Archive for category: Sports

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How Running Programs Are Reducing Poverty in Kenya

Poverty in KenyaRunning has always been a big part of life in Kenya, especially in rural areas, where long-distance running is just part of the culture. But over time, it has become more than just a sport. For many people, it has become a real opportunity and, in some cases, a way out of poverty in Kenya.

In places like Iten, often called the “home of champions,” runners train every day, hoping to compete at a higher level. What is different now is that there are more structured programs and training camps that actually support these athletes and give them a better chance of succeeding.

Running as a Pathway Out of Poverty

For many athletes, running starts simply. It is just part of daily life. But with the right support, it can lead to real opportunities. Training programs can provide coaching, meals and even housing, which helps take some of the financial pressure off.

One example is Kenya Experience, a program that allows runners to live and train in a high-performance environment alongside other athletes. It connects runners with experienced coaches, structured training and exposure to international competitions, which many would not otherwise have access to. Programs like this make a difference by allowing athletes to focus more on training and less on everyday struggles.

Over time, this can lead to opportunities such as competing in major races, earning prize money or even securing sponsorships.

Opportunities Beyond the Track

Success in running not only benefits the athlete. When runners begin to earn money from competitions or sponsorships, they often use that income to support their families. In many cases, one successful runner can help pay for school fees, housing and basic needs for several people.

So it is not just one person benefiting. It can impact an entire household and sometimes even an entire community. Running also creates opportunities beyond just competing.

Coaches, trainers and even local businesses benefit from the presence of training camps and athletes. Places like Iten have seen growth partly because of the running culture there.

Why Kenya Stands Out

Kenya has become one of the most successful countries in long-distance running and that success has helped build a system around the sport. Young athletes grow up seeing people from similar backgrounds succeed, which makes it feel more realistic. There are also more camps and programs now than before, which means more access to training and support.

Not everyone will become a professional runner, obviously, but the chance alone can change how people think about their future.

Looking Ahead

Running is not a complete solution to poverty in Kenya, but it does help create opportunities. For people in areas with limited job options, it can offer a different path. As more programs continue to grow and connect athletes to greater opportunities, running will likely remain an important part of economic growth in certain communities. It is not perfect, but for many people, it is a start.

– Aaron Scott

Aaron is based in Charlotte, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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ANTA – How a sportswear company combined Sports and Poverty

antaSports have been a fundamental activity that brings communities and entire countries together. Sports have such a positive impact that the United Nations declared April 6 as the official International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Playing any sport not only contributes to a healthy and fulfilling life, but it also has the unique capacity to “foster connection, inclusion, and peace in an increasingly fragmented world.” ANTA, one of the largest athletic apparel companies in the world, has taken this meaning to another level by combining sports and poverty and expanding its agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support thousands of displaced children across Africa.

About ANTA

ANTA is a sportswear company, founded in 1991 by Chinese entrepreneur Ding Shizhong in Fujian, China. Although this company started as a small regional sportswear maker, ANTA has grown and become one of the largest and most important sportswear companies in the world. As of 2024, ANTA is the largest sportswear company in China and the third largest in the world, with a reported revenue of $9.8 billion in 2024. With more than “13,000 stores across all its brands and [employing] about 65,500 employees,” ANTA has worked to expand beyond China and have an impact worldwide.

Combining Sports and Poverty

Beyond their revenue and their growth, ANTA is a company that focuses on “contributing to global humanitarian assistance,” as Lai Shixian, Executive Director and Co-CEO, stated. With this mission in mind, ANTA entered an official partnership with UNHCR in 2023 to reach 300,000 displaced children worldwide. Over the last two years, ANTA provided $1.5 million in financial support and 1.2 million pieces of sporting apparel and equipment to displaced youth,” to children in Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

The Impacts

ANTA’s contributions to UNHCR and global humanitarian assistance have been fundamental to assisting children who have been forcibly displaced across the globe, especially in Africa. Private partnerships similar to this one facilitate international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and relieve poverty. ANTA’s partnerships has allowed the UNHCR to maintain “refugee classrooms open during crisis by funding teachers and providing learning materials,” giving children the opportunity to access education and succeed in the future. Furthermore, Vice President of ANTA, Christina Li, emphasized how sports can be used as a tool to foster “inclusion and resilience,” creating hope for children and families experiencing displacement.

As the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace approaches, it is important to analyze how sports and poverty can go hand-in-hand. As sportswear companies continue to grow and develop, they can continue to contribute to global humanitarian assistance and change the lives of thousands of individuals, similar to Anta’s partnership with UNHCR.

– Rodrigo Salgado

Rodrigo is based in Boulder, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Yoga Alleviates Poverty in Africa

Yoga Alleviates Poverty in AfricaAfrica faces a deep employment crisis shaped not only by unemployment but also by low wages, irregular work and a lack of labor protections. For many families, work exists, but stability does not. In response, an unlikely tool is emerging: yoga.

Communities and organizations now adapt yoga, once associated mainly with wellness studios in the Global North, into skills-based programs that generate income, create employment and build economic resilience in vulnerable communities. Yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by addressing the barriers that prevent people from securing stable livelihoods.

Africa’s Employment Crisis

Africa’s unemployment rate, at 7.9%, exceeds the global rate of 5.6%. Within the region, Northern Africa has the world’s highest unemployment rate (11.7%) and sub-Saharan Africa’s rate (7.2%) is also above the world average. 

Although unemployment rates remain high, they capture only one dimension of Africa’s employment crisis. In many countries, such as South Africa and Eswatini, the prevalence of low wages, casual and irregular work, uncertain hours and a lack of workplace protections prevents employment from guaranteeing economic security. This structural challenge leaves millions working without stability or a reliable pathway out of poverty.

Young people feel this crisis most sharply. African youth aged 15-35 have extremely high unemployment rates: 33% in Egypt, 43% in Mali and 54.2% in South Africa. Many analysts attribute these figures to a youth skills deficit, which drives structural unemployment and underemployment.

Africa Yoga Project

Africa Yoga Project (AYP) educates, empowers and expands employability among African youth through yoga-based training programs. Its mission is to create opportunities for young people to become self-sustaining leaders within their communities by combining physical and mental well-being with practical, income-generating skills. AYP offers yoga teacher training, leadership development and mentorship programs that equip participants with marketable skills to earn a living.

Graduates work as yoga instructors, often teaching in schools or online since the COVID-19 pandemic. These opportunities are particularly significant in regions where formal employment is limited and youth unemployment remains high. By transforming yoga into a viable livelihood, AYP addresses both economic insecurity and community well-being.

Its programs demonstrate how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by developing skills and improving mental health, resilience and social cohesion in underserved communities.

Project Air

Project Air shows how yoga can support poverty alleviation by meeting people where they are, emotionally, physically and socially. The initiative works with HIV-positive survivors of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, many of whom carry deep trauma that makes daily life and economic participation feel out of reach. Through gentle, trauma-informed yoga, Project Air helps participants rebuild strength, regulate stress and reconnect with their bodies in ways that support stability and self-reliance.

By working alongside local survivor associations, the Rwandan Ministry of Health and UNICEF, Project Air creates safe, supportive spaces rooted in trust and community. The program also provides food, clothing and shared care, easing daily pressures so women and children can focus on healing and rebuilding their futures. These practical and emotional supports allow participants to reengage with their communities and begin imagining long-term livelihood opportunities.

As the first yoga initiative to receive United Nations (U.N.) endorsement, Project Air illustrates how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by restoring dignity, well-being and economic participation in post-conflict societies. For some participants, the most profound outcome was simple but transformative: they slept peacefully for the first time since the genocide.

Yoga as a Tool for Poverty Reduction

The work of initiatives such as AYP and Project Air shows that poverty reduction in Africa requires more than job creation alone. By addressing skills gaps, trauma and mental well-being, yoga-based programs remove barriers that prevent young people and survivors of conflict from fully participating in economic life. While yoga does not replace large-scale employment policy, these community-led efforts demonstrate how low-cost, integrated interventions can build resilience and self-reliance.

Together, they show how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by linking well-being with economic empowerment and placing human dignity at the center of development.

– Iona Gethin

Iona is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Leveling the Playing Field: Fighting Poverty in Burkina Faso

Poverty in burkina fasoAny keen soccer fans across the world will likely have heard of players such as Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, one of the most highly regarded defenders in Europe. Premier League supporters will be aware of Brentford player Dango Ouattara, who made waves with Bournemouth. Athletics fans will know triple jumper Huges Fabrice Zango, a historic figure in his home country. However, the country that produced these athletes is less well-known.

Burkina Faso is a country in the volatile Sahel region of Africa, grappling with extreme levels of multidimensional poverty. In 2023, the poverty rate was marginally under 26%, with 2.3 million people experiencing food insecurity.  Sport often acts as both a unifying and a divisive arena, but sport in Burkina Faso is emerging as a vital route to escape poverty through increasingly varied employment paths. NGO activity in the country has used sport to foster entrepreneurial spirit and most importantly, bring security and joy to a generation looking for a better life.

Sport Overpowering Security Challenges

A key source of poverty challenges in Burkina Faso is regional instability, which insurgency groups spreading terror across the country further exacerbate. Terrorist groups control swathes of the Sahel region, disrupting the vital agriculture sector in Burkina Faso, in addition to inducing mass internal displacement of Burkinabe residents, which has contributed to extremely high poverty rates.

Sport has found a way to improve this situation. The Olympic Refuge Foundation created the RESPECT campaign, a Sport for Protection program which focuses its efforts on internally displaced Burkinabe residents and refugees, aiming to enhance the resilience, skillset and self-sufficiency of 11,520 young people whose lives have been disrupted.

The RESPECT campaign promotes core values of peace and security through its programs to cultivate a welfare-focused, psychologically healthy environment, ensuring that young people in the program can use sport to enact change and improve their psychological skillset alongside their physical skillset. Furthermore, it undergoes advocacy work promoting Sport for Protection approaches for adoption at the central government and municipal level, which allows for social integration and more facilities available for impoverished young people to realise their talents.

Sport Becoming a Source of Employment

Young people are increasingly entering the world of sporting entrepreneurship, helping them to become more financially independent. Whilst sporting enterprises typically encompass smaller businesses, the average age of these entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso is 37, illustrating the upward mobility and dynamism that the sporting industry offers young people in Burkina Faso.

Procuring funding from central government and other institutions is a major obstacle for these sporting enterprises, but with the support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the PADEJ-MR is supporting young, aspirational individuals in rural areas with financial training and personalized coaching to instigate business plans in key growth drivers. The focus on young people from rural backgrounds and coordination with the Ministry of Sport and Employment indicate that sport in Burkina Faso will continue to represent a viable route away from poverty.

Sport as “Edutainment”

Sport-for-development initiatives are not just crucial for stimulating employment or fostering psychological wellbeing, but stimulating educational experiences. Othman Mezouar has led numerous sporting initiatives in Burkina Faso designed to improve youth engagement through combining fun sporting activity with learning key life skills and literacy.

Hence, the principle of “edutainment”, where the confluence of vital education and sporting entertainment facilitates young people’s academic and physical development, and these programmes led by Mezouar have helped to reduce dropout rates, strengthening the future employability of young people through maintaining their core education.

The Future

Burkina Faso is still facing extreme poverty struggles and regional factors are causing relentless instability and internal displacement. Sport in Burkina Faso has already proven its potential, though. Vital NGO activity provides a safeguard for displaced Burkinabe to participate in physical activity, promoting key characteristics such as self-sufficiency and resilience. Whilst more centralized support is needed, the growth of the sport sector demonstrates the feasible path to employment for young Burkinabe people, who look up to their heroes like Tapsoba, or Zango, but can also look to themselves for inspiration.

– Oscar McClintock

Oscar is based in Cambridge, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Instituto Charles do Bronx: Giving Back to the Favelas

Instituto Charles do BronxDays before UFC 274, Charles Oliveira da Silva, known to millions as “Do Bronx,” stepped on the scale ahead of his highly anticipated bout against Justin Gaethje. He needed to make the 155-pound limit for the lightweight division, a challenge that had plagued him throughout his career. Oliveira missed weight by half a pound, costing him his title.

The fight went ahead, but only Gaethje was eligible to claim the belt. The setback proved temporary. In Phoenix, Arizona, after being rocked early, Oliveira locked Gaethje in a chokehold to reclaim the championship. The crowd erupted, but the biggest reaction came from his home Protégées commentary team when Gaethje finally tapped out.

Growing Up in the Favelas

UFC 274 wasn’t the only pause in Do Bronx’s journey, which is marked by highs and lows. Growing up in the favelas of Brazil, Oliveira has become a symbol of resilience and a hometown hero. He earned his nickname, “Do Bronx,” from the area where he grew up in São Paulo, Brazil.

Oliveira also faced a major setback at age 7, when he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and a heart murmur—conditions that doctors warned could leave him paraplegic. But with the support of his family, who sold snacks and cardboard to fund his training, Oliveira defied the odds. He started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at age 12. Da Silva would turn to BJJ to escape the violence and for a sense of community at home.

“That was my mother’s concern,” Oliveira said. “I lost friends to crime—unfortunately, some died, others are in prison. I still know people who live that life; they chose it. But thanks to my mother, I chose the right path. We chose the right side, all my family, my brothers.”

Even against doctors’ advice, Oliveira kept participating in activities despite his medical condition. In an interview with ESPN, Oliveira described continuing his BJJ journey despite his medical conditions: “If it is God’s will for me to die, then I will die,” he stated.

Oliveira continued to pursue what he loved, becoming an inspiration to the people of Brazil, the same community he would give back to at the peak of his career. He has become a catalyst for supporting communities and helping people in need around the world.

The Rise of Do Bronx

Oliveira’s UFC career began in 2010. Over the next decade, he would become one of the most decorated fighters in the sport, with 16 submission wins, 20 finishes and 20 performance bonuses. Oliveira’s early UFC career was far from smooth. Multiple losses and ongoing weight-cut issues stalled his progress. But then, everything clicked. Starting in 2018, he went on an 11-fight winning streak until 2022. The highlight of this streak came in 2021, when he claimed the vacant lightweight title with a victory over Michael Chandler.

Oliveira earned the nickname “Do Bronx” after his hometown in Brazil. The name translates to “from the Bronx” and is a mark of honor for someone who grew up in the Brazilian favelas. For him, “Do Bronx” became more than a nickname; it was a calling, a symbol of pride and a way to represent his community. “A kid who came from nothing, from the bottom, from the favelas, disparaged,” said Oliveira. “That’s what ‘Do Bronx’ means to me. A kid who came from the favela to win.”

Instituto Charles do Bronx

Despite global fame, Oliveira never forgot his roots. In 2012, he founded the Instituto Charles do Bronx in his hometown. The institute offers free jiu-jitsu classes, education and mentorship to underprivileged youth, many of whom face the same challenges he once did.

The institute has served more than 150 young people and continues to grow. In 2023, Oliveira expanded the facility to include sign language classes and academic tutoring. His efforts earned him the 2025 UFC Forrest Griffin Community Award, personally selected by UFC CEO Dana White.

“[Oliveira] is not only a great athlete, he’s an amazing role model who enjoys giving back to the community,” White said. “It’s an honor to present him with his award.” This isn’t the only way da Silva has given back to his community. A heartwarming moment unfolded in his hometown shortly after his UFC 256 victory. Da Silva returned to his hometown to distribute meal kits to residents, many of whom had been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During this pandemic, y’all know several families struggled,” Oliveira tweeted. “Today, I had the opportunity of donating food to the Prainha community. If you can, please help those who need help. Small efforts can generate huge impacts. Give it a try.”

The Champ Will Forever Have a Name

Oliveira’s impact goes beyond charity and the Instituto Charles do Bronx. He’s currently the subject of a biopic in development by 405 Films, which will chronicle his rise from the favelas to UFC glory. In April 2025, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fighting prowess and humanitarian work.

Now at 35 years old, coming off a knockout loss for the lightweight belt, Oliveira is preparing for another comeback fight at UFC Rio against Rafael Fiziev, a homecoming in a way for the only “Do Bronx.” Whether or not he reclaims the lightweight title before his career ends, Oliveira has already won something far greater: the hearts of his people and a legacy in giving back that will inspire generations.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Shred the Patriarchy: The Janwaar Skate Troupe That Fights Back

Shred the PatriarchyChantal Pinzi, an Italian-born, Berlin-based photographer, has recently won the Sony World Photography Awards with her project “Shred The Patriarchy.” The project centralizes the burgeoning female-centred skateboarding community in the village of Janwaar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The Cultural Landscape that Shred The Patriarchy Exists In

As in Western nations, skateboarding is a sport primarily dominated by men and boys; as it stands, the Indian gender ratio of men to women in skateboarding is 95% to 5%. This gender disparity is only heightened by the cultural stereotypes placed upon Indian women; they are expected to be homemakers, often forced into arranged marriages. From there, they will be the primary caregiver of a husband and children, having little time for their hobbies or interests. This is the tradition; this is the life that many Indian women have come to expect. However, many do not have it.

From the anger of a sexist patriarchal society stemmed resistance. In 2023, The Guardian spoke to female Mumbai and Pune skaters about their experience engaging with the sport in the current cultural landscape. Above all, an impenetrable bond exists between the women in these communities; due to a lack of female skateboarding instructors, these troupes teach one another and collectively improve their skills. This supportive environment has greatly fostered the female skateboarding scene’s growth in India.

What Does Shred The Patriarchy Do?

Highlighting the resistance and resilience of Janwaar women was Pinzi’s paramount goal with Shred The Patriarchy. In April 2025, Pinzi told World Skate that she has “always tried to understand and challenge the structures of power, oppression, sexism and misogyny. Choosing to focus on women skaters is part of that commitment. [She sees] it as both a form of resistance and a responsibility.”

Pinzi’s collection of photographs for the project is utterly iconoclastic. With each photo, the stereotypical ideal of what an Indian woman is or should be, is fragmented until it is entirely shattered. Pinzi highlights young women, primarily in traditional kurtis or sari dresses, engaging in anything but traditional activities. Some shots capture the subject mid-way through a skate trick, while others capture women alone or in a company, holding their boards as if the object were a lifeline.

While most subjects can be seen in traditional Indian dress, more commonly worn khussa shoes are exchanged for worn trainers, like Vans or Converse, which are much more appropriate for the sporting activity. Sometimes, these women do not comply with the customs: in one shot, a young subject poses clad in a Jim Morrison t-shirt, black trousers and trainers. These women are, one custom at a time, fighting back.

Conclusion

Due to resistant factions, like the Janwaar women learning to skate, sociocultural change is being pushed in India. In Western nations, the idea that a woman might be unable to do something as simple as skateboarding with her friends seems absurd. For millions of Indian women, however, this is reality; they are denied the basic right to live in communities that nurture their interests. However, with the rise to prominence of these troupes via projects like Shred The Patriarchy, widespread acceptance of broken gender norms is one step closer.

– Sarina Maloy

Sarina is based in Bath, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Pedaling to Prosperity: African Cyclists

Africa's cyclistsIn 2024, Biniam Girmay, the Eritrean cyclist, won several stages of the Tour de France; this was the first occurrence of a black rider winning a segment of the race. Further, this was the first time an African obtained the prestige of wearing a green jersey during any tour. In addition, Rwanda is to host the 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships, another remarkable development in Africa’s series of firsts.

Racing is making substantial strides for inclusivity, diversity and multilateral cooperation. The inclusion of the African market benefits both the sport and the continent, which is now a great opportunity for material advancement and international investment.

The First Few Stages

The globalization of cycling is accompanying the inevitable march of progress. As companies, ideologies and values leak across the globe, the sport of cycling is pedaling into the limelight; meter by meter, creeping into the center of cultural exchange. The notoriety began in 2022, when Girmay won a stage at the prestigious Giro d’Italia and thrust Black Africans into the center of cycling. Over the past several years, Girmay has remained a successful sprinter, securing various victories across various races and stages.

His acumen was reaffirmed in 2024, with his green jersey, during the Tour de France. Girmay initiated an organized effort from the UCI to breach the African market and has remained an inspiration for many African cyclists. About the state of the presence of African cyclists, Girmay said, “It’s really good for the impact, a good vision for young talent, because if you work on that, especially in the European teams, if they invest a lot in African cycling for sure we can have a more global sport. And that’s always nice to see.”

Pushing Forward

Since then, the UCI has initiated establishing a training center for aspiring Black African cyclists. More than 10 to Brittany, France, to train for future competitions; the athletes originate from many countries, each representing their distinct cultures on the European roads. The aspiration of the program, endorsed by both the UCI and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is to have local athletes excel in the regional Kigali championship. As such, they have been targeting young riders, hoping that, in two years, sundry successful characters will graduate from this program. The project began in 2023, hoping to prepare a generation of people capable of shining during the Rwandan competition.

The aforementioned World Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, is the axis for this whole affair. Announced in 2024, during the Zurich Championship, the monumental decision possesses the potency to establish a robust cycling community in Africa. With, on average, 124 countries broadcasting the race and more than 330 million viewers, this event is phenomenal exposure for the region.

The Last Few Stages

The tournament itself provides the potency for a thriving tourist industry. Any single international event unleashes a myriad of positive, economy-stimulating effects. This venture hopes to both inspire local athletes and expose the world to Rwanda. With each cyclist, a team, along with several fans and mechanics, will follow in tandem. These individuals will be exposed to the sprawling hills, vibrant grass and vivid culture.

This affair is an opportunity for Rwanda’s tourism industry to thrive, not only for the tenure of the competition but also for the residual effects of exposure. With this, faculties and institutions of commerce will be erected, providing adequate edifices for the constituents to operate, interact with and purchase from. For comparison, there was a 4.8% increase in foreign tourists during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

As for the athletes themselves, with the introduction of an additional sports industry, more aspirants will have the opportunity to be sponsored. While it is difficult to establish oneself in a sport requiring substantial infrastructure, heroes grant locals international exposure, thereby revitalizing the sport and the residents. Further, there is debate regarding “muscle drain,” or the impact of physically capable laborers leaving their respective nations for better opportunities.

Despite all of this, professional athletes are given the ability to return to their respective communities with connections and wealth. Potentially inspiring a new generation of athletes, all of whom can escape poverty by being thrust into the limelight. An amalgam of the aforementioned themes is present in Kenya, wherein the town of Eldoret benefited from the reinvestment of the country’s professional athletes.

The Finish Line

The finish line has yet to be crossed and many countries still suffer from poverty. However, as the bike pedals forward, the checkered line becomes more perceptible. The competition, the athletes-in-training and the current stars all provide distinct chances for prosperity.

Progress induced by globalism establishes the possibility of flourishing tourism and hospitality industries and reinvestment from athletes. As the line draws near, the glistening prospect of wealth becomes palpable. The internationalism of cycling is beneficial for the sport, as an abstraction and for the people.

– Jackson Hufman

Jackson is based in Glenwood, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Global Programs Are Using Sports To Fight Poverty

Using Sports To Fight PovertySports have been used as a catalyst for change in deprived areas most affected by poverty worldwide. From skateboards rolling through Kabul to boxing gloves pounding bags in Rio’s favelas, community-based sports programs prove that sports are more than entertainment.

Afghanistan: Skateistan Turns Skate Parks Into Schools

In a country where 1.4 million girls remain banned from school, Skateistan offers an alternative route back into learning. Its Back-to-School and Skate & Create classes reached 7,405 children in 2023, 58% of whom are girls.

Private, girls-only sessions sidestep cultural barriers and the organization’s female coaches provide rare role models. Beyond boards and ramps, students receive tutoring, hot meals and vocational workshops. One hundred twenty young women graduated from a tailoring course that supplies equipment to earn an income at home.

By blending sports, arts and accelerated schooling, Skateistan protects at-risk youth from labor and early marriage while nurturing the literacy and confidence needed to re-enter the formal system.

Brazil: Fight for Peace Takes a Smart Swing at Youth Unemployment

Brazil’s “youth bulge” is a double-edged sword: in 2021, 26.8% of 18-to 24-year-olds were unemployed. In Rio’s Complexo da Maré favela, Fight for Peace transforms boxing’s tough-gym stereotype into a five-pillar program focused on sports, education, employability, mentoring and youth leadership.

The charity’s latest impact report shows 1,326 young people enrolled in employability or education projects in 2023, while 1,144 accessed services at its London academy alone, evidence of a model now being replicated worldwide.

Vocational courses, from web design to reception skills, link directly to job placements, while micro-grants totaling more than $50,000 funded youth-led safety and enterprise projects in east London and Kingston, Jamaica. By pairing ringside discipline with formal training, Fight for Peace addresses the dual challenges of violence and joblessness that keep many Brazilian adolescents trapped in poverty.

Ethiopia: Girls Gotta Run Races Against Child Marriage

Early marriage still affects 40% of Ethiopian girls before age 18, undermining their education and future earnings. Girls Gotta Run counters this trajectory with distance-running scholarships, including school fees, daily coaching, life-skills clubs and mothers’ savings groups.

The logic is simple: keeping girls in class reduces the likelihood of marriage by 6% for every additional year of secondary education. Meanwhile, entrepreneurship workshops and seed capital help mothers grow family income, cutting the economic incentive to marry daughters early.

By integrating sports, finance and reproductive health education, the nonprofit builds a supportive ecosystem where adolescent girls can literally and figuratively outrun the pressures that curtail their futures.

Nigeria: Chess in Slums Africa Makes a Smart Move Against Exclusion

Nigeria’s youth face formidable odds: 7.2% unemployment rate among 15- to 24-year-olds and 62% of the population under 25. In Lagos’s Makoko settlement, Chess in Slums Africa trades footballs for boards and pieces to deliver cognitive training, scholarships and even healthcare. Since 2018, the project has secured lifelong scholarships for more than 200 children from informal settlements.

In 2023, it partnered with Health Insured Nigeria to provide free screenings and insurance enrollment for 400 families, underscoring how a sports setting can broker services beyond recreation.

Conclusion

Sports alone won’t solve poverty, but these stories show what’s possible when used with purpose. From skateparks to running tracks, well-designed programs are turning play into progress, connecting young people to schools, jobs and health care. The scale of the challenge is huge, but every scholarship won, job landed or early marriage prevented is a small victory against inequality, one push, punch, stride or move at a time.

– James Harwood

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

Photo: Flickr

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Exercising in Gaza: The Man Inspiring People To Keep Fit

Exercising in GazaDespite the unique challenges that arise from living in the war-torn country, one Palestinian man is exercising in Gaza and documenting it for the rest of the world to see.

The Fitness Trend

Young people are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness. This year’s London Marathon broke records with 56,640 finishers. Gen Z is also drinking less and signing up for more gym memberships. Social media proves this trend, with a rise in fitness influencers sharing their workout routines, meal plans and physical transformations with millions of followers worldwide.

One of these influencers is Mohammed Hatem. He fits the mold in many ways: he’s 20, has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram and posts fitness videos online. But the difference is that he lives in Gaza.

The Journey

Hatem began documenting his fitness journey on Instagram as a displaced Palestinian in April 2024. An avid gym goer and bodybuilder before the war, he notes on his page that, since the conflict started in 2023, he hasn’t been able to access a gym or nourish himself properly, leading to losing much of his strength. Eventually, he grew “fed up [of] waiting for the war to end” to prioritize his physical health again. So he started posting videos of himself exercising in Gaza, detailing his workouts and meals.

More than a year later, Hatem has fled his home several times due to the widening “danger zone.” Despite this, he continues exercising in Gaza. He not only encourages his fellow Palestinians to keep fit with the little they have but also inspires people worldwide to confront their preconceptions and rethink what it means to live in a warzone.

Most of his videos share the innovative ways he keeps fit, including doing weighted press-ups with bricks in his backpack, using his door frame to do pull-ups and carrying large containers of water upstairs. However, he also details what he eats, mostly from a tin. Fresh food is scarce in Gaza and earlier this year, the U.N. warned that one in five people living there is at risk of starvation.

Hatem also posts informative videos on other aspects of his life besides exercising in Gaza. These include how he gets access to the internet, updates on ceasefires and his method of planting fruit and vegetables to supplement the food other nations send in aid.

Looking Ahead

In a recent video entitled “Pursuing Dreams in Gaza,” Hatem explains that he is hoping to build his dream physique and eat enough to gain muscle when the war is over. He also dreams of starting an online coaching business to help others, just as he does now through his Instagram account. Despite all adversity, he continues exercising, educating and inspiring. He provides hope to all those affected by war, poverty and displacement.

– Elsa Tarring

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

Photo: Unsplash

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How Togolese Athletes Rise Above Poverty To Reach the Olympics

Togolese AthletesTogo, a small nation in West Africa, is among the most impoverished countries in the world. Despite challenges, Togolese athletes proudly compete internationally, representing their homeland and raising global awareness about Togo’s struggles.

Poverty in Togo

With more than half of the national population living below the poverty line, Togo continues to struggle with implementing development initiatives and programs designed to improve the daily lives of the Togolese people. Similarities between Togo and other poverty-ridden nations are prevalent, including domestic unrest, a growing hunger crisis and a lack of access to education. Children often live without the key elements of a thriving society, namely access to education and child care, putting them and all of Togo at risk for cyclical poverty.

Despite widespread poverty, many Togolese athletes manage to reach international levels of competition, overcoming significant economic obstacles along the way. While international athletics provides a world stage to share the talent and ideals of individual nations, it also creates a platform for building a shared community. The opportunity to participate increases hope and resilience among athletes.

However, in impoverished countries like Togo, athletes face inadequate training facilities and equipment, limited access to coaching and trainers, a lack of nutrition and low sponsorship amounts for international competitions, according to The Brookings Institution.

A Rower From Agbodrafo

Akoko Komlanvi, a Togolese single sculls rower, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, rising above a poverty-stricken upbringing to gain international recognition. As one of five Togolese athletes at the Games, her performance improved with support from the Olympic Solidarity scholarship program.

The Olympic Solidarity program supports skilled athletes from marginalized and impoverished nations. These athletes often lack access to professional training resources and cannot afford travel costs. Support from the program helps them attend the international competitions required to qualify for events like the World Championships and the Olympic Games, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Without the Olympic Solidarity program, athletes like Komlanvi, gifted but lacking equal access to training and opportunities, would be unable to compete or represent their countries on the global stage. The program gave Komlanvi the chance to train in Tunisia, where she had access to quality rowing equipment that is rare, if not nonexistent, in Togo. Despite finishing last, participating in the Olympics was a win for Komlanvi and her country.

Pros Outweigh the Cons of the Olympics

As each Olympic Games nears, debates commence about the negative impacts of the event, primarily on the host country. The host country typically incurs an economic burden due to decreased revenue and increased costs of improving stadiums or building new arenas and housing for athletes.

However, after each Olympic Games, the necessity of providing this opportunity for athletes worldwide to gather under different flags in a fair and peaceful environment is re-established. Nations that compete, like Togo, reaffirm the importance of the goal of being counted among the participating countries.

Bringing the Togolese People Together via Sport

Sports can improve the health and well-being of athletes and those they represent, especially those living in poverty, increasing social inclusion and shedding light on global issues. While international support programs are vital for professional athletes, domestic and amateur athletes also need resources to improve their health and lessen the impact of poverty. Many of these individuals, whose struggles are echoed by their country’s athletes on the world stage, still lack access to necessities like food, health care and education.

One such program, run by the Leading Youth, Sport and Development group, supports youth development by using basketball to foster peace and address pressing social issues in Togo. This agency helps implement and support programs that align with the 2030 Agenda. It’s committed to minimizing poverty and inequality worldwide through programs designed to influence younger generations to make lasting changes positively.

Final Remarks

Beyond health benefits, sports can reduce discrimination, boost social participation and create job opportunities and revenue streams. This makes athletic programs a valuable investment in the well-being of the Togolese people.

– Avery Kachmarsky

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons