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Sightsavers Reduce Trachoma in Kenya

Trachoma in KenyaTrachoma, one of the well-documented Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), is the foremost infectious cause of blindness globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trachoma represents a significant public health challenge in 42 countries, contributing to the blindness or visual impairment of approximately 1.9 million individuals. Its impact most profoundly affects the most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Africa bears the brunt of its effects, with more than 30% of the population in Kenya being affected with trachoma.

Sightsavers, an international organization, is dedicated to preventing and treating blindness caused by NTD. Originating in the ’50s, it initially focused on leading countries like Kenya. The organization promotes disability rights and provides medical treatments to help eliminate trachoma in Kenya.

Sightsavers’ Efforts to Combat Trachoma in Kenya

Sightsavers dedicates itself to “avoiding blindness and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.” The organization actively pursues several key goals:

  1. Protecting Sight: Sightsavers works to prevent blindness in the most impoverished communities globally.
  2. Combatting Tropical Diseases: One of Sightsavers’ primary focuses is fighting tropical diseases like trachoma in regions such as Kenya.
  3. Disability Rights: Sightsavers strives to ensure equal opportunities for all, advocating for fair access to education and employment facilities.

Kenya stands as one of the countries most affected by trachoma. However, the nation’s health care system faces significant challenges due to underfunding and lacking essential resources for avoiding vision loss. Consequently, many individuals in Kenya’s poorest communities struggle to access vital medications necessary for preventing trachoma.

In response, Sightsavers focuses on providing targeted support through various initiatives. This initiative includes offering “Free Eye Screening” services and ensuring regular check-ups for trachoma to detect and address vision issues early. The organization also emphasizes training local staff, equipping doctors and surgeons with the necessary skills to enhance Kenya’s health care system and improve patient care quality.

Additionally, Sightsavers researches to gather data on the causes and prevalence of visual impairment due to trachoma in Kenya. The organization reaches out to remote communities through rural outreach programs to conduct screenings for signs of trachoma. Moreover, Sightsavers implements hygiene programs to educate schools on the significance of good hygiene practices. They are helping to combat infectious diseases. Finally, the group prioritizes inclusive education efforts, working to reduce gender inequality barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing essential eye care support.

Lanoi’s Journey: A Tale of Resilience and Hope

In 2024, Sightsavers captured the narrative of Lanoi, a 4-year-old afflicted with trachoma in Kenya. The nonprofit organization’s community health volunteer, Joel, embarked on a journey to remote villages where he encountered Lanoi, grappling with trachoma. Utilizing dose poles facilitated by SightSavers, Joel swiftly determined the appropriate medication dosage and administered antibiotics to Lanoi.

Dose poles are crucial in assessing a patient’s height and facilitating accurate medicine dosage. The distribution of more than one billion NTD treatments through pole calculations highlights the significance of Sightsavers. Following treatment, Lanoi experienced a swift recovery within days. Following her recovery, Lanoi’s uncle committed to advancing Sightsavers’ mission and combatting trachoma in Kenya. He focused on educating others about crucial prevention strategies to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

SAFE Strategy in Kenya

SightSavers employs the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face-washing and Environmental improvements) to combat trachoma in Kenya. This comprehensive approach involves surgical interventions to alleviate the condition where necessary. The group distributes antibiotics through mass drug administration programs, repeated annually for five years, to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.

Additionally, the organization prioritizes facial cleanliness, conducting local workshops to educate individuals on the importance of personal hygiene. Environmental improvements are also emphasized, with efforts concentrated on enhancing access to clean water and minimizing the risk of reinfection by eliminating breeding grounds for flies carrying the disease in Kenya.

Fighting Stigma Toward Gender

Sightsavers emphasizes the importance of addressing gender inequality in trachoma treatment efforts in Kenya. Children are particularly vulnerable to trachoma. Mothers, often primary caregivers, face heightened exposure. Recognizing this, Sightsavers views female volunteers as crucial in reaching women lacking treatment due to cultural or religious norms.

– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Flickr

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Equitable Funding: African Visionary Fund

Equitable Funding: African Visionary Fund (AV Fund)The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) is integral to this article’s discussion on the reevaluation of foreign assistance approaches. Degan Ali, a prominent African activist and founder of NEAR, a network championing the Global South’s leadership, advocates for reforming foreign aid distribution. Furthermore, the organization aims to decentralize control, directing resources and decision-making power closer to the communities they intend to assist.

Evidence of Change

Decolonizing Development is gaining traction in the aid sector, highlighted by the African Visionary Fund (AV Fund)’s recent announcement. Launching as a Segal Family Foundation fellowship in 2017, the AV Fund commits $1 million in flexible support to African-led organizations. In addition, this initiative, benefiting Sub-Saharan African communities, boasts pooled funding from several contributors, including King Baudouin Foundation’s United States (U.S.) arm, Segal Family Foundation, Skoll Foundation and the Tawingo Fund, which supports small to medium-sized charitable groups aiding the needy in developing nations.

The Case for Co-Leadership

Co-leadership is essential to the African Visionary Fund’s (AV Fund) operation, underscoring the belief that proximity to the communities served enhances the impact. Integral to its philosophy since inception, the AV Fund advocates for equity-centered philanthropy, embodying these principles within its structure. Launched as an independent entity in 2020, Katie Bunten-Wamaru, with her extensive background in nonprofit management and experience in East Africa, serves as the co-CEO, propelling the Fund’s mission forward. Her leadership exemplifies the Fund’s commitment to shared governance and deep local engagement.

“The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) emerged amid global discussions on equity and localization, focusing on directing more funding to local leaders during the global pandemic. A year after its inception, Atti Worku joined Katie Bunten-Wamaru as co-CEO. Based in Africa, Worku, with her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and advocacy for local founders, has significantly contributed to the Fund’s mission. Moreover, before the AV Fund, Worku founded and led Seeds of Africa in Ethiopia for more than a decade, bringing valuable grassroots experience to her role.

Atti Worku, AV Fund co-CEO stated “This role is very personal to me. I see myself in the ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs we engage with at the AV Fund. I hope to learn from them and partner with them to redesign funding systems that give African visionaries an equitable chance of success.”

AV Fund

The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) emphasizes collaboration with visionary leaders and acts as a strategic ally, creating opportunities for those closest to their communities. It focuses on supporting organizations that are African-founded, -based and -led, working alongside a network of trusted partners. In addition, this approach enables significant impacts across various sectors, including health infrastructure, education, local economies and equitable societies, showcasing the Fund’s success in fostering sustainable and inclusive development.

Looking Forward

The AV Fund is evidence that foreign aid is having a reckoning. As Degan Ali impressed “International fund-raising should be based on amplifying the dynamic work our communities themselves are engaged in.” Furthermore, Bunten-Wamaru stated, “Everything that we do has to be in service of African-led organization.” In addition, Katie explained further, “There will always be a need to balance this tension – having a co-leadership model helps us balance both sides of our work and not lose sight of either goal.”

– Pamela Fenton
Photo: Flickr

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How ActionAid International Is Improving Public Health in Kenya

ActionAidDespite Kenya being one of the largest and most developed countries in Eastern and Central Africa, it still grapples with significant challenges, particularly regarding food security, access to clean water, health care and education. The country is currently reported to have made strides in economic development. Still, persistent issues such as poverty, inequality and corruption continue to hinder progress, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving government intervention and collaboration with important organizations such as the ActionAid International nonprofit.

ActionAid: An Overview

ActionAid is a global movement working toward improving public health in Kenya. It also aims to eradicate poverty and injustice by supporting people and communities to claim their rights and achieve sustainable change. The organization was founded in 1972 and focused on empowering developing communities and marginalized groups to advocate for access to health care resources. At the heart of the group’s approach is the belief that poverty is not simply based on lack of income but is also about community marginalization. The organization works in various Kenyan locations to address the root causes of poverty, including unequal distribution of resources, discrimination and lack of access to education and health care.

ActionAid’s methods and programs differ from the standard nonprofit approach, encompassing many overlooked issues, including women’s health rights, climate justice, humanitarian responses and economic justice. Through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and partnerships with other impactful organizations, the nonprofit is improving public health in Kenya. This society seeks to amplify the voices of affected populations by creating community-led initiatives and providing essential resources to influence policy changes that address the systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities in the country. The organization focuses on three critical areas for improving public health in Kenya: empowerment, solidarity and campaigning for social justice.

The Response to Poverty and Rights

In addition to its programmatic work, ActionAid also conducts research plans, policy analysis and public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the fundamental causes of poverty and advocate for changes at the national and international levels. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 2,” involves facilitating young people and communities living in poverty and exclusion to advocate for their rights with democratic governance for access to the advancement of economic opportunities for young people. This plan aims to build capacity among youth and marginalized communities, providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to effectively engage with policymakers, demand accountability and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

The organization also works with various impoverished communities to provide them with essential resources, capacity-building initiatives and support to address specific needs and challenges. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 3,” involves:

  • Implementing sustainable development projects.
  • Facilitating access to education and health care services.
  • Promoting economic empowerment through livelihood programs.
  • Advocating for policy changes that advance the rights and well-being of marginalized populations.

Through these collaborative efforts, the organization strives to foster resilience, self-reliance and dignity among communities facing poverty and exclusion. Furthermore, ActionAid is committed to maintaining long-term partnerships with local organizations such as the Foreign Ministry of Affairs of Denmark to ensure that interventions are culturally sensitive, contextually appropriate and sustainable in improving public health in Kenya.

Addressing Food Insecurity and Access To Clean Water

ActionAid, recognizing the critical importance of addressing food insecurity and lack of clean water access, has implemented several initiatives across Kenya to tackle these pressing issues. The organization aims to empower communities to secure their right to food and clean water through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and educational strategies. The organization has implemented these sustainable solutions in multiple locations nationwide, including Turkana, Garissa and Baringo.

In addition to addressing the immediate need for resource accessibility, ActionAid also recognizes the importance of education in influencing communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve sustainable development. One of the most notable programs developed to address this issue is the “Education For Life Project (EFL),” which equips marginalized youth and adults with the essential skills and knowledge for personal and developmental growth.

The EFL project goes beyond traditional classroom education by incorporating practical, hands-on learning experiences tailored to participants’ and their communities’ specific needs and aspirations. The initiative is currently implemented in five regions of Kenya (Kisumu, Garissa, Kilifi, Migori and Isiolo) in partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and Leonard Cheshire (LC) to influence positive school and life skills for the most marginalized populations.

– Caleb Ilayan
Photo: Unsplash

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Suicide Prevention in the Central African Republic

Suicide Prevention in the Central African RepublicTragically, 1 in 100 deaths results from suicide, with the Central African Republic among several countries experiencing a devastatingly high suicide rate. Suicide prevention in the Central African Republic is crucial, as countless families face devastation. Survivors of suicide attempts in the country continue to struggle with severe depression. Therefore, preventing suicide and providing care for individuals who have previously attempted suicide are essential in the Central African Republic.

Factors Contributing to the Decline in Suicide Rates

Fortunately, the Central African Republic has seen a 3.91% decline in suicide rates per 100,000 individuals. Addressing other problems like drug abuse, unemployment and food scarcity helps relieve depressed individuals from further stress, contributing to this decline.

In addition, between 2004 and 2008, the United Nations (U.N.) reported multiple drug seizures of cocaine and other illicit substances from parts of West Africa. By 2024, Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and methamphetamine have become two of the most common forms of drug use in Africa, alongside cannabis.

Michael Groat, director of psychology at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, explained that suicide and addiction stem from a desire to end pain. The combination of depression and drug use can be lethal, leading to addiction and possibly intentional or unintentional overdose.

Addressing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues

RehabPath has created a referral page for several treatment facilities for those struggling with substance abuse in the Central African Republic. Moreover, RehabPath recommends facilities like the Continental Brain Clinic and Synapse Azalea, which dedicate themselves to helping people recover from addiction and hopefully prevent some from committing suicide via drug overdose.

Drug use is not always the reason for suicide as mental health problems are considered one of the biggest factors for suicide. Mental health issues can include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder which can be situational-based or even genetically linked. Not every individual who suffers from depression or another form of mental illness will commit suicide however, it is still recommended that those who are struggling seek help before their health deteriorates further.

Funding Challenges for Mental Health

Those struggling with mental health in the Central African Republic have limited options due to low government investments. The African government lends 311.53 XAF, the United States (U.S.) equivalent of $00.50, to mental health practices. Strong Minds Uganda is currently trying to raise awareness of Africa’s unfunded mental health care system. In addition, the organization has managed to raise enough awareness for an article on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website.

Success of Group Therapy Initiatives

Recently, both WHO and Strong Mind have provided group therapy sessions to more than 160,000 women and young people in both Uganda and Zambia. Fortunately, approximately 80% of these figures have reported a significant levity in their depression. Whilst this news is encouraging there are thousands more who need help, especially men as it has been reported more males are likely to commit suicide than females on a 3:1 ratio.

Socio-Economic Factors and Suicide Rates

The men living in Africa are not the only ones who struggle. It is reported suicide rates have become increasingly high in multiple black communities including countries such as the U.S.Psychiatrist Patricia Harris, who is Everyday Health’s chief health and medical editor suggests multiple reasons for the increase including cyber-bullying, pressure to live up to a ‘strong black person’ image and the lack of representation in mental health services.

Moreover, the Central African Republic has an abysmal lack of funding. With 70% of the country living in extreme poverty, it is no surprise that men fall into despair and want to end their lives. The World Bank has suggested strengthening the human capital of Central Africa to invest in agricultural pursuits thus boosting agriculture further to decrease poverty.

Furthermore, this could potentially save lives as the people of the country will feel less pressure regarding feeding their families and maintaining a healthy household. For now, both men and women rely on the compassion of others. Interaction with other individuals can be beneficial to a person’s mental health and prolonged isolation can worsen symptoms of depression. Isolation can be caused by feeling unwanted or like an outcast around a particular group of people.

Efforts to Combat Mental Health Stigma and Isolation

The World Health Organization (WHO) started World Mental Health Day in 2022. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of suicide and mental illness in the Central African Republic. This campaign aimed to reach 10 million African people, help them seek treatment for any of their medical conditions and support their families and friends in the interim.

In 2024, the Central African Republic has put new plans into place to help the most isolated citizens. Plans include efforts for suicide prevention in the Central African Republic. These plans include vital multisectoral assistance to 1.9 million vulnerable people and localizing humanitarian responses. Looking forward, these plans with the help of donations from humanitarian organisations, should provide those struggling with their mental health some form of hope to achieve a healthier, happier future.

– Phoebe Vaughan
Photo: Unsplash

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How LFAM in Sierra Leone is Reducing Maternal Mortality

LFAM in Sierra LeoneSierra Leone has one of the highest global rates of maternal mortality and an overwhelming number of these maternal deaths are due to preventable factors. In 2020, the maternal mortality ratio was 443 women’s deaths per 100,000 live births. Although this is incredibly lower than the rate in 2000, where 1,682 women died per 100,000 live births, there is still a way to go in reducing this number.

The Life for African Mothers Charity (LFAM) has been actively working on reducing the maternal mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa since 2005. LFAM is helping Sierra Leone through its essential programs and projects to lower the maternal mortality ratio.

What LFAM Does

In 2020, nearly 800 preventable maternal deaths occurred daily worldwide. A maternal death took place every two minutes; a further 95% of these deaths took place in low and lower-middle-income countries. LFAM provides tailored training to midwives in Sub-Saharan Africa through various means, such as skill-sharing workshops and medication distribution. The nonprofit has trained around 1,000 midwives and shipped five million tablets to date, contributing to the approximately one million women saved by the organization.

LFAM’s 15-Year Journey in Sierra Leone

In 2008, LFAM was called by the United Nations Population Fund to assist Sierra Leone and Liberia in reducing their Maternal Mortality Ratio. The U.N. had designated Sierra Leone as one of the most dangerous places on earth to have a baby. In 2009, LFAM started helping; medications to treat and prevent hemorrhages were sent to Sierra Leone and U.K.-based midwives traveled to share their skills and complete training programs.

LFAM is helping in Sierra Leone through its contribution to the resilience of the communities by empowering midwives and preventing post-partum hemorrhage. The initiative is positively impacting the country’s maternal health care.

LFAM’s Recent Workshop in Sierra Leone

In Sierra Leone, less than half of pregnant women receive care from experienced birth attendants. In response, the program has been helping the nation through several methods, including midwifery workshops. LFAM held a two-day event in January 2024, for midwives to attend. The event occurred at Kailahun District Hospital and 20 midwives and nurses participated in the workshop. This intense training event covered postpartum hemorrhage management, resuscitation scenarios and labor care guidance. The focus of these workshops is empowering individual midwives to save lives in low-resource settings.

Enhancing Service Reach

LFAM is helping Sierra Leoneans by distributing life-saving medications such as Misoprostol. However, this has been challenging. The nonprofit encountered challenges when ensuring these medications’ timely and safe delivery. Additionally, transporting supplies from the airport to the hospital and distributing them across the country posed logistical hurdles for several reasons, such as the state of the roads.

In a positive turn of events in January 2024, the organization received a contribution from a U.K. foundation for a new vehicle. This donation has allowed LFAM to revolutionize the way it transports medication and midwives as distribution efforts are simplified and accessibility is increased. This donation will hopefully lead to a further reduction in Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate as the effectiveness of LFAM’s work continually increases.

– Arabella Wood-Collins
Photo: Flickr

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Empowering the Underserved With Technology: AI for Africa’s Poor

AI for Africa's PoorArtificial Intelligence (AI) takes the spotlight, transforming industries worldwide in technological upheaval. For Africa, where nearly 7% may live under $2.15 a day by 2030, the promise of an AI-driven economy with ethical foundations holds tremendous potential. Africa, led by Mauritius, Egypt and South Africa, embraces AI with distinct strengths. Egypt thrives on young tech talent, South Africa excels in infrastructure for online education and Mauritius emphasizes governance.

In a conversation with Karishma Muthukumar, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) leader and session panelist at the 2023 United Nations (U.N.) AI for Good Global Summit, The Borgen Project, explores insights and opportunities for leveraging AI to uplift Africa’s impoverished, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the continent progresses, AI emerges as a beacon for positive change.

Employability of AI for Africa’s Poor

Despite the expansion in technology and infrastructure access, the scarcity of resources due to COVID-19 has outpaced growth in various regions of Africa. A stark reality persists as less than 20% of the continent has implemented a comprehensive strategy to address electricity shortages, with approximately 600 million people needing more basic access to electricity as of 2022. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7) by 2030, which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, remains a formidable challenge.

The pivotal question no longer revolves solely around how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect people but how millions of individuals will harness AI for their benefit. As rightly indicated by Muthukumar, the disparities in technological advancements pose significant challenges. The effects of AI are poised to unfold differently in developing versus developed countries and the requisite investments and regulations these countries need are also likely to be different.

A critical determinant in this evolving landscape is pertinent data and infrastructure availability. Wealthier nations leverage their extensive datasets to develop sophisticated AI models and proposals. However, gaining access to reliable data in Africa is not trivial, creating a barrier for technological advancements to reach those who need them the most. Nevertheless, instances of innovation, such as Kenya’s M-Pesa, which has revolutionized the payment world through mobile data, serve as a reminder of the transformative possibilities that lie ahead.

Technological Challenges for AI Advancement in Africa

It is crucial to overcome technological challenges to make AI impactful for people experiencing poverty. Research stresses distinguishing short-term and long-term values in AI adoption. An important strategy involves customizing technology from developed nations for local use, facilitating the creation of solutions that resonate with the specific needs of diverse communities.

Another strategy involves decentralizing AI products to meet local needs. This not only has the potential to uplift incomes but can also stimulate economic growth. However, implementing such strategies is challenging, particularly in regions with trust issues, as easy code modification is possible in those cases. Society plays a vital role in monitoring new systems and highlighting abuses to ensure technology reaches those in need efficiently.

Cost Management and Innovation Take Center Stage in Health Care

With the automation of medical procedures, artificial intelligence can help health professionals do more and reach more people with limited resources. Currently, less than 30% of the applications deploy artificial intelligence in health care. AI has the potential to improve outcomes and decrease treatment costs, thus making diagnosis accessible to a larger group of the population.

Several African countries have adopted artificial intelligence today to automate radiology tasks, enabling more frequent tests to rule out the severity of diseases, thus actively assisting in medical diagnostics. The Artificial Intelligence for Good Global Summit extensively explored empathy-based artificial intelligence as a promising future to complement patient care. Muthukumar emphasized how artificial intelligence can empathize with patients, particularly in critical situations like wait times. This can lead to medical innovations and a significant enhancement in the meaningful connection between caregivers and those needing care.

Nurturing Hope for the Future of AI for Africa’s Poor

Successful adoption of AI for Africa’s poor hinges on strong foundations in data, infrastructure and governance. The potential transformative applications in Africa may not necessarily replace humans but rather create new opportunities for them.

In the quest for cost containment and improved infrastructure, African nations must carefully balance adopting foreign AI solutions with promoting local innovations and regulations. This approach promises to uplift underserved communities, especially in vital sectors like health care and employment.

Crucially, this strategy resonates with the region’s commitment to implementing secure and practical solutions, contributing to a digital transformation that narrows the digital divide toward achieving the SDG goals.

– Sudha Krishnaswami
Photo: Flickr

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“Water Life” in Ethiopia

Water LifeAida Muluneh is an Ethiopian photographer and cultural entrepreneur. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she works as an educator “developing projects with local and international institutions in Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire.”

Shining Light on Water Poverty

In 2018, alongside WaterAid and the H&M Foundation, Aida created a series of works focusing on the scarcity of safe water. WaterAid is an NGO established in 1981 to provide clean water and sanitation to people around the world. Its mission is to “transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalized people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.”

Founded in 2013, the H&M Foundation is an NGO based in Stockholm, Sweden that uses “philanthropic resources to find, fund and facilitate disruptive innovations, initiatives and research that enable a socially inclusive and planet positive textile industry.” Its website states “We believe that change is best achieved when a diverse group of people join forces and commit to a common agenda to solve complex challenges.”

WaterAid gave Aida “complete artistic freedom” and provided her with “information about the issues around water security, especially in Ethiopia.” The Water Life exhibition developed from a conversation about the pairing of art and advocacy, the issues of access to safe water and the impact that water scarcity had on women and children in Africa.

For the Water Life exhibition, Aida photographed the women in the Afar region in Northern Ethiopia, “one of the hottest and driest places on Earth.” Her goal was to address the issue of water scarcity without the clichés that mainstream media and aid organizations often represent, stating that she realized that “art can be a form of advocacy,” Canon reports.

Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient clean water to meet daily demands. Access to fresh drinking water dwindles due to both human factors and extreme weather conditions. Globally, 785 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. Each day more than 800 children die from preventable diseases that poor water causes in many communities around the world. The scarcity of safe water supplies can cause families and their communities to become locked in poverty for generations.

In the past 20 years, “Ethiopia has made remarkable strides in ensuring access to safe drinking water,” USAID reports. However, it continues to “face challenges in overall water, sanitation and hygiene and WASH coverage.” According to USAID, “in Ethiopia, diarrheal disease is the second cause of hospital admission and death among children under 5 years of age.”

Water scarcity affects women and children the most. According to World Vision, children are “more vulnerable to diseases of dirty water” and women and girls ” often bear the burden of carrying water for their families for an estimated 200 million hours each day.”

In Conclusion

Access to safe water and sanitation is a precondition to life and a declared human right. Water is vitally important to sustainable development – from health and nutrition to gender equity and economics. The artistic perspective of Aida Muluneh transitioned from a conversation into a vibrant artistic advocacy addressing the global issue of water scarcity.

Aida intended to create images that showed the challenges of water scarcity and emphasize the strength and resilience of the women who face these daily difficulties framed by the beauty, heritage and culture of the continent. “I could not stop thinking about the time it takes to collect water. Today, and every day, girls and women will spend more than 200 hours walking for water. If a young girl must spend three hours transporting water, whether for cooking feeding, bathing or drinking, that is three hours she could have been in school, getting an education,” Aida wrote for WaterAid.

– Pamela Fenton
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Chad

USAID Programs in ChadChad, “the fifth largest country in Africa,” is also “one of the world’s poorest countries.” Once a colony of the French Empire, Chad declared its independence in 1960, but troubles did not end there. Starting in 1966, Chad entered into a civil war that would prove to be one of Africa’s longest. Forward to the 21st century and political instability continues to manifest in rebel attacks and pre-election violence. Besides civil unrest, Chad has recently endured severe flooding in its Lac Province, where approximately 381,000 domestic refugees took shelter as of 2022. In 2024, an additional 54,000 people were displaced. Chad takes the most refugees per capita within the African continent, particularly those from Sudan due to ongoing conflict and economic factors further worsening Chad’s crises, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The country’s primary export is oil, but other financial sectors have seen minimal development and coupled with high levels of debt, its economy struggles to cope with the crises it faces. Chad currently ranks 190th on the Human Development Index (HDI) out of the 191 countries listed, according to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). As such, foreign aid is incremental to Chad’s development, and the rest of this article will demonstrate the role of the U.S. Agency for International Development, particularly USAID programs in Chad.

Reducing Poverty and Food Insecurity

According to the World Food Program (WFP), approximately 2.1 million people in Chad are acutely food insecure as of 2023, while 1.36 million of its children struggle with malnourishment and 42% of its population lives below the poverty line. The USAID recognizes this in its foreign aid commitments, seeking to address the immediate need for humanitarian aid. USAID’s 2022 Chad Assistance Overview highlights contributions of $54.9 million in funds for food assistance. This includes food vouchers, cash transfers for food, nutrition assistance and malnutrition treatments.

As of January 2024, Chad hosted more than 1.1 million refugees, of which 934,000 came from Sudan. USAID has supported the Chad Rapid Response Mechanism, supplying nearly 7,800 internally displaced people with hygiene and kitchen supplies and constructing nearly 70 emergency shelters for refugees, according to its 2024 Chad Assistance Overview. These commitments are but a symptom of USAID’s continued efforts to increase food and national security.

Success Stories in the Villages

Since 2008, USAID has partnered with Africare to provide villages with better-quality water and alleviate some of their hygiene and food security crises. Abdelmadjid Ali, member of Mourdaba’s water management committee and father of five notes that before USAID programs in Chad, there was no organization within the community to deal with water management, and as a result “villagers consumed dirty and unclean water and this exposed them to all kinds of diseases including diarrhea and cholera.” Since then, USAID helped construct 113 water wells, which now benefit nearly 35,000 people.

Another success story comes from USAID’s cultural efforts. Seeking to address the political instability that is the cause of so many of Chad’s other crises, USAID funds the Peace Through Development II program. The program supports radio shows that broadcast sensitive and educational topics through sketches and mini-dramas. In this way, USAID hopes to counter the extremism that has plagued Chad and contributed to its citizens’ poor living conditions. Besides this, the program provides community and creative expression to Chad’s impoverished populations.

Ending Note

The total emergency funding provided by USAID programs in Chad in the fiscal years 2022 to 2024 stands at $166,360,752, according to the 2024 Assistance Overview. This sum has contributed to some great success stories, including increased food security, refugee relief and aid and cleaner water sources. Chad, however, remains the 9th poorest country in the world, according to Global Finance, and its stretched resources, the ongoing refugee crisis and periodic flood devastation further worsen this situation. While USAID programs in Chad have made some good strides toward improving living conditions within the country, increased foreign aid continues to be an absolute necessity to address the continuing humanitarian crisis.

– Kayleigh O’Brien
Photo: Flickr

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Digitizing Salary Payment: Impacts of WHO’s Digital Health

Digitizing Salary PaymentThe World Health Organization (WHO) is actively working to enhance the conditions and motivation of African frontline health workers. Through digital innovation, the African health sector benefits from implementing financial technologies such as digitizing salary payment. It facilitates direct cashless income transfer to workers. They created bank accounts and digital bookkeeping collaborating with other Better Than Cash Alliance members, a partnership comprising 80 United Nations (U.N.) members.

WHO has launched this initiative in 24 African countries, digitizing salary payment for more than two million health workers. Spearheaded by WHO’s Department of Digital Health, these payments ensure African frontline health workers’ steady and timely incomes. These innovations foster a cashless society and empower women to access and participate independently in the financial system, aligning with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Cashless Payment Facilitation

Cash payments for incomes have been deemed “Unwieldy” and represent the challenges in Africa. For instance, the physical handling of cash poses security risks for workers. There is a higher likelihood of salary discrepancies if manual counting methods are not rigorous. However, digital innovation is revolutionizing the African health sector by implementing mobile money systems. These systems have significantly accelerated the pace of payments to workers, offering numerous benefits. Previously, managers bore the burden of physically storing cash at payment sites and distributing funds to disbursement sites for employees to collect their salaries. This process often involved considerable time and effort for workers. With mobile money systems, workers can receive their payments in as little as 30 minutes after completing their work, streamlining the payment process and enhancing efficiency across the board.

Between 2014 and 2021, the global proportion of adults engaging in digital payments rose by 35%, reaching 57% in Sub-Saharan Africa. This surge has played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion in the region. The president of the World Bank Group underscores the importance of robust policies to facilitate access to formal accounts and financial services, particularly in the wake of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital Accounting

Digital innovation revolutionizes the African health sector by emphasizing digital payments, streamlining business operations and reducing cumbersome paperwork. Organizations, often managing payrolls with hundreds of employees, can now improve efficiency in payment verification and meticulous bookkeeping. Instead of manual calculations and record-keeping, systems automatically log transactions and swiftly generate precise accounting documents. However, achieving this efficiency requires comprehensive reform of the financial system as a whole within the nation. This entails innovating processes to automate manual tasks, integrating employee information seamlessly, verifying hours worked and implementing effective dispute-resolution mechanisms for payment-related issues.

Motivation Boost for Workers

Various programs have witnessed detrimental impacts on health services due to cash payments. For instance, in Côte d’Ivoire in 2019, delayed cash disbursements resulted in employee attrition and the postponement of a polio immunization project. Additionally, researchers identified disruptions in immunization patterns among recipients attributed to a lack of incentives for frontline health workers, including door-to-door vaccinators and campaign organizers.

According to the WHO, delayed and incomplete payments adversely affect the morale and satisfaction of frontline workers, leading to decreased motivation and challenges in retaining health campaign workers. However, digital innovation is transforming the African health sector. Through the World Health Organization’s Mobile Money digital payment system for health campaign workers, 99% of workers engaged in the polio immunization campaign in Mali and Ghana were paid on time, resulting in improved retention rates and successful program delivery across multiple districts.

Furthermore, the gender wage gap has narrowed as women gain greater autonomy and privacy over their financial affairs through advancements in digital finance. This progress promotes financial empowerment for women and fosters greater economic independence. Furthermore, digital innovation significantly enhances health care in Africa by improving the effectiveness and retention of health workers. These advancements yield notable results in critical health initiatives, such as immunization programs, ultimately contributing to improved health care outcomes across the continent.

– Tevin Mundo
Photo: Unsplash

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Teacher.AI Revolutionizes Sierra Leone Education System

Teacher.AISierra Leone is a developing country in West Africa with potential for economic growth. However, more than 57% of its population lives in poverty, leaving many children to work instead of pursuing education. This unfortunate cycle conversely causes an influx in poverty in the country despite the number of people active in the work field.

Despite introducing the “Free Quality School Education” initiative in 2018, Sierra Leone’s education system faces many challenges. One is the spike in students attending schools after the initiative, leaving one underqualified teacher to 40 or more students.

Sierra Leone Education

Sierra Leone’s education system struggles immensely with not only getting kids to school with a 40% enrollment rate but also having a high-caliber teacher force to manage the ones who do have the opportunity to learn. The spike in students attending school after the introduction of “Free Quality School Education” caused a need for more supplies, space and teachers to go around for everyone.

This influx, however, has resulted in a scarcity of crucial one-on-one interaction between students and teachers, a vital element for individualized attention and correction. Compounding the issue is the fact that one in three teachers does not have the standard qualifications to be genuinely effective.

Moreover, a significant portion of educators, likely native to the area, may not have completed their secondary education, with statistics indicating that 65.8% of girls and 44.4% of boys fail to complete lower secondary school.

Teacher.AI

Teacher.AI is an advanced artificial intelligence created to aid teachers in under-resourced areas and give students the quality education they deserve. Teachers within Sierra Leone’s education system have had limited experience with technology since only 8% of schools have internet access. However, access to 2G is more prevalent as 86% of schools are in the range of said coverage.

The AI uses a WhatsApp-integrated chatbot for teacher support, upheld by the 2G coverage available to most developing countries, including Sierra Leone. Teacher.AI allows educators to put facts and organization behind their lesson plans and student questions.

Since the financial means to hire strong candidates is not within view for places like Sierra Leone, Teacher.AI has teamed with EducAid and developed plans to train and implement this tool in Sierra Leone classrooms.

The Affect of Teacher.AI

In April 2023, EducAid helped Teacher.AI train 1,000 teachers to use the tool successfully to their advantage. About “10% of the 116 teachers who used the chatbot on their phones during that session have continued to use it regularly since then.” Since many educators in areas like Sierra Leone have little experience using advanced technology, it will take longer for something like this to be seen as beneficial for the community.

Looking to the Future

Poor education in Sierra Leone leads to a cycle of poverty as it limits the employment opportunities for young people, forcing many into low-paying manual labor jobs like agriculture. However, with proper education, children could access higher-level jobs, offering more stability and potentially decreasing poverty rates.

Educated individuals can contribute to economic growth and urbanization, benefiting businesses and government. Moreover, they can use their knowledge to advocate for improved education systems, breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations. Investing in education now is crucial as it empowers children to improve their lives and positively impact their communities.

– Tristen Jerkins
Photo: Flickr