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Social Protection in Angola

social protection angolaOver the past decade, Angola has significantly enhanced its social protection system, transitioning from emergency aid to comprehensive safety nets. Situated in southwestern Africa, Angola has experienced significant economic growth, primarily driven by its oil sector, despite years of conflict. The country has strengthened its social protection framework to address disparities and effectively safeguard vulnerable citizens. Social protection Development in Angola has progressed from simple humanitarian assistance during periods of conflict to well-organised programmes specifically aimed at poverty reduction. This transformation demonstrates Angola’s developmental trajectory and its unwavering commitment to improving social systems.

Cartão Kikuia (Kikuia Card)

Launched in 2013, the program had 101,246 beneficiaries nationwide. This innovative program aims to address the social impacts of economic reforms, particularly regarding fuel subsidies, by combining cash transfers with subsidised access to essential goods. It’s all about making life a little easier.  Beneficiaries are issued a prepaid card with KZ10,000 ($10.76) monthly, allowing them to purchase a select range of products at discounted rates from registered vendors. The primary goals of the program are to tackle income poverty and food insecurity while also fostering local market growth.

Initially tested in urban regions, the Cartão Kikuia program has progressively expanded into peri-urban and certain rural areas. Evaluations of the program have revealed beneficial effects on household consumption and dietary diversity. The program encompasses vulnerable groups, including widows with orphans, people with disabilities and ex-combatants.

Kwenda Program

The Kwenda Program stands as Angola’s first cash transfer social protection initiative, launched in May 2020 to address the needs of the most vulnerable households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Backed by $320 million from the World Bank and $100 million from the Angolan Government, this program is dedicated to supporting 1.6 million at-risk households. Designed with flexibility in mind, the Kwenda Program efficiently and safely reaches its beneficiaries, with most recipients receiving e-payments, granting most of them access to the financial system for the very first time in their lives.

Since its inception, the Kwenda program has made a significant impact, allocating $23 million by early 2022 and conducting 314,000 cash transfers, with 60% of beneficiaries being women. Enrolment has surged, exceeding half a million families registered by January 2022, and nearly half (247,000) have received at least one cash transfer. Thanks to the Social Protection Development in Angola, more than a million families are enrolled in the Kwenda programme, most of whom have received direct financial aid.

Maria Feliciana, a 92-year-old citizen from Catete in Icolo Bengo Province, a local vendor, shared her thoughts on the government program: “This initiative shows that the government remembers the poorest among us. It’s for everyone in need, even those in the villages. It treated us with respect and dignity.” She added, “Please bring the program back! Do not forget us older people in the villages. We have contributed to this country throughout our lives. This small help means everything to us. And please make it permanent—one year is not enough to change a lifetime of poverty.”

Valor Criança Social Cash Transfer Pilot

Valor Criança is a pilot program of social cash transfers, implemented by the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Women’s Promotion, with technical support from UNICEF, designed as a child-sensitive, unconditional social cash transfer program targeted at households with children aged zero to five years in selected municipalities prone to food insecurity. The program began implementation in 2019 as a pilot program, initially benefiting 20,000 children through monthly delivery of 3,000 AOA to 7,700 families in 257 municipalities in the provinces of Moxico, Bié and Uíge. It provided a monthly cash transfer of AOA 3,000 ($10 in the period) per child under 5, which was increased to AOA 5,000 in response to COVID-19, with the transfer amount directly paid to the child’s caregiver (predominantly women), limited to three eligible children per household.

The program served as an important foundation for Angola’s broader social protection system and has shown a significant impact in supporting vulnerable families with young children. The program also linked families to other services, including birth registration and early childhood development services, making it more than just a cash transfer program.

Institutional Framework and Governance

The Ministry of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women oversees social protection policies in Angola. Recent reforms aim to improve coordination among ministries and government levels, contributing positively to social protection development in Angola.

The National Social Action Policy (PNAS) came after various initiatives, setting up a framework for future actions. One significant initiative that started in 2019 was the Strengthen and Scale Up Social Assistance to Vulnerable Population of Angola (APROSOC) project, which focused on enhancing social assistance for the vulnerable population and received funding from the European Union.

Angola has also made progress in strengthening its social registry system, which helps identify potential beneficiaries and reduce duplication across programs. The Cadastro Social Único (Unified Social Registry) is gradually spreading nationwide, though challenges remain in reaching remote populations.

Further Ahead

Angola is making progress in its Social Protection framework by improving data collection and policy development. An International Labor Organization (ILO) workshop held in Luanda, Angola, in June 2025 saw the Interministerial Group on Social Protection Statistics convene to prepare the second Social Protection Statistics Bulletin, with new members participating.

This initiative signifies a shift towards systematic monitoring and evaluation in social protection development in Angola’s governance. Technicians from 12 key institutions collaborated to analyse data from 2022-2024, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 1.3.1 on social protection coverage. Furthermore, projects funded by Portugal’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the European Union back these efforts, highlighting Angola’s commitment to expanding social protection and fostering economic growth.

– Vanuza Antonio

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

Photo: Flickr

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5 Nations Eliminating GBV in Central Africa

gbv africaPoverty and gender-based violence (GBV) are deeply interconnected, as economic hardship often leaves women more vulnerable to abuse and limits their ability to seek safety and justice. In stopping gender-based violence in Central Africa, targeted foreign aid is playing a crucial role in breaking this cycle by funding initiatives that empower women financially, expand education, and strengthen legal protections. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAF), Chad, Cameroon and Rwanda, governments are using aid to overcome systemic challenges for women.

DRC: The World Bank’s Gender-Based Protection

The DRC’s collaboration with the World Bank has created the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response Project. The GBV Prevention and Response Project aims to increase government support for ending GBV and improve response times for GBV emergencies. The project offers survivor support centers, economic reintegration for women who have experienced abuse, and legal aid to women looking to get justice for any abuse or GBV. The project has served more than 79,000 women, reaching more than 8 million total. Undoubtedly, the DRC Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Project has increased access to justice and economic options for women living in poverty with no escape from gender-based violence.

CAF: Economic Independence through the Bêkou Trust Fund

In the CAF, the EU created the Bêkou Trust Fund for humanitarian development. The funds have been particularly helpful to women through its goals to restore security and the social contract between the government and the people. In CAF, less than 20% of girls attend secondary school and there are around 10,000 cases of yearly GBV on average. In the last 10 years, €11 million went to use in the gender theme of the fund. Through the Trust Fund, more than 68,000 women have received help with socio-economic integration, helping them live safely and independently.

Chad: Microfinancing for Empowerment via USAID

USAID’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative in Chad is working towards empowering women to escape cycles of gender-based violence through economic empowerment. Under the World Bank’s Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend, the initiative increases women’s access to health care, ability to enter the job market and lowers barriers to living independently. In Chad, 16.2%  of all women face gender-based or sexual violence in their lives. Although the USAID program is new, it has the promise to reduce this rate and increase equality between men and women in Chad.

Cameroon: Education and Legal Advocacy via UN Trust Fund

The U.N. Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, started by resolution 50/166 at the UNGA, has reached more than 7.7 million women globally. It aims to eliminate violence against women by increasing access to services like counseling and health care. Nearly 55% of women living in Cameroon experience gender-based violence every year. Still, the collection of programs under the U.N. Trust Fund aim to help more than 12,000 women escape systemic poverty and gender-based violence in Central Africa.

Rwanda: The World Bank’s Social Protection Transformation Project

In Rwanda, one significant initiative in combatting gender-based violence in Central Africa is the World Bank-funded Social Protection Transformation Project (SPTP), which integrates GBV prevention and response into its broader mission of economic empowerment.

This program provides financial assistance, vocational training, and social services to vulnerable populations, including survivors of GBV. Through this initiative, Rwanda has expanded safe spaces and counseling services, ensuring that survivors receive both economic and psychological support. The project also works closely with local NGOs and government agencies to enhance legal protections and improve access to justice for victims. By combining economic resilience with GBV prevention, this initiative reflects Rwanda’s commitment to breaking cycles of violence and fostering long-term recovery for survivors.

GBV in Central Africa: The Future

Reducing poverty is not only a strategy for economic development—it is a crucial step toward ending GBV in Africa. Aid aimed at reducing GBV in Central Africa is equipping women with the financial independence, legal protections, and social support needed to break free from cycles of abuse. These programs show that when the international community invests in women’s empowerment, it fosters safe, equitable societies. Continued support is essential to ensure lasting progress and to give more women the tools they need to build secure, self-sufficient futures.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breakthroughs in the Battle Against Cancer in Rwanda and Kenya

Cancer BreakthroughsOne of the most concerning diseases, cancer,  has become one of the recent breakthroughs for Africa, a continent that has been battling cervical and breast cancer for years. In 2020, more than a million cancer cases were reported and considered a leading cause of death in Africa.  Rwanda and Kenya, particularly, have had some recent wins in cancer research, treatment and preventative measures.

Rwanda

Early this year, the imPACT review team positively assessed the preventative measures Rwanda has made, such as restricting tobacco use and pushing HPV vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO), International Agency for Research on Cancer and International Atomic Energy Agency conduct imPACT reviews and their recommendations included “urging Rwanda to increase domestic public/private investment in health and stressing the importance of incorporating cancer control in other health programmes to increase access to services and referrals.” Having this special focus in healthcare schooling will have a lasting effect on cancer treatment.

A few years back, the Rays of Hope program launched, involved in partnerships like constructing more radiotherapy centers, coinciding with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). The promotion and advocacy of health will create lasting effects on future cancer breakthroughs.

Rwanda’s National Cancer Control Plan (2025-2029), including early detection, is more available. Many survivors like Edmund Kagire can attest to the recent developments made by the Plan, praising new cancer treatment centers: Rwanda Cancer Center, King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Military Hospital and Butaro Hospital. Furthermore, in an interview with Rwandan student-run journal (ICK), Kagire mentions the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, raising awareness on the amazing treatments promoted and provided.

He further mentions the Ministry of Health’s 2027 goal to greatly reduce cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths, which have spread among nearly 900 women in just a single year. The Rwandan government considers this a pressing issue and has taken steps to act early, treating girls for HPV, lowering future rates.

Kenya

Courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa, patients will have financial protection with access to diagnostics and treatment as well as specialized training for healthcare workers in breast and cervical cancer management. As part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Memorandum of Understanding agreement helps patients save costs by cutting co-pay and bringing exceptional care to the masses.

Last year, the Cancer Care Africa program launched advanced treatment for more people in Kenya, especially in breast cancer, according to AstraZeneca. As part of 2030 actionables, the program strives to foster 100 oncology facilities and healthcare professionals, modernize screenings, educate patients to take control of their experience, innovate medicine and produce concrete research data.

In May 2025, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) paid a visit to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to assess the legitimacy and ensure rapid progress.

Looking Forward

Africa has come a long way in fighting against cancer. With new government investment, medical technologies and human resources, countries can improve control over this disease. Both nations, Kenya and Rwanda, have a motivation to see a future without cancer-stricken health problems. To witness any near-cancer breakthroughs, the society will put its foot forward in educating and continue building on health resources for its people.

– Melody Aminian

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

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Poverty in Nigeria by 2050

Ending Poverty in NigeriDespite Nigeria’s rich natural and human resources, including crude oil, coal, marble and gold, poverty remains one of the most pressing challenges. According to a National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, 40.1% of the population lives in poverty. This statistic indicates that, on average, four out of 10 individuals in Nigeria have real per capita expenditures that fall below $87.47 annually. Consequently, this translates to more than 82.9 million Nigerians considered poor by national standards.

However, with a strategic vision and well-defined government policies, ending poverty in Nigeria by 2050 is achievable. Collaborative efforts from the Nigerian populace will also play a crucial role. This goal is essential for achieving sustainable development.

Root Causes of Poverty in Nigeria

The root causes of poverty in Nigeria include:

  • Economic Underdevelopment and Lack of Diversification. Nigeria’s economy is predominantly dependent on oil, which has resulted in a significant lack of diversification and heightened vulnerability to global price fluctuations. This over-reliance on a single commodity stifles job creation and economic growth, ultimately affecting the overall standard of living for the population.
  • Corruption. Corruption remains a major obstacle to development in Nigeria, costing the country $550 billion since independence. According to Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Nigeria ranked 145th out of 180 countries, reflecting persistent governance challenges. Corruption undermines public service delivery, diverts infrastructure, health and education funds and worsens poverty by restricting access to basic services.
  • Income Inequality. Income inequality in Nigeria remains a pressing issue, with the top 10% earning 14 times more than the bottom 50%. Nigeria’s Gini coefficient of 35.1 reflects a significant disparity in wealth distribution. This inequality limits social mobility and access to opportunities, reinforcing poverty, especially in rural areas.

Policy Initiatives to End Poverty in Nigeria

The Nigerian government has developed a strategic vision and key policy initiatives to end poverty in Nigeria. This includes a minimum wage increase from $19.23 to $44.86 in 2024 for those in the formal sector. This policy is designed to enable workers to afford essential needs, particularly in light of rising prices.

Similarly, collaborative initiatives, such as the Three Million Tech Talents (3MTT) initiative, represent a proactive approach by the Nigerian government to cultivate a generation of tech-savvy youth. This program empowers young individuals, particularly in the technology and creative industries. It fosters strategic partnerships with international organizations and the private sector. These efforts are aimed at ending poverty in Nigeria by the year 2050.

Final Remarks

Current economic conditions, characterized by inflation, a high cost of living, increased electricity tariffs and rising prices, have significantly weakened the impact of the wage increase. Additionally, minimum wage laws mainly apply to formal sector workers. This leaves much of the informal workforce uncovered, limiting the overall effectiveness of the policy. Therefore, ending poverty in Nigeria requires effectively enforcing the proposed minimum wage increase across both formal and informal sectors.

– Damilola Bukola Omokanye

Damilola is based in Abuja, Nigeria and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Renewable Energy in Togo

renewable energy in togoOut in West Africa, Togo’s beating heart lies in its bright Palm Beaches and North Mountains. It is a country with a fine culinary scene and fervent voodoo traditions. As of 2025, Togo is home to about 8.5 million citizens. Despite its rich history, the nation grapples with widespread poverty, particularly in rural areas where the rate stands at a staggering 58.5%. In urban regions, 26.5% of the population lives at or below the poverty line. Yet, some significant changes are being made to help elevate Togo’s unfaltering rates. This includes major renewable energy projects that help provide clean resources and strengthen the lives of those disadvantaged.

Renewable Energy in Togo

Togo commenced its largest solar PV Plant in the country, a 50 megawatt facility, aiming to help around 158,000 families by helping them overcome poverty. This special landmark initiative was developed under the support of AMEA Togo Solar, with crucial financial backing from both the African Development Bank and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The Solar PV tracks solar energy, boosting the flow of solar panels aimed at tracking the sun’s course. The plant receives most of its energy from Togo’s neighboring countries, Ghana and Nigeria. Their goal was to expand renewable energy to about 8 million people in the country.

A joint partnership between the African Development Bank and the European Union funded Solar Irrigation Systems, aiming to improve the quality of life in 500 impoverished rural regions. Together, both raised a considerable amount of $11.68 million for this vital project. Because of this, in September 2023, the companies implemented 122 solar water heaters and 153 surface pumps for farmers.

The irrigation pumps progress agricultural sustenance with the accessibility of water to grow plants and maintain harvest fields. Irrigation pumps advance agricultural sustenance by providing essential water for plant growth and crop maintenance. These are vital tools which allow farmers to produce food for communities in Togo. Their role highlights the link through technological innovation and global food scarcity.

Cultivating Change

Communaute Electrique du Benin created the Nangbeto Hydropower Plant Project in Plateaux, Togo. The 65.5 million watt hydraulic plant was inaugurated in 1984. Its main purpose was to keep track of 170,000 or more global power plants. It still performs an active role today and is undergoing modernized improvements, like refurbished turbines and upgraded cooling systems. This is to help continue its progress for another 30 years. This will primarily distribute electricity throughout the region and expand its power supply.

Togo is carefully working to advance its strategic investments in renewable energy. Projects like the Solar PV, solar irrigation systems, and the Nangbeto Hydropower Plant scores Togo’s commitment to expanding its electricity access. These initiatives highlight Togo’s steady approach to renewable energy development. Togo appears to be moving in a positive direction for its future.

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing HIV/AIDS in Morocco

HIV/AIDS in MoroccoThe HIV/AIDS epidemic in Morocco has had life-changing consequences for communities all over the world. International leaders have made significant progress over the past 30 years in improving awareness of the disease and accessibility to treatment, but countries must still take substantial action to fully eradicate it. Morocco has taken large strides towards this, launching various campaigns to do so. However, the extreme levels of poverty that the country is facing are forcing its residents into lifestyles that intensify their risk of contracting the disease, while the government’s lack of economic stability means prevention and treatment schemes are difficult to enact. Without U.S. support, the country lacks many resources which would be indispensable to its fight against HIV/AIDS in Morocco.

The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Morocco

As of 2024, the number of people living with HIV in Morocco stands at 23,000. About 5.9% of HIV/AIDS cases are men who engage in sexual relationships with other men (MSM), 7.1% are drug users and 2.3% are sex workers. The socio-political climate of Morocco still subjects these populations to extreme levels of discrimination, which often prevents them from seeking treatment. Additionally, 9% of Morocco’s population live currently in poverty. These difficult conditions, alongside the prevalence of sex tourism and human trafficking, mean there are an estimated 4.3 million sex workers living in Morocco, 2.3% of whom (knowingly) suffer from HIV.

The prevalence of drug users is also intertwined with national poverty, with economic stress forcing many to turn to substance abuse as a form of relief. The country’s lack of free health care also stands as a barrier to impoverished individuals accessing diagnoses and treatment, further increasing the risk of infection for those affected. Offering schemes to help alleviate the pressure of national poverty may prevent those it affects from turning to high-risk modes of employment and dangerous drug use, while making treatment accessible to those unable to afford healthcare bills. 

Breaking Down the Stigma

In comparison to other Middle Eastern and North African countries, the rate of HIV/AIDS among the population is relatively low. This is due to Morocco’s unmatched ability in implementing testing, diagnoses and treatment programs within its vulnerable communities. 

Thanks to the introduction of self-testing methods, the population now have access to a more discreet method of diagnosis. However, hospitals must still confirm tests offering positive results, limiting their anonymity and leading to a relatively low use rate.

Morocco’s ban on homosexuality, sex work and injection drugs, alongside general societal disapproval, means that many people who engage in these activities do not attempt to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS. 

In 2024 at the Taragalte Festival, Moroccan artist OUM announced that she would be ascending to the role of National Goodwill Ambassador in Morocco for UNAIDS. As a popular artist and social influencer, OUM’s work in spreading awareness and encouraging education about HIV prevention will be vital in breaking down the intense stigma surrounding the illness. UNAIDS foresaw that OUM’s efforts in erasing negative narratives via her public influence would improve access to HIV/AIDS preventative knowledge, diagnoses and treatment, particularly among high-risk communities in Morocco.

The US’s Impact

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a campaign aimed at controlling the international HIV/AIDS epidemic, does not currently practice in Morocco. This means the country does not have access to U.S. funded resources that could have a significant impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and, due to the nation’s lower economic status, could not be financed by only their government. PEPFAR supports communities most vulnerable to the illness and with high-risk populations making up the majority of diagnoses in Morocco, the U.S. Department of State’s assistance could offer profound assistance in curbing the epidemic where it is most rife. 

HIV/AIDS in Morocco is preventable. Governmental strategies to combat the disease and its often poverty-rooted causes are already having a profound impact on decreasing its prevalence in the country. However, the epidemic requires further action to achieve total eradication. Reducing societal stigma is an important aspect of making treatment more accessible, but assisting those in poverty, through Moroccan and U.S. funded support, to obtain affordable healthcare schemes and engage in lower-risk lifestyles is by far the most crucial method of ending HIV/AIDS in Morocco for good.

– Amabel Smith

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Political Policies that Reduce Poverty in South Sudan

poverty in South SudanKnown for its cultural heritage, rich biodiversity and artistic traditions, South Sudan is a unique and lush country. It is the world’s youngest nation, gaining independence in 2011, located in northeast Africa. To re-establish itself after gaining independence, South Sudan is undergoing a large amount of restoration. Due to the youth of the nation and its developing government, poverty in South Sudan is an ongoing issue. However, there are many policies set in place to combat the threat of poverty. Here is a list of policies that fight off poverty in South Sudan and how they work to address the issue.

Promoting Macroeconomic Stability

A stable macroeconomy is largely beneficial for a country and its citizens. It creates an environment that leads to economic growth, reduces inflation and prevents further economic instability. It is necessary when trying to reduce poverty.

One of the methods South Sudan is using to promote macroeconomic stability is by decreasing its dependency on oil revenues. Of the nation’s income, 90% comes from these revenues, meaning diversification is an important factor in improving the economy and reducing poverty in South Sudan.

One way South Sudan is working to diversify their nation’s revenue is through sustainable agriculture. By selling ranch and farm products to markets as well as producing their own food through agricultural practices, they add another route to revenue for the nation.

South Sudan has had the help of many projects to increase its agricultural health, such as the Sustainable Agriculture & Livestock Initiative (SALPI) and Global Affairs Canada’s Project.

South Sudan is also trying to promote tourism in its country. Through its national tourism policy, which aims to support local communities and improve infrastructure as well as getting support from other countries and organizations, South Sudan is actively growing to attract tourists for its luscious natural environment and unique traditions.

Boosting Social Development and Equality

South Sudan faces many humanitarian issues due to conflict and instability in the country. However, there are organizations and agreements that work to improve social development, equally assisting poverty in South Sudan.

The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is an agreement between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-opposition. It is an agreement that aims to bring about peace and stability to South Sudan. UNICEF and World Vision have both contributed to South Sudan, helping those who have been affected by conflict and displacement, providing education, food, health care, and sanitation.

The Global Partnership for Education is a major contributor to education for all, providing girl-friendly schools in South Sudan with trained teachers who know how to address gender sensitivity and prevent gender-based violence.

The National Disability and Inclusion policy in South Sudan aims to enhance the protection of South Sudanese with disabilities who may struggle due to their physical or mental abilities. Alongside this, South Sudan has also established a Rehabilitation Centre for people with disabilities to help them access proper healthcare and education.

Poverty in South Sudan: The Future

Although South Sudan is a newly independent country, leading to constant economic and social struggles, with the help of these policies and the organizations and governments that work to enforce them, South Sudan can grow into a thriving, self-sustained nation.

– Sevyn Whatley

Sevyn is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Musician Aim to Save One of the First Soup Kitchens in Uganda

uganda soup kitchensUgandan musician aims to raise £100,000 to save one of first soup kitchens in Uganda. Uganda is home to 48.66 million residents, however, the country faces serious food insecurity despite having major agricultural production. Ugandan musician-dancer, Grace Nakimera, started an organization that directly combats these issues.

People who live with serious food insecurity often eat one small meal and sometimes go days without food. However, the meals they do eat are not nutritious enough to support them. Children suffer the most as they are susceptible to stunted growth, anemia and cognitive delays due to the lack of proper nutrition. Unfortunately, to cope with this suffering, people pull kids from school to save money. They work on farms that do not provide a reliable income. Drought, poverty and disease are factors that plague farms’ potential to flourish. The communities that have support systems, such as local non-government organizations (NGO) help distribute food, but often the demand is far greater than the supply.

Helping to Feed the Streets

Feed the Streets Foundation, founded by Nakimera, is a small organization based in Kampala, Uganda, and it provides shelter to the homeless and hungry. Open every Sunday and Wednesday, they serve food to about 400-500 children and mothers, according to GoFundMe. Her efforts are exceptional considering that the national poverty line is at 20.03% and 42.12% of the population survives with $2.15 a day. Her foundation also administers counseling and rehabilitation that gives people with addiction the help they need.

Grace Nakimera grew up in the same area where her campaign lies. Born in 1985, the artist was introduced to music at a young age, performing at talent shows around her city at 7. With continuous hit singles penetrating the music scene, she became a household name in her home country. Her strong faith in God has allowed her to persevere through her childhood struggles, dealing with where to find her next meal and she has promised to help others in the same situation, according to GoFundMe. As she continues to raise £100,000 to save one of the first soup kitchens in Uganda, she is fulfilling her promise.

Her foundation has aimed to address hunger and malnutrition among the children of Uganda, serving many families. Through its soup kitchen in Uganda, they provide stability and shelter for the homeless and reach out to vulnerable children, ensuring they don’t go hungry. Moreover, they alleviate their general well-being by teaching instrumental skills to develop and sustain a small business. They offer training in baking, farming, mechanics, music and cosmetic care to equip them with helpful and independent prowess.

The Benefits of the Funds

Feed the Streets Foundation aims to use £100,000 to buy a farm and grow its own food, having proper shelter to accommodate the children and bringing in experts to teach people skills useful in their lives (farming, cooking, mechanical skills, etc.). It also hopes to feed up to 1,000 individuals, doubling the number they feed now, according to GoFundMe. The foundation’s current facility is rented and modest, which hinders their goals of expanding the program and serving that number of children. This creates significant challenges due to limited financial resources.

Sustaining a food bank in Uganda has difficult restraints that foundations like Feed The Streets often face. Uganda lacks a strong culture of structured food relief. It relies mainly on external funding, which can be inconsistent and unreliable. Also, NGOs struggle because of the limited government support, forcing them to rely on undiversified funding sources. The rising food cost, high demand and limited infrastructure make it challenging to provide consistent meals and soup kitchens are extremely vulnerable to inflation and food waste. Navigating through this constant struggle, even with projects with a deep community impact, is hard, causing a lack of awareness around food kitchens.

Soup Kitchens in Uganda

One of the first soup kitchens in Uganda is a rare lifeline for families in a city where hunger goes unseen. Its efforts create a defining spotlight on Uganda’s support system and systemic food insecurity, which highlights its major problems. Without its urgent donations and funding, it could be forced to shut down, leaving hundreds of individuals without the help they have come to depend on. Whether it be for food, shelter or overall health improvement, the loss of it could significantly damage them. Nakimera shows that caring enough to act can prove that lasting change doesn’t need to start in a large institution, which is why her work is so important.

– Kassandra Ticas

Kassandra is based in Gardner, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Stellah Bosire: A Lifetime of Fighting Health and Economic Poverty

Stellah BosireAlthough widely described as the largest slum in Africa, Nairobi’s Kibera is deeply rooted in community values and caring for your neighbor. While women face higher rates of health risks in varying forms, Dr Stellah Bosire persevered as a child engulfed in poverty. Feeling encouraged by her community and teachers, she became a highly influential human rights activist.

Childhood

Before Bosire was a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper and accomplished actor globally, she faced the same struggles that persist to this day in Kenya. Children were taught at a young age that odd jobs were necessary to provide basic needs for your family. Along with unsafe work opportunities, Bosire and nearly a third of women in Kenya have experienced sexual violence.

Despite the overarching strength instilled in the women around her, Bosire could not help but realize how much they are being held back due to inevitable health risks. For example, the neighborhood struggles with inadequate sanitation, while dangerous social norms blockade women into unfair cycles of poverty.

After falling into this cycle herself at 13 years old, she prioritized finishing school despite selling drugs to financially support her family. She studied the material and took her final exams after just two weeks, scoring the second-highest grade in her school, The Gates Foundation reports. It was this validation that showed Bosire the potential of her knowledge and gave her the confidence to work hard at solving the hardships her community has faced for years.

Bosire’s Career and Giving Back

Bosire attended the University of Nairobi’s School of Medicine, receiving a full scholarship. Her long list of accolades began compiling soon after beginning schooling. She has achieved a Bachelor of Science in Medicine and Surgery, a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management, and a Master of Science in Global Health Policy. To cover all aspects of her activism, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Law at the University of Nairobi.

Bosire has excelled in several leadership positions, allowing her to expand her efforts and help those internationally. She served as vice-chair for Kenya’s HIV Tribunal, focusing on women in the healthcare system who were discriminated against due to their HIV status, The Gates Foundation reports.

Bosire has brought a more holistic approach to health care in Kibera, focusing treatment efforts based on the context of individual lives. In 2021, Bosire created the HerConomy initiative to fund projects that allow women to excel economically, The Gates Foundation reports. This program provides aid and workshops to make a reliable worker, such as loans for healthcare expenses, making soap and professionalizing women-owned small businesses.

Along with accumulating more than 5,000 members, Bosire has also had to overcome harmful gender norms. Men in her own hometown called her “the homewrecker” for trying to shift gender dynamics in the home, according to The Gates Foundation. As a result of this, she invited the men to community discussions to shift their perspective on how economic empowerment for women can benefit all.

Using Her Own Experiences

Coming from an unsafe and uncertain environment, Bosire has used her power to give back to her community. Her mother was ill her entire life, and after Bosire’s education and exposure to formal schooling, they recognized her condition as depression and schizophrenia. In her last year of schooling at the University of Nairobi in 2011, she had lost her mom to Aids related complications.

The work that Bosire has put back into Kibera is present in the whole community. After her mother’s death, she became heavily involved in HIV/AIDS treatment and generated multiple projects for women affected with HIV/AIDS.

Street Healing Program

Tending to women in Kenya and all over Africa, Bosire has also digitized the experience of economic prosperity. She is building a software program to ease the lives of women in the economy, in the form of saving/accessing funds and building credit for a profile in the formal banking system, according to The Gates Foundation.

In addition to women’s economic empowerment, Stellah Bosire also tends to everyone she can on the streets of Kenya. Bosire runs what she calls the “Street Healing Program,” where she walks the business districts in Nairobi, medical bag in hand, ready to help any homeless people who are in need of common treatments or wound cleaning, Nation reports.

With no limits to her selflessness, Stellah Bosire has proven through overwhelming adversity that good change is possible. She credits hard work and resilience for her success, a message that has been relayed back to Kibera. Bosire’s childhood friends and others in Kibera call her achievements a “community degree” since that is where its efforts will flourish, right at home.

– Rachael Wexler

Rachael is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mobile health technology in Uganda

Mobile health UgandaFor years, many issues have plagued Uganda’s health care system. The vast majority of its population lives in rural areas with limited access to health care. Medical professionals are scarce, and their services are often extremely expensive. However, amid these challenges, a solution has emerged: mobile health technology. These innovative platforms connect users with essential healthcare services and provide access to incredible tools through personal devices. Mobile health technology in Uganda is laying a strong foundation for a more equitable future.

Struggles of the Past

The country has one of the worst doctor-to-patient ratios in the entire world. There is roughly one doctor for every 25,000 citizens. This falls drastically short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation, which is to have one doctor for every 1,000 people.

Health care in Uganda is largely unaffordable. Brown University’s Kyoko Saito recently traveled to Uganda, where she noted that one night in the hospital costs around $20, a shocking figure when considering that the country’s average monthly income is $78. Furthermore, hospital staff determine whether or not patients are financially stable and turn them away if they cannot pay for treatment.

Ugandan health systems struggle to obtain and restock essential equipment, store reliable health information and ensure quality of overall service.

Put simply, the fundamental structure of the Ugandan health care system is broken. There are not enough resources and not enough medical professionals. Furthermore, to exacerbate the issue, health care is expensive and predominantly located in urban areas, alienating around 70% of the rural population.

What is Mobile Health Technology?

Mobile health technology, commonly referred to as mHealth, is an umbrella term for the use of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices in medical care. Potential uses for mHealth include:

  • Tracking medical data and storing digital records
  • Enhancing communication between doctors and patients with secure messaging channels
  • Offering virtual training programs for essential workers
  • Allowing doctors to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients remotely through video consultation, imaging reports, e-prescriptions, etc.
  • Managing chronic diseases through mobile apps
  • Implementing nutrition monitoring systems

Although mHealth has only been around for a few years, 83% of physicians in the U.S. already use it to provide care. Expanding mobile health technology in underdeveloped countries like Uganda will lead to further benefits.

mHealth in Uganda

Currently, almost 30% of Ugandans have access to the internet, and this figure grows rapidly each year. The increased dissemination of electronics in recent years has allowed for mobile health technology in Uganda to flourish, working to address the fundamental issues that plague its health care system. Here are a few examples of the uses of mobile health technology in Uganda:

  • EVA System: A “mobile, AI-ready colscope that expands expertise on point-of-care cervical cancer screenings and sexual assault forensic examination.”
  • Palliative Care: For patients with cancer who have limited access to in-person physicians, mHealth technology has shown incredible potential in providing necessary palliative care.
  • Smart Health App: Stores patient data, plans for virtual appointments, provides instructions for care relating to immunization, childhood disease, pregnancy and more.
  • Test Results: In southwestern Uganda, health workers utilized text messaging as a means of quickly transmitting results for HIV-positive citizens.
  • Mass Communication: In northern and eastern Uganda, public health officials used text messaging to raise awareness for malaria and to remind patients to take their medication.

Looking Towards the Future

Mobile health technology in Uganda presents an inspiring solution that provides accessible, affordable health care to its citizens. Indeed, with these advancements, individuals in rural areas can now connect with medical professionals. Furthermore, hospitals can spend less on equipment and doctors can become less burdened by the vast overflow of Ugandans that need care. While there are significant hurdles that remain (namely, improving access to technology in rural areas of the country), the results have been extremely promising so far.

Over the next five years, Uganda’s mission will be to provide mobile health technology to over half of its inhabitants. This could ensure that the population can stay healthier (especially those in underfunded, remote locations), working to break the decades-long cycle of poverty that has affected millions of Ugandan citizens.

– Josh Weinstein

Josh is based in Chester Springs, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr