Archive for category: NGOs

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How Upcycling Plastic Feeds People in India

How Upcycling Plastic Feeds People in India Hunger is a persistent issue in cities like Ambikapur, Central India, but the hungry population of India has been presented with a solution. In a population of people suffering from food insecurity, upcycling is a means of nourishing vulnerable populations. As of 2025, people in Ambikapur embrace upcycling by using plastic as a form of currency that is exchanged for food. The plastic material is recycled to make new products. From an economic standpoint, impoverished people go hungry because they have little to no income, so they do not have the means to purchase food. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Rashmi Mondal shares how upcycling plastic addresses hunger: “I can get food for my family in exchange for the plastic I collect. It makes all the difference in our lives.”

Strategic Investment in Food Insecurity Initiatives

At the government level, the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) sanitation budget allocated funds toward a service called the Garbage Café. In 2019, this café served as a vehicle for reducing excessive plastic waste and serving food to homeless people in the city of Ambikapur. Government intervention has reduced the level of plastic waste in the country.

Over the past decade, the government has focused its efforts on the high level of plastic waste, ultimately implementing programs that inspire change in communities. Ambikapur had 226 tons of plastic pollution in 2024. As of 2025, the city has recycled almost all plastic waste in the area. According to The Economic Times, 170 nations approved the international treaty to end plastic pollution in 2023, making progress at the international level.

Current Climate Toward Upcycling Plastic

Millions of citizens have participated in giving away recyclable items. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) center initiatives include “The three-week campaign imaginatively named, ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh Sheher,’ is marked by significant mass mobilization, including the youth, SHGs, NGOs, market bodies, RWAs, startups, voluntary groups and celebrities.” Both NGOs and businesses have effectively mobilized people to participate in tackling the excessive plastic waste in the subcontinent.

India successfully engages the homeless population to clean up the plastic waste in cities, creating a solution for two major problems: hunger and pollution. Hungry people in India eat hot meals in exchange for their plastic at places like the Garbage Café, which feeds more than 20 people per day. While upcycling plastic waste, including water bottles and bags, is recycled to make material for new roads or brought to plastic waste facilities. In turn, it makes government income.

Upcycling Plastics Initiatives in India

India prioritized the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, which addresses sustainability, resource management and climate change. Similarly, Swachh Bharat made an impact by expanding public sanitation. “The natural and mutually beneficial nexus between SBM and mission LiFE is unmistakable. Both are anchored to RRR – reduce, reuse and recycle – to achieve their objectives: clean cities and sustainable development, while providing a mainstay to the circular economy.” The BBC reports that the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban has seen plastic in landfills reach two tons per year in 2024.

How Repurposing Plastic Cleans Up Communities

A variety of people from different backgrounds reduce their community pollution levels by bringing plastic waste to collection centers, while government organizations like the Garbage Café distribute upcycled plastic to be made into new products. Recycling efforts reduce plastic waste in cities and landfills, making local communities a cleaner place to live, and most importantly, preventing low-income populations from experiencing malnutrition.

Another by-product of these services is the creation of jobs in India. Collection centers employ hundreds of women to separate waste for processing. India is actively improving its environment by reducing plastic in landfills through controlled consumption, thus releasing lower amounts of waste into the disposal system. Environmental conditions in Indian communities improved with the addition of RRR centers, inspiring similar initiatives, including zero-waste events.

Since employees at collection centers manage waste without hygiene support, processing surplus plastic presents health and safety challenges to staff. Standard supplies are not enough to prevent health complications caused by exposure to toxic waste. Professor Minal Pathak observed that staff may come in direct contact with bacteria without standard protective gear.

The Ambikapur Mission City Level Federation emphasized the significance of the women’s work at the waste facility, stating, “The centers have collected and recycled approximately 50,000 tons of dry waste such as plastic, paper/cardboard, metals and e-waste since they began in 2016.” The state of Chhattisgarh scaled the process of upcycling plastic through door-to-door collection of discarded plastic materials throughout the state.

Looking Ahead

While efforts to eliminate plastic waste have created a positive chain of events, Siliguri in West Bengal, India, provides meals for people who bring plastic. Adding to the upcycling plastic trend, Mulugu in Telangana state trades rice for a kilogram of plastic, while state-funded organizations serve free breakfast. The expansion of upcycling plastic programs designed to supply food to people living in poverty has resulted in additional Garbage Cafés in New Delhi. When campaigns shift public perception, collaboration between private citizens, government and NGOs increases community engagement, pushing India closer to combating hunger and waste with its continued support.

– Lala McCullough

Lala is based in Brentwood, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Ghana: How Al-Ayn is Working to Solve It

Child Poverty in GhanaGhana is a West African nation with Côte d’Ivoire to its west, Burkina Faso to its north, Togo to its east and the Atlantic Ocean to its south. Ghana is a low-income state, and children are particularly affected by poverty. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), three-quarters of Ghanaian children are deprived in at least three dimensions of poverty. Al-Ayn is an organization that works with children across the world to bring them out of poverty and has recently started working in Ghana. It addresses poverty in a multidimensional sense, focusing on numerous areas rather than just income.

How Poverty Affects Children in Ghana

  • Health. In Ghana, one in 17 children do not survive to adulthood. This is largely due to disease and malnutrition, facilitated by overburdened and ineffective infrastructure. In 2018, 97.4% of children under five years old who were malnourished were classed as underweight, wasting or stunted. This shows that food security is a problem for young children. Alongside malnutrition, child labor has a negative effect on children’s health. More than 20% of children between 5 and 17 years old engage in child labor, mostly in the cocoa business where they are exposed to dangerous chemicals such as mercury.
  • Education. Education is important for Ghanaian children because it can allow them to pull themselves out of poverty in adulthood. However, Ghana’s rapid population growth has caused significant overcrowding in classrooms, limiting the effectiveness of education. Ghana’s literacy rate is around 80%, which is high compared to other African countries, but only 47% of Ghanaian children complete lower secondary education. Although primary education and, to an extent, secondary education are both free, major inequality remains.
  • Housing and Sanitation. Living conditions are closely linked to both health and education for children in Ghana. Many impoverished children live in unhygienic and sometimes dangerous conditions. Lack of clean drinking water causes the spread of diseases such as cholera and various parasitic infections. Beyond the immediate effects of disease, this also disrupts children’s education. Unreliable housing and sanitation negatively affect children later in life, stunting immune system growth and impeding development.

The Impacts of Al-Ayn

Al-Ayn is a nongovernmental organization that has worked with children, particularly orphans, around the world who are living in poverty. It focuses on these children because they are among the most vulnerable members of society. Al-Ayn was influential in Iraq, helping more than 170,000 orphaned children gain access to housing, education and health care.

Al-Ayn has been tackling child poverty in Ghana since 2021. Its focus is on the multidimensional nature of poverty, addressing it from multiple angles. Al-Ayn focuses on health care, education, housing and sanitation. Although separate, these areas are closely linked and work together to improve the environment in which impoverished children grow up.

Al-Ayn is largely a boots-on-the-ground organization, directly involving itself with orphaned children in particular. As of 2023, more than 160 orphans in Ghana have been supported by Al-Ayn through safe housing and sanitation, reliable health care and effective education. Another important way Al-Ayn has been helping children and families in Ghana is by assisting them in obtaining legal documentation. This gives them a better chance of receiving education, health care and employment. Legal documentation also makes children and families eligible for government programs, which can help lift them out of poverty.

Looking Ahead

Child poverty in Ghana is a national problem that affects millions of children across the country. However, Al-Ayn’s work offers reason for optimism. Its multidimensional approach, combined with its continued commitment, is helping improve the lives of children in Ghana.

– Oliver Evans

Oliver is based in Devon, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Changing Climate and Poverty in Fiji

Poverty in FijiFiji, long celebrated as a South Pacific paradise, now faces the growing threat of changing weather patterns, a crisis that endangers both its land and its citizens. With more than 75% of the population living along the coast and about half living below the national poverty line, many Fijians cannot afford the home adaptations or relocations needed to ensure their safety. This leaves impoverished communities especially vulnerable. 

Cyclone Winston: A Devastating Wake-Up Call

In 2016, Cyclone Winston, the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, destroyed much of Fiji overnight. The storm claimed 44 lives, critically injured hundreds, and damaged 88 of the country’s 124 health facilities. With estimated economic losses of $1.3 billion, thousands were left homeless. As of 2025, many communities are still rebuilding homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that damage caused by rising sea levels could cost Fiji an average of 1.8% of its GDP annually between 2020 and 2050. For many already living in poverty in Fiji, the economic efforts required for recovery remain a persistent challenge as these events become increasingly frequent.

The Borgen Project spoke with Grace Chang, the Fiji Partnership Manager at ThinkPacific, a social enterprise that collaborates with local partners to develop community initiatives. Chang said, “Many affected communities are still rebuilding infrastructure, homes and livelihoods. Cyclone Winston highlights the need for stronger disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable areas, which continues to shape recovery and support programs.”

Humanitarian Initiatives

The Fijian government and international organizations are working to address poverty while strengthening communities’ resilience to the changing climate. Cash transfer systems, anticipatory frameworks and mental health services have been established to help the nation’s poorest citizens recover from and prepare for future challenges.

To help vulnerable populations weather economic shocks after natural disasters, the Fijian government, alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has begun piloting the parametric insurance program. This program is designed to ensure that low-income households in Fiji can afford to cover the costs of any damage caused during extreme weather events. The aim is for registered households to receive a cash payout directly to their bank accounts immediately after the disaster strikes so they can rebuild and recover swiftly from any damages. This rapid payout system ensures funds are readily available post-destruction, allowing for timely recovery.

Anticipatory Action Framework

In November 2023, the Fijian government, in partnership with the United Nations, introduced the Anticipatory Action Framework for Tropical Cyclones, relying on meteorological forecasts to predict a cyclone’s impact on vulnerable communities. A “trigger” mechanism has been designed to release pre-arranged funding, which will be made available promptly to humanitarian actors to ensure those most affected can access the resources they need.

When activated, the framework’s pre-planned interventions include:

  • Distributing safe shelter kits
  • Providing boat-strengthening kits to fishing communities
  • Pre-positioning educational materials for schools
  • Distributing food and cash to families facing impending storms

By acting before a storm strikes, the Anticipatory Action Framework ensures that vulnerable communities are not just responding to disaster but are protected and empowered to withstand it.

The Importance of Mental Health

Humanitarian aid organizations have also recognized that the physical rebuilding of Fiji must go hand in hand with emotional recovery, especially for those living in poverty who are least able to absorb the shocks of climate disasters. Cyclones devastate homes and livelihoods, leaving communities even more economically vulnerable than before.

Chang again stated, “The increasing frequency and severity of climate events have caused stress, anxiety and trauma, particularly for those who have lost homes, land or family members. Many community members face ongoing uncertainty about future disasters.”

For the poorest families, these stresses are compounded by financial insecurity. Lost crops, damaged fishing equipment and destroyed homes often mean they struggle to rebuild their lives. In response, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Empower Pacific have been providing trauma counseling and psychological first aid to those who cannot afford private care. The Fiji Red Cross has also expanded its mental health and psychosocial support programs, emphasizing that true recovery must address both physical damage and emotional well-being.

A Beacon of Resilience and Hope

Despite all the devastation, there is hope for this island nation. Fiji shows that even in the face of incredible destruction, hope persists. The changing climate remains a growing threat, but with the support of humanitarian organizations and government efforts, it is never too late to help those living in poverty in Fiji.

– Niamh Trinder

Niamh is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Smaller INGOs in Honduras and Beyond

Smaller INGOS in Honduras and BeyondWith the recent federal cuts to world aid funding in the United States (U.S.), smaller international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) have both felt the strain and shown a particular resiliency. Melanie Gibbons, who has worked with the Lutheran World Relief and merger company Corus for more than 20 years, has witnessed the benefits of smaller INGOs. She highlights how working locally, collaborating with other INGOs, operating on a smaller scale and maintaining the “nimble” qualities of a small organization can be an asset in the nonprofit sector.

Honduras’ Smaller INGOs and Tuition-Free School

In Honduras, just 38% of high school students graduate. At El Hogar, a tuition-free school supported by international aid, that number jumps to 92%. After years of work, helping with the world’s poorest countries, INGOs of all sizes have realized the importance of working locally in order to accomplish sustainable progress in a region, avoid unnecessary power struggles, honor the people that they are serving and get to root causes. And working locally often means working smaller. “And this is where the benefit of the larger organizations, working with the smaller organizations, is so good,” Gibbons says. “Because these smaller organizations who are right there in and their communities will know more quickly where needs are shifting, or what is most culturally appropriate or needed.” 

The Goal of Any Good Aid Organization

The goal of any good aid organization, Gibbons says, is to put themselves out of business. She lifts up the example of Splash International, an organization that provides water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in high need cities throughout the world. It plans to accomplish its implementation goals and close its doors in 30 years and it is on track to see that happen.  

“Those relationships are what will create the ability to scale later, to pivot quickly and to meet the right needs at the right time. So the relationships are crucial.” Fundraising is a matter of relationships, which are a matter of trust and working locally. Often, working more intimately creates relationships that can last for a long time and create generational change in different regions. Gibbons emphasized that fundraising ultimately comes down to relationships, with trust as the foundation.

In her view, smaller organizations that work locally and closely with communities are especially positioned to develop long-term bonds. Those connections, she noted, can create ripple effects that last for generations. At the same time, she acknowledged that smaller INGOs face challenges—such as limited visibility and resources—which makes collaboration with larger organizations essential for sustaining impact.

Building Trust Quicker

Smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are flexible in relational terms, as well. Able to form relationships and build trust more rapidly than larger organizations. An example of this is Splash International’s work in Addis Ababa. The organization started with government schools in implementing WASH solutions like water fountains, child-friendly toilets, and hand-washing stations. After implementing them in all of the government schools, with the help of the local government, it is scaling up and reaching out to the housing and business sectors in the region. “And this I would say that that gets back to the question of scale,” Gibbons said, “and how sometimes we underestimate the smaller organizations’ role in sector solutions. They have the ability to try new things and learn quickly at a smaller scale and then translate those learnings into larger investments that can be multiplied.”

Another benefit of smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond is the collaboration that takes place among the organizations. “I think for the most part it’s a very supportive environment,” Gibbons said about the collaboration between small organizations. “Executive directors of small organizations know that they need each other. We’re always learning from each other and being supported.” Though sometimes they are vying for the same money from funders, “There’s more collaboration than competition,” Gibbons said. 

Having an Abundance Mindset is Crucial

Overall, one of the biggest assets of running, or working for, smaller INGOs is the ability to revamp the system in creative ways. Gibbons believes there’s enough out there to provide for the needs of the poorest and neediest in the world. “I really do, in my heart, believe that there’s enough for everyone, not only to survive but to thrive. The sector has some opportunities to be creative and think differently, and that’s exciting to be part of. I’m grateful to have the chance to be part of the solutions.” While she hurts for all who are hurting because of the budget cuts, she also sees a window for positive growth and change within the INGOs sector. 

Looking Ahead

Because of their ability to work locally, work collaboratively and work creatively, smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are making a big difference in providing important humanitarian aid to the world. The landscape of world aid is going through a shift, and smaller INGOs are providing relief where it is needed and working at a smaller scale and in a nimbler way to provide scalable solutions.

– Gregory Walker

Gregory is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Maya Pedal: Bikes Transforming Lives in Guatemala

maya pedalIn a small, rural and predominantly Indigenous town in Guatemala, one NGO has found a new way to generate electricity whilst keeping costs low and fitness levels high. Maya Pedal began in 1997 in San Andrés Itzapa, 50 kilometres from Guatemala City, and takes old bikes which have been donated from the US and Canada and either sells them or repurposes them into bicimaquinas (bike machines). Local people and businesses then use these machines as makeshift water pumps, corn degrainers and blenders, among other things.

The name refers to the significant Indigenous population in Guatemala, who are primarily of Mayan descent, whilst ‘pedal’ has the same meaning in English. Mayans made up just under half of the national population, but studies suggest they remain one of the poorest and most oppressed groups in the country.

Local Projects

Not only do the bicimaquinas save local people money, time and effort, they also help some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the area by providing work and a sense of purpose.

Women for Development in Action is a local organization that enables women to grow their own aloe plants before using the bicimaquina as a blender and producing shampoo. As Ana María Guch explains, “First, we cut the aloe, then we take off the skin, cut it into little pieces and put it in the blender. Next, we pedal!” The profits they make from selling their shampoo go towards supporting their families and funding their reforestation project.

Another organisation, Women’s Group for AZUCENA, supports women as they produce their own animal feed by using the bicimaquina as a corn degrainer. Aside from their agricultural projects, the organisation also runs Spanish literacy classes for Indigenous women, giving them a better chance of integrating into society and improving their social mobility, Maya Pedal reports on its website.

Mario Juarez, Director of Maya Pedal, also explains the environmental benefits of creating the bicimaquinas: “I believe with what we do we contribute a little to reduce the damage that as human beings we do to the planet.”

International Impact

Maya Pedal has received international acclaim for its innovative bicimaquinas – as Carlos Enrique Marroquin, Head of Maya Pedal, outlines: “We do not have to do any advertising, because the machine speaks for itself – and as such, the NGO receives volunteer engineers, translators and bike mechanics from all over the world.”

It has also made its machine designs free and available to download anywhere in the world, so that anyone can access them and learn to build and use them themselves, creating a brighter, more environmentally friendly future for everyone, starting with the Maya community in San Andrés Itzapa.

– Elsa Tarring

Elsa is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Initiatives to Empower Ukrainian Women Through Entrepreneurship

Ukrainian WomenImpact Force is a women-founded Ukrainian nongovernmental organization (NGO) that supports vulnerable groups with skills and resources. It helps small and medium-sized businesses grow sustainably and advises government bodies on reforms that promote transparency and inclusion.

Its program, “Dream and Achieve,” launched in 2023, has recently finalized its second cohort. The initiative was created to empower Ukrainian women through entrepreneurship. It receives support from international organizations like U.N. Women and government institutions such as France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Hope Amid Loss

Nina Levchuk and Olga Diakova are the co-leaders of the Dream and Achieve program on business development. The project emerged in response to the rising unemployment and the negative impact the Russian invasion had on women’s role in the economy. The program is designed to support those affected by war struggles, including internally displaced people, veterans and single mothers and to empower Ukrainian women through entrepreneurship.

The initiative offers a three-month training in digital marketing, socially responsible business models and strategies and personal mentorship. It also gives participants $1000 in financial assistance for their entrepreneurship initiatives.

Success Stories

The training and valuable insights have helped many women to take a bold step, whether launching a new business or reshaping the strategy of an existing one. Despite the different motivations, the program participants agree that Dream and Achieve has guided them to success.

  • Olena Vlasynevych is the wife of a veteran and also a yoga and meditation instructor. She founded Ashram Spokoiu to help women through stress and loss. Through the program, she refined her focus on women above 40 seeking harmony, strengthening her business vision. She’s expanding her offerings with new products, retreats and a solid online presence.
  • Anastasiia Filonenko created FILOCERA, a ceramics and sculpture brand that channels emotion through art. Her works decorate homes and restaurants, serving both domestic and therapeutic purposes. Thanks to Dream and Achieve, she relaunched her Etsy store and reached global customers.
  • Aliona Demchenko was relocated from Balky to Dnipro with her child. She launched Veseli Lystochky, a reusable notebook brand that combines learning and playing. They support children’s logic and memory development. After attending the Dream and Achieve program, she doubled her profits. She also gained skills in customer relationship management (CRM) and marketplaces. Now, her next goal is to open a child development center.

Impacts of the 2023 Cohort

The program received more than 1,000 applications, from which 80 women were selected. At the beginning of the program, 75% of the women hoped to acquire skills in using online platforms and e-commerce tools. By the end, 98% assured having improved their knowledge and skills in business management and the digital economy. Beyond training, the program came to be a boost to participants’ businesses. More than 32% reported an improvement in income and financial stability.

Many participants described the experience as inspirational and hope for more women to benefit from it. The initiative demonstrates a powerful truth: the first step in rebuilding a country needs people who dare to dream big.

– Sara Arias Saiz

Sara is based in Leipzig, Germany and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Venezuela’s Anti-NGO Law Looms: 2 Organizations Fighting Back

Venezuela’s Anti-NGO LawVenezuela is one of the most disadvantaged countries in the world, with poverty rates of more than 91%. Currently, there is an influx of Venezuelan immigrants seeking refuge in neighboring countries. According to the U.N., almost 8 million Venezuelans have left the country since 2014 due to “rampant violence,” along with “inflation, gang-warfare, soaring crime rates, …shortages of food, medicine and essential services.” With the amount of human rights concerns concentrated in the area, Venezuelan citizens are in desperate need of additional support. However, with the passing of the Law for the Control, Regularization, Operations and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations, informally known as Venezuela’s anti-NGO law, the government seems set on making it as difficult as possible for them to access the life-saving services provided by non-governmental organizations.

According to Amnesty International, “The approval of this law aims to keep Venezuelan civil society from continuing to stand alongside victims [of poverty, violent crime, et cetera] and providing assistance in ways that authorities are unable to.” In this time of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to support organizations that are challenging the country’s tyrannous government.

Hogar Bambi Venezuela

Founded in 1992, Hogar Bambi Venezuela focuses on providing care to children and youth misplaced from their families “due to abuse, mistreatment or economic hardship.” The organization organizes “temporary, substitute” homes for the children, then facilitates their return to their families – or the adoption process, if the first option is not feasible.

American-based organization Bambi International Foundation is a long-time supporter of Hogar Bambi Venezuela. It funds various projects to support the Venezuelan NGO in its mission to care for displaced minors.

One project it completed in recent years was the purchase of a private vehicle. Before purchasing the vehicle, staff members of Hogar Bambi were unable to transport all of the children to necessary medical appointments due to the unreliability of the Venezuelan public transportation system. The project helped Hogar Bambi transport the children for their medical appointments and necessary services such as cardiology, dermatology, laboratory, surgical examinations, etc.

Bambi International Foundation also facilitates the building and renovation of structures to house them. In 2020, it raised nearly $6,000 towards renovating and installing electricity in a building housing 36 displaced Venezuelan infants.

Currently, Bambi International Foundation is campaigning for a new cause – the Sports and Recreation for Children and Adolescents Deprived of a Family project. It is currently 40% of the way to completing its goal of raising $25,000 to provide at-risk Venezuelan youth with access to recreational activities such as team sports, swimming lessons and various outdoor adventures.

Fundacion Jacinto Convit

Inspired by the work and values of Doctor Jacinto Convit, Fundacion Jacinto Convit has been working for 13 years to make health services and education accessible throughout Venezuela. The organization funds “scientific research, healthcare programs, and educational and community projects, through a multidisciplinary team, to contribute to the well-being of the most vulnerable populations and to the country’s social development.”

Fundacion Jacinto Convit has made revolutionary strides in medicine, particularly in making cancer treatment more accessible. One project it currently has in development is ContiVax – an immunotherapy treatment that targets breast cancer. The treatment is currently being put through clinical trials throughout the Americas and Europe, and will hopefully prove to be a safe, effective, low-cost treatment option for patients who either can not afford or cannot access chemotherapy, or prefer an alternative for any reason.

In addition to ContiVax, the NGO  focuses on providing a “highly specialized free medical assistance service for the molecular diagnosis of malignant neoplastic diseases (such as leukemia and some solid tumors) and infectious diseases (mainly HIV)” through their Molecular Diagnostic Unit, hopefully contributing “to the improvement of mortality and morbidity rates in patients with some types of cancer.”

Fundacion Jacinto Convit also focuses on educating Venezuelan youth. One of its educational programs, Values Through Science, facilitates talks, lessons, film screenings, and educational activities at schools, conferences, and other community spaces. The project is intended to encourage Venezuelan youth to develop an interest in the sciences while promoting critical thought, curiosity, and teamwork.

Venezuela’s Anti-NGO Law: In Conclusion

Although the passing of Venezuela’s anti-NGO law seems intent on preventing the country’s needy from accessing the life-saving services that they require, the country’s NGOs are not giving up.

– Helena Birbrower

Helena is based in Davis, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bakeries Ensure Food and Job Security in Ukraine

Food and Job security in UkraineSince the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, poverty has increased across the country. In 2023, 20% of previously employed Ukrainians lost their jobs and struggled to access food and essential services. Displaced individuals report that employment opportunities are critical for their return home. The conflict has driven a sharp rise in food insecurity, with more than 7 million Ukrainians facing moderate to severe levels of food scarcity. This includes 1.2 million children. Along the frontlines, the crisis is even more severe—up to 27% of households experience food insecurity at extreme levels. Good Bread and Bake for Ukraine are working to address both food access and employment, particularly for vulnerable populations in Ukraine’s most affected areas.

Good Bread

Good Bread operates along the frontlines to provide mentally disabled Ukrainians with job opportunities and skills training while distributing food to those in need. The organization bakes 1,500 loaves of bread daily, along with cupcakes and hot meals.

A number of its active projects include Food Fighters, which distributes meals to homeless communities in Kyiv and Suspended Cupcakes, which delivers 900-gram cupcakes to military personnel and individuals in neuropsychiatric institutions. These ongoing efforts provide both nutritional and emotional support in difficult times. Good Bread also prioritizes job training and stability. Individuals with mental disabilities gain long-term skills through employment in the charity’s kitchens. An initiative, Hang a Cupcake, has become a routine and empowering task for many of the program’s workers.

Since 2022, the organization has delivered about 800,000 loaves of bread, employed more than 70 individuals with disabilities and distributed more than 200 hot lunches per week. The cupcakes—often symbolic of dignity and care—have also reached those most in need of encouragement. Good Bread relies entirely on donations to fund its mission. Its dual focus on food and employment has supported resilience in communities facing the daily realities of war.

Bake for Ukraine

Bake for Ukraine focuses on supporting local bakeries and delivering free bread to vulnerable communities, while also preserving Ukraine’s traditional bread culture, particularly the hearth-baked Palyanytsya. The initiative was launched to prevent bakery closures caused by war-related economic shocks. Through donor support, Bake for Ukraine supplies bakeries with funds, equipment and ingredients tailored to each business’s specific needs. An early project helped build a bakery in the basement of a local church. Similar efforts continue currently.

The organization also established mobile bakeries across Ukraine, including repurposed 1960s Swiss Army vehicles. These mobile units supply remote and underserved areas with fresh, shelf-stable bread, even where infrastructure is limited. Felicity Spector, journalist and author of “Bread and War,” emphasized the impact of the initiative. “At a time when people rely upon both hope and normality, workers and volunteers are delivering bread to those most in need and ensuring stability and job security for bakers across the country.” Despite challenges in maintaining funding, she described Bake for Ukraine’s work as far-reaching and essential.

Food and Job Security in Ukraine

Bread holds deep cultural significance in Ukraine, from ceremonial loaves to its role in wartime symbolism. Palyanytsya has even lent its name to military equipment during the ongoing conflict. Good Bread and Bake for Ukraine not only addresses immediate needs but also preserves a vital part of Ukraine’s identity. Their work reflects a broader effort to protect food and job security in Ukraine. Furthermore, they sustain livelihoods, provide dignity and ensure stability as the country faces continued displacement and economic strain.

– Macy Hall

Macy is based in Dover, Kent, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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NGOs Supporting Palestinians Amid Conflict and Hardship

How NGOs Are Supporting Palestinians Amid Conflict and HardshipDecades of conflict and hardship have left millions of Palestinians in need of humanitarian assistance, with 3.3 million requiring aid in Gaza and the West Bank. Amid widespread poverty—nearly half of Palestinian families live below the poverty line—80% of Gazans depend on relief supplies to survive. In response, a network of international and local NGOs are supporting Palestinians by providing life-saving aid, fostering economic resilience and advocating for human rights to support Palestinian communities.

PRCS and the Red Cross

Amid conflict, medical teams and first responders work tirelessly to deliver critical care under fire. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has been treating the injured and distributing essential supplies despite extreme dangers. By early January 2024, PRCS teams in Gaza had treated about 15,000 injured people while also distributing food, water, blankets and medical supplies to displaced families seeking shelter in hospitals. However, these humanitarian efforts have come at a cost, with ambulances and medical staff frequently coming under attack.

The ICRC has reinforced PRCS’s efforts by delivering relief supplies to more than 1.8 million displaced Gazans and providing cash assistance to more than 110,000 vulnerable individuals. In the West Bank, the ICRC has implemented emergency cash grants for 910 families whose homes were destroyed while also improving water and sanitation systems that benefit many residents. Together, these joint emergency medical efforts have been a lifeline for Palestinian civilians, ensuring that those in the most dire conditions receive critical support.

Healing Hands: International Medical Aid in Gaza

Beyond emergency response teams, international medical NGOs are addressing urgent health care shortages and providing life-saving treatment for Palestinians. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which has operated in Gaza for decades, continues to provide surgical and burns care despite hospitals sustaining severe damage.

Following an airstrike on a refugee camp in northern Gaza in 2023, MSF teams treated 50 wounded patients in a single day at Al-Awda Hospital. Over the year, MSF provided more than 107,000 outpatient consultations, conducted 3,670 surgeries and led 13,300 mental health sessions for patients recovering from PTSD and war-related trauma.

Similarly, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has led one of its biggest humanitarian responses to date. In 2024 alone, MAP provided medical aid and humanitarian support to nearly 1 million Palestinians in Gaza. Working with local hospitals, MAP dispatched dozens of truckloads of medical supplies, including 32 aid trucks since a January 2025 ceasefire. Additionally, emergency medical teams have performed more than 7,593 consultations and 1,587 surgeries for injured civilians.

MAP’s work has also included hospital rehabilitation efforts, setting up new surgical wards and field clinics, while screening 47,000 people for malnutrition to prevent famine. As conflict continues to strain Gaza’s fragile health care system, these NGOs play a crucial role in sustaining life-saving medical operations.

Essential Aid for Displaced Families

Beyond medical care, NGOs are supporting displaced Palestinians by ensuring they receive necessities such as food, clean water and shelter. Save the Children, which has been active in the occupied Palestinian territories since the 1970s, has reached more than 1 million people in Gaza through relief efforts across 50 locations. The organization has distributed drinking water, food parcels, hygiene kits and winter supplies while also establishing Child-Friendly Spaces to support children’s mental health.

Similarly, Oxfam has launched an extensive emergency response, overcoming severe logistical challenges to assist. Since October 2023, Oxfam and its local partners have assisted more than 262,000 people in Gaza, including 120,000 children. Its efforts include:

  • Delivering clean water to 120,000 people through desalination units and latrines
  • Providing food aid to 140,000 individuals, including fresh vegetables from remaining local farms
  • Distributing winter supplies, including blankets and warm clothing, to 42,000 displaced people
  • Supplying cash vouchers, allowing families to buy essentials as needed

Despite ongoing fuel shortages and security threats, these organizations continue to provide vital aid to families facing extreme hardship.

Building Long-Term Resilience

While immediate humanitarian relief is crucial, NGOs are also working to rebuild Palestinian livelihoods by fostering economic resilience. The ICRC has provided cash grants to nearly 2,800 vulnerable individuals in the West Bank, helping sustain livestock and agriculture in rural communities. These grants allow farming families to replace lost animals and continue producing food despite instability.

Oxfam has also been instrumental in supporting Palestinian entrepreneurship. In Gaza, Oxfam-backed programs have helped individuals like Aya Kishko, a carpenter who opened a workshop recycling scrap wood into furniture despite the blockade. With limited raw materials entering Gaza, her business—supported by Oxfam initiatives—not only generates income but also repurposes scarce resources, showcasing NGO-driven resilience efforts. By investing in local businesses and sustainable economic opportunities, these organizations are empowering Palestinians to rebuild their futures despite ongoing challenges.

Balancing Aid and Advocacy

From field hospitals to food distribution centers, the NGOs supporting Palestinians provide a range of humanitarian services to Palestinians facing crisis and recovery efforts. While emergency aid addresses immediate survival needs, development programs focus on supporting livelihoods and long-term stability. However, demand for assistance continues to exceed available resources and aid agencies face operational challenges, including security risks and restricted access. As the situation continues, NGOs play a significant role in addressing humanitarian needs and supporting ongoing recovery efforts.

– Leah Ishak

Leah is based in Exeter, Devon, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in Kibera

Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in KiberaKibera, one of the world’s largest slums, is home to more than 230,000 men, women and children on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Many households survive on less than $2 a day, struggling with a lack of infrastructure, waste management, plumbing and water access. The high cost of refrigeration prevents residents from safely storing food, contributing to malnutrition and health risks. Waste accumulates in the streets and waterways, placing additional strain on the community.

The Barriers to Education in Kibera

Extreme poverty limits access to education, leaving 60% of children without formal schooling. The few available classrooms are overcrowded, with student-teacher ratios reaching 100-to-1 due to insufficient infrastructure, staff and resources. Without intervention, many children miss out on opportunities to build a better future.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Little Lions opened its first school on the outskirts of Kibera in 2019. Through generous contributions, the team created a safe learning space for 167 students and counting. The school provides more than just education—students participate in art classes, dance competitions and soccer tournaments, building confidence and teamwork. Technology is another crucial element of the curriculum. Donated computers and online tutoring tools help students develop digital literacy, an essential skill for future opportunities. Before focusing on academics, however, the school prioritizes basic needs. Children receive two hot meals daily, sometimes the only food they will have, as well as plumbed bathrooms with running water—a rare necessity in Kibera.

Little Lions: Breaking Barriers Through Education

Little Lions is working to change this reality by providing structured, high-quality education in Kibera. The program ensures that young residents gain knowledge, skills and resources to build prosperous futures. The initiative focuses on nutrition, modern learning methods, personalized care and emotional support to address the deeper challenges of poverty.

Tuju Otieno, Little Lions Project Director, leads a team of educators who understand the hardships of growing up in informal settlements. Many teachers and staff were once orphaned or raised in slums, giving them a deep connection to the students. Little Lions offers a holistic approach to learning, combining the British and Kenyan curriculums while integrating counseling, music and art therapy to help children process the realities of their environment.

Beyond the Classroom: Supporting the Community

Little Lions’ impact extends beyond the students. The school employs about 20 staff members, including kitchen workers, teachers and sanitation crews, reducing high unemployment rates in the area. Through a partnership with Penda Health, the school provides health screenings for students and their families, ensuring their overall well-being. Parents are also included in the initiative through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and positive parenting workshops. Strengthening families allows students to thrive both at school and at home, reinforcing their ability to succeed.

A Ripple Effect in Kibera

Since its launch, Little Lions has transformed the lives of many Kiberans. Students have gained confidence, curiosity and academic skills and many have gone on to pursue secondary education. As education access expands, economic opportunities increase, helping to break the cycle of poverty in the community. By investing in education, holistic care and community development, Little Lions aims to prove that sustainable change is possible, even in the most challenging environments.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr