champion early learning in Southern Africa. Through the Roger Federer Foundation, launched in 2003, Federer has continuously strengthened preschools, trained teachers and provided essential resources, expanding early learning. Federer shared that choosing to invest in schools in South Africa was rooted in personal ties, as his mother was raised in Johannesburg.

The partnership is crucial, as millions of children in Southern Africa face educational barriers threatening their future. While in South Africa, Federer and Kolisi took part in a public event promoting the importance of early education. They also toured Salani Primary School in Mpumalanga, where they met students and teachers and saw the foundation’s work in action. In addition, they encouraged business leaders to collaborate on expanding early learning opportunities by 2030.

The Urgency: A Learning Crisis in Southern Africa

Educational opportunities remain limited across the region; therefore, access to schooling is a significant obstacle for many communities. According to the World Bank, by 2030, around 66 million young people in both Eastern and Southern Africa may not be enrolled in school.

Furthermore, the same report discovered that reading remains out of reach for most children in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 90% cannot read fluently by age 10, deepening educational inequalities for millions. A further World Bank study underlined the link between low education and poverty, with findings suggesting that just one additional year of schooling can improve earnings by 12.4% in the region.

Assessing these challenges, the World Bank Vice President underlined the power of education, stating that “enhancing education is undoubtedly the most effective development solution.” This data highlights the crucial importance of investing in early childhood education, as it plays a key role in disrupting patterns of poverty across Southern Africa.

Investing in Early Learning in Six Southern African Nations

Established in 2003, the Roger Federer Foundation supports initiatives that broaden opportunities for early education across six Southern African nations: Lesotho, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi. Federer’s foundation seeks to boost school participation and ensure children remain in education by supporting and investing in grassroots initiatives and partnering with locally led projects.

The nonprofit has invested millions into initiatives that expand educational opportunities, improve educational facilities, develop teacher skills and provide schools with vital resources. Thus far, Federer’s foundation has transformed learning opportunities for more than 3.1 million children, opening doors to possibilities that once seemed unimaginable.

How Early Education Opens Pathways Out of Poverty

The importance of Federer and Kolisi’s work is undeniable, as initiatives focused on early learning in Southern Africa are proving to transform children’s futures. A joint 2012 study by the World Bank and Save the Children reported that access to early learning in rural Mozambique led to a 24% increase in primary school enrollment. This was compared to children who lacked such opportunities.

The program equipped children with essential early skills, preparing them to excel academically as they advanced through school. Such studies outline the importance of initiatives like Federer and Kolisi’s, which generate lasting change through providing young people with the tools to break the cycle of poverty.

Empowering the Next Generation To Break Poverty Cycles

Federer and Kolisi’s efforts demonstrate how investments in early learning in Southern Africa can improve lives and create opportunities to escape poverty. Through empowering community-based programs, equipping educators and investing in learning spaces, their initiatives enable millions of children to embrace opportunities that once felt beyond their grasp, to create sustainable, secure futures.

As evidence continues to prove, access to effective early learning places key building blocks for future success and financial stability. With projects like these transforming futures, Southern Africa is opening doors to incredible opportunities for future generations.

– Ciara Moore

Ciara is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Causes and Solutions to Hunger in Kenya

Hunger in KenyaPoverty is on the rise. It is a worldwide problem, but Africa’s hardest hit area is the sub-Saharan region. According to the World Food Program (WFP), about half of those living in extreme poverty live in this region. Kenya is among the nations in that region.

Poverty and Hunger in Kenya

Poverty manifests in many ways, including hunger. Around 30% of Kenya’s population lives in poverty. Households headed by women have a poverty rate of 35.3%. Male-headed households, in comparison, have a poverty rate of 32.6%. According to the Kenya Poverty Report, a third of the children in Kenya are food poor. Poverty rates for youth are higher in rural areas. According to the WFP, 29% of the children in rural Kenya are stunted due to malnutrition.

The causes of poverty in Kenya include natural disasters and economic shocks. Lower-than-average rainfall has affected Kenya’s agricultural and pastoral areas for several years. This drought has affected livestock as well as crop production. On the other end of the pendulum, flooding destroyed whole towns and villages, displacing more than 280,000 people. It killed more than 260 people in 2024. Livestock and other crops were lost.

These climate crises affect adequate food availability, increasing prices and sending more people toward poverty. Another factor affecting Kenya’s ability to feed its people is the conflict in Ukraine. Kenya is dependent on fertilizer imported from Russia. When the conflict began, Russia no longer sent fertilizer to Kenya. COVID-19 also affected Kenya’s economy, as it relies heavily on tourism.

The Kenyan government has committed to addressing the problem through agriculture. It has lifted the ban on open cultivation of genetically modified crops, eased food import restrictions and imported animal feed to reduce hunger in Kenya.

Boosting Kenyan Agriculture and Food Security

The Borgen Project interviewed Sterling Brown, a senior at Southern University majoring in Agricultural Business. He traveled to Kenya to learn about different agricultural methods and share knowledge with local farmers. According to Brown, agriculture is the largest sector of the Kenyan economy. He highlights the following solutions to address food insecurity and hunger in Kenya:

  • Integration farming. Using all available resources, including livestock and organic matter. This includes using manure as fertilizer (instead of importing fertilizer).
  • Microorganism growth. The inclusion of microorganisms in the soil enhances soil quality. Better soil leads to better crops.
  • Intercropping. This farming practice involves growing multiple crops in the same field. Different crops have different strengths, which helps improve soil quality.
  • Agroforestry. This is a sustainable agricultural practice and land management system. Farmers plant trees and then grow crops between and beside them. It creates a farming ecosystem. The trees counteract the effects of flooding, soil erosion and biodiversity loss.

In addition to the farming practices highlighted above, he and his team encouraged local farmers in Chuka and East Chuka, Kenya, to export their native crops, including avocados. This could boost their economy and provide another path out of poverty. They also held workshops and provided rootstocks, demonstrating how to plant and maintain them.

Brown is part of a program called the 1890 Center of Excellence, a collaboration between Southern University, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB), Chuka University and Kenyatta University in Kenya. According to Brown, this collaboration, combined with the Kenyan government’s interventions, new sustainability mandates and significant agricultural investment, is a step in the right direction.

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Ghana Library Authority: Reading Fights Poverty in Ghana

Ghana Library AuthorityIn Ghana, poverty is a significant issue, with around 24.2% of the national population living below the poverty line. Additionally, around 6.9 million people live in extreme poverty as of 2024. Ghana has a population of around 34.4 million and has many different issues, including economic instability, climate hazards and high inflation.

Northern Ghana is specifically impacted, due to its lack of adequate infrastructure, non-agricultural job opportunities and gender inequality. Living standards also worsen due to high inflation, limited government spending and weak economic growth. Approximately 64.6% of rural populations in Ghana experience multidimensional poverty compared with 27% of urban populations.

Many inequalities exist between men and women; the richest man could earn more in a month than the most impoverished woman could in 1,000 years.

Book Access in Ghana

In Ghana, access to books is limited, especially in rural areas. Many rural communities face significant barriers to literacy and have fewer educational resources than those in urban areas. Challenges include a lack of libraries, limited resources and facilities and schools that often lack basic learning materials such as stationery, textbooks and computers.

Only around 11% of schools in Ghana have functional libraries; in rural areas, only one library exists for 500,000 residents. Books available to people in Ghana can be costly and often have low availability. Outside of basic textbooks, there are not many books that Ghanaians can purchase.

Due to limited parental involvement, many children also lack access to books at home. Additionally, many rural areas in Ghana lack reliable internet and electricity, preventing students from accessing digital resources when learning.

Ghana Library Authority Initiatives

The Ghana Library Authority has launched several innovative programs that use modern and traditional methods to help children in Ghana start reading and learning. Strategies include mobile book vans, which can deliver shelves of stories to communities in need.

The Ghana State Book Project is an initiative that aims to create a comprehensive state book for each of Ghana’s traditional states. It seeks to document their unique traditions, histories, royal families and cultural practices. It has already produced several state books and plans to cover all traditional areas of Ghana.

Book Donations and Distribution Efforts

Books for Africa (BFA) also worked with BetterWorld Trust to distribute a 40-foot container of supplementary books to Ghana Book Trust (GBT) to distribute in Ghana. These books were then distributed to community libraries, orphanages and school libraries. They were also often used as prizes for schools that organized reading competitions.

GBT distributed the books across the country, with each beneficiary receiving 500 books, bringing the total donated to 18,000. The organization sources books from North America to promote a reading culture in Ghana. Over the past eight years, it has imported 35 40-foot containers of books, including 14 containers of children’s books and novels, totaling more than 590,300 books distributed.

GBT collaborates with Books for Africa and organizations and foundations in the U.S. to donate books to schools, community libraries, orphanages and children’s hospital wards.

Digital Reading and Global Partnerships

The Ghana Library Authority has also partnered with tech companies such as Vodafone and Worldreader to create digital e-libraries and make hundreds of books available on smartphones and tablets for children to read. Worldreader is a nonprofit organization that helps children access and read digital books through mobile phones, tablets and e-readers.

Team4Tech is helping Worldreader bring e-readers to elementary schools in Kwaebibirem, Ghana. The groups provide e-readers and train children to use them for digital reading in the classroom. They also enable parents and students to access reading opportunities on any device through a digital reading app called BookSmart. Through this application, Worldreader provides free access to thousands of books and learning materials for people of all ages in Ghana.

Conclusion

Many children in Ghana are positively impacted by this newfound access to books. It helps them improve their literacy, strengthen their educational background and gain the tools to fight poverty through education.

By providing diverse learning materials that meet the needs of individuals with varying reading levels and interests, these organizations are helping students in Ghana broaden their academic abilities. They also help students develop critical thinking skills and foster a love for reading at a young age.

– Madyn Lewis

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Mexico’s Fight Against Poverty: Wage Increases and Welfare

Mexico’s Fight Against PovertyMexico is a country in North America often associated with culture, tourism and economic inequality. In recent years, though, the nation has achieved one of its most significant breakthroughs: a historic reduction in poverty. Due to government-led programs such as wage increases and social program expansions, millions of people have been lifted above the poverty line.

While there is still much more work to do, Mexico’s progress shows how much effort can make a difference in the global fight against poverty and inequality.

A Historic Decline

Between 2022 and 2024, more than 8.3 million people were lifted out of poverty. According to AP News, this was an 18% drop nationally and the extreme poverty rate declined by nearly 23%. A country long affected by economic inequality, the turnaround in the last decade has been unprecedented.

Since 2018, more than 13.4 million Mexicans have escaped poverty, a 26% overall reduction. Experts attribute this success to higher wages, increased welfare programs and the government focusing more on vulnerable populations in both rural and urban areas.

Wages at the Center

One of the biggest policies behind the shift is the increase in the national minimum wage. It reached an all-time high of $20.76 per day in 2025. For decades, Mexican workers’ earnings failed to keep pace with inflation.

This resulted in much of the working class being stuck in cycles of poverty despite constantly working and contributing to the growing economy. Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made it a priority to increase wages to reverse that issue. Since the increase, many families have gained reliable and consistent access to food, school and health care, leading to lower child malnutrition rates.

Welfare Programs

Along with the wage hikes were expanded social programs. Senior citizens now have universal pensions, Indigenous communities have targeted assistance and low-income students are eligible for stipends. These programs have created safety nets that have helped reduce child labor, increased school enrollment and improved access to medical care.

The “Sembrando Vida” (Sowing Life) minimum wage. directly supports farmers by paying them to plant trees and restore lost land. This has given rural workers a steady income. It has also addressed environmental concerns. Other programs targeted the younger population, offering scholarships to encourage education and raise retention rates.

Global Context and Looking Ahead

Mexico’s progress reflects a broader Latin American trend. Other countries, like Brazil, have had success with similar programs. Mexico’s model adds another layer, coupling wage increases with welfare expansion. This dual approach could become the blueprint for other struggling nations looking at how to address their own poverty.

Mexico’s path has continually produced lasting benefits: millions of healthier families, more educated individuals and more financial stability. Experts say these improvements are not only a benefit for households but could also strengthen democratic stability because citizens feel supported by their government.

Mexico’s story proves that targeted policy enhancements can directly and quickly cause change. A country plagued by inequality has shown that this progress is both a milestone and a challenge for its future leaders to follow suit: continue building and adding to the legacy of one of Mexico’s biggest fights against poverty in history.

– Brody L. Gates

Brody is based in Fort Worth, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons