Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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The Wajukuu Art Project in Mukuru, Nairobi

Wajukuu Art ProjectMultidimensional poverty overwhelms the five senses. The smell takes in smoke- and the stench-saturated air. Hearing puts up with never-ending noise pollution. Taste feeds on bits of nutrient-scarce food. Touch is calloused by long working hours. Sight looks at its dilapidated world with agony. However, these senses often come together to reclaim creativity and make sense of their reality through art. The Wajukuu Art Project has pioneered the slum art form of Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya. Its stunning visual art and commitment to uplifting its community have earned it acclaim locally and globally.

Mukuru’s Living Conditions

The Mukuru slum is situated on a hillside near the Kenyan capital’s major manufacturing industries. Job opportunities, however, are scant, so many subsist by scavenging for saleable items in the dumpsite that pollutes their locality. Most of the slum’s 700,000 residents live in suffocatingly tiny three-square-meter homes, sheltered only by roofs made of cardboard or plastic.

Diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are rampant, yet most medical facilities are priced out of residents’ reach. However, with the community’s involvement, the area has recently witnessed development, with 32 more miles of paved roads and significantly better access to flushing toilets.

The Slum Art Form’s Roots

In 2003, Lawrence “Shabu” Mwangi and a few other art school graduates from the Lumba-Lumba neighborhood of Mukuru formed an art collective. They wanted to avoid the criminal activities that many around them had succumbed to with the lack of fruitful employment opportunities.

Officially registering it in 2007, they named it “Wajukuu” or “grandchildren,” deriving from a Swahili proverb that says that younger generations feel the actions of parents and grandparents. Having borne the brunt of previous generations’ mistakes, they wanted to shape a happier future.

Bringing the Slum’s Art Form to Its Children

Noticing the many curious children intently looking in from the outside daily, they decided to start a Kids’ Club. This became their chance to find authentic self-expression, as also future employability, amid the deprivation that they were growing up with.

On a pleasant June day this year, perched upon large sheets of paper, the Kids’ Club started painting. Sitting beside the toxin-choked Ngong River, they used bright tangerine and vivid cobalt hues to breathe life into their self-portraits. They showed an intimate understanding of the problems that had broken their world and their dreams of transforming it. One child outlined his forearm and wrote “PEACE” in bold letters right next to it. Another depicted a man distributing bags of rice among locals.

So far, Wajukuu’s 27 members have nurtured more than 1,000 children through the Kids’ Club and art therapy. The team also manages a library that teaches close to 30 children daily. Wajukuu’s scholarship program has enabled 15 students to achieve a high school education. Wajukuu’s other initiatives include sustainable, organic farming and the twice-yearly Slum Art Festival, which hosts exhibitions and performances by well-known musicians and dancers.

Recognition for The Wajukuu Art Project

In 2022, Wajukuu was invited to take its distinctive slum art form to the Documenta Fifteen contemporary art exhibition in Kassel, Germany, which saw a footfall of more than 738,000. Indeed, Wajukuu interactive architectural displays were reminiscent of traditional Maasai homes and the construction patterns typical of its Mukuru, with its trembling corrugated metal walls.

Even after Documenta, Wajukuu was part of a minor core team working to promote collectivity and shared resource building across geographies. Furthermore, Wajukuu’s In The Absence exhibition at Nairobi’s African Arts Trust gallery in August 2024 startled visitors into self-reflection about the irresponsible use of technology and true freedom from colonialism.

– Shiveka Bakshi

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

Photo: Pexels

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Reverse Osmosis: A Path to Clean Water in Jamaica

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

Access to Clean Water in Jamaica

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

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

Increasing Access to Clean Water in Jamaica

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

Advancements in Reverse Osmosis Technology

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

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

Safe Water, Health and Poverty

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

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

Final Remarks

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

– Archie Day

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

Photo: Pexels

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USAID Programs in Eswatini

USAID Programs in EswatiniEswatini, due to its geographical location, relies on South Africa for the majority of its trade, with 65% of its exports and 75% of its imports going to South Africa, meaning that this is a large contributor to Eswatini’s economy. Despite the GDP per capita in Eswatini remaining relatively high, standing at $3,823 in 2023, nearly 70% of the population lives in poverty, with diseases such as HIV and AIDS having a devastating impact on citizens. With education quality being insufficient, alongside access to education, many do not receive an education that will prepare them for the workplace.

USAID Programs in Eswatini

Whilst there are several USAID programs in Eswatini, most of its work in Eswatini, and Southern Africa as a whole has been a part of the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDs Relief (PEPFAR), which works to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic in at least 50 countries across the world. The project has four main priorities within its operation: making progress towards HIV/AIDS control in more than 50 countries across the world, helping partner countries in spending every dollar they receive on creating data-driven policies, giving access to support to the populations that the by HIV/AIDs impacts the most and providing them with innovative solutions that are appropriate to their situations while utilizing partnerships in several different sectors to increase their impact.

After partnering with USAID and PEPFAR in 2007, Eswatini’s first Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS) in 2011 proved HIV rates in Eswatini were relatively high. Only less than 62% of the infected population aged between 18 and 49 knew their status, and out of those, only 73.1% were undergoing treatment and were virally suppressed. However, after SHIMS3 in 2021, these figures had improved significantly, with 93.7% of the population living with HIV knowing their status, and of this, 96.2% were undergoing treatment

DREAMS

USAID introduced the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) program in Eswatini with help from PEPFAR in 2015, to help teenage girls and young women by addressing factors that make them susceptible to HIV/AIDS. The program offers services such as access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (a drug that can prevent the acquisition of HIV), education subsidies and wider access to HIV screening, testing and counselling. In Eswatini, young girls also have access to business mentorship with Cabrini Ministries, as youth unemployment currently stands at 58%, and this mentorship provides young girls with employment opportunities in a social climate where job opportunities for women are sparse.

In 2024, PEPFAR announced that it is looking to roll out DREAMS NextGen, in partnership with USAID, which will aim to take a specific approach for the situation in each country, by expanding the services already in place and specific services for women in each partner country. This USAID program in Eswatini is the next step within the DREAMS program, which aims to create “supportive environments” for teenage girls and young women, with aims including strengthening families with social protection with subsidized education costs and parent and caregiver programs and mobilizing local communities to promote change through a roll-out of school and community HIV and violence awareness and prevention.

The Future

It is clear that with the help of USAID programs in Eswatini and schemes such as the PEPFAR, the country will be able to sustainably develop beyond USAID programs and control the HIV/AIDs pandemic. With further support from both of these organizations, the people of Eswatini will be able to prosper, with access to things like better and subsidized education that will better prepare young people for the workplace and better healthcare to improve their quality of life.

– Freyja Stone

Freyja is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Elderly Poverty in Hong Kong

Elderly poverty in hong kongHong Kong is a city of two halves: while some enjoy wealth and luxury, 23.6% of the population live in poverty, struggling to share in the city’s economic prosperity. Elderly poverty is a significant problem in Hong Kong, with 45% of citizens aged 65 and older—about 583,600 people—living in poverty. Furthermore, Hong Kong has faced criticism for its inadequate poverty measures, which do not accurately represent the true scale of the issue, suggesting that even more people could be affected than officially recorded. Perhaps more concerning than these high rates is the fact that elderly poverty has increased significantly in recent years, up from 27.7% in 1991.

Causes

Elderly poverty in Hong Kong is driven by several factors, including a prevailing attitude that discourages reliance on welfare. As a result, there is limited government assistance available to provide financial protection for those struggling with poverty. Culturally, there is also an expectation for families to care for their elderly, with the Chinese government introducing a law in 2013 that demands children see and “greet” parents regularly, which made little difference. As times are changing, many families do not want to or are not able to care for their elderly.

While values are changing for some, the state has not adapted to this; existing welfare benefits (particularly the Social Security Allowance Scheme) for older people are rarely enough to cover living costs. Therefore, older adults are often seen collecting recyclable rubbish, such as cardboard and glass, in order to make enough money to survive. Pensions are a real concern, with the city having no pension scheme and many retirement funds being continually offset. This means that many are forced to remain in employment well past retirement age.

Furthermore, many cannot afford the help they desperately need; on average, it takes 19 months to receive subsidized home care services, leaving many older people alone without the support they need to live a fulfilling life.

Organizations Providing Aid

Efforts are underway to reduce elderly poverty in Hong Kong. Oxfam has launched the Concerning Home Care Service Alliance’s “service matching” scheme, which connects caregivers with seniors to assist with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and accompanying them to appointments. Seniors pay just $0.64 for the service, while caregivers receive a stipend in addition to this small fee.

The Society for Community Organization (SoCO) also advocates for better support for older adults, assisting them in applying for existing welfare programs and accessing health care. These support systems are crucial for improving the quality of life for elderly individuals living in poverty. SoCO assists more than 1,000 seniors to apply for “social security or public housing each year.”

Furthermore, the Elder Academy supports the mental well-being of older adults by partnering them with academic institutions, offering opportunities for lifelong learning and fostering a sense of community inclusion. Last year, the organization received $10 million in government funding, demonstrating a commitment to improving the livelihoods of older adults.

– Eryn Greenaway

Eryn is based in East Sussex, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 NGOs Operating in Yemen

NGOs Operating in YemenViolent internal conflict, malnourishment and severe weather conditions have resulted in a state of crisis for Yemen. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index ranks Yemen as the 163rd least developed country out of 166 countries in the U.N. index ranking. Internal conflict has led to about half of Yemen’s population, around 18 million, in need of humanitarian assistance with another 4.5 million internally displaced, and in just one year 89 schools and hospitals were bombed highlighting the urgency of the crisis. According to the United Nations SDG Index and the Human Development Index (HDI), Yemen’s consistently increasing poverty rates, worsening food insecurity and the continual destruction of clean water and health care infrastructure indicate a grave need for humanitarian aid. Here are three of the most prominent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Yemen today.

Save the Children

Save the Children is one of Yemen’s largest and longest-standing organizations working towards development and relief. As suggested by the name, Save the Children prioritizes funds and initiatives geared towards bettering the futures of the world’s children whether that be through education, health and medicine, policy and advocacy and emergency response programs, according to its website.

In response to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, Save the Children has been working on the ground and raising funds to bring much-needed resources to those most vulnerable. The organization has been operating in the country since 1963 and has been recognized as one of the largest NGOs operating in Yemen. Save the Children has delivered life-saving assistance to more than 5 million children in need since March 2015, and has supported more than 200 health facilities in providing vital resources for babies and children across the country, according to its website.

Youth for Homeland

Youth for Homeland (YFH) is an independent youth organization based in Yemen that works alongside its partners and relevant local governments to work towards a more developed future for Yemen. Established in 2013 with two branches, more than 150,000 indirect beneficiaries and 66,000 direct beneficiaries, YFH maintains goals of building economic stability and strong infrastructure across the country. The NGO works with other NGOs and INGOs along with relevant local governments to improve the lives of the Yemeni people.

YFH is actively working towards development in sectors ranging from sanitation and clean water to food security and youth empowerment. Some of the central projects of the organization include campaigns to provide food to vulnerable families, building better water infrastructure for clean water sources, and creating friendly and safe spaces for children in conflict-ridden regions to provide educational opportunities and improve health in the Yemeni youth.

Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

Advocating for awareness and policy change to U.S. politicians and policymakers while simultaneously working on the ground in Yemen to bring relief to those in need is what the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation (YRRF) values at its core. The YRRF’s mission statement surrounds the central value of rejecting war and violence and focusing completely on fostering peace, a moral principle reflected in each of the foundation’s projects both on the ground and abroad.

With about 18 million Yemeni lacking access to clean water, improving water infrastructure and funding innovative clean water solutions are a top priority for the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation. Since April 2024, YRRF fed more than 1,000 malnourished kids, their families received food baskets and caretakers learned proper feeding techniques. Furthermore, the foundation has changed the lives of 354 Yemeni orphans under the age of 18 through the YRRF’s orphan sponsorship program, thus enabling families to pave the way to brighter futures for themselves and their children.

These select initiatives only scratch the surface of the impact that the YRRF has had on the country. Offering cash transfer programs, delivering clean water tanks, training midwives to encourage safer health practices and supporting economic entrepreneurship are all programs that the foundation promotes across Yemen bringing about change on the ground and advocating for international awareness.

NGOs Operating in Yemen: Making a Change

NGOs operating in Yemen have prioritized support to those who are most vulnerable and advocated for awareness and policy change regarding the crisis. Save the Children, Youth for Homeland and the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation along with their partners and many more charitable organizations both national and worldwide represent hope and dedication to a better future for Yemen and the developing world in its entirety.

– Juliana Granville

Juliana is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The WFP’s Efforts to Address Food Insecurity in North Korea

The WFP’s Efforts to Address Food Insecurity in North Korea North Korea has long struggled with food insecurity, a challenge that natural disasters, international sanctions and economic mismanagement have exacerbated. The World Food Programme (WFP) has been active in the country since 1995, playing a critical role in providing food assistance and fighting malnutrition. In recent years, however, the situation has become even more dire. WFP’s most recent efforts have focused on expanding support to the country’s most vulnerable populations. Indeed, food insecurity levels in North Korea have reached their highest point since the 1990s.

An Escalating Crisis

North Korea faces deep-rooted structural challenges in its agricultural sector, including a lack of arable land, inadequate access to modern agricultural technologies and persistent natural disasters. Droughts, floods and typhoons have devastated agricultural production in recent years. Even small-scale disasters have a disproportionate impact on the country’s food system, which is already fragile and prone to disruption. North Korea ranks 29th out of 191 countries in terms of its vulnerability to natural disasters.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the situation. With borders closed and imports restricted, North Korea has been cut off from many of the external resources it once relied on, including agricultural inputs and food imports. The pandemic has also disrupted the domestic food distribution system, compounding the country’s food insecurity. Economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations (U.N.) further restrict North Korea’s access to international trade, exacerbating shortages of essential goods such as fertilizers, modern farming tools and food.

The WFP estimates that 10.7 million North Koreans—approximately 40% of the population—are undernourished. Many suffer from chronic malnutrition, which is particularly severe among children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. The country’s child malnutrition rate is alarming. In children under five, 18% suffer from stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition. These numbers highlight the urgent need for external food assistance.

Recent WFP Initiatives to Combat Hunger

In response to the worsening food crisis, the WFP has adapted and expanded its programs in North Korea. The organization’s recent focus has been on scaling up the delivery of specialized nutritious food, enhancing food production resilience and securing additional funding to meet the growing need.

  • Specialized Nutrition Programs. A key WFP strategy in North Korea is providing fortified foods to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. These fortified foods, which include enriched blended cereals and high-protein biscuits, are designed to combat malnutrition by supplying essential nutrients that are lacking in the North Korean diet. These products are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for children’s development and for improving maternal health. The WFP distributes these foods through nurseries, hospitals, pediatric wards and boarding schools. This ensures that the most at-risk individuals receive targeted nutrition support. Currently, the WFP’s food assistance reaches about one million people across North Korea, with a specific focus on reducing child malnutrition. By addressing the nutritional gaps in the population’s diet, the WFP is helping to alleviate both acute and chronic malnutrition. Local production of fortified foods is also supported through WFP’s partnerships with North Korean food factories, which helps maintain a consistent supply of these essential products.
  • Food Production Resilience. Alongside its nutrition-focused programs, the WFP has also been working to support North Korea’s agricultural production. The country’s farming system is highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks and recurrent natural disasters frequently damage crops and food infrastructure. The WFP aims to improve the resilience of local food production by providing technical assistance and resources to boost agricultural output. While international sanctions limit the scale of these interventions, the WFP has continued to seek ways to strengthen food production capacities in the country.
  • Recent Funding Initiatives. The growing food crisis in North Korea has prompted the WFP to call for a significant increase in funding for its food assistance programs. In early 2023, the WFP sought to triple its budget for North Korea. The organization warned that without additional resources, the country’s food insecurity could lead to a full-scale famine. According to the WFP, food insecurity levels are now the worst they have been since the 1990s, a period marked by widespread famine and mass starvation. The organization has stressed that without urgent action, millions of North Koreans will remain at risk of severe hunger.

The Impact of Sanctions and Border Closures

The WFP’s efforts in North Korea are complicated by the country’s political isolation and economic sanctions. U.N. sanctions, aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, include restricting international trade and investment in the country. In particular, sanctions have limited North Korea’s ability to import essential agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and modern farming equipment, which are necessary to boost local food production.

The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated the WFP’s work. North Korea implemented strict border closures to prevent the spread of the virus. These closures cut off the country from most external aid and imports, including food and medical supplies. Additionally, the closure of public institutions and restrictions on movement within the country disrupted the distribution of food and aid. This has made it even harder for the WFP to reach those in need.

The Road Ahead

Despite the WFP’s efforts, North Korea’s food crisis persists, with millions still suffering from malnutrition. The need for expanded food assistance is critical. However, sanctions, political isolation and the ongoing effects of the pandemic continue to limit the WFP’s operations in North Korea. The organization has consistently called for increased funding and international cooperation to overcome these ongoing challenges. However, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty.

– Sophia Lee

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

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Alleviation in Hong Kong

Poverty Alleviation in Hong Kong Despite its reputation for wealth and a dynamic economy, Hong Kong faces serious challenges with poverty, marked by stark income inequality and high living costs. More than 20% of its population lives in poverty, showcasing one of the largest wealth gaps in the world—Hong Kong’s poorest earn nearly 60 times less than its wealthiest residents. Many struggle to meet basic needs, evidenced by a 3.1% unemployment rate in 2023, affecting about 114,800 people and ongoing issues with affordable housing. These significant disparities have heightened social tensions and underscore the critical need for effective poverty alleviation strategies in Hong Kong, particularly in light of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of the recently enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

Government Financial Aid

In response to reduced economic development, the Hong Kong government has launched several strategies to address local poverty. This year, it increased various social welfare subsidies by 3.3%, including the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA), Disability Allowance and Old Age Living Allowance (OALA), benefiting more than 1.5 million citizens. Social welfare spending, now totaling HKD$127.4 billion, represents more than 20% of the government’s overall recurrent expenditure. This marks a 56.2% increase over five years, compared to HKD$81.5 billion in 2019. While financial aid plays a critical role, it may not be a long-term solution. Consequently, the government is also focusing on additional strategies to educate and assist able-bodied citizens in avoiding a return to poverty.

Government Programmes

Hong Kong has launched several government schemes to foster self-reliance among residents, particularly those in single-parent households facing poverty. A key initiative is the School-based After School Care Service scheme, which allows elementary students to stay at school for care and educational support after hours. This arrangement helps parents continue working without the burden of additional childcare costs, alleviating financial strain on single-income families.

Another significant effort is the Strive and Rise Program, a collaborative project involving the government, local businesses and the community. This initiative provides year-long mentorships to secondary students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Renewed for a second year, the program enhances students’ career prospects by offering mentorship and financial support to help them achieve personal development goals. Each participant receives HKD$ 10,000, with half paid at enrollment and the remainder upon program completion. These mentorships not only offer valuable work experience but also include lessons in financial planning, aiming to guide students toward economic independence.

Looking Ahead

Despite being relatively new, the Hong Kong government regularly evaluates the effectiveness of its programs aimed at poverty alleviation. As one of the world’s wealthiest regions, these local government initiatives underscore a strong commitment to narrowing the wealth gap in Hong Kong. By continuously refining and expanding these ongoing efforts, Hong Kong aims to foster a more equitable society where every individual has the opportunity for self-reliance and enhanced quality of life.

– Viola Cuthbertson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Reducing Poverty Via Social Entrepreneurship in Indonesia

Social Entrepreneurship in IndonesiaThe largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, has achieved impressive economic growth in the last decade, with a steady gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate after overcoming the effects of the Asian financial crisis in 1998. However, a significant portion of the country’s population is still living in poverty. As of March 2024, Indonesia’s poverty rate stood at 7.09% for the urban region and 11.79% for the rural area. In total, more than 25 million Indonesians are living below the national poverty line.

Social Entrepreneurship in Indonesia

Social entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs who pursue innovative ideas with the potential to solve a community problem, can contribute to poverty reduction in Indonesia. As of 2018, there were an estimated 34,205 social enterprises in Indonesia, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), cooperatives and micro, small or medium businesses. The study also found that young people are strongly represented in social enterprises, suggesting the increasing popularity of social entrepreneurship among young people and the growth potential of social entrepreneurship in the future. Social enterprises in Indonesia are mostly in the creative industry (22%), followed by the agriculture and fisheries industry (16%) and the education sector (15%).

Social entrepreneurship in Indonesia can support business opportunities and economic development in the country. Researchers found that amid economic crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, social entrepreneurship plays an important role in encouraging the creation of existing and new social entrepreneurial business opportunities to help solve economic development problems. Besides, social entrepreneurship also contributes to sustainable environmental policies in Indonesia. Research on green space development in Indonesia suggests that social enterprises serve as catalysts for ecological impact, effectively converting community perceptions that favor sustainability into sustainable practices.

Facilitating Positive Changes

For instance, Azzura Solar, a social enterprise co-founded by Hemant Chanrai, is a social enterprise that focuses on solar energy and empowers communities with its businesses. The Bright Future Program (BFP) of the company installs solar panels for the population in the Marga Mulya area of North Jakarta, a more impoverished region of the country with limited access to electricity. The enterprise developed its own indigenous, low-cost system that not only promotes access to electricity for needier populations but encourages the reuse of drinking bottles. The receivers of the services can pay what they can afford, with the rest of the cost covered by sponsors and Azzura Solar.

Javara, on the other hand, focused on assisting local indigenous farmers to earn their livelihood from traditional agricultural products. Through ethical partnerships with farmers, fishers and food artisans, the enterprise brings biodiversity-based food products from rural Indonesia to a broader market. With a wide range of products from honey and coffee to pasta, the company has exported sustainable agricultural products in Indonesia to 33 countries on five continents.

Looking Forward

Policymakers in the Indonesian government have promoted social enterprises mainly through financial assistance and training. The Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) Program, for instance, has been in place to provide bank loans to small businesses in Indonesia since 2007. The Beginner Entrepreneur Program also provides funds for young entrepreneurs with training certificates from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises.

The ProKUS program in 2021 assisted impoverished and vulnerable families with activities and social and business approaches to prevent and overcome social risks after the COVID-19 pandemic. The program collaborated with social workers and 26 business mentors to incubate social enterprises across 33 districts of the country, improving entrepreneurship skills for the recipients.

With significant government commitment and existing successes, social entrepreneurship in Indonesia is a highly promising solution that can promote poverty reduction in the country. By further promoting social entrepreneurship, the government can empower the local community and contribute to sustainable development in the long term.

– Wangruoxi Liang

Wangruoxi is based in Ann Arbor, MI, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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5 Charities Operating in Bulgaria

Charities Operating in Bulgaria
There are several charities operating in Bulgaria that address the poverty challenges it faces. In 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria joined the European Union alongside Romania. Today, however, it is the poorest member with the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and since 2020, the country has been troubled by political instability, with governmental coalitions collapsing. There have been six parliamentary elections between 2021 and 2024 – a seventh election already in sight. This political uncertainty impacts Bulgaria’s access to EU funds while also slowing its mission to fully join the Schengen area and adopt the euro as its currency. 

According to UNICEF’s “Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth” report, more than one in four children in Bulgaria lived in poverty between 2019 and 2021, with a child poverty rate of 26.1 percent. Despite a 55% increase in efforts to reduce child poverty, there has been less than a 10% change in the poverty rate since 2012. The inadequacy of social transfers, such as family benefits and social assistance, is evident, as these payments fail to account for inflation and rising living standards. Consequently, an “economically vulnerable household” with out-of-work parents and two children will receive 17.5% of the national average wage in social transfers – without housing benefits – placing Bulgaria 37th out of 39 OECD/EU countries.

Bulgaria’s weak social protection system underscores the critical role of charities operating in Bulgaria, with 36.2% child material deprivation and 12.9 percent housing problems. These nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in improving the lives of Bulgarian citizens, and here are five charities operating in Bulgaria and combatting poverty.

Children of Bulgaria

Since 2014, the nonprofit organization Children of Bulgaria has raised funds for its annual projects to improve children’s health. The charity’s operations are crucial, with the average infant mortality rate in 2021 being 5.2 per 1,000 live births – a little less than double the EU 3.6 average for that year. Instead of simply sending capital to the recipients, Children of Bulgaria uses 98% of its donations – the remaining 2% are operating costs – to fund projects and buy the necessary equipment, thus preventing fraud and misuse of contributions.

In 2023, it delivered medical equipment to the Neonatal Ward in the Hospital of Silistra – used to help an average of 150 premature babies annually. Similarly, in 2021 and 2022, the organization focused on improving centers for autistic children since most daycares in the country are unfit for children with the disorder, and child psychiatrists are scarce. This year’s 2024 project focuses on funding four new centers for children with special needs in South-East and South-West Bulgaria, underlying the importance of inclusive childcare.

Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria

Habitat for Humanity is one of the key charities operating in Bulgaria. Since 2001, it has advocated for adequate housing – since the Bulgarian constitution does not recognize the right to housing as a fundamental human right. Nonetheless, the necessity for affordable housing is distinct, with one in three Bulgarians needing accommodation in 2022, while the country also had one of the highest overcrowding rates in the EU – 36.2% compared to an average of 16.8%. 

Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria has been fighting this struggle since 2014 by creating the Coalition “Decent Homes.” It collaborates with 36 organizations, from the municipal, business and non-governmental sectors, to better decision-making in housing policies. The nonprofit has built 12 houses and helped to more than 6,000 families find settlements in the country through partnerships with local communities and volunteers, providing affordable housing construction and enhancing accessibility to housing improvements. 

Light of Bulgaria

After the fall of communism in Bulgaria, the younger generations moved to work in the city, making Light of Bulgaria a crucial charity for the older population. Most of them still living in the mountains and forests of South-West Bulgarian on minimal pensions – 580.57 BGN per month or $330.28 USD – do not have access to social or medical care. 

Light of Bulgaria reaches more than 60 villages, providing food, clothes and medical care while also helping families who struggle with mental health problems or are victims of neglect and domestic violence. When temperatures drop below fifteen degrees in winter, the nonprofit also implements its program “The Soup,” providing nutritious food for the villagers and assisting them through their hardships. 

Trust for Social Achievement Foundation

Minorities in Bulgaria face significant disadvantages, and the Roma community is no exception. Although they are estimated to comprise around 10% of the population, many Roma do not officially declare their ethnicity due to fear of discrimination, leading to varying figures. The Roma community grapples with poverty, social exclusion and limited access to education and health care. Many Roma people live in marginalized neighborhoods with poor living conditions, where discrimination severely limits their opportunities for employment and integration into society. Furthermore, derogatory remarks from government officials, including Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who has publicly referred to the Roma as “bad human material,” exacerbate the situation and deepen the social divide.

To face these challenges and support the Roma community, the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation has created various programs. For example, the “Continued Support for Roma Students at the American University in Bulgaria” provides financial aid, mentorship and academic support to Roma students, helping them overcome barriers in higher education. Additionally, the “Early Learning and Care” program focuses on improving early childhood education by providing access to quality learning resources and parental support, aiming to address educational disparities from a young age – with 45% of Roma children not attending preschool. These initiatives are part of broader efforts by charities operating in Bulgaria to combat systemic barriers and discrimination, improving long-term outcomes for the Roma community.

UNICEF

In 2022, the Agency for Social Assistance reported 736 cases of domestic violence in Bulgaria, with 73% involving children. ATD Fourth World, an international nonprofit focused on ending poverty, also reported on child protection in Bulgaria, highlighting the link between poverty and child abuse. Indeed, children in poverty are especially at risk of abuse and neglect because financial problems create stress and instability in families. Thus, those struggling with poverty often lack the support needed to prevent or address abuse – leading to higher rates of harm among children from marginalized communities.

In response, UNICEF Bulgaria has worked to strengthen protection for vulnerable children and families by supporting the National Programme for Prevention of Violence and Child Abuse. This program aims to create a comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing violence and abuse by integrating various services and policies. On the ground, UNICEF has directly assisted 259 children—181 girls and 178 boys—who were victims or witnesses of abuse, through the Zona ZaKrila protection centers in Sofia, Shumen, and Montana. Additionally, UNICEF’s “For Every Child, Protection from Violence and Abuse” initiative has trained 525 specialists in preventing and responding to violence against children and women, as well as in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. These efforts are vital for fostering safer environments and ensuring that every child receives the protection and support they need to thrive.

Looking Ahead

Bulgaria’s long journey to becoming a prosperous and thriving country is far from complete, but progress has been made in the last decades. With funding from the European Union and help from charities operating in Bulgaria, the living conditions of its citizens are improving. 

– Alissa Naydenova

Alissa is based in Colchester, Essex, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Vocational Education Training Centers in Bangladesh

Vocational Education Training Centers in BangladeshBangladesh, located in South Asia, is a vibrant and densely populated country, home to more than 170 million people, characterized by a rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. Bangladesh is renowned for its colorful festivals, traditional music, dance and the warmth of its people. The country is home to monsoon seasons, humid summers and lush green landscapes. However, the country has faced challenges with poverty and the employment sector. Here is how vocational education training centers in Bangladesh could make a difference.

What is Vocational Educational Training?

Vocational education and training equips learners with specific skills that they can carry into the workplace. It teaches the knowledge behind specific trades or occupations. This usually occurs after secondary education. This training can come in many forms. It could occur during employment or apprenticeships or provided during formal education.  

The Importance of Vocational Education Training Centers

Vocational education training centers in Bangladesh provide opportunities and career advancement for the country’s youth. They act as a bridge between education and work life. These vocational education centers equip young people with the practical skills that are applicable in various industries such as tech, sciences, agriculture or construction. 

Not only does vocational education training centers support the youth of Bangladesh but they also support the economic growth of the country. As Bangladesh continues to industrialize, the demand for a skilled workforce grows. This is what the vocational education training centers aim to achieve a skilled workforce. 

With these centers producing a skilled workforce, some have argued that this is helping Bangladesh enhance its global competitiveness. With a number of Bangladesh’s workforce being employed overseas, particularly in the Middle East, there is a constant attempt reach these international standards. Therefore, the centers are constantly trying to better the training they are teaching.

TVET Initiatives

Over the years, there have been a number of vocational education training centers in order to provide people with vocational education in Bangladesh. In 2011, the National Skills Development Policy (NSDP) was put into action. This policy aimed to create a more cohesive development system, emphasizing in demand driven training.   

From 2009 to 2013, the Skills Development Project (SDP) occurred with funding from the Asian Development Bank and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. This project aimed to expand access to vocational education training centers, particularly for women and disadvantaged groups. It supported the establishment of new training institutions and provided scholarships to those who needed it. 

The Skills Training Enhancement Project (STEP) was rolled out based on the success of the SDP. From 2010 to 2014, STEP was more focused on improving the quality and relevance of these vocational education training centers. This enabled these centers to enhance their training programs and develop needed partnerships with industries. This made it easier for participants to walk into employment straightaway. 

After this, an additional funding phase was introduced to further expand vocational education training centers in Bangladesh up until 2019. Since then, plans for the Skills Development for Tomorrow (SDT) Program have been drawn up. This initiative aims to prepare the new workforce by focusing on emerging industries and technology.

Challenges Facing Vocational Education Centers in Bangladesh

Although the idea of vocational education sounds appealing in terms of helping the economic growth of the country it is facing several challenges. There is a lack of apprenticeships across the country. This means there is limited opportunity to receive not only the hands on training necessary for the workplace but apprenticeships also allow a taste for what the work place could be. 

Furthermore, there is a stigma around VET. While only 64% of children complete secondary schooling in Bangladesh only a 0.81% go on to use these centers for vocational training. This is due to social attitudes surrounding it. There is a preference for more ‘prestigious’ education. 

Conclusion

The development of these vocational education training centers is crucial for the country in addressing their socio-economic challenges and the need to align their workforce with the ever growing global economy. While the current TVET programs are showing improvements in terms of growth, they still face numerous challenges such as low public perception and insufficient infrastructure. 

– Ellisha Hicken

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

Photo: Flickr