Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Cabo Verde’s Economic Growth is Promising: Here’s Why

Cabo Verde’s Economic GrowthSince gaining independence in 1975, Cabo Verde’s economic growth has brought about great improvements to the welfare of the poorest in the country. During the 1970s, the GDP per capita was $190; this figure rocketed dramatically to over $3,600 before the 2010s ended. However, despite the growth to a middle-income country, the nation still had 35% of the population living below the poverty line in 2019. Here are the main reasons why the economic growth of the island is promising not only for Cabo Verde’s poorest but also for the rest of Africa.

A Lack of Natural Resources

Cabo Verde cannot rely on its natural resources as it is lacking compared to the countries closest to it. Only 11% of all of its land mass is suitable for agriculture, fresh water has very few sources, and frequent draughts prove to be major issues in the conservation of resources. The main natural valuables of the nation only include salt, limestone and pozzolana — used in making cement.

Due to these limitations, Cabo Verde has had to use clever strategies to ensure resources do not become scarce. 90% of all food is imported, so the only food source that they have an abundance of — fish — is protected. 21% of all foreign investment from 1994 – 2000 was used on fishing infrastructure, including developing large processing plants for the freezing and storage of fresh fish.

Energy demands are almost entirely met by imported petroleum fuel. The ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, established in 2009, was created to improve the renewable energy capability of Cabo Verde. Strong wind has enabled the use of wind turbines on the national grid, solar-powered systems have been introduced into villages, and a 20-70kW/m wave strength allows for untapped potential into a new avenue.

The natural problems of Cabo Verde should serve as an indication for other countries on how to effectively preserve resources to boost the economy. Despite having very little, Cabo Verde’s economic growth has been contributed to by the smart planning of the postcolonial government.

The Focus on Tourism

Tourism is the single most important sector of Cabo Verde’s economy. Nearly 5% of the economic growth in 2022 was due to the service of accommodation and restaurants — the highest of any category.

Over 700,000 tourists visited Cabo Verde in 2022, 90% of the record-breaking 819,000 figure from 2019. An impressive vaccination program allowed Cabo Verde to speed up its reopening to visitors in 2021. The Cabo Verde government is expecting these numbers to surpass 1.2 million in 2026 as the funding for tourism sites and resorts grows each year.

An increase in tourism only brings positivity to the nation as, in 2019, 39% of total employment was in the travel and tourism sector. (From January to September 2022, around $105 million was generated in foreign investment, compared to only $60 million in the same period for 2021. With a majority of this investment directly impacting tourism, the number of jobs will increase, and thousands more will be employed, impacting the lives of those living along the poverty line.

Cabo Verde still has a way to go if it wants to be as successful as another African island nation in terms of tourism — the Seychelles. Seychelles has a much lower poverty rate than Cabo Verde so the success story has already been created, and with more time the government is hoping to further boost the economy and lower the poverty rate again.

Consistent Fall of Poverty

In 2001, the poverty rate was just under 60%. Only 14 years later the number was 35%. Almost a decrease of half in less than two decades is incredibly impressive and highlights how the work of strategic implementations can allow an economy to thrive and people to succeed.

Cabo Verde’s location makes the country very vulnerable to key natural hazards so the economy is still volatile. The World Bank introduced a Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) to provide Cabo Verde with the funding necessary to deal with a natural disaster. Since 2018, the Cat DDO has been utilized to introduce policy reforms and update the data systems used to identify risks.

Even with the highly susceptible environmental conditions, Cabo Verde has had a consistent fall in poverty since gaining independence. In 1989, the number of people living in extreme poverty was around 14%. In 2015, the figure was just over 2%.

There is no sign of stopping the reduction in poverty from the government. Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva made a statement in February highlighting the need to eradicate extreme poverty from Cabo Verde by 2026.

He stated, “We must eliminate extreme poverty in Cabo Verde, reduce absolute poverty, in the name of human dignity, but also of the positive impacts at the level of people’s quality of life, public security, increased productivity of families and happiness of people.”

Cabo Verde’s economic growth is a testament to the dedication of the government, foreign aid workers and investors that envision a more prosperous future for the nation. Other countries in the region can certainly benefit from the knowledge and experience of plans carried out by Cabo Verde, especially regarding conservation and creating tourism spots that will get their economies thriving.

– Oliver Rayner
Photo: Flickr

The Importance of Tech Investment in Rural Areas

Tech investment in rural areasOne of the most predominant narratives surrounding methods of poverty reduction is the need for industrialization and urbanization for increased economic activity and productivity. However, this often overshadows other sides to the story, which is the need to invest in rural communities as they are, rather than encouraging urban migration. This helps to alleviate poverty in a more sustainable manner, with a grassroots focus that can create attainable changes in everyday lives. This article will focus on the need for rural investment and its impacts and will spotlight examples of projects in rural areas.

Why Is Investment in Rural Areas Necessary?

The issue of poverty is, in general, much more heightened in rural areas than urban ones, predominantly due to issues such as malnutrition, lack of inclusivity, remote locations, poorer market access and lack of opportunities and connectivity.

Issues such as malnutrition can inhibit children from accessing education and constrain their physical and mental health, limiting their ability to become productive adults and generate economic means to alleviate poverty.

The remote location of rural areas and the additional lack of transportation means that rural businesses and producers have a much more difficult time selling goods and conducting business, limiting their economic capacity and commerce potential.

The agricultural sector, which is the dominant industry in most rural spaces, is being heavily impacted by climate change. Droughts, wildfires, flooding and pollution are becoming heavily exacerbated, severely limiting the output of local farmers and subsistence communities.

Economic activities occurring in rural areas largely consist of ‘repetitive tasks’ and ‘low economic diversification,’ accelerated by an ever-growing brain drain of skilled workers abroad and to urban areas. As a result, these communities are facing a risk of their jobs becoming automated, potentially lowering employment opportunities in such areas.

Lack of connectivity across rural communities prevents continual and sustainable growth of businesses, meaning that rural enterprises often find themselves limited and in competition with urban firms that have a much larger collection of resources and access to greater markets.

These vulnerabilities and economic difficulties that rural communities are faced with means that the dwellers often move to more urban areas, seeking a better quality of life, employment and education. However, this increased urbanization is not necessarily a problem-free approach to reducing poverty, as the heightened cost of living, crime, housing crises and job competition can frequently drive individuals into deeper poverty.

However, one of the solutions for this urbanization/rural poverty problem lies in tech investment in rural areas, which is proving to be an effective help in rural development and is engendering positive change in many individuals’ lives.

How Will Tech Investment in Rural Areas Help Alleviate Poverty?

Innovative technologies such as decentralized water treatment devices using membrane filtration, which the International Environmental Research Institute initiated alongside the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Indonesia and Cambodia, are helping to heighten sustainable water security levels. This project provided water treatment units to two secondary schools in Indonesia and Cambodia, expanding to provide communities across 13 countries in Asia and the South Pacific with similar technology. Better water security lowers the risk of water-borne diseases and leads to more productive agricultural output, which can alleviate malnutrition and thus engender positive multi-generational patterns, helping children reach their full potential as working adults.

Contemporary tech investment in rural areas consists of projects abiding by the Sustainable Development Goals, meaning that they have a specific focus on being gender inclusive. For example, UN Women and the African Union launched African Girls Can Code in 2018, which recruits girls from predominantly rural areas to train them in computer programming and digital communication skills in order to overcome the gender divide in STEM. The program aims to educate at least 2,000 girls from ages 17 to 25 to kickstart careers in computer programming and other technological fields.

Lastly, tech investments in rural areas can be effective in transforming the way small businesses and producers operate, increasing their reach, productivity and access to markets and customers. For example, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is operating a number of small-scale technological projects to help alleviate rural poverty. One such project was the development of an e-marketing platform in al-Houz, Morocco, to improve the reliability of agricultural sales and thus the living conditions of farmers and their families. The site, named Hawli.Haouz, assists sheep farmers in selling their livestock. The project has been remarkably successful, with an overall output of roughly $65,000 in its first year, which has quintupled in the following years.

Conclusion

Projects like these illustrate that tech investment in rural areas can help alleviate poverty. Struggles such as malnutrition, water insecurity, gender exclusion, lack of connectivity and remoteness often render rural communities unable to lift themselves out of poverty. However, with small-scale yet effective projects involving innovative technology, the accumulation of direct changes in individuals’ lives will help to raise the overall quality of life, and provide better access to employment and growth opportunities for businesses in rural areas, without the downfalls that the trap of urbanization can often create.

– Eleanor Moseley
Photo: Flickr

Multilingual Cyberspace for Indigenous Languages

Indigenous languagesLosing a language means losing a part of an identity. Currently, only 6% of the world’s population are indigenous people, and they speak 4,000 of the 6,700 languages used in the world. According to UNESCO’s Atlas of Languages in Danger, 40% of these languages are at risk of disappearing. This poses a serious threat to indigenous communities, as these languages not only serve as a means of communication but also hold valuable knowledge and experiences of culture and values passed down for generations. With the rapid pace of digitalization and technology, it’s crucial to preserve these languages from being lost forever.

Challenges

Numerous organizations are dedicated to preserving indigenous languages by devising action plans to promote their use on modern technology platforms. This includes allowing people to communicate in their native languages on cyberspace platforms and social media applications like Facebook.

However, there are several challenges to integrating these languages into these platforms:

  1. The disappearance of languages is heavily influenced by urbanization, as people lose connection to their native tongue when they move to urban areas and start using more common languages.
  2. One of the reasons for this loss is the lack of funding to preserve the language. Many communities don’t have the necessary resources to convert their language to digital scripts, monologues and audiobooks.
  3. Another challenge is the limited digital resources available, such as fonts and keyboards, to represent these languages on digital platforms.
  4. Furthermore, only a handful of languages have standardized grammar, writing rules and spelling.
  5. Lack of awareness and user engagement in indigenous communities about the use of digital resources, which can hamper the digitalization of these languages.

Partnerships To Promote Indigenous Languages Through Cyberspace Digitalization

In 2022, a partnership established between Meta and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to preserve Indigenous languages through digitalization is a significant step towards achieving this goal. With the inclusion of the Inuktitut language in Facebook’s language settings, native speakers can now use their language with ease on a global platform.

This development has been received with great satisfaction by the Inuit community, who view it as a crucial move towards revitalizing their language. The Inuktitut language, which has more complex and longer words compared to English, is an integral part of the Inuit culture. By promoting its daily use, this feature on Facebook is a powerful tool for preserving and promoting the Inuit cultural heritage.

With over 25,000 people from Inuit homelands and other communities across Nunavut, Canada, this feature on Facebook has the potential to benefit a vast number of individuals. It is a remarkable achievement in the effort to preserve Indigenous languages in cyberspace and a testament to the power of technology in promoting cultural diversity.

To promote linguistic diversity and inclusivity, Motorola launched the Language Revitalization Initiative in 2021. This initiative aims to provide access to various indigenous languages, such as Kaingang from Brazil, Nheengatu from the Amazon and Cherokee from the United States, via smartphones. With smartphones offering up to 80 languages, including these native languages, users can easily access and communicate in their preferred language.

This is a significant development for indigenous communities, enabling them to connect with cyberspace and use social media platforms in their native language. By doing so, they can share their culture and traditions with others and preserve their language for future generations. The Language Revitalization Initiative is a commendable step toward promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity, and it is heartening to see corporations take an active interest in preserving and promoting indigenous languages.

UNESCO is facilitating partnerships between tech companies and native language speakers to preserve endangered languages for future generations. This initiative is based on UNESCO’s commitment to providing equal rights and access to information to all individuals. By empowering native speakers to use their own language in cyberspace, UNESCO is working towards preserving linguistic diversity.

– Gurjot Kaur
Photo: Flickr

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Burger King’s Fight Against Poverty

Burger King’s Fight Against PovertyBurger King is a world-renowned fast food restaurant known for the Whopper and the 2-for-$6 deal. In poverty relief circles, however, Burger King is known for its successful non-profit — the Burger King Foundation.

The Burger King Foundation’s Mission — Education

The Burger King Foundation’s first mission is expanding access to education to traditionally uneducated groups who cannot afford it. The Burger King Scholars program, funded by Burger King franchises, awards scholarships to students across North America in order to increase education among low socioeconomic groups and level the playing field of access to higher education. Since 2000, more than $55 million worth of scholarships have been awarded to nearly 50,000 students.

In an interview with Impacting Our Future, Amanda Israel, the executive director of the Burger King Foundation, explained that student loan debt is one of the biggest barriers to higher education. Therefore, grants and scholarships like those of the Burger King Scholars program are immensely helpful in equalizing educational opportunities and offering underprivileged students the chance to build a successful future. Because of Burger King Scholars grants, nearly 50,000 students have earned the chance to attend a post-secondary institution and break the cycle of educational underprivilege. In the interview, Israel emphasizes the importance of higher education in reducing poverty by claiming that higher education has the power to reduce inequality and bolster a nation’s economic growth.

In addition to scholarships given to students in North America, the Burger King Foundation supports literacy projects around the world. Over 200 projects, including building libraries and schools in rural communities, have been completed by the foundation. In Asia and Africa alone, the Burger King Foundation has supported the growth of Room to Read programs that teach more than 1,000 students to read. According to the U.N., literacy is crucial to ensure the stability and growth of a poor nation, so increasing literacy rates among children is an excellent tool in the fight against poverty.

The Burger King Foundation’s Mission — Emergency Relief

The second mission of the Burger King Foundation is to support Burger King employees through immediate emergencies. The foundation does this by offering grants to Burger King employees and their families after some sort of emergency has occurred. An emergency could be anything like the death of a close friend or relative, a natural disaster, a medical emergency or another unforeseen circumstance that causes monetary distress. These grants are as high as $4,500 and help to support people through what can be an expensive and difficult time.

Since its creation, the emergency fund has granted $2.6 million to Burger King employees in need across 30 countries on six continents. This widespread emergency relief helps to soften poverty’s hold on damaged communities, like those in the wake of brutal natural disasters and guarantees a smoother recovery for struggling families.

The Burger King Foundation’s Impact on Global Poverty

Because of its education and relief-focused missions, the Burger King Foundation indirectly relieves poverty around the world.

Between scholarships and emergency grants alone, Burger King has donated nearly $65 million to thousands of individuals across dozens of countries. However, its effects are broadened by its partnerships with other non-profits and support of educational projects like Room to Read.

Burger King Foundation’s poverty-fighting belief that “through education you can explore your full potential and live life your way” demonstrates the fundamental goal of all of the foundation’s actions: Education and relief help a person achieve more than they could have otherwise, thereby building stability and growth around him and eventually lifting him out of poverty.

How You Can Support Burger King’s Fight Against Poverty

Anyone can support Burger King’s fight against poverty by making a monetary donation online or attending a Burger King Foundation event. Events include annual conventions, golf outings and more.

Burger King’s two-faceted approach to poverty relief is helping thousands of people around the world. It is helping to equalize education and support its employees amidst times of financial need, all of which have a positive impact on fighting global poverty.

– Suzanne Ackley
Photo: Fickr

Rural Disconnection in Chile: A Barrier to Regional Development

Rural Disconnection in Chile
Chile is a nation with immense biodiversity and culture and an example of economic growth in Latin America. Nevertheless, Chile finds itself with the glaring issue of over-centralization. The South American nation is one of the most centralized nations globally, leaving rural governments, businesses and people with significantly less access to funds, critical resources, educational opportunities and economic growth.

Centralization as a Barrier to Rural Progress

Chile finds itself as one of the most centralized countries in the world, where regional governments function in deconcentrated and decentralized municipalities. These municipalities rely significantly on the central government yet receive a fraction of their funding. Only 3% of Chile’s GDP, or 13% of the total public investment, was allocated to local government expenditure. These figures leave Chile as one of the countries with the lowest local public investment of all OECD nations. Local governments outside the nation’s capital are left short-staffed and underfunded, thus, fewer resources for rural Chileans.

Economic Concentration and Territorial Disparities

Rural disconnection in Chile also lives beyond the public sector. Chile ranks among the highest levels of territorial inequalities within the OECD. The nation ultimately reached the second-highest GDP concentration level in the OECD in 2013. A financial restriction has exacerbated such pronounced disparities. As it stands, Chile is the sole OECD country where local borrowing is illegal. Thus businesses, citizens and local municipalities are restricted from accessing prime financial resources. There is an immense consolidation of economic opportunities in Santiago, the nation’s capital. Santiago garnered a tremendous 69% of GDP growth and the majority of labor productivity advancements from 2000 to 2013.

Limited Rural Higher Education

Educational disparities are also prevalent in Chile due to its over-centralization, especially in higher education. In 2020, more than 70% of all higher education enrollments occurred in three regions, with 50% of the total enrollments in the metropolitan region where the capital resides. The lack of higher education outside of the most populated regions further propagates inequality, stagnates the possibility of growth and hordes the nation’s human capital. Human capital drives economic stability, employment and innovation. Rural disconnection in Chile has led to a concentration of half of the individuals with the highest human capital and job opportunities in one region.

Rural Poverty

The majority of the regions of Chile are overlooked and lack opportunities, access and investment. Rural disconnection in Chile has led to noteworthy levels of child poverty. The 2020 National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN) saw a pandemic-induced economic downturn. The year 2020 witnessed a 1.7 increase in percentage points for children and adolescents living in poverty, where rural residents were one of the four most vulnerable groups, with 18.1%. Those living in rural areas have less access to critical means for economic improvement and are thus exposed to harsher pitfalls in times of crisis.

Fundación 99

While Chile’s rural population finds itself in a state of vulnerability with its lack of investment and access to essential services, there are organizations passionate about reducing these deficits. Fundación 99 is an NGO determined to tackle social inequalities in order to achieve long-lasting social progress. The organization fights to help people in need with gender equity, inclusion and community participation as the guiding principles. The foundation intervenes in three key areas: education, public spaces and infrastructure and local economic development.

Fundación 99 has been channeling a lot of its efforts into empowering rural education in Chile for the last five years. The organization implements strategies that look for sustainable impact after their intervention is finalized. Two ongoing projects are communities of learning and educational bridges. These endeavors strive to foster enriching educational experiences for underdeveloped communities. Communities of learning look to create academic-minded communities where education is not limited to the classroom. Educational bridges equip educators with contemporary practices and innovative teaching techniques, encouraging strong student involvement. Their commitment to these communities is pursuing a society where development and opportunity are available to all.

Rural disconnection in Chile leaves countless individuals with unequal availability of funds, critical resources and educational opportunities. The human capital of rural Chile limits the potential of numerous people and deprives the country of reaching its maximum level of development potential. However, with strides such as those carried out by Fundación 99, lasting and genuine progress is being pursued.

– Agustín Pino
Photo: Flickr

Lack of Support for Autistic Children in Africa  

Autistic Children in Africa
Acceptance for autistic children in Africa currently stands at an extremely low point, characterized by a dearth of clinicians possessing knowledge about the condition and the inability to diagnose it, leaving numerous children and families grappling to cope.

The challenges faced by individuals with autism are compounded by the paucity of available support, as prevailing societal stigmas often label neurodiverse individuals as “mentally retarded” or “psychotic.” Consequently, parents find themselves with no alternative but to confine their children at home, resulting in devastating consequences.

Locked Away

One mother, identified as “Demas,” recounted to the “Independent” that she had no choice but to tether her autistic child, named Firikte, for eight hours without access to food, water, or bathroom breaks. Firkte’s severe condition rendered her incapable of self-care.

Regrettably, such heartbreaking cases are not isolated incidents, as many parents across Africa are compelled to resort to similar measures due to the absence of viable alternatives.

Furthermore, it is reported that in Ethiopia there are “only 60 psychiatrists,” with coping mechanisms for those suffering from the condition being limited to whether an institution is accepting of the person and is willing to help them to support their needs.  

Desperation From a Family in South Africa

In South Africa, a family shares a heart-wrenching story of withdrawing their child from a special school for autistic children due to the unaffordable costs involved.

In May 2020, my husband and I received the most shocking and unexpected news, our second son who is 4 years old, has autism, he is unable to speak and only communicates through using body language and a few signs, he has uncontrolled bible [sic] and strange mannerisms no one can understand.

Due to the fact that there was little to no support in the rural area of Mtubtuba, the family was referred to an autistic school which was around 55 km from their house. However, upon evaluating the school’s monthly fees, they concluded that this option was entirely unattainable.

This realization left the family profoundly disheartened, as they understood that their child would not experience a typical upbringing. Helping him communicate verbally and express himself properly necessitated the support of a mainstream school, which, unfortunately, had to be free of charge.

The child’s mother also reports consistently and tirelessly surfing the Internet to see if she could find government institutions that could help in the area, only to discover that there was nothing.

Moreover, the state of poverty the family was suffering from was also a huge barrier, as a private school in Richards Bay approached the family to offer the child a position at the school, but they were forced to turn it down due to being unable to successfully apply for a loan.  

The boy’s mother also reports how she “can’t believe how intolerant and impatient people are towards disabled people and children, this is so sad to me, desperate and saddened.”

Organizations That Are Currently Helping in Africa

  1. Autism Support Center (Kenya): An organization currently supporting those with autism in Africa is the “Autism Support Center” located in Kenya. It assists with education, therapy, assessment and mentoring for families impacted by the condition. Through improving social support and services and providing access to vocational training as children approach adulthood, the “Autism Support Center” ensures that every child with autism has the chance to lead a bright future. One notable activity provided by the organization is the “Sensory Art Group,” which supports teens and young children by emphasizing the development of their talents and allowing them to relax and explore their creativity. By offering art supplies and encouragement, children feel accepted and loved, rather than alienated from the rest of society. Furthermore, an event that takes place once a month, called the “Social Butterfly,” is a mentoring program that gives children the chance to interact with other autistic peers by taking part in a range of activities, including arts and crafts and swimming.The organization also recognizes the importance of early diagnosis, allowing families to access the right treatment to support the child into adulthood. The tool used to carry out the diagnosis is the EEG Test, which detects the brain’s electrical activity in order to produce a clear and truthful diagnosis of whether the child has autism or not.Another way in which the organization hopes to expand its support is through the use of assistive technology, enabling those with autism to communicate with their peers in the most comfortable way for the individual. This includes speech-generating devices and visual tools that include symbols and pictures with text.
  2. Brass for Africa: The Dorna Center Home for Autism is an organization dedicated to supporting both children and young adults with the condition. The center aims to provide therapeutic services and education for autistic individuals by encouraging independence and creativity and creating an inclusive setting in which young people can thrive, learn and grow. Back in 2020, the organization was awarded the “Oxfam Voice Grant,” enabling “Brass for Africa,” a project within the “Dorna Center,” to deliver music and life skill sessions at the center. This has led to particularly impressive results, with the children’s concentration increasing greatly. At one time the vast majority of the children could only hold their concentration for 5 minutes, but now it is for over an hour! Furthermore, “Brass for Africa” has enabled children to interact with each other on a creative level. The children can create music, which they can then use to produce performances. One such performance took place for the Ugandan minister for disability.Since 2020, Brass for Africa has successfully supported 228 children by providing an inclusive environment where autistic children in Africa can access the help they deserve in an inclusive, creative and relaxing environment.

Looking Ahead

Overall, to support those living with autism in Africa, more innovations must be made so that families are no longer forced to hide their children away and can instead live with the hope that they are receiving an inclusive upbringing in society, without consistent financial worry and strain.

– Megan Rose Miley
Photo: Flickr

Addressing the Top Diseases Impacting Uganda

Diseases Impacting UgandaFor Uganda, a country in East Africa, health is a major concern. Uganda’s population of 47 million has always been heavily impacted by illness and disease, with communicable diseases accounting for over 50% of deaths in the country. Malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS are three of the top diseases impacting Uganda and are among the leading causes of death. 

Here is more information about these diseases, and what is being done about them.

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread through mosquitoes that feed on humans, with symptoms such as high fevers and shaking chills. As one of the top diseases impacting Uganda, it is a risk to over 90% of the Ugandan population and is a leading cause of sickness and death, especially in children. Uganda has the highest malaria incidence rate worldwide, with 478 cases per 1,000 people per year, and malaria is estimated to have caused between 70,000 and 100,000 deaths per year, exceeding even the death rate of HIV.

In Uganda’s Ntungamo District, one of the districts most heavily affected by malaria, people have taken action to combat its spread. Village Health Teams (VHT) have been trained by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF to support Ugandan communities in fighting against diseases and assisting health care workers in providing health services. The teams also educate communities on malaria prevention methods, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and prescribe Coartem, an anti-malarial medication that destroys the malaria parasites, to those affected by malaria. The efforts of the VHT have resulted in a remarkable decline in malaria cases — from 8,297 cases in December 2022 to 3,995 cases in March 2023. 

Tuberculosis

TB is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. It is caused by a type of bacteria and is spread through the air when TB-infected people cough. TB is a leading cause of death worldwide, and Uganda is one of the countries with the highest burden of TB. Every day, around 30 people die of TB, and 240 people fall sick with TB in Uganda. Uganda is designated by the World Health Organization to be a TB and HIV high-burden country, with over 12,000 deaths to TB every year, and around half of those deaths are among those who are HIV-positive. Children under 15 account for an estimated 12% of TB cases, with young children vulnerable to developing a more severe version of TB. 

Since 2015, the Ugandan government has made significant progress in improving the coverage of TB preventive treatment that targets those living with HIV, made available at no cost for TB patients. Scaling up the coverage of preventive treatment has resulted in nearly 600,000 people living with HIV initiating this treatment from 2015 to 2019, and from 2016 to 2022, TB preventive treatment coverage for people living with HIV increased from 0.6% to 88.8%. Over the years, Uganda has successfully scaled up the provision of TB preventive treatment to those living with HIV, and the government has pledged to end TB by 2030 by continuing to accelerate the delivery of TB treatments.

HIV/AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV attacks the human immune system, leaving it vulnerable to infection and disease. Around 1.4 million people in Uganda live with HIV, among whom women are disproportionately affected. About 17,000 people die per year due to AIDS, 22% of whom are children under the age of 15. 

The nonprofit organization mothers2mothers (m2m) contributes to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and has virtually eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV among its clients. It supports mothers who live with HIV by helping pregnant women access antiretroviral treatment (ART). In 2021, m2m took in and improved the lives of over 150,000 new clients; among these clients, 100% of HIV-positive women have been given lifetime ART, and 100% of HIV-exposed infants have been treated with ART as protection from infection. m2m has also intervened to end child marriage in Uganda’s Kamuli District, protecting adolescent women who are more susceptible to getting infected and increasing access to HIV care. 

Looking Forward

The measures taken to combat some of the most deadly diseases impacting Uganda have led to a decrease in mortality rates over the years. With continued efforts from organizations like m2m and local communities, Uganda will continue to make strides in minimizing the impact of malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. 

– Stephanie Chan
Photo: Unsplash

Poverty Alleviation via Health Care Investment

Health Care Investment
Lack of access to health care is one of the key signs of a poverty-stricken or developing nation, but few realize that the affordability of what health care may be available also plays a significant part in what makes and keeps people poor. The World Bank estimates that health care costs alone forced or pushed further more than a half-billion people into poverty in 2021.

The Need for Poverty-Improving Health Care Investment

Folks who have to spend more on health care are far less likely to spend that money on their other needs, such as nutrition or the education of their family. Poor health alone is estimated to claim 15% of the world’s GDP each year in unnecessary deaths and the subsequent loss of productive potential. People’s lack of access to affordable health care not only has a profoundly negative effect on their personal lives but also subtracts from their social and economic involvement. Though a problem at every income level, the effect that poor health care can have on the developing world is more profound — it stunts their economic growth and leaves them further in danger of extreme poverty.

In this way, health care investment plays a crucial role in the reduction of poverty. When poorer citizens are less concerned with their access or ability to pay for health care, they are able to contribute more meaningfully to the workforce and are far more likely to spend their money on other needs. Notably, good health can encourage savings and is a major proponent in business investment, both beneficial activities for economic growth. This pattern played out in the recent past, in the latter half of the 20th century.

As hygiene and health improved, the improvements in avoidance of health complications led to a longer life expectancy and an improved quality of life — something that contributed heavily to the “rapid expansion of the labor force and labor productivity.” Though health care remains a limitation to the economic growth of both the developing and the developed world, the effects of good health care upon the economy and the necessity for further investment are historically evident.

Tangible Benefits of Health Care Upon Poverty

Health care investment has a real-world benefit for those suffering from poverty. Some estimates remark that more than 60 million lives could be saved in the next decade if “annual spending on primary health care in low and middle-income industries” was increased by just 5%. Beyond the loss of life, the economic consequences of mass illness are devastating to the developing world’s economy — the SARS epidemic produced a loss of more than $40 billion in productivity, and the 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak created a loss of $53 billion. Put in the most simple of terms — when people are happy and healthy, so is the economy, and the developing world benefits the most from this form of growth.

Going Forward

A focus on health care investment saves lives and alleviates one of the major causes of poverty in the developing world. The subsequent social and economic gains are not only a benefit to the people who receive them, but further introduce these nations onto the global economic stage. With the investment of affluent nations into the health care systems of developing parts of the world, the entire globe stands to benefit.

– Marc Federici
Photo: Flickr

Full-time Children and Poverty in China

Full-time childrenYoung adults in China are taking a break from their dismal and exhausting jobs to become “full-time children.” Burnt out or needing a break from the corporate system that undervalues them, young graduates are choosing to stay at home and run errands for their families, who pay them a salary in return.

Youth Unemployment

According to recent figures, the youth unemployment rate in China has gone up to a record high of 21.30% in June 2023. More than one in five young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 years are unemployed. It is speculated that the actual rate of unemployment is even higher.

Young Chinese students are feeling defeated and stuck in a system that undervalues them, with working conditions that are more than overtaxing. The grueling “996 work culture” has become the norm in China, with employees working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Workers feel that they are underpaid and exploited. Many young Chinese graduates are increasingly dissatisfied with the system that tells them that their hard work will pay off. Some of these graduates and other young people have chosen to become full-time children in China.

This system is often referred to as the “rat race.” In China, the race starts the minute you are born, with pressures to get into a good school and a prestigious university and then secure a job. The traditional ideals of success are being put under scrutiny as people question the little to no reward they are getting for their hard work and effort.

Tang Ping

Talks of labor protection are common with the recent “tang ping” movement taking place on Chinese social media. “Tang ping” translates to lying flat. Photos on social media apps show graduates in their ceremonial gowns ready to throw away their newly awarded degrees or hiding their faces behind mortarboards.

Young people feel the need for a change in their toxic work lifestyle. The movement aims to highlight and expose the high pressures of finding a job in the competitive market. The movement has been censored by Chinese authorities to prevent the increasing scale of the trend.

The economy has also grown a lot slower than expected as compared to the previous year. The lack of job opportunities is another reason for the emergence of full-time children in China. The situation is likely to get worse with 11.5 million students graduating in the summer of 2023. Students are being encouraged to go to rural farmlands to work instead of being given opportunities to use their degrees and education to get jobs with a proper work–life balance.

Not only that, people in their 30s are also worried about the so-called “curse of 35.” Employers do not want to hire people older than the age of 35 because they believe they can exploit the younger population by paying them less and making them work overtime. Job insecurity is a problem not only for younger graduates who are looking for a job but also for those reaching their 30s.

The Future

The growing discontent among the younger generation has reached a tipping point. They are calling themselves “the last generation.” People are unwilling to have children only to see them grow up in similar conditions and become another rat for the seemingly endless race.

If the situation is not improved and working conditions remain the same, the movement of full-time children in China will have long-term consequences on the economy and increase the poverty rate. Young people will soon become unemployable because they have been out of work for a long time, which will put them at risk of poverty. The government must boost the faltering economy by implementing reforms to provide better opportunities for its younger citizens.

– Sharvi Rana
Photo: Pixabay

Ibrahim Faleye Hero Aramide on Pad Bank Nigeria

Pad Bank NigeriaIn Nigeria, safe, hygienic and dignified menstruation remains a privilege, not a right. In fact, as of 2021, 37% of menstruating girls and women in Nigeria do not use sanitary pads due to lack of access. This is an issue felt most profoundly by the nation’s poor. Seventy-one percent of households in the lowest wealth quintile lack access to the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities necessary for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). However, thanks to NGOs such as Pad Bank Nigeria, the mission to end period poverty has well and truly begun.

In an interview with the Borgen Project, Ibrahim Faleye Hero Aramide, founder of Pad Bank Nigeria, shared his experience learning about period poverty, insights on the importance of education and aspirations for a future where affordable, hygienic and dignified menstruation is the rule, not the exception.

The Beginning

Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria as the only boy in his household, Faleye was often sent on errands to purchase sanitary pads for his sisters. Unlike most boys and men in a society where menstruation is often seen as taboo, Faleye was aware of its existence from a young age. What he was not aware of, however, was menstrual poverty.

It was in March 2019, while working as a shop assistant in a local grocery store, that Faleye realized that safe and affordable MHM was far from the norm. After helping a teenage girl feel able to purchase sanitary pads and providing her with a larger size instead of the economic sachet she was able to afford, Faleye’s mission for menstrual justice began.

A mere month later, on April 6, he organized his first menstrual health drive for his birthday, galvanizing local family and friends to the cause.

Pad Bank Nigeria

Today Faleye stands proud as the founder of the NGO Pad Bank Nigeria.

The aims of the organization are divided into two strands: advocacy and awareness, specifically for boys and men, and provision of sanitary products, particularly for the 40% of Nigerians who live below the poverty line as of 2022.

Education and Awareness

Faleye is a strong advocate for male education on menstruation. Through work in schools and other educational establishments, he aims to create a culture where boys grow up able to cater to and care for girls and women during menstruation.

In kickstarting cross-gender conversation on the issues girls face around menstruation, from the struggle to access affordable sanitary products to being forced to miss out on school and examinations, period poverty and its consequences no longer have to be endured in silence.

As Faleye remarked, raising awareness is the first step in creating a solution.

The consequences of menstrual poverty have powerful ramifications. As absence from education accumulates with each month of menstruation, so too do the adverse effects on academic performance.

With 6.7% fewer girls than boys completing lower secondary school in Nigeria as of 2010, and 18.6% fewer women aged fifteen or above possessing basic literary skills than men as of 2018, the gender gap in education is abundantly clear. This is also the case in the labor force, with female participation standing at 13.4% less than that of men as of 2022. Nigerian women are thus more susceptible to unemployment, financial instability and falling into poverty.

Eradicating menstrual poverty is a vital step to eradicating poverty on a wider scale.

The Future

Looking to the future, Faleye believes that the solution lies in a combination of grassroots efforts and advocacy to spark direct changes in government policy. He notes the sizeable impact of introducing policies to eradicate or reduce tax on local manufacturers, as well as raising awareness that such policies exist.

This work in ending period poverty also goes hand in hand with pad drives and NGO missions such as those of Pad Bank Nigeria.

This is particularly important in helping menstrual products and awareness campaigns reach rural communities and assisting the Nigerian government in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the effects of policy within communities.

Faleye has bold and transformative aspirations for Pad Bank Nigeria and indeed for the mission to end menstrual poverty across the globe.

When asked where he sees the NGO in the next five years, Faleye presents an inspiring vision. He aims to be the nation’s solution to menstrual poverty and the leading domestic organization in providing menstrual relief and period management.

Through the creation of walk-in branches for individual menstrual support and management as well as providing high-quality menstrual products and services to adolescent girls from 10-19 across all 36 states in Nigeria, to name but a few of his proposed solutions, it seems Faleye’s vision of a nation free from menstrual poverty is fast becoming a reality.

–  Izzy Grout
Photo: Flickr