Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Addressing Education Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Education Poverty in Sub-Saharan AfricaAn education is very important especially for children of young ages. Education poverty is a big issue in sub-Saharan Africa In fact, sub-Saharan Africa has low participation rates amongst children going to school which can decrease the chance of continuing school, dropping out and having a low rate of achievements. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the prominent places that has education poverty. About 6 million boys and 9 million girls in Africa will never go to school at all. Specifically in Mali, Africa, records have indicated that a lot of children are currently not in school. This includes children ranging from 6-17 that are not in school at the moment. 

Causes of Limited Education

Among the population of Mali, more than half of the Mali population, including more than half between the ages of 15 and 24 are illiterate. This can be due to many factors like the absence of textbooks, qualified teachers and low-quality school environment. The lack of access to the necessities and funding to create a good education program for these children to undergo are major issues when it comes to receiving a good education. Due to these factors, Mali students are not able to have basic skills of math and reading. 

Solutions

Many things are occurring to help this issue of education poverty. There have been donors and UN partners that have been a part of making a change when it comes to educational poverty in Africa.

For instance, the UIS has noticed what has been lacking for a proper education for these children like teachers and basic amenities that are necessary. To address that issue, UIS is working on training and recruiting teachers to teach in Africa. When it comes to the amenities, the organization is tracking which schools are lacking things like portable water, textbooks and access to electricity.

There is also another program that the World Bank has implemented called the “Mali Improving Education Quality and Results for All” where they are helping promote access to lower and upper secondary education for the children in Mali specifically. The World Bank mentioned this project is impacting about 4 million individuals in underserved areas as well.

Looking Ahead

While there is no set time to end education poverty in sub-Saharan Africa anytime soon, by what is occurring right now with the help of the government, UNESCO and USI, it is on the right track for giving these children a better education that they deserve. As time goes on, it should be hopeful that these young kids will have the chance to go to school with having access to electricity and having the right teachers to educate them. Time is all that is needed to come up with better ways to give these kids these amenities that they rightfully deserve.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Overall, education poverty is a major issue in Africa, especially in Mali. This can be due to many factors that can impact the effectiveness of the education they are getting. As mentioned before, there are many organizations that are helping the situation currently happening. For example, UNESCO is an organization that is there to give full power of education, science and culture in order to tackle issues that are in the world. In regards to helping the issue of education poverty, UNESCO is tracking the trends in teacher numbers and qualifications. It projects the numbers of teacher shortages so the organization can see where distribution is required to help reduce the shortage. It is slowly helping reduce education poverty and will hopefully continue to do so in the years to come.

– Madison Lam, Elizabeth Alebachew and Fabian Urrutia
Photo: Flickr

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Innovations For Poverty Action: The Ripple Effect

Innovations For Poverty Action: The Ripple Effect According to World Vision, around 1.2 billion people across the globe live in multidimentional poverty. Given the widespread nature of poverty, several organizations are making efforts to find solutions. Among such organizations is Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). IPA is an organization that plays a significant role in the global effort against poverty by utilizing evidence-based research to identify effective alleviation strategies.

Evidence-Based Solutions

IPA, based in New York City and Washington D.C., operates in 20 countries and manages projects in more than 50 nations. This nonprofit focuses on using evidence-based research to determine effective poverty alleviation strategies, aiming to eliminate models that do not work.

Furthermore, IPA collaborates with governments, donors and organizations to conduct research and advocate for evidence-based solutions to global poverty. It bases its operations on a Theory of Action, focusing on the “Ripple Effect” of its impact. Sarah de Tournemire, Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer at IPA, discussed with the Borgen Project the significance of evaluating the broader consequences of its initiatives.

The Origin and Mission of IPA

IPA’s Ripple Effect begins with its founder, Dean Karlan, who, while working with a microfinance institution in Latin America, found himself asking “‘How do you know whether your program is working? How do you know what your clients think of the program?’” Karlan realized through this project that, as Tournemire put it, “there is more to learn about how to effectively monitor, evaluate and learn from development projects.”

With this experience, as Karlan watched more and more organizations make new steps in the pursuit of ending global poverty, each project required new research, new trials and new people, opening up room for more error in determining effective poverty alleviation models. As thorough as each project group was, Karlan saw a need for a system, not just to organize and manage the data collected, but to create efficient, data-backed, large-scale solutions.

As he explained in an interview with Startups for Good, if researchers were conducting meaningful research in some communities, “the reality is, those awesome [data collecting teams] in those countries can help more than just that small set of researchers.” Once researchers were “experienced and knowledgeable [on] how to do that kind of work, then there’s a huge economy of scale that can be had by helping other researchers also use that knowledge, that infrastructure or that human capital to help coordinate their similar studies.”

Karlan went on to pursue a PhD in Economics at MIT, where working with his doctoral advisor, Esther Duflo, as explained by Tournemire, started asking the question that would directly prompt his creation of IPA: “How do we know what works and what doesn’t work to alleviate poverty?”

Concept to Global Impact

After completing his graduate research, Karlan began seeking evidence that the research and data collection were creating a ripple. As he wrote in his book More Than Good Intentions, he noted, “I wanted to make sure that my research and the research of other like-minded professors, did not simply get published and sit on dusty bookshelves in academic halls. I saw a void, a real need for a new kind of organization with a head for academia, but with its feet squarely in the real world. It would serve as a loudspeaker and an advocate for policy-relevant research and be full of people ready and eager to help generate research results and most importantly, it would work to scale up the ideas that are proven to work.”

Demonstrating the Ripple Effect of Innovations

How has the Ripple Effect manifested? Since its inception, IPA has conducted 950 evaluations demonstrating significant impacts across various initiatives. These include unconditional cash transfers, free malaria bed nets, targeted education strategies, chlorine dispensers for water purification, deworming programs and many more, according to Tournemire.

In its first decade, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) focused on conducting thorough research to identify effective and ineffective poverty alleviation strategies. Tournemire stated, “In roughly the last 6 years we have been intentionally growing our work with decision-makers to create a ripple effect. Though we still create rigorous evidence we are increasing our advisory and policy work with governments in countries where we have a long-term presence.”

The Success of the Graduation Approach

IPA conducted a comprehensive review of the Targeting of the Ultra Poor Model, also known as the Graduation Approach. This program aims to provide multifaceted support to assist individuals in escaping poverty. A 2015 study analyzing results from 21,000 people across six countries found that participants experienced increased savings and enhanced physical and economic stability. Remarkably, the program demonstrated cost-effectiveness, yielding returns between 133% and 433% on the investment.

Partnerships and Policy

However, after demonstrating the effectiveness of the Targeting of the Ultra Poor Model, IPA expanded its impact by joining forces with several organizations within the Poverty Alleviation Coalition. Together, they embarked on an ambitious mission to lift 500,000 households out of poverty within five years. As Tournemire explains, “So it was sort of at that point where we had all this information, now we had to push it out to the world. We need policymakers and decision-makers to take up and use this evidence.”

IPA established a policy unit to enhance collaborations with ministries through initiatives like Embedded Evidence Labs for integrating evidence-based programs in government functions. Additionally, it formed Evidence-to-Policy Groups to foster dialogue between researchers and policymakers and it incorporated Policy and Impact Focus areas within IPA to tailor projects to decision-makers needs, among other policy-driven initiatives.

Linking Evidence to Policy for Poverty Relief

As Tournemire summarizes IPA’s mission, she explains that the organization continues “to generate evidence and informed data but almost a third of its work is now focused on this policy piece of making sure that the questions that need to be asked are being asked and there is a culture of evidence-based decision making being built.”

IPA brings forward a truth valuable to any person or entity working to alleviate global poverty. Tournemire argues “Decisions made upon rigorous data and evidence are the strongest weapons. If we want to have a real impact it’s about much more than just good intentions.” In other words, it’s the Ripples of our tangible progress that have the greatest potential in our battle to end global poverty for good.”

– Aria Desai
Photo: Unsplash

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Navigating the Nuclear Battery Promise

Nuclear BatteryThe recent buzz surrounding Betavolt’s nuclear battery has ignited excitement about a potential clean energy revolution. However, it’s crucial to approach this development with a balanced perspective, acknowledging its potential and the significant challenges. The Borgen Project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis, separating hype from hope by exploring this technology’s science, safety, feasibility and responsible development. Here, continued research and development efforts are crucial to fully understand the potential of nuclear batteries and their role in the future energy mix. 

Nuclear Battery: Potential and Hurdles

Nuclear batteries, like those developed by Betavolt, utilize the decay of radioactive isotopes to generate electricity for extended periods. Proponents highlight their potential for long-lasting, clean energy in remote locations or applications requiring consistent power, like medical devices or spacecraft. However, significant hurdles remain.

Firstly, regulatory approval is a complex and lengthy process. Nuclear technology faces stringent safety regulations and navigating these hurdles can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, the long-term management of radioactive waste generated by these batteries needs careful consideration and robust infrastructure, ensuring responsible disposal and environmental protection.

It’s important to note that advancements in areas like waste minimization and recycling could play a significant role in overcoming these challenges and paving the way for the wider adoption of nuclear batteries.

The Proven Path of Renewables

While nuclear batteries hold promise for specific applications, it’s crucial to recognize the established and rapidly advancing field of renewable energy. Solar, wind and other renewable sources offer a proven path towards a clean energy future, with significant advantages over nuclear technology in the near term. Continued investment and strategic policies are vital in accelerating the widespread adoption of renewables.

Success stories like the dramatic cost reduction of solar panels and the increasing efficiency of wind turbines demonstrate the immense potential of this sector. Additionally, innovative solutions like energy storage technologies address intermittency concerns, paving the way for a reliable and sustainable energy future powered by the sun, wind and human ingenuity. Beyond these established technologies, promising avenues exist to explore within the renewable energy sector. Research into advancements like geothermal, tidal and even algae-based biofuels can further diversify the clean energy portfolio.

Building Trust in Renewables

Investors play a crucial role in scaling up renewable energy solutions. By showcasing successful case studies, highlighting renewables’ economic and environmental benefits and fostering transparency in project development, we can build trust and attract investments crucial for accelerating the transition towards a clean energy future.

Focusing on the Future

Nuclear batteries may hold promise for niche applications in the distant future. However, for the immediate and foreseeable future, focusing on proven and rapidly advancing renewable energy solutions offers a more realistic and achievable path toward a sustainable and clean energy future. By harnessing the power of innovation, fostering responsible development and building trust in established technologies, we can collectively chart a clear course toward a brighter tomorrow powered by clean energy.

– Vincenzo Marino
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Education in Uganda: The Hurdles and Progress

Education in Uganda: The Hurdles and ProgressUganda is transforming its education system to improve access and quality for its younger generation. As a landlocked nation bordered by Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda’s economic growth across agriculture, industry and services sectors could lower its poverty rate from 41.7% as of 2023 to 40.7% by 2025. However, these projections are still uncertain. As things stand, education in Uganda could play a crucial role in the country’s transformation.

According to the United Nations (U.N.), education significantly impacts poverty reduction within communities or countries. An educated community often enjoys more economic opportunities, leading to enhanced resources for everyone. The same is not true in communities struggling with poverty for many reasons. In recent times, Uganda has seen rapid advancements in improving education and its accessibility.

Education Barriers in Uganda’s Poor Communities

In Uganda’s impoverished communities, the cost of schooling and supplies often forces families to choose between education and basic needs, sidelining education. Children who attend primary school may struggle to advance to secondary levels due to poor literacy and numeracy skills. Additionally, teacher absenteeism further undermines the educational opportunities for those who overcome these barriers to reach the classroom.

Enhancing Education Quality in Uganda

Uganda’s efforts to provide universal primary education signal a crucial advancement in educational access. Working with the Global Partnership for Education, the focus extends beyond free education to enhancing its quality, especially in the pre-primary stages. This approach aims to boost literacy and numeracy skills among children, aiming for higher school completion rates and reduced dropouts in primary education.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is making efforts to address teacher absenteeism and lack of skills in Uganda by enhancing education governance. Its ongoing initiatives include mentorship and promoting accountability within schools, involving parents and officials to demand better teaching standards. Efforts to boost teacher competence involve supervision and support from higher-ups, aiming to reduce absenteeism and improve education quality.

Advancing Education to Combat Poverty in Uganda

Through the initiatives of the Global Partnership for Education and UNICEF, strategic efforts are underway to elevate education standards in Uganda. These improvements are essential in the broader fight against poverty. Moreover if successful, UNICEF’s initiatives could enable an additional 800,000 boys and girls to complete primary education. In addition, the Global Partnership for Education aims to remove financial barriers to schooling, making education more accessible to children in poverty-stricken areas.

Looking Forward

Uganda’s efforts to enhance educational quality and accessibility signify a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against poverty. Partnerships with organizations like the Global Partnership for Education and UNICEF are taking significant strides toward a future where education is a right, not a privilege, for all children. Furthermore, the initiatives to improve literacy, numeracy and reduce teacher absenteeism lay the groundwork for creating a well-educated workforce capable of driving economic growth and lifting communities out of poverty.

– Isaac Songster

Isaac is based in Wheaton, IL, USA and focuses on Education pieces for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

How Artists in Haiti Are Addressing Poverty

. Artists in HaitiIn the heart of the struggle of Haiti against poverty lies a story of resilience and redemption, where artists emerge as unsung heroes in a landscape marred by hardship. Amid the harsh reality of statistics revealing the extent of deprivation, with more than 41.3% of Haitians entrenched in multidimensional poverty and 18.5% facing severe destitution, these artists paint a vivid tapestry of hope. With every stroke of their brushes and every chisel against stone, they carve out a narrative transcending mere imagery, offering a beacon of light amid the darkness. It is the tale of their unwavering spirit, quest for change and steadfast belief in art’s transformative power.

Haiti’s Rocky History

During the colonial period, Haiti was a French colony named St. Domingue, which flourished with profitable sugar and coffee plantations. However, this prosperity came at a grave human cost, as enslaved African people were exploited to sustain the economy. The Haitian Revolution, lasting from 1791 to 1804, is the only successful slave uprising in history. Haiti declared independence from France in 1804, becoming the first black republic and the second independent nation in the Americas.

Despite this triumph, Haiti encountered significant challenges post-revolution. Other countries imposed economic sanctions, fearing similar uprisings in their colonies. Additionally, internal power struggles exacerbated political instability and economic stagnation. In 2010, an earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, claiming approximately 220,000 lives, according to the United Nations (U.N.). This catastrophe further compounded Haiti’s challenges, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable development and resilience-building efforts.

An Artist Making a Difference

Andre Eugene, an artist hailing from Port-au-Prince, employs discarded materials scavenged from the city streets to craft unconventional sculptures that narrate a compelling tale of resilience and the unyielding spirit of Haiti. Eugene challenges societal conventions through art and prompts viewers to reassess their notions of beauty and worth.

Among Eugene’s remarkable creations stands “The Freedom!” sculpture, a renowned masterpiece commissioned in 2007 by the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of abolition. Collaborating with peers from the Atiz Rezistans collective, Eugene fashioned this captivating artwork from reclaimed metal. It portrays a towering figure with arms outstretched, a poignant embodiment of freedom. The sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggles endured by the Haitian people.

Rich Heritage

Eugene’s art transcends being a mere reflection of Haiti’s adversities. It also stands as a jubilant tribute to the nation’s culturally rich heritage, steeped in the vibrant traditions of Haitian folk art. Infused with symbolism drawn from Vodou practices and spiritualism, his sculptures often incorporate human skulls. In an interview with Christopher Garland, Eugene elucidates that the skulls he integrates are sourced exclusively from Haiti, serving as the sole recycled material originating from Haiti. He critiques Western consumerism, highlighting how Haiti bears the burden of the remnants of Western culture dumped, which he then repurposes and circulates back to Western markets.

Through this art, Andre Eugene endeavors to amplify the voices of the marginalized and overlooked street vendors, laborers and children compelled to scavenge for survival. Through the “Atis Rezistans” collective, Eugene established “Ti Moun Rezistans,” a program demonstrating sculpting methods to local children. In an interview with Marielle Barrow for Caribbean Beat Magazine, Eugene’s art aims to end the famine in this neighborhood and establish a comprehensive center for the community. By transmuting trash into treasure, Eugene breathes new life into discarded materials. He uplifts the narratives of the upcoming generation experiencing poverty in Haiti.

Growing Recognition for Haitian Art

Eugene’s artistic endeavours have garnered global recognition, spotlighting Haiti’s burgeoning artistic revival and motivating a new wave of artists to leverage their skills for societal transformation. His sculptures, showcased in galleries and museums worldwide, serve as emissaries for Haiti’s dynamic cultural landscape. Independent Curators International states Eugene’s works have graced prestigious venues in Geneva, Paris, Los Angeles and Venice.

In a nation where hope often feels elusive, Eugene’s art is a beacon of resilience and ingenuity. It reminds observers that creativity knows no bounds and he is not alone in this mission. Fellow artists like Marie-Claude Reginald and Jean-Pierre Louis also contribute to raising awareness about poverty in Haiti through their art. As Haiti continues its journey toward a brighter tomorrow. The collective efforts of Haitian artists stand as a testament to art’s transformative power, capable of inspiring change and transcending adversity.

– Lauren McKenna
Photo: Flickr

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The Leila Janah Foundation

The Leila Janah Foundation Leila Janah, an American businesswoman, activist and explorer, died on Jan. 24, 2020, from epithelioid sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Leila Janah founded and led two companies, her first company, Sama, is a nonprofit aiming to offer digital jobs that provide a living wage to thousands in Africa and India. Sama’s mission centers on providing employment instead of aid, reflecting Janah’s belief in work as a sustainable way to eradicate global poverty. Following Janah’s passing, the Leila Janah Foundation continues its legacy by developing life-changing entrepreneurship programs across East Africa.

History of the Foundation

Founded in 2008, Sama operates on the design model by Leila Janah. A nonprofit organization that employs people from low-income backgrounds in Kenya and Uganda, Sama focuses on providing artificial intelligence (AI) training to enhance living standards. In an interview with Glamour in 2017, Janah stated, “It struck me as a crime that so much human talent goes to waste in developing countries.” She believed that simply providing more opportunities would prove hugely beneficial. By 2018, Sama had employed 50,000 people. Subsequently, the annual Give Work Challenge was launched.

In an interview with Marie Forleo in 2018, Janah stated, “The best way to ensure that that person has a meal is to increase his or her family income so that he or she can buy his own food from the local market,” arguing how this model was much more sustainable than other models of charity and provided a much more long-term solution to global poverty. In 2019, Janah split the company and the nonprofit entity focused on growing the Give Work Challenge. After Janah’s passing in 2020, the nonprofit entity was renamed the Leila Janah Foundation to honor Janah’s legacy, and since then the nonprofit has expanded and helped an ever-increasing number of people.

The Give Work Challenge

The Leila Janah Foundation runs the Give Work Challenge, a business plan competition for low-income entrepreneurs in Kenya and Uganda. This Challenge runs throughout the year in different editions, and focuses on supporting existing businesses looking to grow and new businesses needing support to launch.

Furthermore, a new competition was launched in 2022 for past winners whose businesses demonstrate the potential for expansion and have shown incredible growth. Each Give Work challenge consists of a three-round competition, where the entrepreneurs submit their business plans and information to Sama volunteers. Entrepreneurs who make it to the final round pitch their plans and ideas live to a regional judge panel.

In preparation for this pitch, the team works with a professional mentor who aims to improve their business models and create a foundation for long-term success. The Leila Janah Foundation supports these entrepreneurs through professional mentorship, community support, as well as by providing grants.

Program Director Liliosa Mbirimi states, “Through the Give Work Challenge grant and mentorship, each of our winners will have a larger impact on their communities that will ripple out and positively impact many more individuals.”

Give Work Challenge: Recent Winners

In August of 2023, the Leila Janah Foundation announced the existing business edition winners of its annual Give Work Challenge. It announced four companies, two from Kenya and two from Uganda to receive one year of mentorship from an expert mentor who will help them work on their business plan and introduce the next phase of growth. Additionally, each team won a grant of $6,000 to continue to grow their business.

Among the four recent winners is Mvuvi Enterprises. This Kenyan-based business founded by Christine Bonareri and Arnold Adero produces high-quality processed fish for human consumption. Mvuvi Enterprises additionally uses innovative and sustainable technologies that convert the waste from the fish into useful products including fertilizer, animal feed and energy. Concerning receiving the grant, Arnold Adero states, “Winning the fund fills us with immense gratitude and excitement, as it fuels our commitment to creating a lasting impact and driving positive change in the fisheries and aquaculture community.”

Another 2023 winner, Mawejje Creations, founded by Dimma Mawejje aims to solve the issue of banana biomass and landfill fashion waste. The business uses plant-based substances and textile waste to revolutionize the fashion industry, minimizing the impact of fast fashion and increasing the effectiveness of the ethical fashion supply chain. 

The Impact

Since its inception in 2018, the Give Work Challenge has awarded $138,000, funding 33 teams and creating 245 jobs. This initiative provides grants and mentorship to winners, significantly impacting their communities by enhancing lives beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Tassilo Festetics, co-founder of the Give Work Challenge states, “If each one of them creates a company that basically will employ maybe two, three, five, fifteen people that will obviously increase the number of jobs and people that will be able to live dignified lives,” explaining the ripple effect that the challenge has and the large number of people it can benefit.

Liliosa Mbirimi, Program Director at the Leila Janah Foundation stated, “We are proud to continue the mission of our namesake, Leila Janah, to alleviate global poverty by giving work, not handouts.” The Give Work Challenge extends beyond merely assisting individuals; it also enhances the societal and community benefits these businesses aim to deliver.

– Arabella Wood-Collins

Arabella is based in Newcastle, UK

Photo: Unsplash

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Improving Women’s Health Care in Liberia

Health Care in LiberiaWith a poverty rate of 27.6%, access to adequate health care facilities in Liberia is limited for many citizens. The statistics are alarming, with Liberia ranking fifth in maternal mortality rate and 18th in infant mortality rate globally. Moreover, fewer than 55 physicians are available to serve the entire population, making access to health care even more challenging.

The Birth of Healthy Women Healthy Liberia

The Foundation for Restoring Women’s Health Care to Liberia, also known as Healthy Women Healthy Liberia, was established in response to these pressing health care issues. This initiative, led by Dr. Chris Hena, a Liberian-born medical missionary, aims to develop improved health care tailored to address the needs of women in Liberia.

With her extensive experience implementing community-based health care programs in various countries, Hena recognized the urgent need to reform Liberia’s health care system. Armed with a medical degree from Kuban Medical College in Russia and a Master’s in Public Health from Emory University, United States, Hena embarked on a mission to promote the health of the Liberian people through sustainable, community-based primary health care.

Mission and Focus

A clear mission drives Healthy Women Healthy Liberia: to promote people’s health and educate patients through comprehensive, sustainable, community-based primary health care. With a vision to transform communities using community-based health care models, mainly focusing on women and children, the initiative aims to improve the health and welfare of the people of Liberia.

By employing community-based health care models, Healthy Women Healthy Liberia envisions a country where communities thrive through access to quality health care and education. The organization seeks to create sustainable change that positively impacts the lives of women and children.

Comprehensive Health Care Services

Healthy Women Healthy Liberia provides a wide range of health care services to women in Liberia. Clinics established by the initiative offer treatment for various conditions, including epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, malaria and typhoid fever. Services related to pregnancy, birth control, breast health and respiratory conditions are also provided.

Among these services, education on preventative health care is at the core of this initiative. Recognizing the importance of early intervention and education, there is an emphasis on programs aimed at preventing diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles, especially among women. These efforts are done to reduce the burden of illness and improve overall health outcomes in Liberia.

Empowering Communities

Beyond health care services, Healthy Women Healthy Liberia empowers communities through education and skill-building programs. Mother-to-mother classes, prevention courses and nutrition and food preparation instructions are provided to educate women on how to maintain their health and well-being. Additionally, initiatives such as teaching women how to build dish racks contribute to improved hygiene practices, further promoting community health.

By organizing local communities into clusters and assessing their specific needs, Healthy Women Healthy Liberia ensures its programs are tailored to each community’s unique challenges and circumstances. This empowers communities to take ownership of their health and actively participate in improving healthcare services.

Final Remark

The Healthy Women Healthy Liberia initiative stands as a beacon of hope in Liberia’s health care landscape. Through its comprehensive approach to health care, education and community empowerment, it is making significant strides in improving the health and well-being of women across the country. With continued support and dedication, the nonprofit is paving the way for a healthier future for Liberia’s women.

– Katherine Barrows
Photo: Pixabay

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Charity: Water is Providing Clean Water Access in Mali

How Charity: Water is Providing Clean Water Access in Mali Clean water access in Mali is a critical issue. The landlocked country surrounded by Algeria, Niger, Mauritania and other African countries, confronts numerous challenges, with clean water access being paramount. Mali’s predominantly dry climate, coupled with recurring droughts, exacerbates water scarcity. Unfortunately, the situation has recently deteriorated with the drying up of Lac Faguibine, Mali’s only freshwater lake. In rural areas, not only are water sources unclean, but they are also becoming increasingly scarce, making them both critically needed and limited.

Founded in 2006 by Scott Harrison, Charity: Water has dedicated itself to ending the global water crisis. Partnering with local organizations and supported by donor contributions, in addition, the charity has launched 152,665 clean water projects in 29 countries, estimated to serve 18.4 million people. Recently, it has focused efforts on improving clean water access in Mali, demonstrating a commitment to addressing water scarcity and ensuring sustainable water solutions for those in need.

Poverty in Mali

Mali, facing economic challenges, is classified by The World Bank as low-income and undiversified. The extreme poverty rate surged from 15.9% in 2021 to 19.1% in 2022, with a larger portion, 49.3%, living below the general poverty line. Rural areas, home to the majority of Mali’s 21.5 million people, see 37.13% without clean drinking water and 78.5% without sanitation. Moreover, these statistics underscore the pressing need for infrastructure and services improvement, especially in the southern rural regions where most Malians reside and the situation continues to worsen.

In rural Mali, waterborne diseases pose a significant threat, exacerbated by inadequate sanitation and limited medical access. In addition, the country has one of the highest infant mortality rates, ranking 11th highest in the world. This is largely due to waterborne illnesses like lower respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases. Thus, ensuring clean water access in Mali emerges as a critical need for the country’s population.

Expanding Access to Clean Water: The Banko Community

Since launching its operations in Mali in 2014, Charity: Water has made significant strides. It has empowered approximately 318,980 people with access to clean water through the completion of 650 water projects, which include drilled wells and piped water systems. The organization has invested $11.6 million toward improving clean water access in Mali. According to its 2022 Annual Report, Charity: Water’s efforts in rural Mali have allowed an additional 65,621 individuals to access clean water, contributing to the progress of 210 clean water projects.

In September 2023, the Banko community in southwestern Mali gained access to clean water thanks to Charity: Water and its local partner, HELVETAS USA. By evaluating the specific needs of each community, they installed a well with a hand pump for nearly 700 residents. Furthermore, this improvement not only enhances health and sanitation but also positively impacts education and income levels. Moreover, access to clean water proves essential for the well-being and development of communities like Banko.

Looking Forward

In Mali, the collaborative efforts of organizations like Charity: Water, alongside significant contributions from the World Bank and USAID, are marking a turning point in the battle for clean water access. The strides made in regions like Bamako illuminate the path to a healthier, more sustainable future for Mali’s rural and urban communities. Above all, with each well drilled and each sanitation facility built, the foundation for overcoming water scarcity strengthens, promising a ripple effect of improved health, education and economic opportunity. As Mali looks forward, the continued dedication of global and local partners to addressing water access challenges holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for its people.

 – Isaac Songster

Isaac is based in Wheaton, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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CARE’s Work Toward Ending Child Marriage

Child MarriageChild marriage (CM) violates human rights and has detrimental effects on the lives and welfare of girls. Although there are legal prohibitions against the marriage of underage girls, cultural and social norms often take precedence over these enforced laws. However, nonprofit foundations and organizations are working toward eradicating the practice worldwide.

Among them is CARE, a nongovernmental organization that started in 1945 after Arthur Ringland and Dr. Lincoln Clark advocated for the establishment of a nonprofit entity designed to transfer food packages from America to Europe during World War II (WWII). Throughout the years, CARE developed other aid initiatives serving crises in response to changing global political dynamics, including the Berlin Blockade and the Korean War.

In 1982, programs for women’s advancement were established in Bangladesh. Similarly, in 1993, CARE targeted its efforts into prioritizing the empowerment of girls and women to tackle poverty. Today, the nonprofit works in up to 109 countries worldwide and has become a global organization working toward gender justice, among other causes.

CARE’s Approach

CARE has approached the fight against child marriage through a primary program called “Tipping Point.” The initiative was implemented from 2013 to 2023, in Bangladesh and Nepal in South Asia and adapted in West Africa, Mali, Niger and Northern Syria in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The program consisted of three phases.

The first phase, which lasted for four years, prioritized innovations and learnings by engaging adolescents and parents in sessions in which open dialogue was encouraged. A central effort in this phase was to challenge deep rooted harmful social norms related to CM. During weekly sessions with separate groups of girls and boys, the kids were encouraged to self-reflect and think about love, their strengths and their dreams, as well as unequal social norms such as girls’ mobility, division of labor, restrictions on girls and risks of Child marriage.

Additionally, boys worked on reflecting on their masculinity. The sessions with the mothers were focused on reproductive health, family planning and also their own agency. Part of these sessions included discussions about their relationships with the children and generally building soft skills within connections at the family level.

Second Phase

The second phase, which lasted three years, invested in creating spaces for all community members to reflect on the unequal social norms. Suniti Neogy, CARE’s Senior Technical Advisor, says that work at the community level was also a crucial part of the program, working toward changing norms around issues that girls grappled with, such as mobility and access to education.

Sessions were also held with religious leaders, school teachers and government officials on reflections on issues of equality, workload, sexual health, virginity and honor, including the risks and benefits of CM. CARE’s fight against CM begins with opening the dialogue among and between the families and the girls. “If you work on girls’ or women’s empowerment, but you don’t work with the families or you don’t work with the community around them, it’s not easy to change that,” says Neogy.

The third and final phase of “Tipping Point,” also lasting three years, used experience from the previous two phases to advocate for policies addressing core factors propelling the practice of CM. The final phase also connected girls with women’s rights organizations so they could find support beyond the program.

Challenges

Neogy says a primary challenge when fighting CM is how “everybody thinks that we are there to stop Child Marriage.” According to her, the question “How many child marriages did you stop?” is frequently asked in government forums. “If her confidence is not built, if she’s not even able to speak for herself, if she continues to have no agency, it will not make a difference in her life if she’s married today or tomorrow,” stated Neogy.

According to Neogy, prevention is the only way to combat Child Marriage. She says the work has to be done with different sectors and different stakeholders so that “from all sides, it’s the same language that is spoken.”

CARE’s Director of “Tipping Point,” Serkadis Amassu, says that combating CM with law reforms has not worked. She states that the practice is highly intrinsic to social and gender norms, with some communities in South Asia believing that marrying girls will bring respect to the family and save them from potential disgrace if the girl becomes pregnant before marriage.

Girls in Action

Girls in Action is also a part of CARE’s gender transformative program. The model brought together girls from different communities in Bangladesh and encouraged them to identify an issue in their community that hindered them from achieving their dreams and aspirations.

Through surveys, the girls collected data regarding that issue within their communities and they then presented it to the parents and other community members. Neogy says activities like this encouraged the girls to speak out, negotiate with their parents and build a relationship between the girls.

Success Story

CARE’s “Tipping Point” program concluded in December of 2023. However, its accomplishments toward bettering the lives of girls and adolescents still linger in the communities. Data published by the organization shows a reduction of CM by 63% in girls who attended 36 to 40 “Tipping Point” sessions in Bangladesh, the country with the fourth most cases of CM worldwide.

Overall, CARE’s published results show a favorable shift in social norms concerning girls’ freedom and agency, as well as a betterment of collective community efforts to uphold girls’ rights over time across various sectors.

– Paula Pujol-Gibson
Photo: Flickr

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Mental Health in the Gambia

Mental Health in the GambiaManagement of mental illnesses represents a significant challenge yet to be adequately addressed in numerous low and middle-income nations. Such conditions not only escalate the expenses of health care and social support but also correlate with diminished quality of life, unemployment, heightened disability risk and premature mortality.

The Gambia has long marginalized and stigmatized mental health, leading to a gradual rise in mental wellness crises within the nation. With a population nearing 2.8 million as of 2023, the Gambia possesses only one psychiatric hospital in the capital city of Banjul, referred to as Tanka-Tanka, alongside a singular psychiatric outpatient clinic catering to the entire populace. The Tanka-Tanka mental hospital accommodates 100 beds and employs 58 practitioners. These facilities shoulder the responsibility of addressing all documented cases of mental illness throughout the country.

Mental Health in the Gambia Is Still a Major Issue

Widespread societal attitudes that downplay or disregard mental health issues are pervasive in deeply religious nations, perpetuating stigma and discrimination against individuals grappling with such conditions. This trend notably occurs in the Gambia, a predominantly spiritual country. According to the Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook’s (CIA) 2022 publication, approximately 96.4% of the population identifies as Muslims, underscoring the notion that prevailing social perspectives have adversely impacted mental health perceptions in the Gambia.

In Gambian tradition, manifestations of mental disorders frequently get ascribed to spiritual assaults or alleged demonic possession. Unorthodox healing modalities address the presumed “Spiritual Root Cause” through religious and traditional approaches, such as herbal remedies or ceremonial purification rituals. Among these methods, traditional healers also practice soaking and ingesting Quranic verses inscribed on paper. Regrettably, these treatments often disregard the effectiveness of medical interventions.

In a 2015 paper authored by A. Sulaimon and published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, The paper highlighted how cultural beliefs perpetuate myths suggesting that mental illness is contagious or that individuals struggling with such conditions are inherently violent and unstable. Consequently, this leads to the social ostracization and mistreatment of affected individuals, as families often conceal afflicted relatives to evade community stigma.

Additionally, there is a troubling surge in substance abuse among urban youths, primarily rooted in mental health challenges. The absence of specialized services for addressing drug and alcohol addiction exacerbates this issue. Furthermore, the prevalence of prostitution among young and underage girls, coupled with the underreported and unaddressed problem of sex trafficking, collectively compound the societal challenges impacting mental health.

Initiatives Addressing Mental Health Challenges

The World Health Organization (WHO), through its Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), initiated in 2008 and the Mental Health Leadership and Advocacy Programme (mhLAP), introduced in 2010, has emphasized the necessity of expanding mental health services within the country. WHO acknowledges that the presence of sufficient mental health professionals and facilities is essential to address the needs of existing mental health patients adequately. Additionally, such expansion is crucial for implementing an effective early intervention and preventive care strategy.

Mobee Gambia, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to assisting individuals with mental health challenges, has undertaken initiatives to address mental health concerns in the Gambia. In February 2024, the organization orchestrated an educational event and mental well-being promotion involving a cohort of young individuals. The event centered around the theme of drug and alcohol issues impacting the mental well-being of young people in our communities.

Mobee is currently in the planning stages of establishing offices for administrative purposes to facilitate the implementation of psychoeducation programs to enhance individuals’ physical, social, psychological and emotional health. Additionally, discussions are underway with the Gambia Red Cross and Wyce.org.uk. The collaboration aims to deliver mental health services and programs geared towards enhancing cognitive health in the Gambia.

Conclusion

The involvement of international organizations and government initiatives signifies a positive shift towards addressing mental health in Gambia. While progress may be gradual, the collective impact of various programs and assistance is poised to become increasingly evident over time.

– Olusegun Odejobi
Photo: Pixabay