Archive for category: Nonprofit Organizations and NGOs

Information and stories about nonprofit organizations and NGOs

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Emergency Backpacks and Flood Relief in Bangladesh

Flood Relief in BangladeshOn March 31, 2025, the day of Eid al-Fitr, a massive flood hit Satkhira, Bangladesh, covering seven villages in the region and displacing more than 15,000 people. Many citizens, still in their Eid clothing, built makeshift dams and dug holes to divert the water, but the tide was too overwhelming, and all 15,000 people in the area became stranded. In addition, most businesses were not working due to the holiday, so almost no local emergency services were available to help. CARE, an anti-poverty organization and a pioneer in flood relief in Bangladesh, foresaw this potential disaster and was still able to make life-saving materials available to the flood victims

Flooding and Poverty in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a poverty rate that has fluctuated significantly in recent years. In 2022, the poverty rate dropped to 18%, but as of 2025, it has risen to 28%. More than a quarter of the population suffers from increasing amounts of infrastructure vulnerability, food insecurity and chronic illness. A huge reason for this recent rise in poverty rate is due to floods brought about by climate change.

In recent years, Bangladesh has been the country that became significantly vulnerable to natural disasters, since its geographical location makes it particularly prone to floods. This is due to nearby basins that receive massive amounts of rain year-round. The rain pools in basins and then washes through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal. Plus, the location of the country’s residential infrastructure is placed right in the way of the flood path. The facts make Bangladesh’s future seem daunting, but hope is not lost.

CARE and Emergency Backpacks

In the midst of the flood, no help could get in to those in need because of the harsh conditions, except CARE, which had planned ahead of time. It placed 500 emergency backpacks in easy-to-access places, so that when the need arose, emergency tools would be available. In addition, CARE operated to distribute more packages to those most in need, even during holiday hours.

These CARE packages are compact, lightweight tube-shaped backpacks that consist of essential hygiene products, first aid materials, and emergency equipment personalized to the needs of each individual. They may contain any of the following:

  • Water purifiers, purification tablets, and collapsible buckets
  • Stoves and kitchen utensils
  • Menstrual pads, soaps, and underwear
  • A solar-powered light and solar-powered chargers
  • Tarps and ropes
  • An instruction packet that explains how to optimize each tool

During post-effort surveys, CARE recorded some inspiring metrics. Women specifically reported that the menstrual hygiene products provided were extremely helpful, improving their wellbeing in ways beyond just cleanliness. 66% of women used the kits mainly because of their hygiene products. Solar-powered technology was also among the most used items; 72% of households used solar power to restore use of their mobile devices to contact help and find crucial information. Sixty four percent of people reported that solar-powered lights helped them remain safe and calm at night.

Overall, backpacks helped 336 households, and 99% of those who received the packages reported their satisfaction with the tools provided. Thanks to this success, CARE has been able to implement CARE packages in Nepal, Malawi, the Philippines, and Mozambique in addition to Bangladesh. CARE has even partnered with The Coca-Cola Foundation to expand the production and distribution of the packages.

CARE’s flood relief aid in Bangladesh is a beacon of hope for poverty eradication. If projects like this continue to be well-funded and backed by influential donors like Coca-Cola, positive change is on the horizon.

– Lucas Cain

Lucas is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Legal Aid Clinics in Uganda Help Deliver Justice

Legal Aid Clinics in UgandaFor many families in Uganda, a legal problem can quickly become a poverty problem. A land dispute can threaten a family’s income. A child’s support case can leave a parent struggling to provide basic needs. When legal services are expensive or far away, many people are left without a realistic way to act. That is why legal aid clinics in Uganda matter. By offering free legal advice and representation, they are helping vulnerable people protect both their rights and their livelihoods.

Why Access to Justice Matters

Legal problems are widespread in Uganda and they often hit low-income households the hardest. A 2024 justice-needs study by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law found that 45% of legal problems had not yet been resolved, with 29% still ongoing and 16% abandoned. The report also identified land problems, family disputes, crime and domestic violence as some of the most serious justice issues people face. It noted that family problems and domestic violence are more common among people who say they cannot cover their basic needs.

These figures help explain why legal aid clinics in Uganda matter for poverty reduction. Legal support is not only about court cases. It can help families keep land, secure child maintenance and settle disputes before they become even more damaging. For households already living on tight budgets, that can protect income, housing and long-term stability.

How Legal Aid Clinics are Improving Access to Justice

One of the main ways legal aid clinics in Uganda are expanding access to justice is by bringing free services closer to vulnerable communities. The International Development Law Organization’s (IDLO) 2022 annual report says the Uganda Law Society clinic in Kampala is one of six regional legal aid clinics supported through its Community Justice Programme. These clinics provide pro bono services on both civil and criminal matters, including legal representation, legal advice and counseling. They also support cases involving land disputes and run community sensitization on issues such as gender-based violence, family law and children’s rights.

This matters because many justice problems have a direct connection to poverty. Land disputes can threaten the asset a family depends on most. Family cases can determine whether a parent receives financial support for a child. By offering free legal help, clinics make it more possible for low-income Ugandans to act on rights that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Results for Vulnerable Communities

The impact of legal aid clinics in Uganda becomes clearer in the numbers. IDLO reported that in 2022, Uganda Law Society clinics supported through its programme provided free legal advice and representation to 10,423 vulnerable justice seekers. In the same year, 956 people secured timely remedies through mediation, plea bargaining, police bonds, bail or quick-win sessions. Another 163 civil cases were concluded through litigation. IDLO also reported that through the clinics, 34 complainants recovered 154 acres of disputed land, while 10 others received monetary compensation.

IDLO’s 2023 annual report shows that this work continued. It says the six clinics provided free legal aid support to 4,390 people in 2023, including legal representation, advice, counseling and community sensitization. The report highlights the importance of land cases in particular, noting that one of the main reasons people approach the clinics is for help resolving disputes over land rights.

Justice at the Individual Level

The benefits of legal aid clinics in Uganda are also visible in individual cases. In one example from IDLO’s 2022 annual report, a university student Rose went to a Uganda law society legal aid clinic in Kampala after the father of her child refused to provide support, with help from the clinic, she took the case to court. After several court appearances and home mediation sessions, the case was settled with a monthly support payment that allowed her to provide a more stable life for her child.

IDLO’s 2023 report also describes a land case in Masese, where a resident sought help from the Uganda Law Society legal aid clinic in Jinja after learning that land titles in his community had been sold off to outside buyers. Lawyers from the clinic filed the case in court and advised the community on how to understand and claim their rights. The beneficiary won his case, beginning a process to cancel the illegal land titles and strengthening the community’s position in future negotiations.

Technology is Helping Close the Justice Gap

Some organizations are widening access through digital tools as well. BarefootLaw, a Ugandan nonprofit founded in 2013, says it has empowered more than 1 million people across Uganda, Kenya and Malawi through pro bono legal support. Its 10th anniversary report says its lawyers receive support from Winnie, an artificial intelligence tool that helps respond to legal questions more quickly. For people who cannot easily travel to a legal office, that kind of support can offer an important first step.

As organizations such as the Uganda Law Society and BarefootLaw continue to expand legal support, more Ugandans are gaining practical ways to defend their rights. In that sense, legal aid clinics in Uganda are doing more than improving access to justice. They are helping vulnerable families protect land, income and personal safety, making justice more reachable for people living on the economic margins.

– Tom Basu

Tom is based in Buckinghamshire, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Poverty in Nigeria’s Rural Communities

Poverty in Nigeria's Rural CommunitiesWhile Nigeria has high growth potential, immense poverty exists in neglected areas. However, organizations like the Rural Poverty Reduction and Empowerment Initiative (RPREI) are doing great work. They are empowering local communities to identify, plan and manage microsocial infrastructure projects, such as school repairs, water supplies and clinic repairs, giving them control over funds to prevent corruption.

Poverty in Nigeria

According to a World Bank report, as of 2025, 75.5% of Nigeria’s rural population was living below the poverty line. This is in comparison to just 41.3% of the urban population in the country. These numbers have increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are expected to continue rising, given the current situation.

There is a clear inequity in the country’s economy, leaving many areas ignored by certain initiatives and programs. Confounding factors, such as limited access to education in some rural areas, also contribute to inequality. As a result, many organizations have emerged to specifically support Nigeria’s rural communities.

The RPREI

The RPREI is a nongovernmental, apolitical organization that works to reduce rural poverty in Nigeria. It aids impoverished communities and, overall, sustains safe and healthy lives for Nigerians. The nonprofit addresses these issues through a variety of initiatives. 

These include empowering Nigeria’s rural communities, promoting climate-smart agriculture, providing clean water, preventing HIV/AIDS, providing relief after natural disasters, supporting women and children and building communities. Over the past 15 years, the RPREI has worked on six projects across 10 local government areas. By working with the youth to create long-lasting projects, its mission continues to grow. 

It has also ensured equality among its programs, prioritizing women and farmers. It is through these actions that the initiative gets closer to its goal of breaking the cycle of rural poverty in Nigeria. It hopes to help in creating strong communities that continue to thrive.

ActionAid Nigeria

Originally established in 1999, ActionAid Nigeria is also a nonprofit that is a part of the greater ActionAid International Federation. Its work focuses on eliminating oppression and poverty in Nigeria and achieving justice. It works directly with communities experiencing poverty and prejudice to do so. 

ActionAid Nigeria aims to empower communities to make a larger-scale impact. By starting local movements across the country and supporting existing campaigns, its advocacy work is more likely to be recognized by the government and the private sector. ActionAid Nigeria is working to bring about sustainable change for rural populations across Nigeria.

One initiative it helped start is the Local Rights Program (LRP), founded in 2005. It funded the program to improve the quality of life for women and children in rural areas through local policy.

Lutheran World Relief

While it began operations in Europe in 1945, Lutheran World Relief now helps impoverished communities across the globe, including those in Nigeria. The organization has established a significant presence in Nigeria, focusing on agricultural development and strengthening smallholder farmers, particularly in cocoa-producing communities. Its work in Nigeria specifically aims to increase rural incomes and build agricultural resilience. 

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress Program and others, Lutheran World Relief is helping to implement the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems of Nigeria (TRACE) project. TRACE is a five-year program, running from 2022 to 2027, that increases cocoa productivity in the country through climate-smart agriculture and supports Nigeria’s cocoa in the market. It has been implemented in many of the country’s cocoa-producing states. 

The project aims to train 51,000 smallholder farmers and provide 68,400 farmers with access to larger markets. By working with smaller farms in rural communities and connecting them to the broader market, Lutheran World Relief is strengthening these communities’ economies and reducing poverty across Nigeria.

Final Remarks

Even though poverty rates in Nigeria continue to rise, the RPREI, ActionAid Nigeria and Lutheran World Relief remain steadfast in their missions. As long as poverty persists in the country, organizations like these will continue to work hard to support citizens in rural areas.

– Megan McGrath

Megan is based in Verona, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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CRY India and Their Promise of Childhood

Cry IndiaIndia is one of the countries most affected by extreme weather and natural disasters. Floods account for more than 40% of natural disaster crises in India, damaging infrastructure and displacing communities. Children make up approximately 40% of India’s population, yet only 2.46% of the national budget is dedicated to child welfare and children’s health in India. Children are among the groups most affected by these extreme weather events. 

Natural Disasters and Children’s Health in India

India is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, with 27 out of 29 states vulnerable to hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides and floods. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 17,000 children lost their lives between 2000 and 2016 as a result of these events.

Multiple aspects of a child’s life are adversely affected by natural disasters, including access to education, displacement and access to sanitation facilities. Between 2016 and 2021, 6.7 million children were displaced. One of the most severe consequences is the impact on children’s health in India, due in part to injuries caused during these events, but also to lost access to medical care that prevents children from receiving immunizations, nutrition or proper monitoring from medical professionals.

According to the UNICEF child displacement report, India is one of the top three countries with the highest record of disaster-related child displacement, with 95% of child displacements driven by floods and storms. These hazards leave 21.4 million people in need of health assistance, 27.6 million in need of nutritional assistance and 28.1 million in need of access to clean water.

A study on the effects of natural disasters on children’s health in India found that extreme events such as floods and droughts increase the likelihood of acute illnesses like diarrhea, fever and acute respiratory illness (ARI) in children under five by 9% to 18%. Both diarrhea and ARI are the leading causes of child mortality in children under five and together account for 40% of the child mortality rate in this age group each year. The research also found that exposure to disaster in the past year is linked to significantly worse nutrition, increasing the risk of stunted growth and being underweight or malnourished.

CRY India’s Work in Children’s Health

Child Rights and You (CRY India) has recognized this issue with children’s health in India and has been working to address it. Established in 1979 by Rippan Kapur, an Indian Airlines purser, CRY began with six co-founders to restore children’s rights. Today, the organization has 144 partners and works across 20 Indian states, having reached 4.7 million children.

CRY’s data shows that two out of five children in India are not fully immunized, two out of three child deaths are due to malnourishment and every third child under five is severely malnourished. The organization addresses these issues through health programs that focus on pre- and postnatal care for mothers, monitoring children’s growth and development, and creating community gardens and kitchens where families can receive proper nutrition in times of disruption and displacement.

According to research on the impact of disasters on children’s health, boys and children under one are more likely to receive medication and food during crises. CRY works to share access to medical care and nutrition with all children and mothers, regardless of socioeconomic background or gender. The organization connects families to communities, aid, schools and government services.

CRY India’s Impact

CRY’s impact on children’s health in India has been substantial. The organization has helped 2,500 children recover from malnutrition through medical monitoring and care from governmental health care centers. Collaboration with the national government has allowed CRY to expand its work and reach children and families in both rural and urban regions. Additionally, 600 kitchen gardens have been set up across seven states under the sustainable nutrition initiative, and more than 7,000 children under one have been immunized.

Looking Ahead

The issue of children’s health and welfare in India is being addressed through collaboration between the government and organizations such as CRY. While the scale of displacement from natural disasters remains large, these efforts represent measurable progress. With continued support, programs like those run by CRY India can help restore stability and equal access to health care for children across the country.

– Jaya Noonan

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

Photo: Unsplash

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EDISCA in Brazil

edisca in brazilEDISCA is an example of showcasing how dance can be a supportive outlet for young girls in turning their lives around. Dancing, no matter who does it or where it’s happening, can convey a stronger, deeper message underneath. Dancers don’t always need lights, costumes, or a stage to learn everyday skills that many kids, who don’t dance, don’t get the opportunity to, or tell an important story.

If dance groups are lucky enough, they have the chance to make a difference in the world. In Brazil, using the unique medium of dance as a way to help children create a life for themselves that is safer than the roads on which many young girls fall in Fortaleza.

Background

Escola de Dança e Integração Social para Criança e Adolescente (EDISCA) is a non-governmental group based in Fortaleza, Brazil. Fortaleza faces many challenges with urban poverty, extreme inequality, and a large expanding slum population, and these problems infiltrate the lives of young girls who want to make a life for themselves.

According to the 2025 census data, Fortaleza could have a population of around 2.58-3.24 million. With an estimated 23.1% below the country’s poverty line in 2023-2024. The majority of the children who go to EDISCA cannot read or write, many have health problems, and are close to running away from their violent home lives. EDISCA is important for these young girls to break the habit of global poverty that many children face.

Importance of EDISCA with Poverty

The mission of EDISCA is to promote human development through education, art, and practices that encompass goodness, beauty, and justice. Founded in 1992 by Dora Andrade, EDISCA was made to “provide dance, theater and various other art forms… helps the children understand their and their families’ struggles.”

Andrade first started her dance career in the USA, but quickly changed her pathway when she returned home to teach girls to dance their way out of the slums, along with multiple life skills, critical skills, education, and self-esteem.

Andrade, along with other staff members, teaches the students about health care, nutrition, art, theater, and reading and writing. There is even a psychologist at EDISCA, Madeline Abreu, who talks to the children about the emotional burdens they may carry, according to PassBlue.

EDISCA focuses on children and adolescents who live in the most vulnerable favela communities, offering them an opportunity for an empowering path. The idea is that the girls can become ambassadors of change and take control of their lives by breaking the cycle of poverty and social exclusion. Families and government officials have the opportunity to come and witness the changes being made in EDISCA.

Dance as a Stepping Stone for Change

EDISCA helps outsiders understand that children, specifically from favela communities, can be an important resource for change. Indeed, the performing arts give people the chance to “learn teaching, and teach learning,” SIT study abroad reports. Politicians who come to see some of the work going on at EDISCA see that these underprivileged kids are part of the change, not just the elite

In a country facing extreme poverty, like Brazil, dance serves as an important outlet for young people. For children who go to EDISCA, it is a way to learn basic everyday skills, the chance to turn their life around, and even develop healthy habits, instead of falling down a pathway of prostitution or drug abuse.

EDISCA goes around the world, performing for a wide audience, showcasing the talent that the children have, with the potential to gain more students. It uses dance as a way to push for social justice and build a better future. EDISCA has changed so many lives, and hopes to continue that.

With all the success EDISCA has achieved using dance as a unique medium, it has become a stepping stone for other organizations, including “Dance Out of Poverty” in India, to create their own dance group. The poverty these children face in the favela communities was imposed on them by the higher communities, but EDISCA has flipped the cards by showing them the problems and how EDISCA is making a change.

– Elizabeth Fryer

Elizabeth is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Equality in Nigeria: Fighting For Female Safety

Gender Equality in NigeriaNigeria has a population of 242.4 million, making it the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. About 46% of Nigeria’s population live below the international poverty line and 3.4 million people are internally displaced including vulnerable women and girls. A further 60% of adolescent girls are absent from secondary school.

Gendered Issues in Nigeria

Gender equality in Nigeria remains an ongoing struggle. According to Girls Not Brides, 12% of girls marry before the age of 15 and 30% before 18. These statistics are influenced by poverty and education rates, with 71% of women with no formal education reporting having married before the age of 18. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one in three women experiences physical violence by the age of 15, often related to domestic circumstances.

Poverty is a driving factor, as 46% of the population lives below the poverty line. Economic pressures can lead families to arrange early marriages, which perpetuates unequal gender norms and limits women’s educational and professional opportunities.

Women for Women International

Women for Women International (WFWI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1993 that works to support women across 17 countries affected by conflict or injustice. Since 2000, WFWI Nigeria has reached more than 84,306 women. Its flagship program, Stronger Women Stronger Nations (SWSN), promotes gender equality in Nigeria through vocational and financial skills training, academic education, health education and support networks for vulnerable women.

WFWI has also taken action to address the root causes of gender inequality by engaging men. Given the data on domestic abuse, forced marriage and gender-based violence (GBV), WFWI identified that creating allies within the male population in Nigeria is integral to resolving gender inequality.

According to a study published in the Pan African Medical Journal in 2022, the highest prevalence of physical or sexual intimate partner violence was reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, at 65.64%. In Nigeria, information from the 2018 National Demographic Health Survey shows that 33% of women between 15 and 49 experience physical or sexual violence. The prevalence rate of GBV is 74.4% among survivors under 18, further reinforcing the risks for girls in early marriages.

WFWI’s men’s engagement program launched in Nigeria in 2002 with the aim of educating men on women’s health, the social and economic issues women face, and how men can offer support. The program creates focus groups and targets men in the community with religious, military or civil society backgrounds, creating a pathway for these men to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality in Nigeria.

Results of SWSN and Men’s Engagement

SWSN has had a measurable impact on gender equality in Nigeria since its launch in 2000. Change agents, women who received SWSN training and spread it through the community, have navigated the challenge of educational equality by establishing a mixed-gender primary school in the state of Bauchi. These agents were responsible for bringing nearly half of the 92 students to this school.

The program has reached more than 92,000 Nigerian women, with more than 5,000 graduating from SWSN in 2024. WFWI reports that graduates doubled their monthly earnings through newly acquired business skills, and 83% of graduates reported feeling actively involved in their public and private lives, compared with 36% at enrollment. Women’s knowledge of their political and national rights increased from 55% to 92%.

In the men’s focus groups, results have also been positive. WFWI acknowledges that women’s empowerment is not only achieved by reducing men’s power but that gender equity also benefits men’s health, household environments, financial matters and communities. Nearly 53,000 men have been reached since 2002, with more than 17,000 joining the project in Nigeria. One man, Murhula, has claimed that “my life has really changed” from his participation. His realization that “We thought that certain jobs are just for men […], but today I can say that the work a man can do, a woman also can do it.”

Looking Ahead

With the continuation of SWSN and the men’s engagement program, progress toward gender equality in Nigeria extends beyond policy into education, homes and communities. WFWI’s model demonstrates that addressing gender inequality requires engaging both women and men.

– Jaya Noonan

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Vietnam and Cambodia: Mekong Plus Poverty Reduction

Mekong PlusIn the rural heartland of the Mekong Delta, severe droughts and the volatility of seasonal harvests create deep economic hardships. These environmental pressures hit countryside communities most acutely, as they must constantly adapt to an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Because of these compounding pressures, it is vital to examine the Mekong Plus approach to poverty reduction in Vietnam and Cambodia. Their model stands apart from traditional charities by prioritizing sustainable, independent community development over temporary aid.

The Mission

In 1994, Bernard Kervyn saw the urgent needs of citizens and farmers in the rural regions of Vietnam. Kervyn called for his friends, all of whom had worked previously in the French NGO ‘Frères des Hommes’ and together they formed Mekong Plus that same year. The NGO began in the tiny commune of Tiên Thành.

Mekong Plus’ mission foremost is to “eliminate poverty.” The staff of the NGO also realized that pouring internationally raised funding into these communities would only make these struggling rural citizens reliant on those distant nations. Thus, it set out to use all funding to build sustainable grassroots-level improvements within rural communities. In order to do this, the organization broke down its core mission into three clear areas: Education, Sustainability and Microcredits.

Mekong Plus Poverty Reduction

Mekong Plus considers education a core mission goal, as according to the NGO, it is the “fundamental basis for sustainable development.” To provide as much as can be, the organization split up this goal into many different sections, such as providing safe hygiene for students or making schools more accessible to children in difficult or outlying areas. They provide schools with equipment like computers, allowing children access to greater learning tools, as well as a means to interact with the larger world. To cater to the needs of students, the organization creates inclusive curricula read to target the students’ varying needs. Mekong Plus’ curricula also offer training in sectors important to the community, such as agricultural schemes, which the organization used to increase food yields by 100% in regions used to famine.

Sustainability

Sustainability is another of Mekong Plus’ core focuses, helping to create cheaper and healthier long-term living strategies. While some of Mekong Plus’ work focuses on hygiene, the NGO has equipped more than 13,000 houses with sanitation facilities. Beyond this, the organization also helps rural communities with upcycling and plastic collection efforts, where the NGO turns old recycling into classroom equipment and furniture. This even covers houses, and last year Mekong Plus built 10 houses entirely out of recycled materials. In recognition of its work promoting sustainable and healthy living, Mekong Plus received the 2021 Energy Globe Award.

Microcredits form one of the organization’s most important initiatives in rural areas. The NGO’s Microcredit scheme provides a system where citizens can take loans as small as 50 euros, providing a lifeline to businesses and families. As of this date, the organization supports 7,500 houses through the NGO’s microcredit system, in the worst-hit regions of famine and drought. The NGO has also managed to raise 35,000 people out of extreme poverty, with an impressive non-repayment rate of 1% by those taking the loans.

The Future

The success of Mekong Plus poverty reduction is important because the NGO provides a model that is not simply a charity; it is a development partner. Its cooperation with communities provides essential, everyday benefits that have lifted thousands in regions on the cusp of ecological disaster. Its model also provides a multi-dimensional means to tackle the issue of extreme poverty, showing that, just like any other crisis, fighting poverty is possible.

– Eli Thomson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Improving Public Health Via Clean Water in Benin

Clean Water InitiativesBenin is a small country in West Africa with a 36.2% poverty rate. Despite its economic growth over the past years, clean water initiatives in Benin remain critical, as many communities still struggle to access safe drinking water and sanitation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lower respiratory infections are the second leading cause of death in Benin, while diarrheal diseases rank fourth. 

Many of these deaths are preventable with improved hygiene, sanitation and access to clean water. Access to clean water plays an important role in improving health in Benin, as it can foster economic opportunities and growth. Partnerships between the Beninese government and international organizations are working to help address this issue.

Join For Water

Join For Water is a nonprofit organization based in Belgium that has focused on reforestation and agroforestry since 1977 by planting trees and shrubs in rural areas. According to the organization, this approach improves water management and prevents sedimentation. It operates in eight countries, including Benin.

Join For Water also supports clean water access through environmental management, food production, drinking water and sanitation, as well as responsible consumption. In 2024, the organization expanded drinking water access to more than 16,485 households, improved access to latrines for more than 1,310 people and supported more than 6,949 farmer harvests. This demonstrates that environmental protection through reforestation and agroforestry can improve water management, leading to cleaner water, better hygiene and improved public health.

Institute of Cultural Affairs–Benin

With more than 35 member countries, the Institute of Cultural Affairs–Benin is part of a global network of nonprofits focused on advancing human development. It is affiliated with the Institute of Cultural Affairs International (ICA). Its mission is to support sustainable human development while fostering lasting change within communities and organizations. As a community, ICA partners with End Water Poverty to improve access to clean water and sanitation. 

End Water Poverty is an initiative in Benin that campaigns, advocates and mobilizes the government to protect, respect and fulfill people’s right to water and sanitation. Through its “Claim Your Water Rights” campaign, the coalition funds grassroots organizations and community-led advocacy efforts that push governments to uphold the human right to water and sanitation. This indicates that water access requires both environmental protection and policy advocacy. 

Together, these clean water initiatives in Benin ensure access to clean water and sanitation for rural and underserved communities across the country.

Final Thoughts

Many communities in Benin still face challenges accessing safe water and sanitation. However, nonprofit initiatives such as Join For Water, ICA and End Water Poverty address these issues through environmental restoration, advocacy and community campaigns. With continued support, these initiatives can improve public health, strengthen sanitation systems, expand economic opportunities and improve living conditions.

– Bianca P. Gunawan

Bianca is based in Jakarta, Indonesia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Clean Water Access in Sub Saharan Africa Expands

Clean Water Access in Sub Saharan Africa Expands Access to clean drinking water is one of the most important factors in improving global health and reducing poverty. Across the region, clean water access in Sub-Saharan Africa has become a major focus for governments, nonprofits and international organizations working to improve living conditions. While millions of people still lack reliable water sources, new programs and technologies are helping expand access and create long-term solutions.

Water Access Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, more than 400 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Many families must travel long distances each day to collect water from rivers, ponds or unsafe wells. This often affects women and children the most, as they are typically responsible for collecting water. In many communities, children miss school because they must spend hours each day helping their families gather water. Unsafe water also contributes to diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid, which remain major health risks across the region.

The economic impacts of limited water access are also significant. When families spend hours collecting water, they have less time for work, education or other opportunities that could help them escape poverty. In rural communities, a lack of clean water can also reduce agricultural productivity and limit food security. Improving water systems can therefore strengthen both health and economic stability.

Organizations Expanding Water Access

Several organizations are working to expand clean water access in Sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable projects and innovative technologies. One of the most well-known organizations is Water.org, a nonprofit that helps communities finance water and sanitation solutions. Through its WaterCredit initiative, the organization has helped more than 68 million people gain access to safe water or sanitation by providing small, affordable loans for household water systems.

Another organization making progress is charity: water, which funds community water projects in developing countries. Since its founding, the organization has supported more than 111,000 water projects in 29 countries, helping bring clean water to millions of people. These projects include drilling wells, installing filtration systems and building rainwater collection systems designed to provide safe drinking water for years.

Technology Supporting Water Solutions

Technology is also playing an increasing role in addressing water challenges. Solar-powered water pumps and advanced filtration systems allow communities to access safe water without relying on expensive fuel or electricity. In some areas, digital monitoring tools track performance and help ensure systems continue operating efficiently.

Experts working in water development emphasize that long-term success requires community involvement. Local training programs help residents maintain water infrastructure and manage resources responsibly. When communities participate in the planning and management of water systems, projects are more likely to remain sustainable over time.

The Bigger Picture

Although challenges remain, progress in clean water access in Sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates how collaboration between governments, nonprofits and communities can create meaningful change. Expanding access to safe water improves health, supports education and strengthens economic opportunity. Continued investment in water infrastructure and technology will be essential to ensure that more communities across the region gain reliable access to one of life’s most basic necessities.

– Nishanth Pothapragada

Nishanth is based in London, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Yoga and Poverty Reduction in China, India and Africa

Yoga and Poverty ReductionIn a report for the BBC, Jon Kelly recounts how B. K. S. Iyengar rose from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential figures in bringing yoga to the Western world. After what Kelly described as a “poverty-racked childhood in Karnataka,” doctors predicted Iyengar would not live past 20.

He went on to play a central role in yoga’s international expansion, promoting its physical and mental health benefits to a global audience. Beyond popularizing the practice, Iyengar inspired generations to view yoga as a tool for resilience, cultural connection and shared well-being.

His legacy provides the foundation for this article, which examines how yoga initiatives intersect with poverty reduction efforts through programs contributing to community well-being and livelihood development across diverse communities.

Yoga and Poverty Reduction

Advocates point to several connections between yoga and poverty-related outcomes, including reduced chronic stress, improved overall health and decreased reliance on costly medical care. Some organizations promote self-reliance through complementary initiatives such as microloan programs, while others help young people and families address trauma and participate more fully in economic life.

Hands to Heart Center, a Boston nonprofit, provides more than 700 free yoga classes in branch libraries, community centers, detention units, domestic violence shelters, high-poverty schools, homeless shelters, public housing developments and residential treatment programs, according to HuffPost.

Susan Lovett, who works with low-income youths and families through the organization, said yoga “can be practiced by anyone, in any condition, in any location.” She said the practice fosters connection among participants despite differences in background and circumstance.

Lovett added that mindfulness may increase civic engagement. “I don’t think mindfulness alone positively affects income inequality,” she said, “but I do think that people who develop mindfulness practice often seek out others who do the same.”

Yoga and Community Development in China

Taking Susan Lovett’s observations on mindfulness and social engagement as context, similar approaches are underway in China.

In the remote village of Yugouliang, Lu Wenzhen, a government official tasked with improving economic prospects, introduced yoga after noticing health benefits in his own practice, according to Global Citizen.

“As a result, they were able to spend more time working in fields and felt encouraged to pursue new opportunities,” the report said. The village has developed a yoga center and tourist sites that contribute to local economic growth.

Wenzhen’s efforts are part of a broader anti-poverty strategy that includes modernizing transportation, investing in renewable energy and expanding health care access. Yugouliang’s focus on holistic well-being is presented as one component of efforts aimed at strengthening local resilience.

Foundations Supporting Communities in India

China is not the only country using yoga in efforts connected to poverty reduction. Yogi Ashokananda founded the Yogi Ashokananda Foundation in 2013 and its U.K. sister organization, the Ashok Tree Foundation, in 2014.

The group aims to “relieve the impoverished conditions and promote academic education, animal welfare, health and wellness in communities served,” according to the foundation’s website.

Programs include the Sita Devi Primary School, which educates children ages 4 to 10; daily nutritional meals for at-risk adults and schoolchildren; and monthly health camps at Yogiville led by an ayurvedic practitioner, focusing on women’s wellness, children’s health and stress management.

By addressing poverty, education, nutrition and wellness, the foundations aim to support economic and physical well-being for children and families.

In an interview with practicing yogi Ravi Pinniti in India, he said yoga has influenced his own life. When asked if yoga has made a difference, Pinniti responded, “Of course it did. It improved my discipline, stress management and overall physical health, influencing every aspect of my daily life,” and improved his decision-making approach.

When asked if yoga creates a sense of community and belonging, Pinniti replied, “Yes, very strongly, with people from different places and communities, creating a safe, accepting environment, especially for those who feel isolated. It gives people the strength to live life more fully.”

The Africa Yoga Project in Kenya

In Africa, Paige Elenson founded the Africa Yoga Project in 2007 as an outreach program to train yoga instructors from Kenya’s poorest communities. “The goal is to help the teachers spread health and well-being throughout their communities while also providing them with a stable income,” the organization said.

The program operates in some of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, including Kawangware, Korogosho, Kibera, Mathare and Kangemi. Twenty-one-year-old Walter Mugwe said yoga changed his life. “Three years ago, I was drinking and smoking marijuana, which sometimes led to violence,” he said. “That has since subsided.”

Haydee Bangerezako of the BBC reported that the program has 42 teachers working with nearly 2,000 students each week in close to 50 locations. Workshops are held in community halls, schools, prisons and other organizations.

Looking Ahead

From the resilience of B. K. S. Iyengar to community initiatives in Asia and Africa, yoga’s reach now extends beyond personal practice. While yoga alone cannot address systemic inequality, organizations are incorporating it into broader programs aimed at strengthening well-being, supporting livelihoods and fostering community engagement.

In villages, urban centres and underserved communities worldwide, practitioners are demonstrating that improved health and shared purpose can help lay the groundwork for opportunity and ease international poverty. After all, “the organized actions of mindfulness practitioners who focus on social justice can be powerful.”

As these efforts continue to expand, yoga’s enduring lesson remains clear: sustainable change often begins within — and, when nurtured collectively, can ripple outward to transform lives and livelihoods across generations.

– Gemma Nailer

Gemma is based in Manchester and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr