Archive for category: NGOs

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4 NGOs Fighting Poverty in Eswatini

Poverty in EswatiniEswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small country in southern Africa where more than half of the population lives below the poverty line. Common challenges include unemployment, violence and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can exacerbate issues in vulnerable communities.

Unemployment in Eswatini often means that people have no stable income and fall into poverty. More than 36% of people aged 15 to 24 are not in education, labor or training. This leaves them with neither income nor security of future employment. The government recently developed unemployment relief programs and social protection initiatives, including programs that provide health care.

HIV is a common issue in Eswatini. Mortality in parents leaves many children orphaned and unable to provide for themselves. When a family member is infected with HIV, the family often sells livestock and other goods to buy medicine to treat the illness. Sometimes, men leave their wives if their wives have HIV, cutting household income in half.

Sexual violence is an issue that facilitates HIV transmission in the population. In 2019, 17.7% of women aged 15 to 49 reported that they had been subjected to physical or sexual abuse by a current or previous sexual partner. Sexual violence can spread disease quickly through a population. It can also create additional stress for those already struggling financially, causing physical and mental strain that may interrupt work and possibly lead to unemployment.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) across Eswatini are working to address these overlapping crises. Here are four making a measurable difference.

Moya Centre

Jane Cox founded the Moya Centre in 1999 during the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and focused her efforts on the Lobamba Lomdzala community’s needs. The Moya Centre is one of several NGOs in Eswatini that focus on providing relief from HIV/AIDS. In the early stages of the organization, leaders recognized the need to provide access to clean vegetables and partnered with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide gardening skills to the community. Later, David Bliss, who visited Eswatini, recognized the need for education in the area and donated a large sum of money to the community.

UNICEF provided guidance to ensure that the program aligned with the “Education for All” initiative. Later, the Moya Centre provided schools with uniforms, kitchens and classrooms, as well as training for teachers and counselors, with professional psychologists to lead sessions. Between 2005 and 2019, 360 children completed the preschool program. The Moya Centre has also sponsored more than 600 children to attend high school.

World Vision

World Vision is a religious nonprofit organization based in Mbabane, Eswatini that focuses on ending extreme poverty in Eswatini, as well as more than 100 other countries. In Eswatini, World Vision helped 13,500 families access community-based savings and lending groups to help them build credit and escape poverty. In 1992, a failed harvest in Eswatini prompted World Vision to take emergency action. The organization distributed food to affected areas, such as Nkalashane, to ensure that people would not fall into extreme poverty.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization equipped communities with gloves, masks, hand sanitizer and educational resources to help prevent illness. This program has produced many success stories, one example being Nozipho Mahlalela, who graduated with distinction from the University of Eswatini after living under the support of World Vision.

Friends of Eswatini

Friends of Eswatini, formerly Friends of Swaziland, is a 501(c)(3) organization composed primarily of Peace Corps volunteers and staff who have experience in Eswatini and want to continue supporting the country through their own poverty alleviation projects. The organization not only executes its own projects, but also provides funds for other NGOs in Eswatini, such as the Young Heroes Foundation, which focuses on protecting vulnerable children from HIV/AIDS. Over the last 20 years, Friends of Eswatini has raised more than $40,000 to fund other nonprofits’ projects, including a $25,000 grant to Young Heroes.

That support has become more urgent recently. Cuts to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding caused Young Heroes to lose 87% of its budget in 2025. The organization was forced to cut its staff from 103 to 20 and its community volunteers from 348 to 12.

Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse

The Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SAGAA) is among the most prominent NGOs in Eswatini. It focuses on preventing and seeking justice for sexual violence in Eswatini. The organization organizes events related to gender-based violence prevention and publishes its own articles on the topic. It also provides resources to empower young girls and educate young boys about gender-based violence, in an effort to challenge harmful gender norms in Eswatini. SAGAA further provides resources to protect young children from sexual violence by adults, using positive activities such as guided discussions, songs and games to teach children about respect and prevent violence.

The organization provides resources to those who have experienced violence through counseling services and access to justice through its Care and Support Unit. Through its partnership with UNICEF, SAGAA created a tool called U-Report. U-Report allows community members to rapidly share messages by SMS if a case of violence occurs, so they can seek support as quickly as possible. Within five months, SAGAA received more than 1,000 reports of violence. Through this system, SAGAA can also identify the areas that receive the most reports and increase support there.

NGOs in Eswatini provide crucial assistance. Although people face many challenges related to health and education, these organizations offer invaluable support to Swati communities, helping them thrive both physically and intellectually.

– Amber Mantiply

Amber is based in Silver Spring, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Ugandan Resilience Program Aids Self Sufficiency

Ugandan Resilience ProgramAbout 16% of Ugandans live in extreme poverty, which is over 7 million people who make less than $1 per day. Uganda’s harsh environment makes it difficult to maintain agricultural land, so those facing financial hardships are disproportionately in rural areas. There are also about 2 million refugees from neighboring countries, many of whom are impoverished as well. However, the extreme poverty rate has decreased over the years, dropping from 20% in 2021. The decline in poverty can be largely attributed to large-scale humanitarian efforts.

Challenges in Agriculture

An imbalance between heavy rainfall and long-term droughts makes crop growing far more difficult. With these losses in production, people living in poverty have more difficulty affording the limited supply. Likewise, many farmers who rely on crop growing for their income often find themselves out of a job. This is especially devastating as more than 70% of the Ugandan workforce is employed in the agricultural industry.

AVSI Foundation’s Impact

The AVSI Foundation is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that provides humanitarian aid to impoverished countries worldwide. In 2025, it helped more than 4 million people in 41 different countries.

AVSI assists large communities in various ways, such as ensuring that children receive a proper education by funding schools. It also provides emergency aid to those who suffer after a natural disaster. The foundation helped more than 150,000 students in Côte d’Ivoire through various projects by building schools and assisting many of the same students with vocational training afterward.

Ugandan Resilience Program

In 2017, AVSI launched the Ugandan resilience program in Kamwenge to help a balanced mix of impoverished natives and refugees. In the following seven years, over 13,000 households (around 58,000 individuals) were lifted out of poverty and given the tools needed to live a more independent and financially stable life. USAID contributed around $15 million to help AVSI carry out this seven-year mission.

Before the program began, USAID officials and community leaders spent months determining which families were best suited for it. After narrowing down which communities needed the most help overall, they ensured that only the most vulnerable people were included in the program.

Working Toward Graduation

Participants graduated once they had the necessary food and financial security for the future and demonstrated the ability to build resilience toward future hardships. Their abilities were based on meeting eight out of 11 criteria, which include developing long-term saving habits and maintaining basic food and shelter needs.

Depending on the level of need, participants underwent 18 to 30 months of various interventions. They attended skills training sessions designed to help them establish a career in agriculture, business, or another field that offers a long-term and stable income. Participants received monthly cash assistance for 12 months, allowing them to focus on learning to save for the future rather than spending what little they had just to survive.

There was a set schedule for the type of assistance people received during the program. The specific criteria helped determine what kind of progress each household had made and how close they were to graduating. About three-quarters of households graduated. The main reason people dropped out of the program was that they felt they already had a solid footing on their situation before the program’s end. Only 5% of households remained in extreme poverty despite being part of the program.

The Long-Term Benefits

During and after the program, more than 90% of households were able to eat during every meal, and 96% of children did not have to go without enough food at any point. Even though the program ran during the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress and overall outcome of the participating households was unaffected, further demonstrating their overall resilience.

People who graduated from the Ugandan resilience program experienced up to 60% income growth compared to before they started. Lives improved within households as well. Through coaching, participants learned more about nutrition, cooking, and maintaining sanitation. Over 1,600 women viewed gender-based violence as less acceptable.

Looking Forward

Since the original Graduation to Resilience program ended in September 2024, a follow-up program started in 2025 called Graduation to Resilience LOCAL, which will benefit individuals for another seven years. However, this new program is 10% the size of the original, largely due to cuts in USAID funding.

Despite limited funding and resources, NGOs like AVSI continue to provide humanitarian aid in Uganda to the best of their ability as the overall poverty rate continues to decline. The follow-up program still implements many of the same measures as the original, but on a smaller scale. There are various types of coaching and training still designed to help people become more independent. Other significant funding sources besides U.S. aid exist, as an anonymous donor generously gave $1.5 million to fund the new program.

– Logan Hessek

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

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Helping After the Venezuelan Earthquakes

Nurse holding a clipboard in a hospital hallway, representing healthcare support. Charities Helping After the Venezuelan EarthquakesOn June 24, 2026, two earthquakes with 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes hit northern and central Venezuela. Since then, more than 3,500 people have died, thousands were injured, and tens of thousands remain missing. Additionally, over 17,000 citizens have been left homeless after the damage and destruction of approximately 59,000 buildings.

Before these earthquakes, Venezuela was already in a state where about 8 million people needed humanitarian aid. The aftermath has caused overcrowding, the spread of disease, and difficulty accessing food and water as thousands attempt to find shelter. This situation has pushed those already in need into a deeper crisis. Multiple charities and organizations, already working in Venezuela, have been able to provide immediate assistance. Here are five charities helping after the Venezuelan earthquakes:

5 Charities Helping After the Venezuelan Earthquakes

  • Project HOPE: Project HOPE has reached 1.2 million people since 2019, providing health and humanitarian assistance in Venezuela. Since the earthquakes, Project HOPE has focused on delivering medical care and supplies, clean drinking water, mental health support, and search and rescue teams where needed. They currently have over 100 staff members in the field, many of whom were already working in Venezuela.
  • Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders has sent about 50 staff members to respond to the crisis. Their main focus is providing medical care to those injured and sick. They have supplied eight hospitals with the resources to treat around 4,000 patients. They continue to support the country by building mobile clinics offering physical and mental health care, with the first one launched in Naiguatá, La Guaira.
  • The International Rescue Committee: The International Rescue Committee has supported women and children in Venezuela since 2021 by providing primary health care, reproductive health services, and assistance with malnutrition, food and hygiene. In 2025, they helped more than 75,000 citizens. They are currently providing medical care, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services to those affected by the earthquakes.
  • Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps has impacted over 496,000 Venezuelans since 2019. They prioritize distributing medical supplies, specifically maternal care, and providing cash assistance and entrepreneurship training. During this crisis, they continue to offer cash provisions and support to damaged community health facilities, focusing on basic needs such as nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene. They have delivered sanitation and hygiene kits to 200 children in Caracas.
  • World Vision: World Vision has been providing assistance in Venezuela since 2019, focusing on children. They work with over 2,000 local partners to offer food, water, sanitation and psychological aid across La Guaira, Caracas and Miranda, helping nearly 15,000 people since the earthquakes. They have also established child-friendly spaces for structured play and psychosocial support.

Looking Ahead

Rebuilding and recovery remain critical for Venezuela and its citizens. As charities and organizations continue their efforts, along with international assistance, the support needed is available, making the road to recovery possible.

– Ally Jones

Ally is based in Bethany, OK, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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NGOs Working in Syria

Children in a Syrian refugee camp, highlighting NGO humanitarian initiatives. NGOs Working in SyriaThe role of nonprofit organizations (NGOs) working in Syria encompasses a broad range of activities, providing fundamental necessities such as food, water, shelter, and legal aid. NGO-led cash aid has contributed to Syria’s monetary resilience over time. These organizations focus on providing civilians with health care services and psychological support.

Syria’s Demolished Economy

The economy in Syria has suffered a GDP loss of $800 billion over 14 years of conflict. One-third of all housing units were destroyed during the conflict, leaving 5.7 million people in need of shelter support today. Over half of all water treatment facilities and sewer systems are impaired, leaving roughly 14 million people without clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. The conflict has caused 618,000 deaths and 113,000 disappearances. Many lives have been lost due to the collapse of the health system. One-third of the health centers collapsed, and nearly half of ambulance services were impaired. Energy production has dropped 80%, with over 70% of power plants and power lines damaged, diminishing the national grid capacity by more than three-quarters.

British Red Cross Mission in Syria

The British Red Cross is one of the NGOs working in Syria that has assisted over 6 million Syrians since the conflict started in March 2011. The charity has supplied lifesaving aid such as food, blankets, mattresses, and other assistance. The British Red Cross has trained many Red Cross volunteers in Syria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they provided masks and food packages so families could protect themselves. The British Red Cross helped people in Syria during the 2023 earthquake, which affected 153,000 people, providing emergency cash support for essential household items. The organization stated that they have aided 43,600 migrants with residences and care coordination within the United Kingdom. The British Red Cross is a leading contributor to a $130 million IFRC emergency appeal to provide food, health care, and psychological assistance for those experiencing trauma.

Oxfam Beating Poverty in Syria

The global organization Oxfam has been working closely with local and national NGOs in Syria since 2013 to assist people impacted by poverty and conflict. Oxfam has refurbished wells and pumping stations, sewage, and water supply structures that help more than 490,000 people in Syria. This work includes providing generators to help water pumping methods operate correctly. In March 2025, Oxfam’s partner GOPA-DERD provided 1,000 hygiene products, including soap and menstrual products, to families who lost their homes in Jableh. In July and August 2025, Oxfam provided water by truck to cities near Latakia affected by wildfires and plans to build two water pumping terminals. Oxfam reached more than 92,000 people and spent 844,536 euros on food and living responses between Oxfam KEDV and Oxfam in Syria. They provided cash to 1,000 households to buy food at local markets after wildfires destroyed their agricultural assets.

World Food Programme Support

In 2026, the World Food Programme (WFP) increased its efforts in food assistance for displaced families in North Syria. Areas such as Al-Hasakeh now shelter families in schools and camps. WFP provides date bars, dietary supplements, and food boxes to displaced families in sanctuaries, schools, and Newroz camp in Al-Hasakeh governorate. They have recently resumed food deliveries in Al-Hol camp, aiming to ensure all residents receive two months of food assistance. WFP has also provided support with fortified flour to more than 300 bakeries across the nation, enabling 4 million people to obtain subsidized fresh bread. The organization is spending $189 million in 2026 to stabilize crucial nutrition in Syria, reaching 1.6 million of the most vulnerable people and securing access to affordable bread for millions.

International Rescue Committee Building Hope in Syria

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has over 1,000 staff in Syria providing life-saving medical care, protection, and personalized support to communities. The IRC partners with local and emigration groups to ensure the continuous flow of crucial medicines, supplies, and equipment. The IRC runs classes, counseling, and security services for children in camps and communities, incorporating mental health services into its main work. The IRC has provided more than 166,000 people with access to medical care, including primary and hospital-level health services and care for mothers. They have partnered with the European Union, increasing funding to local partners from 30% to 48%. Finally, the IRC is building household monetary stability with career training, apprenticeships, and small business support for Syrians.

– Ruba Alghurab

Ruba is based in Florida, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Railway Children Foundation for Street-Connected Youth In India

Railway Children FoundationEvery year, thousands of children in India run away from home, boarding trains in search of safety and a better future. Fleeing poverty, abuse or neglect, many have no destination in mind, only hope that life elsewhere will be better. Unsure of what lies ahead, many children use trains in search of refuge. In India, a child goes missing every eight minutes.

Many of these children eventually become known as “runaways” or “street-connected youth,” though they leave home for a variety of reasons. Often, they seek escape from difficult circumstances and board trains without a specific destination. Children who experience forced labor, domestic violence, neglect, accidental separation or extreme poverty often see no alternative but to leave home. Although many leave without knowing where they will end up, they board trains hoping to find safety and opportunity as the number of missing and street-connected children continues to grow.

Behind these statistics are children like 15-year-old Raju, whose experience illustrates why so many minors leave home. One December morning, Raju, born in Madhya Pradesh, decided to flee his home and travel by rail to another state because of abuse from his father. Forced to endure grueling work or face severe consequences, Raju saw no other choice when considering his future. Raju told FairPlanet, “He used to mercilessly beat me up if I did not accompany him to work. My parents stopped sending me to school after the eighth grade because I was the oldest child, and I had to start earning money.” Raju’s story mirrors the experiences of thousands of children in similar situations.

For children like Raju, trains are often the most affordable and accessible way to reach safety, with more than 400 trains serving Delhi daily. However, the number of children going missing is alarmingly high. In 2024, the National Crime Records Bureau reported 98,375 missing children, or 269 children every day. A total of 22,768 male and 75,603 female children went missing, an increase of 7.8% from 91,296 the previous year. Despite this, there is reason for hope: recovery efforts have successfully located more than 98,800 children, providing futures for street-connected youth in India.

Railway Children Foundation

The Railway Children Foundation, established in 1995, is an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) whose mission is grounded in the belief that every child can thrive free from life on the streets. Collaborating with governments, communities and transport companies, it aims to identify vulnerable children and offer vital support. Over the past year, the organization reached and safeguarded more than 3,308 children in India across eight train stations, located more than 1,700 children, and trained 3,935 railway officials on child rights and protection.

The organization highlights the dangers children face when arriving alone at busy railway stations, where many remain lost, frightened and preyed upon by traffickers. Large stations attract traffickers because of their anonymity and the high influx of unaccompanied children from across India.

With more than 25 million daily passengers, railway stations have become key hubs for human trafficking. In India, trafficking is a widespread internal issue affecting boys and girls, with more than 13,000 cases reported thus far in 2026 and only about two-thirds of the children recovered. Odisha, Bihar, Telangana and Maharashtra have the highest number of cases, driven by socioeconomic vulnerabilities and by forced marriage, labor and sexual exploitation.

To help prevent a life filled with violence and exploitation, trained workers identify vulnerable children arriving alone and coordinate with transport staff and police to escort them to a foundation shelter, where they can receive crisis support. Additionally, child help desks at stations are set up to help children find someone trustworthy and receive care.

Childline India Foundation

The Childline India Foundation partners with Indian Railways to rescue children in transit. Railway personnel are trained to recognize signs of trafficking to save children before it is too late. During one railway intervention, Childline staff intercepted four boys deceived by a trafficker promising employment. Instead, investigators found they were being taken to perform forced labor for 12-14 hours a day under abusive conditions. The foundation encounters similar cases every day, rescuing an average of more than 90 vulnerable children through its railway intervention program.

The foundation also raises public awareness about vulnerable children traveling by train, adorning trains and platforms with 200,000 signs advertising its initiative and contact information. Announcements on PA systems also draw attention, encouraging passengers to stay alert, and child kiosks, staffed 24 hours a day at more than 83 stations, facilitate swift action. These efforts account for 48,000 rescued children since 2015.

The outcomes have been encouraging, with hundreds of calls from passengers who believe children are trafficking victims. To afford futures for street-connected children in India, once rescued, they receive shelter, counseling and support as they begin rebuilding their lives.

Looking Ahead

Every child boarding trains to find a better future deserves the opportunity to thrive in a safe environment where education, stability and safety replace uncertainty and fear. For thousands of runaway children in India, a train ride begins as an escape from abuse but can lead to worse outcomes without effective intervention. While the challenges remain immense, expanding railway intervention programs, increasing public awareness and strengthening child protection systems offer hope that fewer children will fall victim to exploitation. Goals proposed by organizations such as Railway Children include family reunification and care, immediate protection and care, systemic policy, long-term empowerment and futures for street-connected children in India. With continued cooperation and awareness, children will have a chance at reconciliation with their families, the safety to thrive and an opportunity to look toward a brighter future.

– Elora Gunn

Elora is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Language Barriers and Indigenous Migrants in Mexico City

Woman in colorful clothing stands against a gray wall, reflecting Indigenous culture. Indigenous Migrants in Mexico CityIn Mexico, 38.5 million people lived in multidimensional poverty in 2024, and more than 8.3 million people recently moved out of poverty between 2022 and 2024. While those figures are alarming, the uneven spread of poverty is perhaps more concerning. Indigenous communities continue to face deeper exclusion, and in Mexico City, the pressure becomes practical when schools, shelters and support systems are not equipped to meet people in their language. For Indigenous migrants in Mexico City, language is tied to housing, schooling, paperwork and whether asking for help feels possible at all.

Indigenous Education Support Program

The Indigenous Education Support Program aims to address this issue. It provides lodging, food and educational support for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican children and young people, while also strengthening cultural identity. It is geared partly toward students who do not have the option of continuing school in their own communities. In a city where language can become another line of exclusion, support of this kind can keep younger people in school while preserving ties to community and identity that urban life can erode quickly.

Shelter Support

The same pressure appears in shelters. Reporting from the Latin America Working Group describes how CAFEMIN works with women, children and family groups arriving in Mexico City under increasingly difficult conditions. A shelter coordinator describes current arrivals as “forced migration” shaped by violence rather than only economic need. That phrase captures the pressure many families experience before they even reach the city. Many families are not only poor when they arrive, but they have also been uprooted, and the instability that follows them into the city can turn every form, question and office into another barrier. Under those conditions, legal guidance, daily care and help with paperwork are essential for people to find their footing.

SOS Children’s Villages

A measurable example can be found at SOS Children’s Villages Mexico City, which has worked in the city since 1971. According to the organization, 40 children and young people grow up in its care, 20 young people are supported on the way to independence and 30 people can take part in its various training programs. Its work extends beyond emergency response and includes education, training and family support intended to keep households together. For families already trying to navigate the city from a position of insecurity, help of this kind can narrow the distance between a family and the services it is trying to reach.

Looking Ahead

None of these efforts erase the barriers that Indigenous migrants face in Mexico City, and none solve poverty on their own. Still, they make the city easier to navigate. A place to stay, help remaining in school and support that treats families as more than a case file can soften the force of language barriers, even when those barriers remain. Mexico City is still difficult for many underrepresented families, but the programs in place suggest that services do not have to remain distant or impersonal. They can be made more reachable, more legible and more humane.

– Elliott J Carter

Elliott is based in Mexico City, Mexico and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How The Hunger Project Is Empowering Women in Rural India

Empowering Women in Rural IndiaIndia is a fast-growing country, with an economy predicted to become the world’s third-largest by 2027. Despite its rapid development, the country remains behind in closing the gender gap. Deep-rooted social norms and cultural barriers limit many women and girls, who face inequality in their daily lives, from classrooms to homes. This cycle perpetuates negative stereotypes and prevents Indian girls from achieving their full potential.

Empowering Women in Rural India

The patriarchal social structures embedded in Indian culture push women to focus on domestic responsibilities. As a result, many women feel pressure to prioritize child-rearing and marriage over education and employment. This is especially apparent in rural areas and marginalized communities.

The inequalities that women face extend beyond their homes and are reflected in both public and private sectors. Representation in ministerial positions is critical to advancing gender-sensitive policymaking. As of 2025, women hold about 10% of seats in parliament or legislative assemblies.

Their limited representation in policymaking makes it difficult to pass legislation that supports their interests. The following statistics highlight key issues:

  • The adult literacy rate for women is 13.4 percentage points lower than for men, with 74.9% of women literate compared to 88.3% of men in India.
  • 14 of every 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19 gave birth in India in 2023.
  • As of 2025, the labor participation rate for women is 32.4% compared to 77.6% for men.

Although the gap between women and men across education, safety and economic participation is slowly closing, a significant disparity remains that stems from structures historically dominated by men.

The Hunger Project India

To address these disparities, The Hunger Project India works to encourage women to take on decision-making roles through community-based programs and leadership training. The organization focuses on building and strengthening women’s leadership skills in local governance, particularly gram panchayats, or village councils, and expanding access for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities to education, health, nutrition and economic opportunities.

The organization recognizes that meaningful change starts at the community level. The Hunger Project is empowering women in public office to drive development through a social justice and gender lens and to create an enabling environment for adolescent girls to build their confidence, life skills and understanding of the structural barriers that affect their lives.

The program encourages girls to use their voices to claim their rights, negotiate for change and make informed decisions about their lives. By empowering women to take on leadership positions, the program helps create role models for young girls in their communities. Women holding these government positions also advocate against child marriage and encourage young girls to strive for independence.

Through intergenerational dialogue, women who have experienced the barriers created by restrictive practices can inform and educate younger women.

Program Successes

Many women have been successful through these programs. Shakuntala Devi is an elected woman representative from Malipokhar Bhinda, Bihar. She endured child marriage and spent much of her life providing for six children. In her leadership role, she now works to combat child marriage by promoting education. She aims to “educate all the girls in her village,” as she believes “we can truly stop child marriage if we educate and empower adolescent girls.”

In addition to supporting elected women representatives, The Hunger Project works directly with adolescent girls to build their voice and agency through life skills and girls’ leadership workshops.

The organization also spoke with The Borgen Project about the broader narrative around gender equity. A representative noted that women and girls are often seen as means to an end, with development frameworks placing a disproportionate burden on them to drive change for entire communities. To create sustainable change, responsibility must shift from the individual level to address the broader structural issues that shape the system. This requires engagement at multiple levels, including panchayat institutions, families and the larger community.

Looking Ahead

India’s path toward gender equality will depend on two major factors: investment in women’s education and a willingness to address the social barriers that limit women’s opportunities. The initiatives led by The Hunger Project India demonstrate the action needed to change the narrative surrounding women’s rights in India. Through consistent efforts and a community-level approach, the organization is gradually contributing to shifts in cultural norms that are empowering women in rural India.

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Action in South Sudan

Health Action in South SudanAmylia Deng’s sense of purpose and drive to make an impact emerged at a young age. As a naturally observant adolescent, she keyed in on the challenges around her, especially those affecting women and children, and she knew she wanted to be a part of that change. Growing up in South Sudan and Kenya gave her a unique perspective. Exposure to both environments shaped her worldview — one experience rooted in resilience and community, the other established with opportunities and possibilities.

Health Action in South Sudan

As CEO of Health Action in South Sudan since January 2019, Amylia Deng has dedicated herself to driving lasting impact. She helped enroll more than 200 children back into school, opening doors to children and families faced with financial, structural and social barriers. Deng said that many families cannot afford school fees or live in areas where schools are inaccessible. “There are also cultural factors where education is not always prioritized. Some children are forced into labor or early marriage instead of being in classrooms,” she said.

According to recent United Nations (U.N.) data, South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Around 70% of adults cannot read or write, approximately 84% of girls over the age of 15 are illiterate, and an estimated 2.8 million children are not in school.

Even before she fully understood it, Deng identified as an activist, author and had a flair for fashion. Writing became her way of processing and telling stories, activism became her voice and fashion allowed for self-expression. All three combined, allowing her to communicate who she is and what she stands for.

Representing South Sudan on a Global Stage

As a diplomat working within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Sudan and author of two books — Even After the Darkest Moments and Rising from the Ashes — her journey has led her to represent South Sudan on the global stage. In 2022, she founded Amylia Cosmetics. In 2024, she was crowned Miss International South Sudan.

When asked what challenges she has witnessed as a South Sudanese woman that still drive her work today, Deng said she witnessed limited access to education, early marriages, lack of opportunities and societal expectations that often silence women’s potential. She personally experienced instability and moments where she had to navigate systems that were not built to support young women. These experiences continue to drive her work because she knows what it feels like to have potential but limited access.

Deng said access to education is still one of the most urgent needs. Beyond that, there is a strong need for economic empowerment, health care and protection from gender-based violence. She emphasized that women and children need systems that not only support survival but also create pathways for growth and independence.

According to a statement by U.N. Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, approximately 5 million women and girls in South Sudan need help, with half requiring gender-based violence services.

The 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for South Sudan showed that 19% of children are stunted, only 42% attended primary school and 43% of women were married before age 18.

Deng said she would want the world to understand that South Sudan is more than a challenge. It is a country full of resilient, talented and ambitious people who, despite difficult circumstances, continue to rise, create and hope for a better future.

The challenges and responsibilities Deng carried early on had an impact on her life’s trajectory. They forced her to grow quickly and shaped her mindset. The roots of her drive and resilience, however, came from the strength of the women around her and her family.

From a global perspective, Deng said the international community should play a supportive but respectful role when partnering with local leaders and organizations in improving access to education in developing countries, rather than imposing solutions. She mentioned investment in infrastructure, teacher training and sustainable economic education programs as critical. Most importantly, she said those efforts should focus on long-term impact rather than short-term visibility.

A Crown as a Catalyst for Health Action in South Sudan

In many ways, Amylia Deng has become a bridge between the two worlds of hardship and possibility that originally influenced her. For her, the crown is not just an achievement but a duty and an honor to make an impact.

“Success is impact,” Deng said. “Changing lives. Creating opportunities where there were none. Building something that outlives me. It is not just about personal achievement. It is about how many people I can bring up with me.”

In closing, Deng expressed that young people, especially girls, growing up in difficult situations, do not have to let their environment determine their future. “You may start with less,” she said, “but you are not less. Stay focused, believe in your vision even when no one else does. Do not be afraid to take up space. Your story matters. You have the power to change not only your life, but the lives of others.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Global Link Teaching Refugees

Global LinkWhen a refugee arrives in the U.K., the first barrier is not just language. It is isolation. Since 1993, Lancashire-based NGO Global Link has built a bridge across that gap, evolving from a local development center into a national resettlement force.

Global Link operates on a simple belief: an inclusive Britain requires more than teaching refugees English. It requires social justice and conflict resolution, not just within refugee communities but across the U.K. as a whole.

Mission and Challenges

Global Link’s mission rests on three core strands: educating the general public on refugee matters, building cohesion between resettled and local populations in Lancashire and providing financial and advisory support to asylum seekers. Doing all of this comes with challenges. Asylum seekers may arrive from traumatic backgrounds or with no formal education, all while facing the constant threat of citizenship denial. Global Link then has roughly six months to begin teaching refugees English as a second language (ESL) before funded college classes become available.

Bridging the Language Gap

For newly arrived asylum seekers in Lancaster, access to English lessons is limited. Colleges often provide English classes through government-funded ESOL programs. However, many require asylum seekers to have lived in the U.K. for at least six months before becoming eligible. As a result, newly arrived asylum seekers frequently rely on charities and informal classes to learn English during that period.

Ryan Cove, a volunteer ESL teacher at Global Link, stated: “Global Link is one of the only places to offer ESL lessons to asylum seekers who have newly arrived.” With U.K. asylum policies becoming harsher and the required English level rising from B1 to B2, learning English quickly is more important than ever.

The curriculum prioritizes survival. Teachers run lessons on filling in asylum claims, registering with a GP, booking appointments by phone and reading prescription labels. The system aims to cover as many topics as possible and tailor them to specific needs; for instance, the process of getting medication from a pharmacy is broken down step by step.

For filling out asylum claims, Global Link works alongside another Lancaster charity, Refugee Advocacy, Information and Support (RAIS), which provides translation and advice. For more advanced students, lessons move on to job applications and business conversation skills. Cultural references create another layer of difficulty. Idioms, jokes and sayings can be difficult even for advanced ESL students. 

Learning Methods

While some refugees pick up English quickly through social media, others need graded language and visual support. Successful lessons are not always planned. As Cove noted about his students, Ukrainian refugees—mostly older women and mothers—responded best to cooking videos and discussions of travel. At the same time, local classes attended mainly by men from a range of nationalities engaged more with sport and food, allowing students to discuss their own cultures alongside their experiences in the U.K. Games also help.

There is no final exam for asylum seekers. When people arrive, their English levels vary widely depending on their home country and previous education. After six months, those with sufficient English proficiency become eligible for college classes. But success is measured individually: can the person use English in daily life? Can they see a doctor or get a job? 

This is why Global Link is such a valuable NGO: it does not judge success by a single exam but by meaningful progress that helps refugees move beyond mere survival.

National Integration Effort and Impact

Across the U.K., Global Link works to educate the wider public. These efforts take multiple forms, such as visits to institutions and open forums for refugee and local discussion. They also include simulations designed to give people in the U.K. a real understanding of the experiences of asylum seekers, such as Global Link’s “Escape to Safety” (E2S) exhibition.

This project is a tight labyrinth of rooms representing the difficulties and challenges that Iranian, Eritrean and Sudanese refugees—among others—face during the asylum-seeking process. Through its broad outreach, Global Link reached 64,000 people in 2025. Participants emerge from the labyrinth with a visceral understanding of what it means to flee home, wait months for decisions and navigate an unfamiliar system alone.

Nationally, the NGO offers a wide range of activities to bring communities together. These include sports tournaments, cooking classes where refugees and locals share family recipes, community agriculture projects and art workshops. Beyond this, it also offers workshops on critical skills such as driving and job-seeking. 

In 2025 alone, Global Link supported 410 refugees in their integration. In doing so, it creates more than just a development center; it creates a second home for refugees who would otherwise enter the U.K. completely isolated.

Conclusion

Global Link occupies a unique place in the U.K. that goes far beyond teaching refugees. It provides advanced, multi-layered ESL that addresses the challenges refugees face, supported by ongoing community-building for both locals and newcomers. As Cove puts it when describing why he decided to join Global Link, the work “lets you understand what they are going through on a personal basis… building a strong bond with an often neglected area of the community.” 

– Eli Thomson

Eli is based in Preston, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Flickr

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Faith-Based NGOs Reducing Poverty in Venezuela and Beyond

poverty in VenezuelaReducing poverty in Venezuela remains a challenge for local communities. More than 90% of the population lives below the poverty line and many families struggle to afford food and health care. High inflation has made basic goods increasingly unaffordable, worsening hunger and vulnerability. 

Faith-based organizations are stepping in to break this cycle of poverty and provide immediate relief and long-term support. Their work spans food distribution, education and income-generating initiatives. Th efforts of faith-based organizations address both urgent needs and structural challenges.

Expanding Aid To Remote Communities in Venezuela

In north-west Venezuela, religious sisters have expanded their outreach to remote villages. With new transport, they can now deliver food and medicine to isolated communities that previously had little access to essential supplies. They care for the sick and elderly, support homeless individuals and provide shelter for 30 orphaned or abandoned girls. 

The sisters also run a preschool for 80 children, offering education and meals that help reduce hunger during the school week. These services help break the cycle of poverty by improving access to food, child care and health care in historically underserved communities. Faith-based networks also play a broader humanitarian role across the country.

Church-linked organizations provide food assistance, nutrition support for children and pregnant women and water and sanitation programs to prevent illness. These initiatives help families meet basic needs and reduce the risk of malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups. Such interventions help stabilize households and prevent them from falling into extreme poverty.

Promoting Food Security and Income in Colombia

In Bogotá, Colombia, nuns partnered with educators to help women turn backyard spaces into small agricultural enterprises. Families grew vegetables to improve household nutrition and sold surplus produce to earn income. Many participants were grandmothers caring for children and the gardens gave them a source of income and greater financial independence.

This model addresses poverty through both food security and income generation. Entrepreneurship training further strengthened these efforts, with workshops covering financial management, marketing and customer relations. Within 18 months, more than 250 families were earning a livable wage through urban farming and small businesses.

Microloans also helped individuals launch enterprises, including food production and poultry farming. These initiatives show how faith-based collaboration can help communities move from short-term aid to sustainable livelihoods.

Supporting Long-Term Poverty Reduction in Kenya

In Mombasa, Kenya, a faith-run community center supports children living near a large slum, addressing challenges such as hunger, abandonment and lack of access to education. Its leaders also plan to expand the center into a full primary school and launch small-scale agricultural projects to improve food security.

In northern Kenya, religious sisters teach trade skills to young women to promote self-reliance and help them support their communities. This kind of skills training and education helps reduce poverty by improving long-term earning potential.

Across these regions, faith-based initiatives share common strategies. They provide immediate support such as meals, shelter and health care, while also promoting empowerment through education, entrepreneurship and skills training. By combining short-term relief with sustainable development, these faith-based organizations help communities build resilience against poverty.

Conclusion

From delivering food and reducing poverty in Venezuela to supporting women entrepreneurs in Colombia and teaching trade skills in Kenya, faith-based groups continue to play a crucial role in poverty alleviation. Their presence, volunteer networks and focus on community empowerment allow them to reach vulnerable populations and create pathways out of poverty.

– Demetra Mykoniatis

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

Photo: Pixabay