Information and stories about nonprofit organizations and NGOs

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Bridges to Prosperity: Tackling Rural Isolation in East Africa

Rural Isolation in East AfricaFika, formerly known as Bridges to Prosperity, is an NGO that operates in East Africa to address rural isolation. What started as a small partnership with local communities to construct trail bridges now operates in 21 countries. It has built 480 trail bridges and has reached approximately 1.7 million people.

Despite being historically underestimated, rural isolation is a root cause of poverty. Approximately 1 billion people are considered rurally isolated, meaning they live more than two kilometers from an all-season road and 80% of people living in extreme poverty reside in rural areas. A significant proportion of these populations live in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring that no long-term impact can be achieved without first addressing rural isolation in East Africa.

Fika’s Impact So Far

Over the past few years, Fika has had its greatest impact in Rwanda. Since partnering with the Rwanda Transport Development Agency in 2019 and building 200 bridges, the organization has reached more than 800,000 people nationwide. Fika estimates that each bridge results, on average, in a 75% increase in farm profits and a 30% increase in household income.

This impact benefits local communities and demonstrates a strong return on investment for a trail bridge. In fact, Fika calculated that each trail bridge returns 49% of its cost in increased economic activity annually, meaning each bridge essentially pays for itself within two years of operation. Even when considering nonmonetary factors, connecting communities to critical services has led to a 200% increase in school attendance among girls and improved access to health care in Rwanda.

These outcomes show a clear correlation between poverty and rural isolation in East Africa, meaning one cannot be addressed without the other. Furthermore, after years of research and testing, Fika designed a trail bridge model that is both cost-effective and sustainable. When the project began, the founders had limited access to heavy, durable materials.

As a result, it developed a system that uses repurposed and locally sourced materials to construct the trail bridges. These bridges are now simple to build and highly resilient, capable of withstanding the volatile climates of the countries in which they are built.

Vision for the Future

While many people have already benefited from the organization’s work, millions remain isolated from critical services. Fika aims to expand into other East African countries and broaden its reach into Central Africa; its newest program is launching in Zambia, with the goal of connecting 500,000 people by 2030. Most importantly, Fika is working to move away from philanthropy toward a more sustainable model in which governments or the private sector fund these projects.

The trail bridges built so far are owned by local governments, which makes them responsible for maintenance rather than Fika and helps ensure long-term upkeep without relying on the organization’s resources. Fika is still trialing partnerships with local governments, as each country requires a different cooperation model.

Final Thoughts

Although trail bridges are not the most traditional form of foreign aid or poverty alleviation, Fika represents a shift toward more permanent and sustainable solutions. Quick relief aid is essential and has helped millions in the past. However, organizations that address the root causes of poverty, such as rural isolation in East Africa, are more likely to achieve long-lasting impact and support future development without relying on continued foreign aid.

– Vittoria Cortese

Vittoria is based in Washington DC, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty Reduction 2025: Top 10 Landmark Achievements

Poverty Reduction 2025: Top 10 Landmark Achievements The following is a “Good News” rundown of 2025, bringing important, positive stories to the top of the agenda. Here are 10 poverty-reduction 2025 landmark achievements that continue to spur the movement forward in the fight against global poverty.

Top 10 Landmark Achievements

  1. Safer Standing. Firstly, recognition for the 300,000th landmine removed from Sri Lankan land this year. The landmines were remnants left behind from the country’s civil war, which persisted for more than three decades and ended in 2009. A nonprofit organization conducted the operation, highlighting the role institutions outside government can play in improving society. The removal of these landmines has allowed 280,000 people to return to their homes. The nonprofit in question, HALO, has rendered 120 square kilometers of land safe again. People can now return home and travel safely and freely. This marks an important accomplishment that promises a safer life for communities across Sri Lanka.
  2. India. Traveling north to India, the second entry on this list of poverty reduction achievements, the country has seen a significant drop in the proportion of its population living in poverty. This includes the declaration of Kerala as India’s first state free of extreme poverty. This progress is linked to the Extreme Poverty Program, which established initiatives including providing families with homes, allocating land and assisting with home repairs. These efforts relied on cooperation among communities, government and local assemblies. This achievement stands as one of the most notable 2025 poverty-reduction milestones.
  3. Bangladesh. Moving east to Bangladesh, nearly the entire population has gained access to basic electricity for the first time. This development supports the United Nations goal of universal electricity access by 2030. Over the past 30 years, access to electricity in Bangladesh has increased by about 85%, compared with just 14% of the population having power in 1991. This improvement signals continued progress. Access to electricity affects daily life in critical ways, including the ability to read after sunset.
  4. Nigeria. Turning toward technological innovation, 2025 saw a young inventor spreading light across Nigeria using recycled plastic tiles to create clean-power charging stations. Named the Commonwealth’s Young Person of the Year in March, Anigbogu has delivered energy access to communities with little or no power across Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. This supports education, communication, health, safety and poverty alleviation. Anigbogu’s focus on clean power also promotes a future less dependent on fossil fuels. Beyond the technology itself, LightEd prioritizes community welfare by creating safe spaces and providing energy access to displaced people. This includes lighting refugee camps, increasing safety and offering education on environmental sustainability.
  5. Democratic Republic of the Congo. Poverty reduction 2025 landmark achievements also included renewed peace efforts. In June, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a peace agreement known as the Washington Accord, aiming to end conflict dating back to 1994. The agreement includes the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In return, the Democratic Republic of the Congo government agreed to stop supporting anti-Rwandan insurgents. The deal also includes commitments to economic cooperation.
  6. Mozambique. In Mozambique, 2025 marked the introduction of the first fully inclusive emergency data collection tool designed to close the disability gap in emergency response. The tool aims to improve inclusion by involving people with disabilities in response planning. The Elrha project developed the tool to assess barriers faced by people with disabilities during emergencies. The approach integrates disabled people as data contributors through its SIRA survey. Field use in Mozambique identified the tool as vital for improving accessible humanitarian aid.
  7. Tibet. The seventh achievement on this list was announced in July, when Chinese officials demonstrated progress on what is forecast to become the world’s largest solar farm. Located in Tibet, the project is expected to cover an area comparable to the city of Chicago. China reported a decrease in carbon emissions within the first six months of the year. The solar farm stretches across desert land, reducing wind and soil erosion while allowing vegetation to take root. The project represents a milestone in demonstrating economic growth alongside emissions reduction.
  8. Indonesia. In Indonesia, the government launched a free meal program for children and pregnant women. Within four years, the initiative aims to reach 82.9 million people. The program addresses high rates of maternal and child malnutrition. The free meal program was a central policy of President Prabowo’s election campaign. Government officials and soldiers now serve meals including fried chicken, tofu, rice and oranges. Mothers across more than 20 provinces have reported positive outcomes, supporting efforts to address food insecurity, stunting and wasting.
  9. Switzerland. The first malaria treatment designed specifically for babies received approval in Switzerland in July. In 2023, malaria caused more than 597,000 deaths worldwide. Until now, available treatments were unsuitable for infants due to liver development concerns. The pharmaceutical company Novartis developed the treatment, commonly known as Riamet Baby. After nearly three decades of research, the treatment is scheduled for rollout in eight African countries this year.
  10. Ireland. Ireland announced that a basic income is now a legal right for artists. The policy aims to reduce financial instability and discourage people from leaving the arts sector. The scheme pays 2,000 artists and creative workers €325 per week. After a pilot program launched in 2022, the initiative expanded nationwide and will continue until February 2026. The policy supports artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthens Ireland’s arts sector.

Looking Ahead

These poverty reduction 2025 achievements highlight steady progress toward improving living conditions worldwide. From expanded access to basic services to peace initiatives and innovation, these efforts demonstrate that targeted solutions can create lasting change. Together, they show continued momentum in the global fight against poverty.

– Maya Hollick

Maya is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Gift of the Givers: Response to the Flood in South Africa

Gift of the GiversAfter weeks of relentless torrential rain beginning Jan. 18, 2026, South Africa officially declared a national disaster caused by devastating floods that killed at least 30 people, destroyed thousands of homes, roads and bridges and forced the closure of Kruger National Park.

The floods hit the northern provinces, particularly Limpopo and Mpumalanga, hardest, adding to the deadly pattern of floods that has plagued the country for years. Many residents remain missing, the floods have destroyed many communities and survivors are reluctant to leave their homes behind. However, the national disaster declaration enabled a coordinated disaster response to the flood in South Africa from the government and other organizations. These groups are working together to provide for both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term recovery for people and their homes.

Government Efforts

Before the national disaster declaration, multiple government officials personally assessed flood-affected areas alongside disaster management services.

For example, Minister Willie Aucamp visited the closed Kruger National Park before confirming the establishment of SANParks’ Kruger Recovery Fund, which supports the park’s long-term sustainability through local and international donations. Public support for the fund has been widespread among individuals ranging from pensioners to youth.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa emphasized the importance of decisive leadership in safeguarding lives and strengthening community resilience through the mobilization of adequate resources for both relief and recovery efforts. The government had previously set aside R20 million to rebuild infrastructure and offer assistance to impacted households following floods in 2011.

Now, officials estimate that R500 million is needed to rebuild the park. Search and rescue teams also coordinated with the National Disaster Management Institute and the South African Air Force, with approximately half a dozen South African military helicopters deployed to deliver emergency aid and locate stranded residents.

National Level

At the national level, the National Executive assumed primary responsibility for the coordinated disaster response to the flood in South Africa.

The government aims to strengthen disaster management structures, provide for basic survival needs, create contingency plans, submit progress reports to the National Disaster Management Center and ensure the growth of resilience.

The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs has also assigned teams to assess water and dam monitoring equipment whenever a flood occurs. For example, dam safety specialists worked to prevent the collapse of local earthen dams and the development of future disasters.

At the community level, local radio stations utilized early warning systems in collaboration with risk management committees to spread critical information. However, rescue efforts were initially paralyzed due to a lack of resources and means of rescue.

The floods left many survivors homeless and afraid.

Gift of the Givers

Multiple organizations have previously aided South Africa during the aftermath of violent floods. For example, GlobalGiving project No. 55975 managed to raise $4,180 in 2022.

However, a key organization in the 2026 floods is Gift of the Givers. It delivered much-needed flood relief to affected households, including food, shelter, bedding and medical supplies, establishing a coordinated disaster response to the flood in South Africa with the government.

Gift of the Givers aims to assist in disaster responses, promote human development and address global hunger. During the floods, the organization visited 130 households in Mkondo, Mpumalanga and completed distributions with support from the Mkondo Disaster Team despite damaged roads and continuous rain.

The organization also supported search and rescue teams, disaster management and helicopter pilots by providing meals to ensure effective, sustained emergency responses.

Minister Hlabisa, Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and MEC Speed Mashilo acknowledged these efforts while assessing more than 1,000 households together.

Looking Ahead 

First responders, disaster management teams, the police force, the National Defense Force and humanitarian organizations have been essential to restoring normality and infrastructure, according to government officials. While residents remain missing and many communities are still recovering, Gift of the Givers and the South African government have corroborated their efforts for a coordinated disaster response to the flood in South Africa.

– Cindy Nguyen

Cindy is based in Albuquerque, NM, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Creations for Charity: Brightening Children’s Holidays With LEGO

Creations for CharityLEGO bricks have long sparked the imaginations of people of all ages. Ole Kirk Kristiansen founded the LEGO Group in 1932, with its name being an abbreviation of the Danish words “leg godt,” meaning “play well,” emphasizing the power of play. Today, LEGOs serve as building blocks of hope, learning and opportunity for underprivileged children.

This is the mission of Creations For Charity (CFC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks by uniting fans from around the world. Nannan Zhang is an adult fan who has been active in the online community for eight years. Initially, a college student with a lot of free time dedicated to LEGO sets, he wanted to see fellow builders in the community use their extensive building skills to give to others.

As such, Zhang founded the CFC in 2009 with the intent of showcasing the talents of fellow LEGO fans and giving to needy youths.

How It Works

The CFC is entirely volunteer-run and hosts an annual fundraiser. The nonprofit prides itself on its unique fundraising strategy, which involves selling one-of-a-kind creations donated by volunteers from around the world from October 15 to November 30. Coordinators then use the funds to purchase new LEGO sets for underprivileged children.

In hopes of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks, the CFC’s coordinators travel around the world and use these funds to purchase brand-new LEGO sets, donating them to local organizations of their choice that serve underprivileged children. Such organizations include shelters, orphanages, hospitals and impoverished schools. People can also make monetary donations through the organization’s website.

Zhang has acknowledged the high prices of the creations displayed in the CFC’s store. He explained that those who have put in immense effort into their creations deserved recognition. Near the end of the sale, discounts are made for remaining items.

The CFC has collaborated with popular LEGO event organizers, including Brick Convention and Beyond the Brick. Brick Convention is a long-running event that features numerous LEGO attractions, including massive creation displays, retired LEGO sets and life-size models. A portion of the money raised during the convention goes to the CFC, supporting its goal of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO.

Beyond the Brick’s YouTube channel, hosted by Joshua Hanlon, houses the CFC’s annual 24-hour livestreams. Hanlon founded Beyond the Brick in November 2011, initially as an audio-only podcast. It is usually held on the day after Thanksgiving.

Many LEGO fans from around the world have participated in the livestream since 2014. In 2025, Beyond the Brick delivered sets to Transformation Ministries, an organization that provides food and other necessities to underprivileged children.

Successes and Contributions

The Creations for Charity has traveled to both developed and developing countries in support of its cause. For example, the team has traveled to Hungary, Kenya, Brazil, Chile and Japan. Since 2009, CFC has raised approximately $17,000 annually, which it used to donate more than 1,100 new LEGO sets to organizations such as Make-A-Wish and children’s hospitals.

In 2024, CFC donated 150 LEGO kits to refugee children in Nairobi, Kenya, where more than 800,000 refugees sought shelter from war, famine and natural disasters. In 2025, the CFC raised $25,906, with $4,500 from the sale of custom creations and $7,000 from the live stream. The rest came from donations from the Brick Convention, Brickworld and the Great Palia Charity Hunt.

LEGO builders and event organizers alike have collaborated for the sake of brightening children’s holidays with LEGO sets. As of now, the CFC plans to travel to 17 locations around the world, which have yet to be fully disclosed.

The Impact of LEGOs

It may seem surprising how the Creations for Charity’s mission focuses on brightening children’s holidays with LEGOs. However, the truth is that the language of play is universal. As freshman computer science major Jenna Curtis put it: “That’s why they’re so relevant, because you don’t have to change the formula. You can just rearrange what pieces you use and create something different.”

Not only do LEGO bricks encourage creativity, but they also help to hone fine motor skills, vocabulary, cooperation and problem-solving abilities. Approximately 90% of brain growth occurs before the age of 5. LEGO kits facilitate learning through imagination and independent play. A 2022 study found that LEGO sets have been used for developmental art therapy for children.

These building blocks are versatile and can enhance social and behavioral skills in children, which are crucial to a child’s future.

Conclusion

Through his simple love for LEGO bricks, Zhang has built the Creations for Charity into a foundation for fostering creativity and brightening children’s holidays with LEGO bricks. When children play with LEGO blocks, they aren’t just building for fun. They’re also building their futures with one brick at a time.

– Cindy Nguyen

Cindy is based in Albuquerque, NM, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Project for Awesome Reduces Poverty

Project for Awesome Reduces PovertySince its founding in 2007, Project for Awesome has become a pillar of collective action, mobilizing large numbers of donors to address global poverty and support an array of charities. Led by popular online brothers John and Hank Green, the initiative combines online participation, transparent governance and community voting to allocate funds to various charities and nonprofits. Project for Awesome has become a key example of how participatory fundraising models can strengthen trust in nonprofits, generate measurable outcomes and engage new generations of donors.

Collective Action Explained

Global poverty is one of the most persistent challenges and one that nonprofits and charities often target directly and indirectly. Traditional donation models often rely on large institutional donors and centralized decision-making, which can limit public engagement and transparency about where donors’ money is going. Collective models, by contrast, emphasize shared responsibility, participation and trust. Project for Awesome, headed by YouTubers and authors John and Hank Green, follows this model. Through community voting and digital engagement, Project for Awesome has changed the charity landscape and shown how collective giving can produce significant and measurable impacts.

The Structure of Project for Awesome

Project for Awesome is a branch of the larger nonprofit Foundation to Decrease World Suck. Project for Awesome works as follows: each year, participants submit videos nominating nonprofits and community members vote to determine how and where funds are allocated.

This allows viewers to learn about various charities and vote for those that resonate with them and the causes they want to support worldwide. Donations can also earn supporters perks such as keepsakes and exclusive podcast episodes or content from John or Hank Green. Each year, Project for Awesome holds a livestream to help determine which charities receive donations. This event is central to its fundraising efforts and, due to John and Hank Green’s online reach, is often a large success.

In 2025, Project for Awesome recorded 169,384 votes and raised $3,739,917.69 in total donations. According to reports, 50% of the 2025 funds went to Save the Children and Partners in Health, and the remaining 50% was split among charities chosen by the Project for Awesome community.

Project for Awesome Reduces Global Poverty

Independent media coverage reinforces the credibility and impact of Project for Awesome. Reporting by Good Good Good confirmed that the 2025 event raised more than $3.7 million in a single weekend, making it the largest fundraising total in the project’s history.

The article further noted that all funds directed to Partners in Health in 2025 supported tuberculosis treatment and prevention efforts, a disease closely linked to poverty and inadequate health care infrastructure. Save the Children similarly used funds to provide humanitarian aid, nutrition support and emergency relief in crisis-affected regions. These outcomes demonstrate that collective giving is not merely symbolic. It translates directly into services, medical treatment and material support for vulnerable populations.

Looking Ahead

Project for Awesome illustrates how collective giving can function as an effective tool for addressing global poverty. By combining digital participation, community voting and transparent allocation of funds, John and Hank Green and Project for Awesome reduces poverty by mobilizing hundreds of thousands of donors and directing millions of dollars to poverty-focused interventions. The 2025 results demonstrate that participatory fundraising models can strengthen trust in nonprofits, support global and local anti-poverty efforts and engage new generations in sustained philanthropy. By framing poverty alleviation as a shared responsibility, collective giving offers nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) a proven and scalable model for impact.

– Mollie Skogen

Mollie is based in London, UK and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Limitations of the Health Care System in North Korea

Health Care in North KoreaNorth Korea is a socialist country that maintains a free health care system influenced by the former Soviet Union. In 1947, the country’s founder introduced a free health care system. Kim Il-sung later established the Universal Free Health Care System (UFHCS) to implement it fully, achieving universal health coverage.

Initially, North Korea’s health care system operated effectively. However, it began to break down in the mid-to-late ’90s due to the Arduous March. The collapse of the Soviet Union, natural disasters and economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and U.N. severely affected North Korea’s socioeconomic progress and public health. It led to widespread malnutrition and high mortality rates from communicable diseases.

The health care system deteriorated steadily and was unable to provide even basic services, largely because it relied entirely on government support under the socialist model.

The State of the Health Care System in North Korea

North Korea ranks lowest in East Asia and 193rd out of 195 countries worldwide. It also ranks 187th out of 195 for health care access, indicating that reasonable health care is difficult to obtain. In North Korea, the leading causes of death are stroke and ischemic heart disease.

In 2021, noncommunicable diseases accounted for the highest number of deaths. North Korea’s leader closed the country’s borders after COVID-19 emerged. Although the government officially claimed there were no recorded infections, media outlets citing sources inside the country reported COVID-19–like symptoms among soldiers.

North Korean authorities also tightly censor and control all media. While the number of articles mentioning the UFHCS remained stable between 2015 and 2018, ranging from 53 to 63 per year, the figure dropped sharply after 2019. By 2024, Rodong Sinmun no longer mentioned the UFHCS at all. Notably, the word “Inmin” (meaning “people”) also disappeared from articles.

Although hospitals in North Korea historically preserved this term, its removal signals that citizens’ inherent right to health care is no longer explicitly recognized in official discourse.

The Realities Behind North Korea’s Health Care System

According to an Amnesty International publication, despite the government’s claim of a free health care system, citizens were required to pay for medical services during the ’90s. In many cases, patients paid with cigarettes, alcohol or food even for the most basic consultations. As a result, many people avoided visiting doctors and instead went directly to markets to buy medicine.

It became especially common for North Koreans to self-medicate with addictive narcotic painkillers for minor illnesses such as the common cold. After the collapse of North Korea’s rationing system, informal markets known as jangmadang emerged as the core of the unofficial economy. However, following Kim Jong-un’s rise to power in 2012 and the outbreak of COVID-19, authorities closed borders and began shutting down these markets.

As border controls tightened and medicine shortages worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korean authorities expanded domestic production of so-called Koryo medicine, a form of traditional medicine. However, this approach proved harmful due to serious side effects. According to Daily NK, out of 163 reported medical incidents in health facilities, 130 involved drug abuse or misuse and 93 were linked specifically to side effects from Koryo medicine.

Many North Koreans were already aware of these risks. However, they continued to rely on such treatments because of severe medicine shortages. While the government attempted to address supply gaps, it created additional problems by failing to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Koryo medicine systematically.

Aids From Nonprofits

During COVID-19, most international aid workers left North Korea after the government closed its borders and tightened import controls. This led to severe shortages of medicines and vaccines. In 2023, following a vote by the WHO’s Executive Board in favor of North Korea, U.N. agencies and NGOs sent more than four million vaccine doses to Pyongyang.

These included vaccines for hepatitis B, measles and tetanus. The primary targets were children and pregnant women who had missed life-saving vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccination drive was the result of an extended collaboration among UNICEF, Gavi and the WHO.

Roland Kupka, the then-UNICEF Acting Representative in the DPRK, stated that the return of vital vaccines marked a significant step toward protecting children’s health and survival in the country. In addition, UNICEF provided new freezers and temperature taggers to ensure vaccines could be stored safely, even in the most remote areas. Kupka also noted that, to sustain progress in restoring pre-pandemic vaccination levels and ensure every child receives vital, life-saving vaccines, DPRK authorities should allow the return of UNICEF and U.N. international staff to the country.

Final Remarks

The limitations of North Korea’s health care system are increasingly evident. Although authorities continue to claim that health care is free, shortages of food and medicine worsened after COVID-19. To cope, people relied on unofficial street markets, but these were also shut down due to government policy.

While international attention and cooperative engagement have increased, they must be matched by meaningful domestic policy efforts.

– Yunjaelee

Yunjaelee is based in Vancouver, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Relocation of Poverty in Colombia

Poverty in colombiaPoverty in Colombia has shifted geographically, moving away from major cities and increasingly concentrating in rural and coastal areas. Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) confirms that rural areas have a 41% poverty rate compared to urban poverty, which is 30%. As a whole, 33% of Colombia is experiencing monetary poverty, the classification that determines the basic income and consumption minimum for day-to-day life. However, DANE claims that 65% of the country is vulnerable to poverty.

HelpAge International

The Borgen Project spoke with Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano, project officer for HelpAge International.

Moncaleano works for HelpAge International in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. A city once rumored to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world during the 1990s has since transformed into a thriving, tourist-friendly capital and one of the most developed cities in Colombia.

Specifically, HelpAge International is a nongovernmental organization that aims to support the aging population by protecting its rights and helping it live healthy, fulfilling lives away from poverty and homelessness. Moncaleano is a project officer for the organization and works explicitly on poverty-prevention projects.

Observed Changes in Poverty

She has observed a decrease in poverty. “Yes, poverty has decreased in Colombia.” Statistical poverty reduction suggests that its steadily declining rate will yield long-lasting positive effects.

A primary reason for the poverty decrease is Colombians moving out of rural areas and into city life. “There is internal immigration that is heading to cities like Cali. But not many migrate to Bogota.” Many people who are experiencing poverty move to urban areas for job opportunities and income.

Common Misconceptions About Poverty

“There are more forms of poverty than just monetary poverty,” says Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano, a manager who works for HelpAge International, a nongovernmental organization that supports the elderly experiencing poverty. Moncaleano explains that there are two main types of poverty. The most common type is monetary poverty, a measuring system that financially classifies households by income. Then there is multidimensional poverty, which is difficult to measure since it considers many aspects beyond finances, such as education, health care, sanitation and environmental safety.

“Multidimensional standards are important to consider,” Moncaleano says. Poverty is experienced differently depending on the situation and geography. For instance, rural areas grow their own food, whereas urban areas buy groceries from supermarkets. In other words, rural areas are not poor in access to food like urban areas are; instead, rural areas are poor in resources such as access to local schools or hospitals.

Hope for Addressing Poverty in Colombia

To explore this broader national shift, Daniela Vasquez Moncaleano has shed light on the evolving landscape of poverty in Colombia and provided a human lens through which to understand its many dimensions. “I have so much hope for poverty reduction.” Moncaleano began working with HelpAge International because she believed in the Colombian community and the power of generations working together. “When the skies are gray, you can make the sun appear.”

Solutions to Poverty Reduction

Moving forward, Colombia will continue to reduce poverty but may have some gray-sky days. Moncaleano suggests two solutions to reduce the poverty rate. Her expertise lies in the elderly, and she suggests creating aging-friendly cities. Moncaleano has shared that there are few job opportunities or activities for the elderly past the age of 40.

The creation of more jobs or community-based events for elders can potentially provide income and purpose and reduce poverty among the elderly population. “The elderly always want to work. They want to feel life and want to feel productive.”

– Mireya Aguilar

Mireya is based in Layton, UT, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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NGOs Partnerships Following Foreign Aid Cuts in Uganda

Foreign Aid Cuts in UgandaThe decision to dismantle USAID was devastating for millions of people around the world. Several countries suffered immediate effects from the cuts in foreign aid, which provided necessities such as food, education and health care. Uganda is one of the hardest-hit areas for two reasons:

  1. It hosts the largest refugee population in Africa, nearly 2 million people, 81% of whom are women and children; and
  2. It faces a severe, chronic HIV epidemic and relies heavily on U.S. support for HIV treatment and prevention.

Uganda lost 66% of the funding received from USAID, which is approximately $307 million. As a result, many areas have been affected, including food aid, which has been cut due to a funding shortage, leading to increased hunger and malnutrition. However, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are hard-pressed to continue providing services on the same scale with less funding.

The Impact of Foreign Aid Cuts on Uganda

1. Education:

USAID funding supported school construction and the procurement of learning materials in Uganda. The funding also supported teacher training programs. Digital learning tools provided schools in remote areas, improving access to education. The lack of funding results in under-resourced schools and a reduced ability to meet growing demands.

This affects girls explicitly as it decreases their access to education regarding reproductive and menstrual health. Girls, seeking security, will marry early and lose hard-fought gains in gender equity. In refugee communities, funding shortages have led to staffing shortages. In one refugee settlement, there were 36 teachers with more than 3,400 students. Following funding cuts, nine teachers are left to manage classes of up to 500 students each.

2. Health:

USAID administers close to 60% of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) bilateral funding, which provided more than half of the medication and staff needed to respond to the HIV epidemic in Uganda. PEPFAR also accounted for nearly 90% of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiatives on a global scale. Millions now are at risk of contracting HIV due to foreign aid cuts.

PrEP is restricted to pregnant and lactating mothers. Funding cuts cause immediate disruptions in care for thousands who depend on consistent medication (i.e., Anti-Retroviral Therapy). This increases the risk of babies being born with HIV. Vaccine shortages caused by foreign aid cuts increase the risk of contracting other diseases like TB, Ebola and Malaria.

Foreign aid cuts also lead to staffing shortages, making it challenging for those who remain to deliver the same level of health care with fewer resources and a reduced number of qualified staff.

One NGO in particular, St. Francis Health Care Services, provided HIV testing, medication and prevention products to sex workers in Uganda, but this was stopped due to cuts in foreign aid. Mwesigye, a country representative with the U.K.-based NGO All We Can, stated, “You know, there was almost an alarm… people were being told to run as fast as they could to the next health unit to get their dose for a few months… but that is also going to run out.”

The Response

When formal protection systems collapsed, local citizens and/or refugees stepped up to fill the gap. The NGO St. Francis Health Care Services received funding from PEPFAR several years earlier. However, its funding was cut after Uganda passed its anti-homosexuality act. The nonprofit was able to secure the funding again; however, its leadership began to realize how dangerous it could be for them and their ability to continue providing the vital services needed in the community.

After the organization’s funding was cut the first time, it began seeking private donors. It increased its revenue by offering paid services, such as surgery, maternal care, radiology and dental exams. As a result, it was less vulnerable to the effects of the foreign aid cuts. However, health leaders still had to make decisions in response to the cuts to foreign aid.

Other strategies implemented include moving away from standalone HIV/TB clinics and referring patients to government outpatient clinics; utilizing a large network of private clinics, seeking non-U.S. international collaborations, increasing donor outreach and implementing technological solutions (e.g., AI). Health officials propose using AI to identify high-risk patients, allowing them to be seen sooner.

Another NGO, Soft Power Health, continues to care for approximately 50,000 patients. This organization operates on a $699,000 budget, which is funded by private organizations and individual donors. It was also more insulated against the foreign aid cuts and continued its work. Services provided include transportation, free HIV medication and gardening and health education. Another clinic lost its funding and donated medical equipment to Soft Power Health, allowing it to continue testing for TB.

Grassroots Groups in Uganda

In response to the aid cuts, grassroots groups in Uganda have turned to farming, petty trade and vocational activities, selling milk and produce, while youth join skills programs to learn trades like tailoring. Women have formed support groups for survivors of gender-based violence and girls at risk, which have become lifelines through regular meetings and check-ins.

These community efforts are complemented by Volunteer Village Health Teams, who refer survivors to clinics that remain open, provide mental health services and conduct awareness sessions on gender rights and protection. Boda Boda riders, a network of volunteer motorcycle riders, transport survivors from remote villages to clinics, legal aid offices, or safer areas and have organized informal night patrols to discourage exploitation and monitor hotspots known for abuse.

Forging a Path Forward

Joy Kawanguzi, team leader of FABIO-Uganda, discusses the abruptness of the foreign aid cuts in Uganda: “It did not give us time to prepare. So the abruptness alone is an inconvenience.” She adds that the foreign aid cuts “put local organizations in a place where they start feeling like they are more implementers of donor ideologies. Because if a local organization were a key player, this decision would not have been drastic. There would have been consultations.”

Mwesigye agrees and advocates for organizations to be able to use funding for core costs instead of just fulfilling projects: “…if core costs are paid for; if you build the institution rather than fulfill project goals, then the institution will be bold enough to be able to work and do what it needs to do.”

These statements are indicative of a desire to move away from dependence on outside donors. Their sentiment is fueled by the question no one can answer: “What if this happens again?” The path forward for the people of Uganda is one where they have free rein with the resources they are given and the opportunity to achieve independence.

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Migration to Taiwan: Improving Rights for Migrant Workers

Migration to TaiwanTaiwan has become a key destination for migrant workers across Asia, with many supporting its industries and aging population. Migration to Taiwan has increased over recent decades, prompting the government and local organizations to introduce reforms and advocacy efforts to improve labor rights, strengthen protections and promote social inclusion. These policies show how the authorities and NGOs can manage migration to Taiwan in a fairer and more sustainable way.

In 1992, the Taiwanese government enacted the Employment Service Act (ESA) to regulate the recruitment and employment of migrant workers, known in Chinese as wàijí láogōng. As of September 2025, Taiwan hosted 858,939 migrant workers, most of whom came from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand.

Types of Migrant Workers in Taiwan

Taiwan generally classifies migrant workers into two main categories: social welfare workers and industrial workers. Social welfare workers include domestic helpers and caregivers. Domestic helpers are primarily responsible for household chores, while Taiwan further divided caregivers into institutional and domestic caregivers. The Labor Standards Act (LSA), which sets a national minimum wage, protects institutional caregivers, but it does not protect domestic caregivers.

Industrial migrant workers, on the other hand, make up the majority of Taiwan’s migrant labor force. They mainly work in manufacturing, construction and fishing. The LSA protects both construction and manufacturing workers. Domestic or offshore fishermen also fall under this protection. However, the LSA excludes those working in distant-water fishing, leaving them vulnerable.

There are three major challenges migrant workers face in Taiwan: limited freedom to transfer between employers, lack of protections for minimum wage and the risk of deportation.

Freedom To Transfer

Taiwan tightly restricts migrant workers’ ability to change employers. Under current regulations, employers still control most decisions about transferring, though policymakers have introduced gradual reforms over time.

The Taiwanese government first introduced a transfer system in 2002, but workers could only change employers under exceptional circumstances such as factory closures, harassment or violence in the workplace. By 2008, factory workers gained the right to switch employers during their contracts under limited conditions or with employer consent. Similarly, starting in 2013, authorities granted domestic caregivers the ability to transfer with employer approval.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic reversed some of this progress. In 2021, Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor temporarily banned cross-industry transfers for migrant workers. The decision came after the Association of the Employers of Caretakers accused caregivers of fabricating complaints to move into factory jobs, which typically offer higher pay and better conditions.

Minimum Wage and Long-Term Care

Migrant workers in domestic caregiving and distant-water fishing are among the most vulnerable groups in Taiwan’s labor market. Because the LSA does not cover them, they do not receive a guaranteed minimum wage or access to social protections. This gap has left many workers underpaid and without the same legal rights afforded to other sectors.

To address these disparities, the Taiwanese government introduced the “Long-Term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program” in 2022. The initiative aims to reclassify experienced migrant workers as “intermediate-skilled foreign workers,” granting them eligibility for higher wages and potential permanent residency. However, the proportion of reclassified migrant workers remains low, with only 4.15% in manufacturing and construction and 14.88% among caregivers.

Risk of Deportation

As of September 2025, around 94,000 undocumented migrant workers, mainly Vietnamese and Indonesians, face risk of deportation and lack access to social services. While some reforms have aimed to improve the situation, progress remains uneven. In 2016, the government abolished the “one-day exit rule,” which previously required migrant workers to leave Taiwan immediately after their contracts ended. However, many workers continued to face illegal referral fees charged by brokers when renewing their contracts. Since 2024, authorities have also increased fines for migrants who overstay their visas. Director of the public migrant shelter Serve the People Association, Lennon Ying-Da Wang, argues that this may further discourage undocumented workers from seeking help or reporting abuse.

Local Initiatives Supporting Migrant Workers

Since Taiwan began welcoming migrant workers, numerous civil society initiatives have emerged to promote their rights and improve their working and living conditions. In 1999, the country’s first local NGO dedicated to advocating for migrant labor rights, the Taiwan International Workers’ Association (TIWA), was established. Since 2003, TIWA has campaigned for greater freedom for workers to transfer between employers. The organization also produced two documentary films, “Lesbian Factory” (2010) and “Rainbow Popcorn” (2012), highlighting the experiences of migrant workers at the Taiwanese electronics company Fast Fame after its closure. In the same year, TIWA, along with several church groups, launched the Promoting Alliance for Household Service Act (PAHSA). PAHSA called for legislation ensuring minimum wages and regulated working hours for domestic caregivers. In 2007, PAHSA renamed itself the Migrants Empowerment Network in Taiwan (MENT) and continued its advocacy efforts.

Beyond TIWA and MENT, Harmony Home, another Taiwan-based NGO, has played a vital role in supporting undocumented migrant workers, particularly young mothers and their children. The organization has already sheltered more than 1,600 children, providing safety and care to those most at risk.

Looking Ahead

Through reforms and advocacy, Taiwan actively strengthens protections for migrant workers. Groups such as TIWA, MENT and Harmony Home have shaped positive change in migration to Taiwan. By working together, the government, employers and civil society can make migration to Taiwan more just and create better opportunities for all migrant workers.

– Sammi Li

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

Photo: Flickr

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How the Nonprofit Honduras Hope Improves Lives in Honduras

Honduras HopeHonduras, bordering Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua in Central America, is one of the lowest-income nations in the Western Hemisphere. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), approximately 63% of Hondurans live in poverty or roughly two-thirds of the 10.6 million residents. In the country, 20% of children under the age of 5 face chronic malnutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, which lead to stunting and other developmental delays.

Economic instability and inflation, as well as political corruption and droughts exacerbated by inconsistent rainfall, worsened poverty in 2024, with climate instability intensifying issues related to food production and water access. Among those impacted, women, children, Indigenous and Afro-descendant populations appear to have been challenged the hardest. Environmental damage to the agricultural sector has placed particular pressure on rural communities and the marginalized populations that inhabit them.

About Honduras Hope

The organization, founded in 2001 by Reverend Bill Briggs, the coordinator, focuses on improving the lives of rural and indigenous populations in the San José and Plan Grande communities within the Department of Yoro. The nonprofit has a unique approach in which the board of directors works directly with “Patronatos,” or community councils, rather than arriving with a prescriptive aid solution.

As a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization based in Franconia, NH, Honduras Hope improves lives through several trips to Honduras each year, working closely with local leaders to fundraise and kickstart initiatives. Such work acts as a complement to the organization’s own investments, which are fundraised through grassroots efforts, such as the concessions stand it ran on behalf of the Common Man food and restaurant chain at the Sandwich Fair in Sandwich, NH, in October 2025. The Borgen Project had the opportunity to speak with several board members at this event.

Briggs told The Borgen Project, “This is the third organization I’ve founded over the last 35 years,” all within Honduras. While all of his efforts have targeted the effects of poverty, Honduras Hope improves lives most effectively in the student population. The organization fights for children’s right to education. Briggs explained, “At the center of our organization and structure is the idea of hope – it’s in the name ‘Honduras Hope,’ after all.” This hope surrounds the work it does to propel disadvantaged students toward a path out of poverty.

How Does Honduras Hope Bring Hope to Students?

Briggs said that a central tenet of the speeches he regularly gives students is the phrase “si se puede,” or “yes you can.” The story of Dr. Cecile Lobo encapsulates how exactly Honduras Hope improves lives for students, empowering them with the idea that they can achieve their dreams by facilitating their education. With financial support from Honduras Hope, Lobo became the first Indigenous Tolupan doctor in Honduras.

Similarly, the organization established the San José boarding house for those unable to travel to school from rural mountain communities. After converting the home, which once belonged to a professional Honduran soccer player, Briggs explained that the nonprofit provided funding for school supplies and uniforms. It completed the project with the assistance of a residential supervisor to oversee the students and offer tutoring.

Girls’ Empowerment and Community Transformation

Kathy Swanson is a member of the Honduras Hope board of directors, serves on the Education Committee and leads both the Girls’ Empowerment Program and the Women’s Cooperative. She explained to The Borgen Project that at first, it was not expected of girls to attend secondary school or university or even to seek professional training. Cultural norms in the community resisted such action. Girls and women were instead expected to work within their communities.

However, Swanson’s belief that “girls have a right to dream, too” has been a guiding principle for Honduras Hope from the beginning. Since its work in Honduras, these community values have changed. Swanson recalled a transformative moment during her initial phase with Honduras Hope. During a meeting in which the committee faced significant resistance to sending young and adolescent girls to school, an older woman in the community stood up. The entire room fell silent as she explained that her hands, stained white down to the wrists, looked that way because they had spent nearly every day of her long life in starch. “She did not want her granddaughters to be cornered into that same life,” Swanson concluded.

This anecdote clearly moved Swanson and it also moved the community. They then paved the way for girls to seek their right to a different life. A 2023 newsletter detailed how Honduras Hope provided financial support to 34 students from Plan Grande to attend high school, with seven seniors on track to graduate. Furthermore, it reported that an average of 18 university students received scholarships each year to forge their path out of poverty. Additionally, 16 teenagers from San José and four mountain communities resided in the boarding house to attend high school in Yoro.

What Has Honduras Hope Done?

The organization funded two primary projects to completion. The first was the implementation of a new electrical program, which delivered electricity to Plan Grande near the end of 2023. Briggs noted that the program “was very tough to complete, politically,” given the widespread corruption in the nation. “At the end of the five-year project,” he said, “we are proud to say we covered the entire cost of installation.”

The second was the San José Water Project, a major milestone for the San José community, which previously had no means of accessing fresh water without long, arduous boat trips. It began nine months ago and was completed at the beginning of October 2025, a $60,000 initiative that now delivers water directly to the community. Briggs explained that navigating infrastructure across the 1.5 miles from the River Machigua to San José was very labor-intensive. However, the community rallied to complete it with financial support from Honduras Hope.

Additionally, Honduras Hope improves lives by implementing several other initiatives. For example, according to its 2023 newsletter, the Plan Grande nutrition program provided 69 preschoolers with nutritious, hot meals each week. For those unable to make the journey to the Community Center, the nonprofit purchased 200 broiler chicks for families to raise at home. Such work has been essential for those who otherwise don’t have the resources to eat.

– Shea Dickson

Shea is based in Newton, MA, USA and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels