Archive for category: Innovations

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Cycling Out of Poverty: A Ride Toward a Better Development

Cycling Out of PovertyBicycles are a reliable, low-cost, high-return, low-polluting and resilient means of transport. They provide an alternative to motorized vehicles for distances that would be too challenging to cover on foot. But bicycle use is not equally widespread worldwide.

While countries like the Netherlands and Denmark have made bicycles one of their most recognizable cultural staples, riding a bike is not as common in other parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Here are some reasons why bikes could be beneficial in certain communities, along with the aims of the foundation Cycling out of Poverty (CooP).

Poverty in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa

Rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa are among the world’s most impoverished regions. As of 2024, about 67% of the world’s impoverished live in sub-Saharan Africa. About 40% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to clean drinking water, while 70% of children suffer from deprivation in vital sectors, including health care, education and nutrition. 

This systematic lack of access to quality education, health care facilities and job opportunities compromises the well-being of entire communities.

About Cycling Out of Poverty

CooP is an organization that believes focusing on mobility could be an indispensable turning point to provide access to other facilities for underserved communities. CooP believes that providing access to alternative mobility solutions could drastically reduce the development shortfalls local communities face. It proposes using bikes to gain access to better services, thereby improving the region’s socioeconomic conditions. 

According to a report, bikes can improve education and economic development by enabling riders to access facilities they would not otherwise have. In 2004, after a tsunami hit the Sri Lankan coast, World Bicycle Relief donated 24,300 bicycles to people affected by the disaster. A bit over two years later, 88% of recipients relied on the bicycle as part of their livelihood, while 82% of women recipients reported that their bicycles were used for income-generating activities. 

Improving footpaths and promoting the use of nonmotorized vehicles can be an efficient way to transition from subsistence agriculture to small-market production, thereby developing local economies. This is the key innovation CooP aims to introduce. The organization believes bicycles can play an indispensable role in the development of rural communities. 

As a result, it partnered with the social enterprises Bikeventures and Greenhub Shops to bring more bicycles to rural communities in Uganda and Kenya. The goal is simple: to improve the livelihoods of African families by making bicycles more accessible and widely available.

Initiatives of Cycling Out of Poverty

CooP runs several branches of the project, including Bike4Work, Bike4School and Bike4Care, which promote entrepreneurship, education and health care, respectively. Beyond providing bicycles, the organization also offers training in bicycle mechanics and maintenance, as well as traffic rules and road safety practices. While bicycles can be indispensable, safe road conditions and responsible practices are equally important. 

The organization aims to equip the next generation with the knowledge and tools to recognize and advocate for their needs as cyclists, including improved roads and traffic conditions. This serves as an important first step in helping communities fully benefit from bicycles and use them to improve their living conditions.

Final Remarks

Through these projects, CooP is advancing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First and foremost, it supports SDG 1: No Poverty, as bicycles have been shown to improve the socioeconomic conditions of their users. Through Bike4School, the organization also contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, while Bike4Care supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

The initiative also addresses SDG 5: Gender Equality, as women are more likely to access employment and achieve economic independence when they have reliable transportation to reach their workplaces. In the end, something as simple as a bicycle can become a powerful tool for change and social mobility. While it may not be the ultimate solution to global poverty, it offers a practical and effective way to address many of the everyday challenges caused by poverty and underdevelopment.

– Alice Girardi

Alice is based in Paris, France and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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SDG 9 in Zimbabwe: Targets in Action

SDG 9 in ZimbabweZimbabwe is an example of a developing nation working in harmony to achieve transformative components that pertain to SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a list of 17 global ideals toward peacekeeping, saving the planet and reducing poverty. Starting in 2015, the UN set the goal of accomplishing the SDGs by 2030. In 2018, the Zimbabwean government skyrocketed the mindset of possibility and empathy through a two-part National Development Strategy.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

There were fewer jobs and more children out of school as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, showing why SDG 9 in Zimbabwe is a priority. The Sub-Saharan nation ranks number nine among the “top 10 African countries with highest levels of extreme poverty.” Globally, the World Bank considers the extreme poverty line to be lower than a daily income of $29.80 USD. Sadly, as of 2025, 49.2 % of the Zimbabwean population live in extreme poverty and earn less than $3 a day.

Starting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of infrastructure for laptops or phones resulted in more than“4.5 million” children across Zimbabwe having to pause their schooling for “over a year.” Zimbabweans in urban or rural environments cannot thrive when digital learning is not attainable without electricity or mobile technology.

Internet Access

Even with the increase of more than 75.36% of Zimbabweans having internet access throughout the nation in 2024, rural regions lack quality internet access. Quick internet access is a need for the economy, quality education and health technology, and can in turn, help reduce poverty. Beginning in 2022 up to 2025, digital connection became the third of six transitions prioritized before 2030 in Zimbabwe.

SDG 9: Industry, innovation and Infrastructure requires countries to achieve eight targeted components. SDG 9 in Zimbabwe has had the most success in the areas of digital connectivity and broadband internet.

Digital Connectivity in Zimbabwean Communities

One of the goals for SDG 9 is “broadband” digital connectivity in less developed African countries before 2030. Zimbabwe and The World Savings Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) started a partnership in 2023 to introduce the People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB). The partnership relates to target 9.3 with banking loans and access.

POSB encourages Zimbabweans to connect online banking with speed and safety. Businesses flourish with marketing success from e-commerce and cybersecurity. Zimbabwean Agrobusiness, Prodairy, agrees to running financial interactions quicker and feeling safer with digital security. As of 2024, POSB also helps urban and rural Zimbabweans stay connected online through broadband internet, and financial entry with installation of “28 ATMs” nationwide.

Digital Learning Programs to Further Digital Connectivity

In 2024, the Re-imaging Education initiative from UNICEF, the Zimbabwean government and businesses helped 150 schools receive broadband access for e-learning. Provision of solar power, higher speed internet and laptops for primary and secondary schools in rural regions helps close the digital gap of educational advantage for most urban students in comparison to rural students. Urban regions of Zimbabwe have better access to internet connection needed for quality education. This collaboration can help actualize dreams like that of Aaron, a preteen who wants to become an engineer. This target of SDG 9 in Zimbabwe helps rural students experience equality in digital learning with urban students.

Energy Infrastructure in Zimbabwe

Realizing the important need for electricity to power digital connectivity, the energy sector is very influential in helping reduce poverty in rural regions of the nation. SDG 9 in Zimbabwe has superb progress toward target 9.4 with sustainable and cleaner energy.

As of 2024, “62 percent of the population” have electricity, along with alternative solarized and greener power sources. Also, 12% of new installations are clean energy infrastructures. The 18% improvement is a lot from the “acute energy crisis’ in 2020, when only 44% of the nation had electrical power.”

Solar and hydro innovations from the Old Mutual Renewable Energy Fund, power electricity for rural communities near Harare, Zimbabwe. The partnership with the company, Old Mutual Group, and the Zimbabwean government is helping advance SDG 7 to exit the “acute energy crisis.” Meanwhile, the SDG Renewable Energy Fund (SDG REF) Programme is working with businesses to help power more regions.

Collaboration With U.S. & Zimbabwean NGOs

In 2024, NGOs Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM), which is located in the U.S., and Childcare Ministries Zimbabwe (CCMZ), which is in Zimbabwe, teamed up to construct the Hope factory.

The two manufacturing plant locations in Bulawayo and Heaney, Zimbabwe, have steel silos storing maize from farmers. This infrastructural project relates to sustainable infrastructure in regions and aims to reduce poverty and hunger. Furthermore, GDP can increase with new jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, textile insulation and builders constructing schools in the nation.

The circular economy involved with manufacturing and recycling bags of Corn Soyabean Blend plus (CSB+) further improves sustainable systems. In 2024, J.M.M. had intentions to “feed over 50,000” children daily. Remarkably, the humanitarian organization records “producing its 10 millionth meal” as of 2025. The philanthropic partnership demonstrates how the target 9.a. really helps developing nations accomplish economic sustainability.

Future Focus

SDG 9 in Zimbabwe has led to lots of improvements with mobile broadband in both rural and urban communities and funds for agrobusiness. However, tense trade relations and higher tariffs are interfering with financial situations around the globe and slowing progress toward SDG 9.

However, proper infrastructure for roads has shown little improvement in Zimbabwe in comparison to the aforementioned targets. Meanwhile, science and institutional studies are not close enough for targets to be achieved. This is important because gold mining helps sustain a resilient economy that is responsible for international exports of gold, but it is not enough to hold the whole economy. The primary industries of agriculture and raw material mining need to modernize for the betterment of the Zimbabwean economy.

Zimbabwe strives toward future innovations like “education 5.0,” combining more research for science, agriculture and industry. Future Developments include “industrialized parks” located around post secondary spaces like the University of Zimbabwe for research, food security and business.

Considering all of the progress so far, Zimbabwe shows it is possible for a nation to really move toward becoming a thriving society.

– Tyra Brown

Tyra is based in St. Andrews, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Francis Kéré’s Survival Architecture and Health Care in Burundi

Health Care in BurundiLate in 2025, Helen Clark, the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), gave a speech at the G20 Health Ministerial in South Africa. She said that the architecture underpinning collective health is under immense strain, but also that health is connected to every aspect of shared security and prosperity.

The architecture of health can take both literal and metaphorical forms. Global poverty is one of the biggest threats to a person’s health, and East Africa has historically been one of the poorest regions in the Global South. As a result, many countries in the region are spending more on debt repayments than on health care. Alongside cholera epidemics and vaccine inequality, countries such as Burundi have extremely low health ratings, with a poverty rate of 74.2% and a high maternal mortality rate.

Emmanuel Niyonkuru, a nurse at a local health facility in Burundi, stated that more funding for infrastructure, more training for doctors and nurses and a reliable supply of essential medicines are needed to make the necessary progress.

The Architect

As of March 2026, a new health care facility is underway in Burundi’s Bubanza region, and Francis Kéré, African laureate and winner of the 2022 Pritzker Prize, is the figure behind it. Kéré, often referred to as the “Nobel of Architecture” recipient, was praised by judges for his efforts to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and for helping to develop new infrastructure that prioritizes sustainability.

Kéré’s work demonstrates a commitment to Africa and its topography. He was raised in Burkina Faso in West Africa and has received global recognition for his work. He currently has large-scale projects in countries such as the United States (U.S.), Brazil and Germany. The ethos of his architecture is survival, and he has said that everything he does is born out of necessity.

This new clinic will focus on maternity care and specialized surgical treatment, taking into account the absence of electricity in the region and the acute challenges facing Burundi’s health as one of Africa’s poorest countries.

The Architecture

In 2001, Kéré set out to build the Gando Primary School in the Boulgou area. Different from the concrete and glass buildings of Europe, the primary material involved in the construction of the school was mud bricks. In areas without electricity, these clay bricks are heat-absorbent, allowing the school to remain cool. Kéré aims to use regional knowledge in his architecture, showing commitment to local resources and local techniques.

The Burundi health care facility will follow this pattern, reducing costs through using locally sourced bricks, clay and stone, along with traditional building skills. Alongside providing health care to the region, this approach will also support the regional economy by training local workers. Beyond the building itself, Kéré is building systemic networks of support and stability for the communities that need them.

Looking Ahead

Recent United Nations (U.N.) reports note that the health sector in many African countries remains highly dependent on foreign funding. Funding can take different forms, and addressing global poverty involves both small-scale support for individuals and the larger-scale infrastructure that facilitates it.

Nana Biamah-Ofosu, a Ghanaian British architect and critic, has called Kéré the leading figure of an African renaissance of architecture. She has also stated that learning from Africa as a place of deep knowledge is important for the survival of humanity.

The 3,000-square-meter complex is expected to open in 2026, improving access to health care in Burundi.

– Grace Sandall

Grace is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Housing and Urban Poverty in Vietnam

Urban Poverty in VietnamThroughout the 21st century, Vietnam has focused on improving the living standards of its population. More specifically, Vietnam’s government has actively worked to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty. Despite improvements in the right direction, millions of Vietnamese face a new challenge: affordable housing. Without access to affordable housing, rural poverty in Vietnam has increased, leading to street lottery ticket vendors or families forming informal communities or hamlets in big cities. In response to this growing challenge, Vietnam’s government and private organizations are addressing housing and urban poverty created by the lack of affordable housing.

Housing and Urban Poverty in Vietnam

According to the deputy chief of the National Office for Poverty Reduction, Vietnam’s overall poverty rate would drop to around 1.1%. This represents roughly 900,000 to 1.1 million individuals living in poverty in Vietnam. Furthermore, Vietnam has developed a new multidimensional poverty index for the next six years, designed to increase the urban income threshold to VND 2.8 million ($106) and rural income to VND 2.2 million ($84) per person per month. Although these numbers highlight Vietnam’s success in tackling extreme poverty, they often ignore the millions of individuals who cannot afford housing in major urban centers, like Ho Chi Minh City.

Thousands of people in Vietnam cannot afford housing because of two main reasons: excess housing demand and a worsening affordability gap.. The director of the Housing and Real Estate Market Management Department explained that Vietnam would need roughly one million more homes to meet the increased demand. Given the growing population in urban centers, housing and urban poverty in Vietnam are increasing.

Affordability Gap

Furthermore, home prices have outpaced income growth by a significant margin, making it almost impossible for an average Vietnamese citizen to afford housing in major urban centers. Prices in major cities, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have risen 5.6% so far this year. This means that, on average, apartment prices are roughly 80 million dong ($3,028) per square meter. In comparison, the average annual salary of a Vietnamese worker is 98.4 million dong. This sizable difference has made it almost impossible for Vietnamese to afford housing.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

To successfully address this challenge, the government, private organizations and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have developed effective strategies and projects to decrease housing costs in Vietnam. The government has pledged to adjust land use fee regulations to ensure fairness and prevent companies from raising prices beyond people’s affordability. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) in Vietnam, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing housing and urban poverty globally, in collaboration with local unions and organizations, has developed the Decent Housing, Peaceful Life project. This project has supported the construction and revitalization of existing properties in Vietnam to improve the housing situation of individuals facing difficult circumstances.

Looking Ahead

As Vietnam continues to grow as a nation, the government, companies and NGOs in the country continue to address the different challenges that arise. Indeed, as housing affordability and accessibility worsen in Vietnam, the government, in collaboration with other organizations, is taking steps to ease this pressure and secure affordable, safe housing for millions of Vietnamese in major urban centers.

– Rodrigo Salgado

Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Micronesia: Infrastructure Gaps and Inequity

Poverty in MicronesiaPoverty in Micronesia is shaped by more than just low incomes. Weak infrastructure, such as limited transportation, water systems, electricity, health care and internet access, isolates many island communities. As a result, everyday costs are higher, job opportunities are limited and vulnerable populations face greater risks from changing climatic conditions. 

Infrastructure Gaps and Poverty in Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces significant challenges that contribute to poverty and economic inequality across its island communities. This isolated country consists of more than 600 islands, many of which are remote and difficult to connect to through transportation and communication systems. Geographic isolation and underdeveloped infrastructure are considered major barriers to long-term economic growth and private sector development in Micronesia.

These limitations also increase the cost of transporting goods between islands, raising living costs for residents and slowing economic development, which further contributes to poverty in Micronesia. As a result, improving infrastructure has become a key strategy for reducing poverty and strengthening economic opportunities in the country. 

Transportation and Connectivity Challenges

Micronesia also faces significant transportation and connectivity challenges due to its geography as a nation of widely dispersed islands across the Pacific Ocean. Limited shipping routes, small ports and infrequent air services make it difficult to move goods and people efficiently between islands. These transportation barriers increase the cost of importing food, fuel and other essential goods, contributing to higher living costs for many residents.

In addition, limited telecommunications and internet infrastructure restrict access to education, business opportunities and digital services, particularly in remote outer islands. Geographic isolation also contributes to economic disparities between the FSM and other Pacific island economies and high transportation costs further reinforce poverty in Micronesia by increasing the price of essential goods.

According to the Asian Development Bank, economic growth in Micronesia is projected to remain relatively low at around 1.1% in 2026. This is significantly lower than tourism-driven economies like the Cook Islands and Palau, which are expected to grow by 2.5% and 3.9% in 2026, respectively. These differences highlight the economic challenges faced by geographically isolated island states with limited infrastructure and smaller private sectors.

National and International Initiatives

The government of the FSM has implemented several national initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and reducing economic inequality between islands. The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) is designed to guide investments in sectors such as electricity, water systems, roads, maritime transport, air transportation and telecommunications to support national development. The plan prioritizes projects that strengthen connectivity, improve public services and support economic growth across the country’s four states.

In addition, the Micronesia National Energy Policy provides a strategic framework for expanding reliable and affordable energy access, while promoting renewable energy development and improved energy infrastructure. This policy helps to expand electricity access and modernize energy systems, making it a key step in improving living standards and economic opportunities for communities across Micronesia.

Beyond national efforts, development organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank fund projects aimed at improving transportation networks, water and sanitation systems and energy infrastructure across the FSM. These initiatives support infrastructure expansion and improved connectivity between islands, helping strengthen economic opportunities and access to essential services. In addition, the U.S. provides significant financial assistance through the Compact of Free Association, first established in 1986 and renewed in 2024 for another 20 years.

The updated agreements provide approximately $3.3 billion in economic assistance to the FSM through 2043, supporting public services, infrastructure development and economic stability across the country. 

Final Thoughts

Reducing poverty in Micronesia requires addressing the infrastructure and connectivity challenges that isolate many island communities. Strengthening transportation, energy systems and digital access can help expand economic opportunities and improve access to essential services. Continued collaboration between the Micronesian government and international partners such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the U.S. will be essential to supporting long-term development and reducing inequality across the country.

– Yuhan Rong

Yuhan is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Internet Shutdown in Iran

Internet Shutdown in IranOn Jan. 8, 2026, the internet in Iran took a serious hit as all network services shut down. This issue was brought on by the government establishing its control over Iranians’ internet access. This significantly disrupted Iranians’ access to online communication and digital services. One of the factors that resulted from this situation is a financial hit for certain citizens, as some businesses relied on the internet. Additionally, in an immigration agency, 46 employees had no choice but to go on mandatory leave for the duration of weeks. However, there are solutions to aid this situation, such as help from different countries and a software tool.

Potential European Support

According to the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), help can be offered for the Iranians to acquire connectivity from France and the United Kingdom. France and the U.K. have the capacity to use their own satellite terminals. A significant option to the internet issue in Iran is the Eutelsat satellite terminal. It can be used to transmit online network service from space to regions in need, providing internet connection to Iran. Furthermore, in case there is a risk of another disconnection, Iranians could then send messages offline with the help of Bluetooth technology.

Snowflake: A Circumvention Tool

A way for the Iranians’ situation to improve is with the help of a software tool called Snowflake. Anyone in possession of a device can help through the following steps. 

A volunteer downloads Snowflake software on their device. It is a convenient extension that can be used on all the common browsers that internet users are familiar with. This software works through the Tor Project, which is constructed with the intent to bypass internet censorship. However, the issue is that there are times when the user’s identity can be recognized. It is here that Snowflake becomes necessary.

Once this software is activated, the user’s computer registers with a broker. This broker enables Iranian users to use a volunteer’s location as their own. The volunteer’s Snowflake proxy will serve as the temporary location for the Iranian user.

A significant part of this procedure is that the identities of both parties are concealed and not revealed to the public. The volunteer has the right to know if someone has used their address. However, the Iranian’s personal information is undisclosed. The volunteer outside Iran will then act as a sort of bridge for an Iranian user. This software prioritizes the safety of both users, as their data is secure.

According to Amir Rashidi, this software includes a component called the Starlink satellite system. This system connects to satellites in low-earth orbit, which in turn avoids terrestrial filters.

Rashidi recommended that people who live in Iran or other countries with unstable internet download the Snowflake extension or application when they get the chance. This will help them have internet access in times of crisis.

Looking Ahead

The internet is an important part of daily life. With Iranians losing access, that brings challenges. However, many solutions can be provided with help from outside Iran. Countries like France and the U.K. could use their satellite terminals to provide Iranians with connections. The software tool Snowflake facilitates people outside Iran to help those in Iran. These solutions show that Iranians have opportunities to acquire an internet connection with international support.

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Innovation in Cuba Expands Cultural Learning

Education Innovation in Cuba Expands Cultural LearningEducation innovation in Cuba is advancing inclusive classroom practices through a new interactive educational game introduced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Havana. The tool, titled “African Diaspora,” encourages students to explore African heritage and its cultural influence in the Caribbean through participatory learning.

UNESCO Launches “African Diaspora” Game

UNESCO introduced the “African Diaspora” game through its Regional Office in Havana as a new educational tool for learning about Africa and its descendants in the Caribbean. The resource uses illustrated cards, game boards and creative activities that promote collaboration and help participants place episodes, characters and Afro-descendant traditions in context.

Supporting the General History of Africa Project

UNESCO launched the General History of Africa project in 1964 to address gaps in how Africa’s history is documented and taught from an African perspective. The United Nations (U.N.) describes the project as an effort to remedy widespread ignorance of Africa’s history and to promote a fuller understanding through education.

The “African Diaspora” educational game draws inspiration from this broader initiative by focusing on Africa’s connections to the Caribbean region.

Education Innovation in Cuba and Inclusive Learning

Education innovation in Cuba reflects efforts to modernize teaching approaches while supporting student engagement through interactive classroom tools. According to World Bank data, Cuba reports near-universal adult literacy.

The “African Diaspora” tool aims to help students examine cultural traditions and historical narratives linked to Africa and Afro-descendant communities in the Caribbean.

Regional Collaboration and Broader Impact

Prensa Latina reported that the resource highlights Afro-descendant traditions from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, supporting a regional approach to learning. 

UNESCO continues to promote and expand the General History of Africa project as a long-standing effort to strengthen educational materials on Africa and its diasporas, showing how interactive classroom tools can support cultural awareness while strengthening student engagement.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

Isil is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Child-Led Inventions Addressing Global Poverty

Child-Led InventionsYoung people often don’t know that something can’t be done, so they try it. Disturbed by the poor living conditions of others, driven by awareness of environmental contamination or simply believing that all humans have the right to basic needs, youth can make a difference in the lives of the impoverished around the world. Here’s a look at five child-led inventions that address global poverty and are both innovative and inspiring.

William Kamkwamba, Masitala, Malawi

In 2001, thousands perished and many lost their livelihood in one of the worst droughts the rural village of Masitala, Malawi, had ever experienced. Crops wouldn’t grow in the dry soil and without their farming income, 14 years old Kamkwamba’s family couldn’t afford his school tuition. Nevertheless, Kamkwamba was determined to keep learning.

Discovering a book about alternative energy at Masitala’s small library, he became fascinated with windmills. Kamkwamba resolved to use the technology to bring desperately needed running water and electricity to his family. Improvising with scrap parts such as sandals, bicycle components, an old fan blade and gum trees, he successfully constructed a windmill which was able to power his home’s basic needs.

Kamkwamba gained financial support as his success story spread and he built additional windmills to bring power and water to his village, accelerating the fight against poverty. Kamkwamba’s story was adapted into a 2019 feature film titled “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.”

Jahkil Jackson, Chicago, US

Jackson felt compelled to ease the disparagement faced by the unhoused after helping deliver nourishment to displaced people in his hometown, Chicago. His passion led him to launch Project I Am (an organization that distributes hygiene kits to people without homes) in 2016, when he was just 8 years old. The kits or “blessing bags”, are filled with toiletries, nonperishable food, socks and other necessities, providing comfort and basic needs to those without.

Project I Am has distributed thousands of kits to those in poverty and to disaster victims in the U.S. and abroad. Now a member of the WE International Youth Council, Jackson encourages children to help enrich the world, emphasizing the impact of child-led inventions addressing global poverty. Heartland Alliance, a prominent anti-poverty organization and the Obama Foundation have recognized Jackson’s efforts.

Maryam Saleem, Pakistan

At age 13, Saleem was deeply concerned that much of her fellow Pakistani population was living in poverty without access to clean energy. Inhabitants would often cook their meals with firewood, which can pollute the air, cause respiratory damage and additional health problems. Suffering from respiratory issues herself, Saleem was determined to find a solution.

She created a portable biodigester that converts household organic waste into cooking biofuel. Saleem’s invention won her the 2023 Citi Foundation’s Skills for Success Challenge in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) World Series of Innovation. With her award money, she is able to provide free biodigesters for the impoverished in Pakistan through “GoClean,” the organization she co-created.

Hannah Herbst, Florida, US

In 2015, at age 14, Herbst vowed to help her Ethiopian pen pal, who lived without basic necessities like running water and electricity. Herbst worked to invent a small turbine that generates electricity from ocean currents. Constructed of affordable, recyclable materials, her design is compact and floats above the water, while existing systems can be bulky and sit on the ocean floor.

Herbst’s invention, ideal for use in developing areas due to its low cost and accessibility, won her the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” in the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Herbst shared some of her prize money with her pen pal, enabling her family to buy a generator. Herbst plans to add water purification capability to her system and open-source the design so that electricity and purified water are readily available to shoreline communities worldwide.

Her invention demonstrates the power of child-led inventions addressing global poverty.

Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López, Chiapas, Mexico

Much of the population in Chiapas, Mexico, lives in poverty without access to conventional plumbing. Inhabitants often use firewood or oil to heat their water, fuels that can release contaminants and pose respiratory hazards. In 2018, at 8 years old, inspired by scientific workshops and by her concern for the environment and her fellow citizens, López decided to build an environmentally friendly, affordable water-heating system.

She used discarded items such as painted plastic bottles, a hose, wood scraps and pieces of glass from cooler doors. She and her father installed the finished device, capable of heating 10 liters of water, on the roof of her house. Her invention was a success and led to López becoming the first girl to receive an honor typically awarded to adults: “Recognition of the Institute of Nuclear Science for Women.”

López plans to make her invention available to all of Chiapas to help improve the lives of those living in poverty.

Conclusion

These five child-led inventions addressing global poverty demonstrate what fearless, determined youth can accomplish. Filled with the desire to help those less fortunate and enabled by education, scientific programs or simply the belief in a cause, children of the world see endless possibilities for helping the planet’s impoverished populations. With little help, young people can turn those possibilities into reality.

– Debbie Barto

Debbie is based in Monroe, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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From Papyrus Waste to Sanitary Pads: MakaPads in Uganda

MakaPadsUganda produces large quantities of papyrus and other plants found in wetlands. However, for many years, their by-products were ignored while imported sanitary pads dominated the market. For many girls and women, especially in rural areas, those imported pads are too costly or hard to find, contributing to widespread unmet menstrual hygiene needs.

A national audit published in January 2025 found that 64% of female students miss school regularly because sanitary materials and proper water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities are lacking. In this context, MakaPads emerged as a social enterprise, through which local engineers and social entrepreneurs began producing sanitary pads from papyrus reeds and recycled paper. MakaPads’ aim was straightforward: create a hygiene product affordable enough for low-income families while relying on materials available in Uganda itself.

MakaPads Project

The manufacturing remains deliberately low-tech and locally based. Papyrus stems are harvested from wetlands, stripped into fibers or pulp, mixed with recycled paper and shaped into absorbent pads. The finished pads are reportedly up to 95% biodegradable, chemical-free and cost roughly half as much as many imported pads available on the Ugandan market.

MakaPads has also provided employment and economic opportunity, particularly for women from vulnerable backgrounds. According to the project’s own documentation, production at its peak involved as many as 225 people, including both skilled and unskilled workers, as well as refugees, across various factories and stages of production. In one refugee camp factory at Kyaka II, a 2015 report describes 76 women employed, producing more than 800 pads daily and scaling production from 30,000 pads in 2009 to more than one million in 2014.

Women involved in production reported earning enough to cover their children’s school fees or invest in small assets, such as land or motorcycles, illustrating the tangible economic benefits of the project.

Social Impact and Challenges

On the social side, users and distributors have reported that locally made pads have helped reduce reliance on improvised alternatives, such as cloth and rags, which are often uncomfortable, unhygienic and stigmatizing. One user in the camp, Evelyne Banyamisa, reported that access to MakaPads allowed her to maintain consistent school attendance and participate fully in daily activities during her menstrual cycle.

However, the initiative has faced challenges. The UNHCR contract to supply pads to refugee camps was discontinued in 2015 after a quality inspection by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) revealed deficiencies. Some users also noted limitations, including leakage on heavier flow days, narrow pad width and occasional odor issues, highlighting the ongoing need to balance affordability, accessibility and product quality.

Final Remarks

Despite these setbacks, MakaPads remains a rare example of a social enterprise that simultaneously addresses menstrual health, local employment and environmental sustainability through low-cost, biodegradable sanitary products. Nevertheless, MakaPads demonstrates what community-rooted, resource-aware innovation can achieve: a model that combines menstrual hygiene with local manufacturing, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity. In a country where period poverty affects the majority of schoolgirls, low-cost, biodegradable pads made from native plant waste stand out as a hopeful, home-grown solution.

– George Horberry

George is based in York, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The IRC’s Use of AI in Crisis Zones

AI in Crisis ZonesArtificial intelligence (AI) is creating new solutions for communities living through instability and displacement. From Bangladesh’s ongoing political turmoil to Nigeria’s Boko Haram–related violence and Afghanistan’s post-2021 upheaval, millions continue to face barriers to basic services. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is applying AI in crisis zones to broaden access to education, trusted information and social support. This article explores how three IRC-supported innovations, aprendIA, Signpost and ALMA (AI for Life Mapping and Assistance), show the impact of AI in crisis zones on people rebuilding their lives.

How Crisis Disrupts Education

Education offers critical skills that support children’s safety, development and long-term well-being. For those living through conflict or disaster, the loss of stable schooling can limit future opportunities. Education Cannot Wait reports that by the end of 2024, an estimated 234 million school-aged children in crisis settings required urgent assistance to access quality learning. This figure represents an increase of about 35 million in three years. Of this total, 85 million children, around 37%, were not attending school at all. Ten countries with the largest crisis-affected student populations, including Nigeria, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, account for more than 60% of these children.

How Crisis Drives Displacement

Crisis often forces people to leave their homes, whether through internal displacement or by crossing borders as refugees, asylum seekers or migrants. Displacement brings loss of housing and community as well as reduced access to essential services such as food assistance, health care and social support. Language barriers and legal restrictions can further limit services for those who have fled.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Refugee Agency, around 123.2 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2024 due to persecution, conflict, violence and human rights violations. This represents one in every 67 people across the globe. Furthermore, the global figure rose by 7 million in one year. The conflict in Sudan created the largest displacement crisis, with 14.3 million people displaced. Syria and Afghanistan followed with 13.5 million and 10.3 million displaced people, respectively.

IRC Solutions in Action

The IRC began in 1933 as the International Relief Association, formed at the request of Albert Einstein to support people fleeing persecution. Today, the IRC assists communities affected by humanitarian crises. In recent years, the organization has expanded its efforts by integrating artificial intelligence tools such as aprendIA, Signpost and the newly launched ALMA. These innovations aim to strengthen access to information. Additionally, they improve service delivery and support people in crisis zones with faster and more reliable assistance.

  • AprendIA. AprendIA is an AI-supported chatbot platform that delivers learning content through mobile messaging apps, allowing children to access education at any time and on any device. The IRC aims for the tool to reach more than 1 million learners by the end of 2026. The IRC has adapted aprendIA to support learning facilitators in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in northeast Nigeria. In Bangladesh, where students face severe disruption from natural disasters, aprendIA provides lesson plans, activities, community tools and quizzes to help schools continue learning during climate-related emergencies.
  • Signpost. Signpost, launched in 2015, is a digital information platform that provides people affected by a crisis with reliable, localized guidance. The project uses service mapping, community-led content and two-way communication that allows users to ask questions and receive answers in less than 24 hours. Signpost now reaches communities in 20 countries and operates in 25 language. The long-term goal is to support half of the world’s displaced population. According to the IRC, Signpost played a vital role for Maryam, who fled Afghanistan with her family and arrived in Italy in 2021. Through Italy’s Signpost platform, she accessed timely information that helped her family navigate essential services.
  • ALMA. On Nov. 10, 2025, the IRC introduced ALMA. The multilingual virtual assistant is designed to support refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders and other newcomers in the United States. ALMA operates through WhatsApp and provides round-the-clock guidance on social services, employment, financial literacy, local resources and information about rights and responsibilities in the U.S. Furthermore, the tool currently offers support in Dari/Farsi, English, Spanish and Swahili.

Toward Safer Futures

The IRC’s use of AI in crisis zones shows how technology can strengthen humanitarian responses. Indeed, tools like aprendIA, Signpost and ALMA help crisis-affected communities access education, information and essential services more quickly and reliably. With continued collaboration and refinement, AI in crisis zones can play an even greater role in supporting people working toward safer and more stable futures.

– Sammi Li

Sammi is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash