Archive for category: Nonprofit Organizations and NGOs

Information and stories about nonprofit organizations and NGOs

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3 Charities Operating in Hong Kong

Charities Operating in Hong KongHong Kong is located on the east bank of the Pearl River on the south coast of China. It is known for its dazzling city life, colorful traditions and financial centers. What might be less apparent, however, is the divide between the rich and the needy. In the first four months of 2024, the most impoverished earned 81.9 times less than the richest. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty rates have risen significantly. Currently, 1.39 million people live in poverty in Hong Kong, most of whom are older adults.

These three charities operating in Hong Kong provide aid to the most vulnerable communities and aim to mobilize local society to offer them care and support.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Sir Horace and Lord Lawrence, two brothers, founded Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in 1956. The idea sprouted after a surge of Chinese immigrants arrived in Hong Kong following the civil war at the end of 1946. Since many of these immigrants were farmers, the Kadoorie brothers provided them with training, guidance on how to plough their land and interest-free loans.

Its programs empower rural communities in Hong Kong and beyond to build income sources, improve food security and gain skills that promote long-term self-sufficiency and environmental resilience.

Hong Kong Family Link Mental Health Advocacy Association Limited

This organization was established in 2003 by Dr. Lee Cheng and Dr. Zhao Yulong to raise awareness about mental health in Hong Kong. In a society where stigma around mental illness remains widespread, the Hong Kong Family Link Mental Health Advocacy Association Limited works to combat discrimination and uphold the rights of people with mental health conditions.

The organization not only works to improve the lives of individuals with mental health conditions by providing access to education, employment and housing, but also offers medical care and vocational training to support their recovery from treatable illnesses.

In addition, it trains family members to actively participate in the care and recovery of their loved ones, empowering them to become part of the healing process. To further dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, the organization engages the broader community, partnering with volunteers, journalists, medical professionals and other organizations to raise awareness and foster collaboration.

Helping Hand

Helping Hand was founded after Bob Saunders, a former fishmonger, came across 120 elderly individuals who had been evicted from “caged homes” and abandoned on the streets with only their meager belongings. In response, he established Helping Hand in 1978 to support underprivileged older adults in Hong Kong, with a mission to ensure they live with dignity after years of hard work.

Since then, the organization has expanded its services across several locations, including Tai Wo Ping, Shun Lee Tsuen and Lai King. Helping Hand provides 1,000 beds across its care homes and serves more than 40,000 older adults in need each year. Its services include housing, rehabilitation, a holiday center, physical activities and training programs designed to enhance the well-being of elderly residents.

In 1984, the organization launched its signature Cookie Campaign. This highly successful fundraising initiative continues to support Helping Hand’s mission of caring for Hong Kong’s aging population.

Conclusion

Despite the efforts of these three charities operating in Hong Kong, there is much more to do to bridge the wealth gap, eliminate societal stigma and provide every HongKonger with a decent and dignified life. Funding, volunteer work and community mobilization are the key moving forward.

– Yasmine Belabed

Yasmine is based in Algeria and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Acumen’s Agricultural Investments in Ethiopia

Agricultural Investments in EthiopiaA large portion of Ethiopia’s population is experiencing poverty and a lack of necessities. However, the nation of Ethiopia has been an assembly point for organizations and nonprofits seeking to fund agricultural investments.

Poverty in Ethiopia

Despite some progress in poverty reduction, ongoing climate and inadequate infrastructure issues leave roughly 68.7% of Ethiopia’s population facing multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty expands on the financial aspects of poverty, assessing a population’s social aspects and living conditions. In Ethiopia, additional portions of the population risk falling into this elevated category if poverty rates continue.

Ethiopia struggles with a lack of clean water, a strong health care system and increasing food insecurity, all hindering efforts to reduce poverty. Malnutrition, largely driven by food insecurity, disproportionately affects children and can prevent individuals from accessing education or employment that could lift them out of poverty.

Treating malnutrition requires a functioning health care system, but Ethiopia’s medical infrastructure is underfunded and lacks sufficient professionals and resources. According to the World Food Program (WFP), more than 10 million people currently face food insecurity and many more risk displacement due to ongoing conflict in the region.

In 2021, Ethiopia’s government introduced the Food Systems Transformation Plan, aligning national policies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan will enable organizations to fund agricultural investments in Ethiopia, including the agricultural sector. It also has the potential to create jobs, helping more Ethiopians earn a stable income and contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction.

About Acumen

Acumen, a nonprofit organization, focuses on using capital to reduce global poverty through innovations. Founded in 2001, the organization works to help impoverished populations access health care, education and clean water and address food security.

Acumen utilizes innovations to enhance energy and bring beneficial agricultural techniques that increase productivity and support communities. Acumen has worked to eradicate poverty around the world, but has recently focused on sub-Saharan Africa and East Africa.

EthioChicken 

Acumen supports efforts to fund agricultural investments in Ethiopia, including EthioChicken. EthioChicken was founded in 2010 and has since increased food access and boosted local economies in Ethiopian communities. EthioChicken has enabled customers to consume 83% more eggs, a nutritional food and find a new source of revenue.

Different breeds of chickens have different growth and survival rates. Before EthioChicken, many breeds were unsustainable due to diseases, climate and other growth hindrances, creating a negative balance in the agricultural sector and eliminating possible economic gains and health benefits. EthioChicken provides farmers access to improved chicken breeds, helping farms achieve higher survival rates and better growth.

This allows farmers to sell more eggs and generate additional income by selling older chickens for meat. Each chicken comes with nutritious feed and medicine to prevent disease and protect the flock. Healthier chickens lead to more nutritious meals, supporting communities struggling with both poverty and malnutrition.

After Acumen and other organizations invested in EthioChicken and similar agricultural programs in Ethiopia, the company expanded rapidly, reaching around 35 million chickens sold to farmers annually. Acumen’s support also helped improve Ethiopians’ economic and health conditions in raising, selling and purchasing the chickens.

With continued backing for initiatives like EthioChicken, Ethiopia’s agricultural sector is poised to grow, offering new opportunities for its impoverished population.

Future Policies and Initiatives To Reduce Poverty in Ethiopia

Government initiatives like the Food Systems Transformation Plan, the Homegrown Economic Reform and the National Food and Nutrition Policy show Ethiopia’s active efforts to reduce poverty and secure international support for agricultural investments. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health states that the National Food and Nutrition Policy aims to ensure food and nutritional security while improving public access to nutritious foods.

While Ethiopia’s government has collaborated with international organizations, all regions within the country must work together to improve the well-being of Ethiopians and reduce poverty. This unity helps prevent conflicting interpretations or unwilling participants from undermining national policies. According to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), sectoral fragmentation poses a major threat to a unified national approach in Ethiopia, as various groups have competing interests in controlling parts of the country’s food system.

However, sustained efforts and legislation to reduce poverty remain essential to driving social progress and enabling effective collaboration with organizations that fund agricultural investments.

– Avery Kachmarsky

Avery is based in Los Angeles,CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Orphans in the DRC

Orphans in the DRC and the IWOFThe International Widows and Orphans Fund (IWOF) is a nonprofit organization that primarily focuses on supporting orphaned children and widowed women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Congo is a country located in central Africa and it is bordered by nine countries: Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola and the Republic of Congo. 

Civil War

The DRC’s involvement in war is what has caused hardships for its civilians, especially women and children. The conflict has orphaned children and left many women widowed. Additionally, there has been an increase in violence and rape toward women and children during this period of war, which has lasted for more than 30 years. Around 7,000 people have lost their lives since January 2025. Women and children often face the greatest risks in situations like this.

Orphans in Congo

There are a variety of reasons why children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo become orphans. One main reason is that bad actors use rape as a strategy of war. As a result, many women become pregnant and abandon their babies on the streets due to embarrassment and social judgment. The country lacks organizations that protect orphans and communities often reject these children, leaving them with nowhere to go. Another reason for orphans in the DRC is poverty. When families are incapable of providing for their children, they resort to child abandonment.

Exploitation in the DRC

Due to their vulnerability, orphans are often exploited in various ways. In the DRC, adults take advantage of these children. Some law enforcement personnel have used them to disrupt political protests. Others exploit them as cheap, manual labor, often providing little or no pay. Some have also forced these children into sex and drug trafficking. The Congolese army has also used orphans as child soldiers. At one point, children made up as much as 40% of the army. They are often denied food, water and medical care. Recruits are trained to fight and carry out unlawful acts against civilians, exposing them to severe trauma and violence at a young age.

IWOF’s Mission

The IWOF began with one email in 2013. This email was from a friend and it detailed the story of 35 orphans in the DR of Congo, who were hidden from rebel soldiers in a wooded area. IWOF initially paid for school fees and uniforms. As the organization built a stronger relationship with the Grace Orphanage, it expanded its support. Since then, IWOF has constructed housing for 46 orphans, established a farm with animals and crops and built a learning center. The organization sends 97% of its raised funds directly to the Grace Orphanage in the DRC. The IWOF team also regularly visits and inspects the facilities.

Widows and Orphans Fund

IWOF not only supports orphans, but also supports widows. More than 5 million people have died in the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been ongoing for more than 30 years. As a result, many women have lost their husbands, leaving them widowed. These widows live without a stable source of income and often turn to prostitution. The majority of these widows also have no education. There are roughly 120 widows staying at Grace Orphanage. IWOF opened a reading center in 2018 to provide them and their children with reading and writing help, meals, school supplies, toys and games, socialization and health information.

IWOF’s Accomplishments

Over the last 10 years, IWOF has:

  • Built four houses that support 46 children
  • Built two houses for staff
  • Remodeled the first house into an on-site library and administrative office
  • Built a reading center and supported 10 women through a reading and business program
  • Built an agricultural area that produces crops for food
  • Installed the first phase of a septic system
  • Built a communal kitchen that feeds 54 people daily, including children and staff
  • Installed a water well with a solar pump to provide fresh water to the orphanage and nearby community
  • Installed solar power to supply the houses
  • Built a gate and wall for security
  • Purchased two acres of land for future housing at Grace Orphanage

Looking Ahead

IWOF plans to expand further in the coming years. Its goal is to provide housing for up to 60 orphans in the DRC and for the orphanage to become self-sufficient. The organization plans to build another house to accommodate more children. It also aims to grow its reading and business program to include microloans and mentorship for widows, helping them successfully run their own businesses. Supplying vegetables and chickens is also part of IWOF’s future plans. The organization hopes to rely less on donations and move toward long-term self-sufficiency. 

– Ella Burke

Ella is based in Lawrence, KS, USA and focuses on Good News, Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ciudad de los Niños: A Non-Profit’s Impact on Tijuana’s Children

Ciudad de los Niños (City of Kids): A Nonprofit's Impact on the Children of Mexico Ciudad de los Niños is a civil organization serving the community of Tijuana, Mexico. It offers a home for children from unsafe families, as well as childcare, psychological and educational programs. From a guiding value of co-responsibility, the nonprofit shares a commitment with society and families to protect, care for and support children experiencing social disadvantages. These disadvantages include financial hardship, mental health issues, disabilities and not having safe or reliable parental care. 

The Borgen Project spoke with Marta Beltrán, director of Ciudad de los Niños; Maryel Nieves, head of communications; Gladys, coordinator of CAI Albergue Infantil; and Cinthia Saavedra, coordinator of Unidad de Servicios Especializados, to gain further insight into the organization’s work. 

CAI Albergue Infantil (Children’s Shelter)

The Albergue Infantil is a shelter home for children who have experienced abuse or abandonment from their caregivers. The children’s cases are evaluated by the state. In this process, the children are moved to shelter homes like the Albergue Infantil offered by Ciudad de los Niños. There is no specific time frame for the length of cases, so children can spend anywhere from a few months to several years at the home.

Coordinator Gladys works directly with these children. She focuses on creating a family-like atmosphere and wants the children to have a loving and dignified childhood. She ensures that all fundamental emotional needs are met, guided by love.

Unidad de Servicios especializados (Unit of Specialized Services)

The Unidad de Servicios Especializados is Ciudad de los Niños’ psychological unit. Here, the nonprofit offers therapy to children and parents for mental health, trauma and disabilities.

Typically, the children are between 3 to 17 and a half years old. For kids with disabilities, the unit offers speech therapy, teaches sign language and provides hearing aids. For parents, they work with therapists outside the organization to connect them. Psychiatric services are included at the unit for patients who may need medication.

Prices are adjusted and decided after an assessment of family income. This allows low-income families to access needed psychological services. Equity is practiced, as the price is set using context and understanding of differing situations.

Initially, patients can have a hard time, as the therapists challenge them and help them confront difficult emotions. However, as treatment progresses, patients begin to feel proud of themselves for their successes. Similarly, the workers often have to figure out solutions, but feel very fulfilled seeing their patients’ progress.

Estancia Infantil (Day Care)

Ciudad de los Niños offers a daycare for working parents. To qualify for the program, both parents must be employed. However, the organization makes exceptions. If a parent is continuing their education, they may still qualify, since they cannot be with their child during class. Also, in consideration of summer vacation, children who are alone at home due to their parents’ working hours are accepted into the daycare. 

The daycare promotes equity, as low-income families can receive scholarships. Furthermore, the requirement helps ensure that working families have better access to childcare, as there is less competition from families with a stay-at-home parent.

Programa Educativo (Educational Program)

The children at Ciudad de los Niños attend public school and are further supplemented through educational programs at the organization. The organization connects with the schools to understand what each child needs to improve. They also focus on the students’ homework. Additionally, Ciudad de los Niños offers its own curriculum on art, plastic art and ecology.

The education program goes beyond its unit. It is present in all the aforementioned units, most notably at the Unidad de Servicios Especializados. In the case of mental disabilities, the unit implements pedagogy to provide effective aid to patients with neurodivergence.

All of the units work together. A child in the Albergue Infantil may go to therapy at the Unidad de Servicios Especializados and participate in the Programa Educativo after school for a concept they may not have understood at school.

Volunteers

Ciudad de los Niños welcomes volunteers across its programs, including at the Estancia Infantil, which supports young children. Volunteers assist with caregiving, play-based learning and basic needs such as organizing supplies. In the past, volunteers have donated school supplies and toys through independent fundraising efforts. The organization fosters a welcoming environment for volunteers, often including them in group activities and highlighting their contributions on social media.

Looking Ahead

Ciudad de los Niños offers direct aid to the community of children and even parents in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. At the Albergue Infantil, children are given a second chance at a childhood filled with love, respect and integrity that they did not receive in their original homes. At the Unidad de Servicios Especializados, children with mental disabilities or traumatic upbringings can seek healing and peace through the help of psychologists and therapists. Likewise, at the Estancia Infantil, hardworking parents receive child care support. This allows for social mobility, as parents can grow their careers or have two incomes instead of one. Finally, in the educational program, children receive further instruction in subjects like arts and ecology and receive help with their homework. Parents and children experiencing financial challenges, mental health concerns, disabilities and unsafe homes can find help at Ciudad de los Niños.

– Andrea Roji

Andrea is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Ciudad de los Niños

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CARE International: Social and Economic Aid in the Balkans

Social and Economic Aid in the Balkans For more than 25 years, CARE International organization has offered social and economic aid in the Balkans to help the marginalized groups affected as a result of inter-regional disturbances. 

History of CARE International in the Balkans

In the 1990s, CARE International’s humanitarian efforts focused on addressing the trauma caused by the widespread war that plagued the region. Most of the trauma from these wars included displacement, destruction and intercultural tension within the Balkans. In response, CARE led many life-saving humanitarian efforts in the 1990s to help restore the region.

The life-saving efforts included:

  • Helping the process of displaced people returning to their home regions.
  • Providing another opportunity for livelihood after war for displaced people.
  • Improving access to social protection for the most vulnerable.
  • Addressing issues with reconstruction and society and calling on civil society to make changes.
  • Overall, improving social well-being for the population.

Present Day Aid with CARE International

By the year 2000, CARE International began shifting its focus to social and economic aid in the Balkans as the region stabilized after the war. Within the more stable Balkan region, CARE International focuses on supporting underrepresented groups by expanding their access to opportunities and rights through two main pillars:

  1. The integration of marginalized and vulnerable groups into Balkan society through socio-economic strategies to improve opportunities for livelihoods.
  2. Equality for marginalized and vulnerable groups through practices that encourage chances for every group to be represented in all areas, especially not based upon gender, all the way up to the government.

With these two vital pillars, CARE International seeks to make new opportunities for vulnerable groups to gain access to the same opportunities as everyone else in the Balkan region. These opportunities also offer a vital source of peace within the region. CARE International also contributes to ensuring sustainable peace within the Balkans. In addition to the aforementioned opportunities, CARE provides many different peacebuilding and conflict protection services in the region that offer vulnerable groups the aid they need after experiencing violence.

Looking Ahead: Social and Economic Aid in the Balkans

CARE International’s social and economic aid in the Balkans extends to all groups in need of support. Indeed, its goals focus on assisting struggling communities throughout the region and helping them reach their full potential. This opportunity for vulnerable groups helps the Balkan region continue to prosper economically and, in return, closes the gap of missed chances for lower-income or vulnerable individuals. Furthermore, CARE International’s efforts offer a chance to improve the livelihoods of many underrepresented or lower-income groups by expanding access to better social and economic opportunities.

As CARE International’s efforts focused on social and economic aid in the Balkans, the region’s support is evident through the increased participation of vulnerable groups in society on more equal terms. Through the humanitarian aid powered by CARE International, the groups most in need get a chance at a proper livelihood and the ability to live their lives to the fullest.

– Angelina Tas

Angelina is based in Cleveland, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Soap-Making: Hygiene and Economic Empowerment

Hygiene and Economic Empowerment In countries like Uganda and Haiti, soap-making creates financial independence, poverty reduction and community leadership. Through women-made soap businesses, local entrepreneurs are adapting powerful tools for change through basic hygiene. 

Hygiene and Economic Empowerment

Global nonprofits like Clean the World, Care International and Oxfam support many of these businesses, contributing to a ripple effect of positive outcomes. Women are receiving training in entrepreneurship, health services and supply chain management, which allows them to produce soap in areas where hygiene product availability is scarce. This is not only improving health, but also boosting income and helping communities reach self-sufficiency.

The central idea driving these efforts is hygiene and economic power, both working together to equip women with the tools to fight disease and gain enough financial support to lift themselves out of poverty. A prime example appears in refugee camps and urban slums, where waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea are widespread. With regular access to personal hygiene products like soap, infection rates can decrease. A World Health Organization (WHO) study states that handwashing with soap can significantly reduce diarrheal disease—an important statistic for communities without access to clean water.

Empowering Women Through Soap-Making

Making soap helps these women earn a living. In Haiti, women involved in Oxfam’s local hygiene initiatives not only make and sell soap but also teach others about the importance of staying clean and healthy. By focusing on both business and health advocacy, the program supports longer-lasting benefits. The use of recycled soap from hotels offers an innovative solution for communities in need. Organizations like Clean the World collect discarded soap from partner hospitality businesses, sanitize it and redistribute it through women-led local cooperatives. The system is both eco-friendly and provides economic opportunities for women.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing programs are helping drive progress against poverty. In Haiti, women participating in these businesses have steadily increased their household income over the past two years. With higher incomes, families can afford school fees, consistent food supplies and health care. Each bar of soap sold contributes to reducing the cycle of poverty. Amid the challenges facing low-income countries, hygiene and economic empowerment play a key role in helping communities develop. Investing in women-led cooperatives supports efforts toward greater equality. Programs like these strengthen public health systems, promote economic stability and support long-term development.

– Kyra Cribbs

Kyra is based in Trenton, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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C3’s Fight Against Child Marriage in India

Child Marriage in India Every year in India, early marriage robs millions of girls of their childhood. Forced to leave school, bear children and shoulder adult responsibilities before they are ready, these girls face a lifetime of lost opportunities and bodily autonomy. Despite legal protections, child marriage remains a deeply rooted issue, fueled by poverty, social norms and gender inequality.

At the forefront of efforts to resolve the issue is the Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3), a nonprofit organization working tirelessly to empower girls, shift mindsets and create systemic change. C3 believes that when girls are educated, healthy and supported, they can break the cycle of child marriage and build stronger futures for themselves and their communities.

Understanding the Challenge

Child marriage remains alarmingly prevalent in India, especially in rural areas. According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), nearly one in four girls in India gets married before the age of 18. Girls forced into early marriage are more likely to drop out of school, experience complications from early pregnancy, suffer from domestic violence and face limited economic prospects.

Behind these statistics are complex factors: poverty, lack of access to education, deeply entrenched gender norms and the belief that marriage offers girls social or economic security. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the situation, with reports of rising child marriage rates during lockdowns.

About C3

Founded in 2002, C3 is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls across India. C3 envisions a world where all women and girls can realize their full potential, participate in decisions that affect them and live lives of dignity and equality. C3 works at the intersection of education, health, leadership and rights. Its child marriage prevention initiatives rely on community partnerships, grassroots mobilization and evidence-based advocacy.

C3’s Approach to Ending Child Marriage

C3’s multi-layered strategy addresses both the symptoms and root causes of child marriage:

  1. Empowering Adolescent Girls. C3 provides girls with life skills education, leadership training and safe spaces where they can build confidence and support one another. Programs like Girls Champions equip young girls to advocate for their rights, resist pressure to marry early and become change agents in their communities.
  2. Keeping Girls in School. Education is one of the most powerful tools against early marriage. C3 works to increase school retention through scholarships, mentorship programs and girl-friendly school environments. When girls stay in school, the likelihood of early marriage drops significantly.
  3. Engaging Families and Communities. Change doesn’t happen in isolation. C3 actively engages parents, teachers, religious leaders and community elders through awareness campaigns and open dialogue. By fostering understanding of the harms of child marriage and promoting positive alternatives, C3 helps shift longstanding social norms.
  4. Strengthening Policies and Systems. C3 also advocates at the state and national levels to improve enforcement of child marriage laws and to develop adolescent-friendly health and education policies. It partners with government bodies to scale effective programs and to create environments where girls’ rights are protected.

Looking Ahead

In Bihar and Jharkhand—two states with high child marriage rates—C3 has reached more than 100,000 adolescent girls. It has engaged thousands of community members through workshops, leadership training and school-based interventions. With the help of C3 and other advocates, 23 child marriages have already been prevented. Despite progress, it appears ending child marriage in India still requires more effort. Social stigma, poverty and weak enforcement continue to pose challenges. But C3 remains committed by adapting to new realities, scaling what works and deepening its impact.

In 2025 and beyond, C3 aims to:

  • Expand its programs to more high-risk districts.
  • Increase digital outreach and adolescent-friendly tech tools.
  • Deepen partnerships with schools, local governments and grassroots women’s groups.

Ultimately, by empowering girls and challenging harmful norms, C3 is helping build a more just, equal and hopeful India for everyone.

– Meagan Beaver

Meagan is based in Zephyrhills, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Child Poverty in Croatia

Child Poverty in CroatiaChildren make up nearly 17% of Croatia’s population. Due to various factors, one in five children in Croatia experiences child poverty. However, several organizations, including SOS Children’s Villages and Caritas Croatia, are working to address this.

Child Poverty in Croatia: An Overview

As of 2023, the child poverty rate in Croatia stood at 16.1%, down from around 21% in 2014. Following its independence in the late 1990s, Croatia experienced significant economic changes during the early 2000s and 2010s, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. These events caused fluctuations in the number of lower-income families, directly impacting many Croatian children and their living conditions.

The prevalence of lower-income families directly impacts many Croatian children and their livelihoods. Currently:

  • One in two children in Croatia doesn’t attend preschool.
  • One in five children faces a high risk of poverty.
  • One in four young people in Croatia are unemployed.

These numbers are a product of many families not having access to the proper resources to support their families. Many parents have difficulty affording preschool or other necessities for their young children to strive in society. This upbringing creates a skills gap for many young people in Croatia, contributing to high youth unemployment rates.

Combating Child Poverty in Croatia

Several organizations support children living in poverty in Croatia to combat this disparity. One of the most notable is SOS Children’s Villages, which operates nationwide. SOS Children’s Villages has supported Croatian children without parental care since 1992, addressing child poverty head-on. It aims to end child poverty by protecting and supporting children in their care, helping them access education and building careers for adulthood. 

The charity has kept 35 families together, provided safe homes for 140 kids and prepared 55 young people for independent living. Its social centers serve vulnerable families to help them climb out of poverty. Children in SOS Children’s Villages are supported in staying connected with their families and communities. At the same time, their strengths are nurtured as they grow and learn. Overall, SOS Children’s Villages provide children access to proper health and educational services. This support offers opportunities many might not have had outside the Villages.

Similarly, Caritas Croatia (Hrvatski Caritas) has been tackling child poverty and social exclusion through its wide-reaching network since 1992. Operating across more than 10 dioceses and hundreds of parish outlets, it assists vulnerable families, orphans, children with disabilities and war-affected youth. The organization has supported more than 5,000 children.

The Long Run

The long-term impact of SOS Children’s Villages clearly shows its commitment to combating child poverty in Croatia. The program lays a foundation for a future filled with career opportunities and self-sufficiency by providing children with a strong support network early on.

Looking ahead, SOS Children’s Villages have the potential to break the cycle of poverty by equipping Croatia’s youth with the resources they need for a fresh start and a brighter future.

– Angelina Tas

Angelina is based in Cleveland, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Responding to Crisis: IF Charity in Gaza

Responding to Crisis: IF Charity in GazaEstablished in 2002, IF Charity has spent more than two decades providing aid in Gaza. In an interview conducted by The Borgen Project, longtime volunteer Souad Mh discussed the organization’s key programs, challenges and ongoing efforts to deliver support in a conflict-affected region.

Origins and Mission

Souad’s involvement with the Palestinian cause began 20 years ago, when she helped a friend in Morocco raise funds by selling items at a mosque. After moving to the United Kingdom (U.K.) in 2018, she sought to continue her efforts and found Interpal, the organization that preceded IF Charity. Political challenges eventually led to Interpal’s closure and IF Charity emerged in its place with a continued focus on providing life-saving aid to Gaza. Souad believes that the cause itself sets the charity apart. “I think it hurts a lot to see someone suffering or going through hardship nonstop,” she said.

Education Reborn

Education Reborn, one of IF Charity’s signature programs, focuses on restoring learning opportunities for children in Gaza whose schools have been destroyed. The organization supplies essential materials such as tables and books, aiming to ensure that children have the tools and spaces needed to continue their education.

IF Charity also invests in community infrastructure. Its community development program supports water and desalination plant construction, which provides clean water to families and reduces the need for young people to travel long distances. The time saved allows youth to participate in education or pursue job opportunities through the charity’s job creation initiatives.

Food and Energy Security

According to IF Charity’s 2023 to 2024 action report, 90% of people in Gaza experience food insecurity. To address this, the charity distributes vegetable baskets and food parcels. During Ramadan 2024, the organization provided food parcels to 2,338 families. To tackle frequent electricity outages, IF Charity installed solar panels in North Gaza. These panels also support water extraction from wells, contributing to both energy and water access. The charity also organized an Eid fun day in 2024 to provide emotional relief and a sense of normalcy for children and families affected by ongoing conflict.

Overcoming Barriers

Despite its impact, IF Charity faces numerous obstacles. Infrastructure destruction — including hospitals, power lines and roads — hinders aid delivery. Blockades further restrict access to essential supplies. While the organization constructs makeshift clinics and supplies medicine to the extent possible, needs remain high.

Another significant challenge is the transfer of donations. Souad described the difficulty she experienced after raising more than £6,000 for Gaza during Ramadan. Banks refused to transfer funds directly to Gaza, citing restrictions. She explained, “They were happy with it to go to any other country besides Gaza.” Attempts to reroute donations through Türkiye also failed due to bank complications and even IF Charity was unable to accept the funds due to regulatory concerns.

Additionally, the charity faces limitations on social media. Its Instagram page has been shadow-banned, meaning that posts do not appear in users’ feeds and tagging volunteers is restricted. Souad said, “So many hours that the person [spends]… to post pictures, videos,” yet the content does not reach the intended audience.

Looking Ahead

As IF Charity navigates operational hurdles, it continues to create spaces for global participation through events that raise both awareness and support. Annual initiatives in Morocco and Istanbul allow donors and volunteers to engage directly with the charity’s mission while fostering a broader network of solidarity. Despite ongoing challenges, IF Charity remains focused on expanding its reach and sustaining critical aid programs. With continued collaboration and visibility, the organization aims to strengthen its long-term impact in Gaza and beyond.

– Maryam 

Maryam is based in the UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Voices of Change: Radio Empowers Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa

Radio Empowers FarmersIn 2023, 64.2 million East Africans faced acute food insecurity, compounded by communities with low literacy rates, adverse climate instability and poor internet infrastructure. Many lacked the life-sustaining information to aid in the escape from poverty. For Farm Radio International, bridging this gap lies in communication justice, a guiding principle where every person deserves the unalienable right to speak and be informed.

Dialing up Support

Founded in 1975 by George Atkins, Farm Radio International is a Canadian nongovernmental organization (NGO). It works with existing radio stations to improve access to information in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization aims to connect small-scale farmers with life-changing knowledge and opportunities for a stronger voice in their development.

As of 2025, Farm Radio International supports communities across sub-Saharan Africa, a region where approximately 600 million people still lack access to electricity. The charity’s work demonstrates that reducing information loss in rural areas empowers Africans to make informed decisions. This could include knowing when to plant crops, adapting to climate emergencies or addressing health challenges. In sub-Saharan Africa, where 65% of the population relies on radio for news, broadcasters often serve as trusted and vital sources of information.

Following this dynamic, Farm Radio International implemented a network of nearly 1,400 stations across sub-Saharan Africa, all backed by informational resources, content and training. By the end of 2024, the initiative worked with 135 stations across 34 projects, addressing themes like food security, climate flux and gender equality.

Radio Empowers Farmers

Farm Radio International estimates that up to 60% of radio users tune into its programs, with an average of 20% incorporating one recommended practice. While statistically impressive, Farm Radio International prioritizes the impact on individual farmers’ lives. One example in northern Tanzania exhibited how a radio program on agroecology boosted farmers’ average knowledge score about ecologically sustainable agriculture by 62%.

In sub-Saharan Africa, researchers demonstrated how growth from agriculture is 11 times more effective at reducing extreme poverty than any other sector. Therefore, East Africans can expect better nutrition by improving farm systems through increased productivity, higher incomes and broader economic growth. They could also experience increased access to education and a ripple effect of economic activity throughout their communities.

Reflecting on Communication Justice

The vital role of radio as a source of information and support for small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overstated. With the longstanding partnership of Farm Radio International and local broadcasters, millions of farmers gain access to life-changing knowledge that empowers them to make informed decisions in the face of challenges like food insecurity.

Through interactive programs and community involvement, these initiatives not only improve agricultural practices but also enhance economic resilience and social equity. As technology continues to evolve, ensuring that radio retains its significance in agricultural communication will be essential for fostering development and empowering marginalized communities across the region.

– Marcus Villagomez

Marcus is based in Galveston, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr