Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Economists Call for Action as Global Poverty and Extreme Wealth Rise

Call for Action
A group of leading economists has emphasized that neglecting to address the growing disparity between the wealthy and impoverished worldwide will reinforce poverty. Here is information about the letter they wrote that is acting as a call to action.

A Letter Demands Action

More than 200 senior economists have issued a call for action on rampant global inequality. In a letter directed to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the World Bank president, Ajay Banga, the signatories from 67 countries urged these two bodies to take more substantial measures to reverse the most significant increase in global inequality since World War II Those supporting the appeal for action include New Zealand’s former prime minister Helen Clark, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and economists Jayati Ghosh, Thomas Piketty and Joseph Stiglitz.

The letter emphasizes that extreme poverty and extreme wealth have simultaneously surged for the first time in 25 years. Currently, the richest 10% of the global population takes 52% of global income, while the poorest half of the population earns merely 8.5% of it. The letter insists on improving the measurement of inequality and setting more ambitious targets to narrow income and wealth gaps.

With sharply rising food prices, billions of people face struggles against poverty and hunger. At the same time, the number of billionaires has doubled in the last decade.

Global Setbacks

The economists’ call for action arose on the same day Russia withdrew from a critical UN-brokered deal, which permitted the export of grain from Ukraine via the Black Sea. The collapse of this agreement poses a severe threat of increasing food prices worldwide, plunging millions more into hunger.

In 2015, almost all governments in the world adopted the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include the goal of reducing inequality by 2030, known as “SDG 10.” However, five years later, the World Bank reported that the COVID-19 pandemic drove the largest annual rise in global inequality in three decades. SDG 10, based on the World Bank’s Shared Prosperity goal, does not adequately measure or monitor key aspects of inequality. Household surveys provide evidence that one in five countries with a positive trend in Shared Prosperity also experienced an increase in inequality according to other measures like the Palma Ratio. These countries include Chile, Mongolia and Vietnam. ​​ 

Looking Forward

The World Bank is currently reviewing its Shared Prosperity goal. The World Bank has the opportunity to actively strengthen this goal of assessing inequalities across the whole spectrum of income and wealth distribution.

Significant advances in inequality data, including more accurate estimates of top incomes, have facilitated a new generation of policy-making based on a clear distributional analysis of the impact of policy changes. Pushing these advancements further can allow every government to conduct high-level inequality analysis. 

The World Bank and the UN are in a special position to urgently offer a rallying call for reducing inequality in today’s divided world. The World Bank and the UN SDGs can make better metrics for wealth, income and wage shares of national income with a focus on the global level.

The economists’ call for action has the potential to motivate the World Bank, the UN and governments worldwide to work toward reducing global poverty by addressing the vast economic inequality between the wealthy and the poor. 

– Marisa Del Vecchio
Photo: Flickr

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Overcoming Barriers to Medical Services in Developing Nations

Medical Services in Developing NationsAccess to quality health care is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people in developing nations continue to face significant barriers when seeking medical services. The challenges that impede health care access are diverse and complex, ranging from economic constraints to inadequate infrastructure. Addressing these barriers is not only crucial for improving individual well-being but also for achieving broader global health goals. The following is an overview explore some of the key challenges and potential solutions to ensure health care access for all in developing nations.

The Challenge of Economic Barriers

Economic constraint is one of the most pervasive barriers to health care in developing nations. Many individuals simply cannot afford medical care, including essential treatments and medications. High out-of-pocket expenses and low levels of income lead to unfortunate scenarios where individuals delay or avoid seeking medical attention due to financial concerns.

Insufficient Infrastructure and Resources

Inadequate health care infrastructure is another critical challenge. Developing nations often struggle with a lack of health care facilities, medical equipment and trained health care professionals. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, as they frequently lack even basic medical facilities. This scarcity limits the availability and quality of health care services, making it difficult for people to access the care they need in a timely manner.

Geographical Barriers and Limited Transportation

Geographical barriers pose a significant challenge, particularly in countries with large rural populations and difficult terrain. Inaccessible or impassable roads make it hard for individuals to reach medical facilities. Moreover, the cost of transportation can be prohibitive, further deterring people from seeking health care services. Addressing these geographical challenges requires innovative solutions such as mobile clinics, telemedicine and community health workers.

Lack of Awareness and Education

Health-care-avoiding behavior is also influenced by the lack of awareness and education. In some communities, people may not fully understand the importance of preventive care or the available treatment options. Cultural beliefs and misinformation can further contribute to low utilization of health care services. Public health campaigns, community engagement and health education programs are essential to overcome these obstacles.

Potential Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

Overcoming these barriers requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international bodies and local communities. Here are some potential solutions:

  • Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Governments can work towards implementing UHC programs that provide essential health care services to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Health Infrastructure Investment: Increased investment in health care infrastructure, including the construction of clinics, hospitals and training facilities for health care workers, is crucial.
  • Telemedicine and Technology: Leveraging technology to offer telemedicine services can bridge the gap between patients and health care providers, especially in remote areas. This approach can offer advantages like accessibility, timely care, specialized expertise, cost savings and equitable health care. Technology can facilitate virtual consultations, remote monitoring through devices and secure data sharing. Despite challenges, such as connectivity and privacy issues, telemedicine’s future is promising.

Medical services for all in developing nations remain an ongoing challenge, but it is a challenge that can be overcome through concerted efforts. By addressing economic barriers, improving infrastructure, raising awareness and fostering global collaboration, there is hope for moving closer to the goal of providing equitable health care services to every individual, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. 

– Sudipta Barua Munmun
Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty Reduction Progress Worldwide

Poverty Reduction WorldwideYearly, the United Nations’ Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) provides necessary insight into the state of poverty worldwide. The three dimensions of the MPI are health, education and nutrition, taking into account various statistics and information related to each factor. The MPI provides insight into what is contributing to multidimensional poverty in various countries as well as which countries are facing the worst poverty crises. However, 2023’s MPI also revealed some important and encouraging information regarding poverty reduction worldwide. While 1.1 billion people still live in poverty, over the course of the last 15 years, 25 countries have halved their levels of multidimensional poverty. 

Where Poverty Is Declining

While poverty reduction has been seen in countries throughout the globe, many of the most successful countries have been located in Asia. In India, 415 million people have exited poverty over the last 15 years, equating to just more than 6% of the world’s population. In China, 69 million have exited poverty, and in Indonesia, another 8 million people have exited poverty. Additionally, Cambodia has slashed the number of people living in poverty in half over the last seven years.

And yet, while many have left poverty in these countries, an overwhelming majority of the world’s poor live in Asia or Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, according to the U.N., roughly five out of every six persons living in poverty are from those two regions of the world. However, that also means that these countries can look towards their neighbors for examples of how to implement successful policies aimed at poverty reduction worldwide. Each successful country has implemented programs aimed at the various dimensions of the U.N.’s Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.

India

India experienced a dramatic decrease in a variety of dimensions of poverty over the past 15 years. Notably, the lack of access to electricity fell from 29% of the population to just 2%. Child mortality was also slashed in half, from 4% to 2%. India has increased access to health care for millions of people over these years, much of it through the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme.

Through the Ayushman Bharat, India aims to improve health care access for many poor, rural and urban families. According to the Indian Government, the program is intended to cover nearly 500 million people, giving them access to better health coverage. This will allow many more families, and hundreds of millions of children, the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. Additionally, it will help to decrease child mortality, one of the key indicators of multidimensional poverty.

Cambodia

Cambodia has had particular success reducing poverty, dropping from 47.8% to 13.55% in seven years from 2007 to 2014 as a result of economic growth. As a result, life expectancy has increased by nine years, and the percentage of kids completing primary school jumped from 50% to 90%. 

The World Bank has done extensive work modernizing the Cambodian economy, as well as improving agriculture to address food insecurity now and in the future. Much of that has been done by investing in Cambodia’s agricultural productivity and making sure it is sustainable in the future. This will allow Cambodians continued access to staple crops such as rice and will boost a significant portion of the economy. 

What This Means 

The U.N.’s MPI in 2023 indicates that the actions the world is taking to reduce poverty are working, but there is still a long way to go. For every country that has slashed poverty like Cambodia, there is another country that is dealing with factors that are increasing poverty. While countries can turn to the examples provided for successful ways to deal with poverty, each situation is different, and developed countries could play a vital role in the effort to reduce worldwide.

– John Rooney
Photo: Flickr

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The New Generation of Street Children Turned Surfers

Street ChildrenThe imagery of the breezy, laid-back Californian surfer has dominated the popular view of surfing over the years. Easygoing and happy-go-lucky, the figure of the surfer has come to symbolize the very notion of what it means to be young and free in a capitalist society. Yet, far beyond the shores of California to South Africa’s “Surf City,” the sport symbolizes much more than this. It plays an important role in helping vulnerable children who are growing up in post-apartheid South Africa to leave the street once and for all. 

Homelessness in Durban 

Located on the eastern coast of South Africa, Durban has a high population of youths — 38% of its population is under the age of 19.

However, the youth employment rate (the measurement of job seekers who are 15 to 24 years old) in South Africa is markedly low, at about 60%. Job losses are particularly high in industries such as food, textiles and clothing, making it difficult for young people to secure a living. 

But one of the most pressing problems facing South Africa is its street child phenomenon. According to the Consortium for Street Children, there are currently hundreds of thousands of street children in South Africa. 

Child homelessness is on the rise in Durban because of political violence, rapid urbanization and outbreaks of AIDS and HIV, resulting in many children losing members of their family. 

Difficulties at home and at school have also contributed to an increase in the number of children actively choosing to live on the streets. In many cases, children feel that street life offers an escape from the harsh conditions of everyday life, and the charity Street Children found that 29.1% of street children surveyed in 2011 did not wish to leave the streets at all. 

Even so, street life exposes children to a number of dangers, including sexual abuse and trafficking. These risks are further compounded by the lack of health and social services available to children in Durban. 

The local authorities, who view street children as a public nuisance, are eager to keep the street child phenomenon hidden so that tourists are not deterred from visiting Durban. However, this only stigmatizes and alienates street children further, rather than getting to the crux of the problem. 

Beach Apartheid 

Many of the social and economic problems present in Durban today are a consequence of the apartheid period, which lasted from 1948 to 1994. 

Apartheid was an institutionalized system that subjected Black people to racial segregation in every sphere of South African society. It was a system that even sought to marginalize Black people in the water.  

The Natal and South African Surf Riding Championships welcomed pro-surfers from all around the world, placing South Africa firmly on the map. Yet Black people were excluded from competing, contradicting the so-called “freedom” that the sport promised young people. 

That was until world-renowned surfers Tom Carroll, Tom Curren and Martin Potter boycotted the surfing competitions in 1985, forcing the industry to acknowledge the growing anti-apartheid movement. 

Surfers Not Street Children (SNSC)

Fast-forward to 1998, surfer and activist Tom Hewitt MBE set up the Durban Street Team to help homeless children. The organization was renamed Surfers Not Street Children (SNSC) in 2012 and has since helped 1,800 vulnerable children. 

While helping children to leave the streets was the organization’s main goal, many street children have also gone on to advocate further for their rights as a marginalized group. The organization operates in line with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child to ensure that children are provided with the space to empower themselves without the fear of discrimination and shame. 

In 2000, SNSC prevented local authorities from forcibly removing children from the streets, which is recognized as one of its most important achievements to date.

According to the organization, “Many children empowered by Surfers Not Street Children have transformed their lives. Some have gone from ‘street children’ to becoming coffee baristas, lifesavers, surf shop staff, restaurateurs, surf coaches and even pro surfers.”

South Africa’s Changing Tides 

The organization is now expanding its influence to the shores of Mozambique, providing children with the life skills needed to tackle the social problems they face. SNSC has also gone on to set up an independent living program that is designed to provide financial and social aid to young people transitioning into adulthood once they have left the surfing program. Through invaluable mentoring sessions, SNSC is making sure that children are able to thrive as self-sustaining adults. 

In honor of his outstanding work helping children in South Africa, Tom Hewitt received the Nelson Mandela Change Changemaker Award in May this year at an exclusive event in California. Hewitt told Carve magazine, “I am so thrilled to receive this award, which recognizes 25 years of pioneering work developing surfing as a tool for bringing about positive change. Not only are we working in the toughest environments and saving lives, but our surfers are at the heart of an exciting transformation in African surfing underway across the continent.”

Surfers Not Street Children is actively carving out the space for street children to challenge the status quo, break the poverty cycle and debunk the myth that surfing is a white man’s sport. In the 21st century, it is clear that this new generation of surfing youth is changing the tides by shifting the boundaries of who can and cannot ride the wave.  

– Tatum Richards
Photo: Flickr

Renewable Energy: Luxembourg Helps Pave the Way

Renewable Energy in LuxembourgSituated in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg, a nation nestled among three major countries, boasts a rich cultural and historical tapestry woven from the influences of France, Germany and Belgium. Notably, Luxembourg stands as a pioneer in renewable energy initiatives, underscoring its commitment to environmental progress. Despite its modest size, this nation wields significant cultural and environmental influence on the global stage.

The IEA (International Energy Agency) often records and reports on the progress of its member countries, which Luxembourg (a.k.a. The Grand Duchy) is part of. 

The Luxembourg government plans to reach its target of a “50-55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030” by supporting several projects, including electric cars, wind farms and solar power.

On the Road: Electric Cars

When it comes to progress and advancement with renewable energy in Luxembourg, the country shows potential to pave the way because “…the Grand Duchy (Luxembourg) continues to have one of the densest charging networks in the European Union.” Especially given its geographical position in Western Europe, many travelers need to charge their electric vehicles as they drive through the picturesque landscape of Luxembourg on their way to Belgium, Germany or France. In June 2023, Luxembourg inaugurated its first “SuperChargy” station that will help the public quickly charge their vehicles.  

The “ultra-fast recharging stations” are essential for long-distance travel across Europe, enhancing the efficiency of charging and minimizing disruptions to travelers’ schedules. This extensive network of public charging stations, referred to as “Chargy terminals,” has seen significant growth. In 2022, more than 700 charging stations were deployed throughout Luxembourg, providing convenient access to the public.

Wind Farms and Renewable Energy

According to RTL Today, “Wind energy ranks first among renewable energies in Luxembourg.” In 2023, the expansion of Wind Farms looks to get better as Luxembourg currently has “…62 wind turbines …with 17 currently awaiting approval.” Although the attention and care it takes to operate just a single wind turbine is extensive, just one provides a significant amount of power to the sovereign nation’s regions and towns (on average one onshore wind turbine can produce up to 6 million kWh, which gives power to about 1,500 EU homes). 

Wind turbines “…are becoming increasingly efficient.” Not only are they beautiful to look at, but seeing them pop up from place to place around the Luxembourg landscape is a testament to their importance and efficiency. 

Solar PV

Another way the Grand Duchy is pushing toward renewable energy in Luxembourg is through “photovoltaic panels,” or solar energy as many know it, which converts sunlight into electricity. European renewable energy companies SOCOM (Luxembourgish) and Evocells (Belgian) join forces in the Grand Duchy to progress together. By joining forces, their goal is to produce “100,000 panels… each year in Luxembourg-Hollerich… thus creating more than 20 direct jobs.” And continuing on with that same drive of ambition, “…there are also plans to double the production capacity by 2026.” This is definitely a push for such a small country like Luxembourg, but if their outlook and estimations are correct, they are on a positive path toward a future that will only get better.  

Looking Ahead

While a small sovereign nation, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg justifies its prominent position on the global stage when it comes to renewable energy. Luxembourg’s significance is underscored by its strategic geographical location, leaving it in a position to shape the energy policies and advancements of numerous neighboring countries.

– Matha Mathieu
Photo: Pixabay

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Disability Rights in the Congo

Disability Rights in the CongoDisability rights in the DR Congo have taken a significant step forward in recent times. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with its approximately 102 million people, is home to about 10.5 million individuals living with various disabilities, including those caused by infectious diseases, war injuries, congenital defects and more. For decades, this substantial 15% of the population has faced marginalization in various aspects of Congolese society. However, there is reason for optimism as a new law, which came into force in May of 2022, provides increased protection and recognition for people living with disabilities in the DR Congo.

Organic Law

Organic Law No. 22/003 prohibits discrimination against any person living with a disability in the DR Congo, including unfairness within the workplace or at school, and protects the right to fair wages, accessibility and representation.

The implementation of this law is helping to create several positive effects for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. First, the law gives people with disabilities a chance to live with the same rights and opportunities as any other person. Secondly, the law strengthens the DRC’s governmental system at its core; by developing specialized structures for the benefit of people with disabilities, the government is now able to create more policies for the establishment of other organizations and implementations of policies for other vulnerable Congolese. This law could be a crucial turning point for the DRC’s future law-making processes.

Making Change

In the past, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had not given persons with disabilities equal access to health care, housing, social protection, cultural expression and several other opportunities. Some Congolese have accused people with disabilities of witchcraft, and they are therefore the target of abuse and even torture. Historically, there have often been no responses of aid or help of any kind for these people with disabilities. 

Although the law has only begun to spring into action, it is a good start to creating sustainable change.

Who Has It Helped?

With the Organic Law implementing respect, non-discrimination and accessibility for Congolese living with disabilities, it has already started to change lives for the better. For example, one 26-year-old Congolese woman named Charly explains to the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) network that she was born with a physical disability causing her to be abandoned by her parents as a young girl. Fortunately, she is currently being supported by a CBM-funded organization and is undergoing occupational training at a Restoration African Center in the DRC. CBM is helping to create change for people living with disabilities by working with the government to provide technical care and support. 

Overall, Organic Law No. 22/003 has been beneficial for people throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo and continues to do good for the country’s humanitarian efforts. 

– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr

Mental Health in Papua New Guinea

Mental Health in Papua New GuineaNestled in Oceania and comprising numerous smaller islands, Papua New Guinea (PNG) boasts a landscape as diverse as it is captivating. A tapestry woven with mountains, rainforests and coasts offers a backdrop for a profound cultural mosaic — one adorned with over 800 languages and the legacy of indigenous heritage. Yet, within this beauty lies the challenge of limited access to health care, education and foundational infrastructure. Furthermore, there is a broad range of diverse mental health concerns in Papua New Guinea.

5 Facts About Mental Health in Papua New Guinea 

  1. Limited Access to Services – Research shows that PNG has about 748,000 cases of mental illness, ranging from anxiety disorders to eating disorders. Yet, despite national efforts, the development of small psychiatry units within provincial hospitals is almost nonexistent. While there might be an upturn in the number of trained mental health nurses, the bulk of program graduates veers toward broader medical fields, forsaking mental health facilities and psychiatric institutions to wrestle with staff shortages. Broadly speaking, PNG’s health services struggle with a lack of resources and support, casting a shadow over the country’s health care landscape. In this intricate equation, mental health, despite its vital significance, is marginalized, drawing even less focus than other crucial health care components.
  2. Stigma and Cultural Beliefs – Stigma casts its shadow across many nations, yet in PNG, it creates a paralyzing fear that deters those dealing with mental health issues from seeking help. The apprehension stems from the haunting thought of losing not just the support of loved ones but also the respect of peers. In a society where some diminish the gravity of mental health concerns, those grappling with such challenges are unfairly deemed weak, leading to a forfeiture of the respect they rightfully deserve. 
  3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – PNG has weathered prolonged spells of social discord, particularly evident in regions like Bougainville and the Highlands. Triggered by specific traumatic social events, post-traumatic stress disorder has emerged as a pressing mental health concern within PNG’s landscape, warranting focused attention.
  4. Lack of Government Efforts – The imperative to improve mental health lies in a nation’s government actively engaging in public education and furnishing resources for mental health services. Regrettably, in PNG, the availability of such services, alongside other essential support systems, remains limited. Consequently, individuals often find themselves compelled to seek solace in traditional healers, given the absence of viable alternatives. The pandemic has exacerbated this already critical scenario, effectively severing the connection between people and their trusted local traditional healers due to restrictions on physical interactions. Recently in PNG’s new National Health Plan 2021-30, there is no mention of mental health.
  5. Headstret – Fortunately, PNG receives support from a non-governmental organization (NGO) known as Headstret. This organization is dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health disorders within societies, like that of PNG. It strives to raise awareness about mental health challenges through promoting well-being education. Its Facebook page, established in 2019, Headstret has 3,700 supporters globally.

Conclusion

Papua New Guinea’s multifaceted geographical landscape, coupled with its linguistically intricate composition, gives rise to numerous challenges. The stigma around mental health issues is a significant deterrent for patients seeking assistance, underscoring the crucial roles that services and education play.

The prevailing reality reveals a dearth of adequate measures being taken in this regard. Given this circumstance, individuals hailing from various nations have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact by fostering awareness, enlightening others and offering resources to assist those who are grappling with such issues. One notable example is the organization known as Headstret, which is diligently working to alleviate numerous mental health challenges in Papua New Guinea.

– Sandy Kang
Photo: Pixabay

The Pandemic and the Digital Divide in Jamaica

Digital Divide in JamaicaThe nationwide pause of in-person learning on March 13, 2020, underscored the glaring digital divide in Jamaica. Generally, the digital divide refers to a gap between those who do and do not have ready access to an array of technology services including computers and smartphones. However, an additional layer to the definition points to a divide in the quality of digital services. 

Particularly, while an individual may possess technological devices, the quality of their internet access can interfere with their ability to use those devices effectively. In an increasingly digital economy, access to up-to-standard and high-speed technology has become a necessity. This can enable full and effective participation in the workplace and throughout educational institutions. 

Background

The digital divide was highlighted following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 which caused a worldwide disruption in education, leaving 90% of children impacted. The effects of this disruption were also felt through the absence of in-person education and the subsequent switch to remote, online learning. 

As 34% of children in Jamaican households do not have access to a technological device and lack reliable internet access for educational purposes, concerns surrounding the ability to acquire the needed devices for remote learning were raised. 

This inability to access needed technology also affected attendance in the online learning landscape. Some academic institutions saw less than 60% attendance in their virtual instruction environments. In addition, less affluent households who did manage to procure a device like a tablet found difficulty splitting the device’s time between multiple children — therefore leaving the online classroom largely unattended by numerous households. 

For years, closing this digital divide in Jamaica has been a pressing concern in education among policymakers and government officials. However, with the switch to virtual instruction, there has been a redoubled effort to close the digital divide among citizens of the country. 

Pandemic Effects

Caroline Dyche, a Professor at the University of the West Indies Mona Branch (UWI), spoke to the notable shift from a physical learning environment to a virtual one in Jamaica. While a regular class schedule was maintained in her Language, Linguistics and Philosophy courses, she noted the remote experience was “more problematic than effective.”

Nevertheless, Dyche mentioned various efforts put in place to facilitate learning in the midst of the adversity. Students were able to contact their professors during their scheduled office hours — two hours per week – and outside the allotted time if needed. Moreover, communication between students and professors via email was encouraged, with a number of professors participating in WhatsApp groups with students to provide assistance with inquiries if necessary. 

Typically, students attended online classes through devices such as their cell phones with their data plans. However, Dyche noted that poor Wi-Fi connectivity among students would cause frequent disruptions throughout classes as students found themselves attempting to rejoin classes repeatedly. This issue of inconsistent internet connection illustrates the difficulties of remote learning as a consequence of the digital divide in Jamaica. 

To address problems faced by students who did not own technological devices in the midst of virtual education, students were able to borrow tablets from UWI’s library for extended use. Furthermore, Dyche adds that the library’s online services were increasingly utilized during the pandemic — including the interactive “Ask a Librarian” feature.

Addressing the Challenge 

Upon recognizing that approximately 120,000 students faced an educational setback due to unequal access to technology services, the Ministry of Education opted to host a summer catch-up program in 2021. Yet, while students did attend these summer classes, they were described as having wavering attendance alongside a short learning time. 

Similarly to UWI, the use of Google Classroom, WhatsApp and phone calls were common strategies employed by Jamaican teaching professionals to continue communication and engagement with their students. For those unable to access or afford the technology required, institutions such as Little Bay Primary started a drop-off program to physically deliver lessons and assignments to their students to be picked up by the end of the week. 

The country’s government also showed initiative in addressing the concerns of technological access raised by those through providing daily educational content with the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, announced that the PBCJ would broadcast this content using digital transmission technology and students without access to a Smart TV could use a digital set-top box to allow their current television to receive these transmissions. 

The government also further invested in high-speed fiber-optic technology in order to improve access to cable and internet connection for those with unreliable Wi-Fi networks. In the midst of the transition, ensuring every community had access to Wi-Fi was prioritized through the installation of hotspots in locations throughout the country including Port Antonio, Ocho Rios and Annotto Bay. 

Looking Forward

Although there has been a return to physical learning in Jamaica as of late 2022, the digital divide still remains an issue. The efforts to close the digital divide in Jamaica have continued in 2023 as the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) provided a grant of $350,000 to fund the installation of 17 internet sites within community centers and schools. While the gap will be difficult to completely close, the steps taken by educational institutions, organizations and government officials towards addressing the divide during and beyond the nationwide switch to remote learning shows progress. 

The work being done also furthers the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal for education to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

– Katrina Girod
Photo: Pixabay

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Community Gardens in Lebanon Reduce Food Insecurity

Community Gardens in LebanonA growing movement in Lebanon has shown that community collaboration can resolve food insecurity and poverty. Community gardens in Lebanon help people to meet their food needs amid a struggling economy.

Issues in Lebanon

The economic crisis in Lebanon became apparent in October 2019 and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened this. The 2020 Beirut port explosion compounded the crisis as did the impacts of the invasion of Ukraine. In particular, the explosion that struck Lebanon’s primary port in Beirut severely impeded the country’s food import capabilities, impacting the food security of about 6 million people, as reported by Reuters.

Human Rights Watch reports, “Rising unemployment, a depreciating local currency, skyrocketing inflation and the removal of subsidies for medicines and fuel have made it harder for many people to meet their basic needs.”  The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia estimates that multidimensional poverty rates in Lebanon rose dramatically from 25% in 2019 to 82% in 2021.

Additionally, Lebanon stands as the host for the highest number of refugees worldwide, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency — 1.5 million Syrian refugees as of 2019. The influx of refugees has only increased the pressure on Lebanon’s dwindling resources.

According to an the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, by December 2022, about 2 million Lebanese people and Syrian refugees in Lebanon endured acute levels of food insecurity.

However, amid this escalating economic crisis and against the backdrop of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict and the surging refugee population, a movement emerged. This movement aims to tackle the increasing poverty rate and guarantee equitable access to cost-free or reasonably priced agricultural products for all through community gardens in Lebanon.

The Rise of Community Gardens in Lebanon

Growing food is a reliable means of ensuring greater food security by placing the power in the hands of the people and creating a culture of collaboration, green spaces and nourishment.

What started as small individual home gardens grew into a national movement, as reported by Executive Magazine. The most notable example began in the neighborhood of Kon in Furn el-Chebbak where community members developed a community garden project in early 2020, coming together to address food insecurity by growing food as a community.

Slowly, with the help of the internet and time at home during the COVID-19 lockdown, these gardening practices to address food shortages grew. People developed online sharing platforms, tutorials and advice groups to share tips and educational information and build comradery.

In January 2020, agricultural engineers in Lebanon created a Facebook group called Izraa to provide agricultural advice and tutorials — by April 2020, the group had 14,500 members.

From struggle came possibility; a range of new gardens sprung up across Lebanon and continue to do so. From rooftops to reclaiming unused land, this movement only continues to grow. Most households utilize natural resources and methods due to the high price of chemical fertilizer. Many communities work together, dividing the work up depending on location. For example, allocating the care of sun-loving plants to south-facing households and vice versa and going on to share the produce among the community.

An unexpected advantage of this movement arose as collaborative projects cultivated a sense of unity. Specifically, gardening transformed into a vehicle for nurturing harmony among Lebanese communities that had previously grappled with cultural differences and tensions arising from the convergence of diverse individuals in shared spaces due to migration.

Looking Ahead

University of Bath student Tara El Assad tells The Borgen Project about the impact of her family’s vegetable garden in Lebanon. “My family started growing most of their fruit and veg in their garden in the south of Lebanon a few years ago to save money during the economic crisis. It’s definitely a sense of community coming together to pick our food and cook together. It’s fulfilling to have natural ingredients to feed ourselves and the children.”

Community gardens in Lebanon not only serve as examples of how independent solutions can address national problems but also show how addressing food shortages in fertile areas suited to growing food is as simple as spreading the right information and tools to those who need them. Even with no land of their own, so many impoverished communities can come together to grow their food and provide for their communities through urban gardening.

– Rhianna Cowdy
Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Aiding People in Guatemala

Aiding People in GuatemalaSeveral organizations are aiding people in Guatemala through efforts that focus on health, water, sanitation, food, housing and education. These efforts are vital considering that “Simulations for 2019 suggest that about 54[%] of the population was below the poverty line, only slightly below the 55.4[%] in 2014, the last official poverty estimate,” according to the World Bank.

3 Organizations Making a Difference in Guatemala

  1. Many Hopes. This organization, established in Boston, equips disadvantaged children in several countries, including Guatemala, to become adults who can break cycles of poverty. Many Hopes partners with global leaders and other organizations to provide education, shelter and health care to vulnerable children. Currently, Many Hopes gives 22 abused and orphaned Guatemalan children a safe place to live. These vulnerable children are referred to the organization by “local community and government agencies that are part of a network who coordinate with local police,” the Many Hopes website says. The organization also runs an onsite elementary school that provides education to 160 disadvantaged Guatemalan children and also provides scholarships for college and opportunities for vocational training. According to the World Bank, Guatemala ranks in the top 10 for the highest under-5 child malnutrition rates globally, at a staggering 47%. In light of this, Many Hopes provides medical care and food to ensure the well-being and nutrition of young children in Guatemala. The children under the organization’s care receive holistic assistance that covers all areas of development, including mental and emotional well-being.
  2. Water For People. Water For People is an international nonprofit based in Denver and established in 1991. The organization constructs piped water supply systems and partners with governments to train communities to maintain these developments over time. The organization began working in Guatemala in 1997 in the disadvantaged state of El Quiché. In Guatemala, Water For People collaborates with the One Drop Foundation to use social art to promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The Water For People website interviewed Teresa, a water leader in one of the villages of El Quiché. “Many people came together to get us to the point of having water,” says Teresa. Teresa remembers walking half an hour to get water from a small well, which was often contaminated. Where rural access to basic water services is 44%, sometimes there is not enough water due to high demand. Teresa wanted more for her three daughters; she did not want them to undertake unsafe journeys on foot to collect water. Teresa began to advocate for the families in her small, forested town who had lived years without running water in their homes. It was all thanks to her outreach efforts that water inadequacy issues caught the eye of Water For People and the local government. Through the support of Water for People and the local government, the local community participated in building a water system that now benefits 200 people in the community.
  3. Cooperative for Education. Cooperative for Education, more commonly known as CoEd, partners locally with educators and families to break the cycle of poverty through high-quality educational opportunities. Established in the early 1990s, CoEd has served more than 278,000 Guatemalan students through its programs. This influential organization in Guatemala is aiding people in Guatemala by running sustainable programs that aim to bridge Guatemala’s educational gaps. Ninety percent of rural Guatemalan schools do not have access to textbooks; CoEd helps schools build financially self-sustaining textbook rental programs. Additionally, CoEd’s Spark Reading Program ensures children learn at double the rate of a traditional classroom. CoEd also offers a Computer Program as an opportunity for students to gain technological skills to enhance their future prospects considering that about  60% of entry-level jobs in Guatemala require computer skills. Ninety-five percent of graduates continue their education past high school or go on to find a job. In Guatemala where 90% of impoverished people cannot read or write, according to the CoEd website, 80% of participants of CoEd’s Rise Program find a job or continue their education beyond high school. And, more than 50% of these graduates also help their siblings out of poverty by funding their siblings’ education.

With missions surrounding health, water sanitation and education, Many Hopes, Water For People and CoEd are influential organizations aiding people in Guatemala by helping to break cycles of poverty.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Unsplash