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Yamandú Orsi’s Plan to Reduce Child Poverty in Uruguay

Poverty in UruguayIn a continent of continual crisis, Uruguay is an outlier. The Latin American country has been a success story in recent years, boasting a lower poverty rate than the U.S. However, while previous governments have helped reduce poverty in Uruguay to a low level, the newly elected president, Yamandú Orsi, still faces several challenges surrounding poverty in the country.

About Yamandú Orsi

On March 1, Orsi took office for the first time, a remarkable achievement for someone from humble beginnings. Orsi, 57, grew up in a house without electricity in rural Uruguay before moving to the Canelones region, where he found political success. He served as intendant (like a mayor) of Canelones from 2015 to 2024. In November 2024, Orsi secured his most significant political victory by winning the Uruguayan presidency as a candidate for the Broad Front, a left-wing coalition.

A Country of the Future

Unlike many of its South American counterparts, Uruguay is widely seen as a success story. Since returning to civilian rule in 1985, the country has prioritized financial stability, economic growth and progressive policies. It has also emphasized sustainability, with approximately 93% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.

The previous president’s attempts at reducing poverty in Uruguay have proven to be largely successful, with the country holding a 10.4% monetary poverty rate, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). While the low poverty rate is a success, the reduction in the poverty rate has slowed in recent years, something that Orsi will look to address.

Child Poverty and Gender Inequality in Uruguay

Poverty in Uruguay remains relatively low. However, the same cannot be said for the child poverty rate. According to UNICEF, the rate is estimated at 19.4%, nearly double that of the national poverty rate. Uruguay’s child poverty issue is also inherently gendered, with the World Bank estimating that 71.8% of needy children live in female-led households. The cause of such high child poverty rates has been attributed to COVID-19 and unemployment within the country. 

However, Orsi has pledged to expand the existing “Bono Crianza” scheme to alleviate this issue. The policy aims to improve the income and financial security of “households in situations of extreme socioeconomic vulnerability where pregnant women and/or children from 0 to 3 years old reside.”

Expanding this scheme will undoubtedly reduce child poverty in Uruguay. It will reach more and more parents in need of additional income, many of those being female-led households. Additionally, Orsi is also looking to raise social spending to “generate employment opportunities for young people.”

Poverty in Uruguay: Little Action as Positive Action

With Uruguay being a success story over the last few decades, Orsi is not looking to make wide scale changes. His plan to reduce poverty is derived from making subtle changes to the system rather than starting afresh. Through these subtle changes, Orsi will hope to bring down both the monetary and child poverty rates. Further emphasizing the impressive development that Uruguay has undergone since the 1980s.

– Andrew Nicoll

Andrew is based in Long Melford, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mercy Rescue Trust: Foster to Forever Family

Mercy Rescue Trust: Foster to Forever FamilyWorldwide, 16.6 million children under 18 have lost one or both parents to HIV; 90% of these orphans live in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2019, about 53 million children in this region had lost one or both parents. According to UNICEF, Kenya alone has approximately 2.08 million orphans. Previous estimates reveal that about 3.6 million children in Kenya are orphaned or vulnerable, comprising nearly one-fifth of the country’s population under 18 years old. To combat this, Mercy Rescue Trust, a rescue center based in Kitale, Kenya, finds homes for abandoned babies and young children. The organization aims to protect children in vulnerable situations by providing medical care, shelter and long-term support.

Mercy Rescue Trust’s Mission in Kenya

Financial challenges and family instability in Kenya have led to severe neglect and abandonment of many infants. With limited social support systems, children often endure harmful conditions, suffering from malnutrition and poor physical and emotional health. Rescuers find many in life-threatening situations and bring them to Mercy Rescue Trust, where doctors conduct comprehensive health screenings to detect diseases or health risks caused by exposure to unsafe environments. Once medically stable, children enter temporary foster care with local families who provide a nurturing environment until a permanent home becomes available. If a child requires emergency medical care, doctors oversee their treatment until they recover.

From Rescue to Reunification and Adoption

After rescuing an infant, Mercy Rescue Trust searches for biological family members and prioritizes reunification whenever possible. To support successful reintegration, the organization provides regular meals and financial assistance for education, increasing the child’s chances of thriving in their home. If reunification does not work, the child remains in temporary foster care while Mercy Rescue Trust arranges a permanent, loving home. The adoption process follows strict guidelines to ensure each child finds a secure and nurturing environment. Social workers follow up regularly to monitor the child’s development and well-being after placement.

The Role of Foster Families in Child Welfare

Mercy Rescue Trust emphasizes a family-centered approach by placing children in local, family-based foster care rather than institutional orphanages. Foster families, often volunteers, provide infants with a stable home environment during this transitional period. Since its inception, Mercy Rescue Trust has placed more than 400 children in homes, including 269 with local foster families and reunited 114 with their biological families. Foster care gives infants the emotional security needed to rebuild trust and recover from trauma. Living in a home-like environment allows them to develop attachments, experience daily routines and build a sense of stability, making their transition to a permanent family much smoother.

Emergency Care and Community Support

Mercy Rescue Trust operates a 24-hour emergency care center where medical professionals provide immediate care to rescued infants. These services depend on donations that fund food, medical care and education programs for children in need. The organization also welcomes volunteers, photographers and supporters to help raise awareness and expand outreach efforts.

Looking Ahead

Mercy Rescue Trust continues to rescue, protect and advocate for vulnerable children, ensuring they receive the care, stability and opportunities they deserve. Furthermore, by prioritizing family-based care, education and long-term support, the organization is working to break the cycle of abandonment and poverty, providing children with a path to a brighter future.

– Jennifer Cermak

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

Photo: Flickr

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Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in Kibera

Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in KiberaKibera, one of the world’s largest slums, is home to more than 230,000 men, women and children on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Many households survive on less than $2 a day, struggling with a lack of infrastructure, waste management, plumbing and water access. The high cost of refrigeration prevents residents from safely storing food, contributing to malnutrition and health risks. Waste accumulates in the streets and waterways, placing additional strain on the community.

The Barriers to Education in Kibera

Extreme poverty limits access to education, leaving 60% of children without formal schooling. The few available classrooms are overcrowded, with student-teacher ratios reaching 100-to-1 due to insufficient infrastructure, staff and resources. Without intervention, many children miss out on opportunities to build a better future.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Little Lions opened its first school on the outskirts of Kibera in 2019. Through generous contributions, the team created a safe learning space for 167 students and counting. The school provides more than just education—students participate in art classes, dance competitions and soccer tournaments, building confidence and teamwork. Technology is another crucial element of the curriculum. Donated computers and online tutoring tools help students develop digital literacy, an essential skill for future opportunities. Before focusing on academics, however, the school prioritizes basic needs. Children receive two hot meals daily, sometimes the only food they will have, as well as plumbed bathrooms with running water—a rare necessity in Kibera.

Little Lions: Breaking Barriers Through Education

Little Lions is working to change this reality by providing structured, high-quality education in Kibera. The program ensures that young residents gain knowledge, skills and resources to build prosperous futures. The initiative focuses on nutrition, modern learning methods, personalized care and emotional support to address the deeper challenges of poverty.

Tuju Otieno, Little Lions Project Director, leads a team of educators who understand the hardships of growing up in informal settlements. Many teachers and staff were once orphaned or raised in slums, giving them a deep connection to the students. Little Lions offers a holistic approach to learning, combining the British and Kenyan curriculums while integrating counseling, music and art therapy to help children process the realities of their environment.

Beyond the Classroom: Supporting the Community

Little Lions’ impact extends beyond the students. The school employs about 20 staff members, including kitchen workers, teachers and sanitation crews, reducing high unemployment rates in the area. Through a partnership with Penda Health, the school provides health screenings for students and their families, ensuring their overall well-being. Parents are also included in the initiative through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and positive parenting workshops. Strengthening families allows students to thrive both at school and at home, reinforcing their ability to succeed.

A Ripple Effect in Kibera

Since its launch, Little Lions has transformed the lives of many Kiberans. Students have gained confidence, curiosity and academic skills and many have gone on to pursue secondary education. As education access expands, economic opportunities increase, helping to break the cycle of poverty in the community. By investing in education, holistic care and community development, Little Lions aims to prove that sustainable change is possible, even in the most challenging environments.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Spotlight: The Peace Center

The Peace CenterThe Peace Center is a Ugandan-based organization that aims to provide shelter, education and safety for some of the country’s neediest and most vulnerable orphaned children. Since its inception in 2015, The Peace Center has helped dozens of children by providing them with a safe home, an education and, above all, a family.

Empowering Bukinda’s Children Through Education

The Peace Center is situated in Bukinda, a town in southwest Uganda, where limited access to education is one of the most pressing challenges residents face. Without proper schooling, many children struggle to escape the cycle of poverty that has affected their families for generations.

According to the CIA World Factbook, the actual fertility rate in the country at large is more than twice the desired rate, suggesting unmet contraceptive needs. This, in turn, contributes to ongoing poverty and educational barriers. The Peace Center’s core mission is to educate children in need, helping break this cycle.

The PEACE Program

To accommodate the children’s varying needs in its program, the organization has implemented two distinct programs. The PEACE (Providing Education and Community Empowerment) program focuses on orphaned children who may have relatives to live with but do not have the resources to provide for the children’s schooling.

The PEACE program provides these children with school attendance fees and a uniform to help them gain an education. In return, these children must maintain a minimum attendance record and grade score each semester.

1-To-1 Sponsorship

For children without immediate family who require full-time support and care, The Peace Center offers a 1-to-1 sponsorship program. The nonprofit provides children in this program with “housing, schooling, three meals a day, school uniform as well as basic health and sanitary care.”

Through this program, the organization encourages families in other countries to provide both financial and emotional support to the child. This sponsorship fosters a connection between the child and the sponsor’s family through letters, photos and other forms of correspondence.

Impact

In the past 10 years, The Peace Center has worked tirelessly to provide the neediest children in Uganda with stability, safety and a place to call home. Indeed, several current and former program students have provided testimonies, expressing their gratitude to the organization.

Some children have attributed their college success to The Peace Center, sharing how the organization helped them with leadership, communication and other essential life skills. Furthermore, The Peace Center provides these children with a lifelong sense of belonging, with many students saying they have kept in touch with the staff and other students years after leaving the program.

Summary

Since its founding, The Peace Center has offered holistic care to those in greatest need, supporting orphaned children in Uganda with nowhere else to turn. It has two programs oriented toward empowering children to break generational cycles of poverty and gaining education and emotional support throughout their lives.

The Peace Center is always looking for more opportunities to help children in need and is looking toward the future and more chances to provide this much-needed support.

– Lizzie Mazzola

Lizzie is based in Raleigh, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Footprints Family Is Transforming Lives in Shimba Hills

Footprints FamilyIn Shimba Hills, Kenya, many challenges keep families from meeting basic needs. With a population of more than 866,000, Kwale County is Kenya’s 27 most populated counties. Kwale is also one of Kenya’s most impoverished and marginalized counties.

Primarily, the youth of Shimba Hills face a lack of quality schools, limited access to health care and essential medications, poor infrastructure and inhumane living conditions. The primary catalyst of these issues is the lack of government support. Both at the local and national level, there is little to no federal interference to resolve these life-threatening matters.

Poverty in Kenya

The overall poverty rate of Kenya in 2022 was 39.8%, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. In Kwale County, the child poverty headcount rate is 51.1%, with almost 1,000 children below the poverty line.

Rural areas are also hit at an unequal rate compared to urban areas, forcing them into a more difficult cycle of poverty. In 2022, the hardcore poverty rate in rural Kenya was 9.3%, affecting around 3.2 million people. Along with being hit at an unfair rate, rural areas such as Shimba Hills also show weaker recovery from poverty rates yearly, especially post-COVID-19.

Footprints Family

In 2007, Kerry Watson visited East Africa. Her trip turned from simply volunteering to a widespread child poverty activism project in Kwale County. That same year, Watson bought land and created the U.K.-based charity Footprints Family. After opening its doors in 2010, Footprints Family has profoundly helped more than 200 people in the Shimba Hills community.

After nearly two decades, Footprints Family has achieved numerous milestones in supporting Kwale’s most vulnerable children. Hundreds have benefited from free education programs, secure on-site accommodations during school terms and improved access to education through dedicated transportation services.

Along with nurturing relationships among families facing unfortunate situations, Footprints Family offers three programs to target specific problems at home.

Mama Kerry’s Home-Based Care

Introduced in 2019, Mama Kerry’s Home-Based Care program offers essential support tailored to the unique dynamics of children’s families. In partnership with the Children’s Welfare Society of Kenya, the program conducts assessments and provides financial assistance and food packages to those in need. As a result, most children are successfully reintegrated into kinship care, with regular follow-up visits ensuring continued support.

The Mkwakwani Stepping Stone Youth Program

The Mkwakwani Steppingstone Youth Program supports children in their transition to adulthood, equipping them for a brighter future. Upon completing formal education, participants receive continued assistance through counseling, educational programs, cyberlearning centers and more.

The Early Years Academy

In 2021, the nonprofit introduced Early Years Academy to address education and learning poverty by creating a school accessible to children ages 4-11. The staff consists of trained educators and transportation is provided to and from schools in surrounding villages. The extensive grounds allow each child to learn hands-on and make the most of the nature surrounding them.

Conclusion

Footprints Family remains a lifeline for vulnerable children in Shimba Hills, filling the gaps left by inadequate government support. Through education, family reintegration and youth empowerment programs, the organization transforms lives and creates lasting change. With continued support and donations, Footprints Family can expand its impact and provide a brighter future for the children of Kwale County.

– Rachael Wexler

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

Photo: Pexels

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Mica Mining in Madagascar: Ending Child Labor

Mica Mining in MadagascarMadagascar, an island nation off the coast of Africa, has one of the world’s highest poverty rates, with 80.7% of its population living in poverty. This economic hardship has contributed to widespread child labor in the country’s mica mining industry. Due to weak regulations and poor enforcement of labor laws in Madagascar, an estimated 10,000 children are being exploited in mica mining.

What Is the Issue?

Mica mining is dangerous as there is a risk of “landslides, burial, physical injuries from falling into holes, respiratory infections, suffocation, ocular infections and blindness due to mica particles.” Beyond the physical dangers, child labor in the mines also deprives children of education, limiting their future opportunities.

The mica mining industry in Madagascar lacks the legal frameworks that help protect its workers and sustain the business. The volumes of mica collected in Madagascar “are exported to China at relatively low prices that lead to uneven value distribution.” This means that the people working in mines get paid lower wages and are forced to send their children to work.

Solutions

The financial burden placed on these families helps explain why it was “found that cash transfers were the most effective basis among various programmes that aim to improve access to education.” Having the finances to send children to school could significantly reduce the number of children forced into mica mining in Madagascar.

The Madagascar Shines project is a program dedicated to improving the mica mining industry in Madagascar and reducing child labor. It aims to help communities “through community engagement, coordination and capacity building.” The program was funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Its strategy targets improvement through various areas such as households and livelihood services, officials, organizations, public awareness and more.

Empowering Women

Women’s income has been shown to have a direct positive impact on their families. Building on this approach, Pact, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing child labor in mining, implements its WORTH community banking program to empower women by helping them save money, generate income and develop new skills. The program also provides key information on positive parenting, the importance of education and the dangers of child labor. By supporting women, these efforts can ultimately help reduce the number of children working in Madagascar’s mica mining industry.

Providing child care services is a crucial way to support women and their children. The nonprofit Pact is exploring two child care program models to ensure children have a safe place to go. One model involves services promoted by the private sector and local authorities. At the same time, the other would be supported by mica processing centers committed to offering safe child care options for their employees.

Good News

Positive changes are already being made to improve mica mining in Madagascar. Some mica processing centers have already agreed to undergo an analysis to implement child care centers. Additionally, “parents of 265 children in four mining communities have agreed to enroll their children in child care centers.” These are promising signs of these centers’ need for and future success.

Targeting women to reduce child labor is also showing results, as “approximately 200 women from mica households are now members of WORTH groups.” Women are being taught how to use their wages best to support their families. This will decrease the need to send children to mines. They are also learning about the importance of education for their children and the best ways to take care of their futures.

The lives of children are already being impacted, as “about 500 children are now out of mining and supported with direct educational services.” “Approximately 1,500 children from mica communities are also maintained in school.” Mica mining in Madagascar is still a significant issue impacting many families. However, there is hope for progress to be made. Continued support and awareness of this issue is vital to its continued success.

– Sydney Morrow

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Use of Child Soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan

Child Soldiers in Iraqi KurdistanThe use of child soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan has a long and troubling history, dating back to the mid-to-late 20th century when Kurdish militias mobilized entire communities, including children, in their struggle for autonomy. Yet, one particular 1970’s terrorist militia, The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), continues its fight today seeking an independent Kurdish state, while indicted of war crimes for exploiting children as young as 7 for combat.

The History of Child Soldiers in Iraqi Kurdistan

During Saddam Hussein’s reign, vulnerable children often became targets of informal militias, with the PKK recruiting aggressively since its formation. In 1994, reports filed by the UN Refugee Agency documented the PKK’s “systematic increase in child recruitment” and even the creation of “child regiments.” A battalion called Tabura Zaroken Sehit Agit, for instance, operated with “a committee of five children aged between 8 and 12.” A year later, sources from the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) verified these reports after the loss of 1,000 PKK guerrillas—many of them young boys and girls—during an attack on the Kurdish Democratic Party. Yet, instead of being deterred by heavy casualties, the PKK intensified its recruitment efforts, adding 3,000 more children to its ranks by 1998.

About 13 years after Saddam Hussein’s deposition, the practice had not subsided. Human Rights Watch documented 29 cases of the use of child soldiers in 2016 –  all tied to the PKK. Additionally, of these cases, the children concerned routinely admitted to “participating in fighting,” staffing checkpoints throughout the PKK occupied Qandil Mountains, and cleaning or preparing weapons. The latter occupations, although far from the frontlines, still carrying significant risks. Due to Iraqi Kurdistan’s neighboring proximity to Turkey, Turkish airstrikes can kill child soldiers without the children witnessing the horrors of close combat.

The Influence of Poverty

Chiefly, the depths of Iraqi poverty bear the foremost reason why these children fall into recruitment traps that militias created. Deprived of money and education, children fall susceptible to armed groups offering financial incentives. As of 2016, UNICEF reported that more than a half a million Iraqi children were engaged in labor due to declining family incomes, violence and displacement. With a further “5 million children in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.” Furthermore, long-term political instability, corruption or weak governance in Iraq has exacerbated poverty. Limited economic opportunities and displacement due to armed conflict coupled with societal pressures to achieve rite of passage or honor in protection of one’s family makes children increasingly vulnerable to militant influence.

As such, important NGOs like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which began operating in Iraq in 2003, and the Iraq Child Rights Network which began working in Iraq in 2011, are continuously offering community-based child protection systems and implementing protective policies. In 2022, the IRC’s child and youth protection and development services supported 18,200 people, providing conflict-affected children with access to sustainable, specialized, holistic and nurturing protective services. Likewise, the ICRN has contributed its support to the National Child Protection Policy (NCPP), a policy which aims to provide a comprehensive framework to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse, including preventing the recruitment of children into armed forces and armed groups.

Positive Changes

However, among all progress, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is driving the greatest changes. In August 2024, a conference occurred titled Promoting the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in Accordance with International Standards. At this conference, Kurdistan’s Coordinator for International Advocacy, Dinadr Zebari, highlighted the KRG’s aims—specifically its 2021–2025 Regional Human Rights Action Plan—to raise Iraqi Kurdistan’s international reputation through “commitments to human rights.”

He stated the KRG has already implemented several human rights recommendations upon refugees, of whom are the primary source of child soldiers. These recommendations include “reception, accommodation, and essential services.” In fact, the KRG is now responsible for 80% of services for refugees, having allocated 138 schools and 54 mainstream schools throughout the region. This is monumental achievement, because 40,410 refugee students now receive formal education and there is hope that more refugees will enroll in mainstream schools since the Ministry of Education’s granting approval in 2021.

Looking Ahead

While the future looks promising for Iraq and its educational developments, there can be no complete celebration until every child is safe from militancy. About 327,000 refugees still reside in Iraq, with 41% estimated to be children under 18. Of these, 90% live specifically in the Kurdistan region. This means that potentially 93,000 child refugees still require aid and education after subtracting those already enrolled in schools. 

– Leighton Webber

Leighton is based in the UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TOMS: Advancing Efforts in Improving Lives

TOMSTOMS is a social enterprise founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie. Mycoskie took a sabbatical to Argentina, where he witnessed children struggling without shoes: inadequate safety and education barriers. The company sells a wide range of products, from shoes, eyewear, apparel and handbags and its recent venture, coffee, in 2014. In 2019, Mycoskie switched to TOMS’ renowned approach, the One-for-One Model, where every pair of shoes purchased would mean giving a shoe to someone in need. TOMS evolved from this strategy to reach a diverse range of issues.

The company’s current operational model offers a third of its net profits through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. These organizations are aimed at mental health, eradicating gun violence and opening doors to opportunities. Indeed, TOMS has consistently strived to ensure that making a positive social impact is as significant as producing high-quality products. With meaningful and sustainable partnerships, it has impacted more than 100 million people.

ChildFund

In 2012, TOMS partnered with ChildFund to give new shoes to needy children in Liberia. In Liberia, children are required to wear black shoes to school; however, numerous families cannot afford them. Thus, families with siblings share a pair of school shoes, each wearing a slipper on one foot and a school shoe on the other.

A “ChildFund study in 2010 estimated that 15% of school-aged children in developing countries have hookworm or another parasitic disease due to bare feet.” This partnership improves the children’s learning experience. It supports long-term access to education and health for these children, offering a step out of poverty. Thanks to TOMS and ChildFund, hundreds of Liberian schoolchildren now have school shoes.

Save the Children

With the One-for-One model, TOMS gave more than a million pairs of shoes and winter boots to children in various countries: Lithuania, El Salvador, Tajikistan and more. The distribution of shoes was part of a broader, holistic approach to improving children’s well-being through Save the Children’s wellness, dietary and educational services.

TOMS employees participated in events and trips to witness the behind-the-scenes of what it is like to give the TOMS shoes to the children. Save the Children leaders often speak at TOMS’s office events, cultivating the shared collaborative spirit. Employee engagement with TOMS and Save the Children was beneficial. It inspires employees to strive for the best quality products for the children.

Save the Children’s brand awareness widened when TOMS frequently displayed the brand to new crowds and trendsetters. Through digital advertising, TOMS would focus on spreading awareness about children in poverty in their flagship stores and partner with Save the Children to market its campaigns. During Hurricane Harvey, TOMS urged customers to advocate for Save the Children’s emergency fundraising efforts.

One Day Without Shoes Campaign

On 10 April 2010, TOMS “One Day Without Shoes (ODWS),” an idea developed in 2008 by students in Pepperdine University’s Surf Club, was commemorated to create awareness about the impact of not having shoes for underprivileged children worldwide. TOMS ensured that a pair of shoes would be donated to a child in need for every interesting photograph posted. By posting a photo of bare feet and using hashtag #withoutshoes, TOMS was able to garner a broad community to get involved and inspired.

A new pair of TOMS Giving Shoes was received by 296,243 children in need. This was achieved through the involvement of people in more than 30 countries. During the campaign, the community of 300,000 barefoot photos was eager to tag #withoutshoes to publicize the campaign.

World Mental Health Day, 2023

TOMS gives a third of its profits through cash grants to nonprofit organizations. On 10 October 2023, TOMS gave 10 “mental health-focused nonprofit organizations” worldwide $10,000 cash grants each. Wall of Sharing, Fundación Origen, International Medical Corps—Ukraine and Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative—Nigeria are such organizations.

TOMS’ Commitment to Positive Change

TOMS has evolved from its original “One-for-One” model to a broader approach, focusing on sustainable change. Ensuring immediate needs and long-term improvements, the company has positioned itself as a leader in corporate responsibility. Indeed, the company has created a meaningful impact on communities internationally. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with ChildFund and Save the Children, cash grants to International Medical Corps—Ukraine and more have been instrumental to global communities by providing shoes to children in need or supporting mental health initiatives.

– Nalini Vj

Nalini is based in Perth, WA, Australia and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Intergenerational Poverty: From Childhood to Adulthood

Intergenerational Poverty: From Childhood to Adulthood Intergenerational poverty refers to poverty that persists across multiple generations within families, particularly in developing countries. According to the World Bank, 70% of global poverty is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, where systemic barriers hinder upward mobility. Children born into poverty are far more likely to experience economic hardship as adults due to limited access to education, health care and stable employment. Research has revealed that prolonged exposure to poverty during childhood can significantly decrease opportunities for better livelihoods later in life.

The Impact of Poverty on Child Brain Development

Early childhood development is particularly vulnerable to the effects of poverty. A significant portion of brain formation occurs in the first six years of life and living in impoverished conditions can disrupt this critical process. According to Very Well Mind, children raised in poverty often face developmental delays caused by stress, lack of resources and unstable living conditions. On a neurological level, children may experience reduced white and gray matter volume, which affects memory, movement, emotions and cognitive information processing. Mentally, children in poverty are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as anxiety and depression, which can persist into adulthood.

Poverty’s Long-Lasting Effects Into Adulthood

Studies reveal that the longer a child lives in poverty, the greater their likelihood of remaining in poverty as an adult. A study published in Frontline found that children who experienced poverty for 8 to 14 years were significantly more likely to face economic hardship between the ages of 20 and 25.

Reports from the Urban Institute reveal that only a small percentage of children in poverty complete their education. High school graduation rates are notably lower among children raised in poverty compared to their more affluent peers, limiting their opportunities for higher education and better-paying jobs. Physical health is another area heavily impacted. Poor families often live in unsafe housing, increasing risks of accidents, injuries and chronic health issues such as heart disease. Children from impoverished backgrounds are more likely to suffer from poor nutrition, reduced health care access and long-term medical complications.

Solutions for Breaking the Cycle

Addressing intergenerational poverty requires both immediate relief and long-term strategies. A report titled A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty emphasizes the importance of providing parents with financial resources to meet their children’s basic needs. By alleviating parental stress, children are given better opportunities to thrive. However, experts also stress the need for sustainable programs that focus on health, education and long-term well-being.

5 Organizations Fighting Poverty Globally

Several organizations are working globally to address poverty and its long-term effects:

  1. Oxfam International. A global confederation of 19 organizations working in 90 countries, Oxfam provides crisis relief and practical solutions to poverty.
  2. Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development (OPAD). An NGO promoting human rights, sustainable development and poverty eradication through education, health programs and economic initiatives.
  3. Concern Worldwide. Operating for more than 50 years in 50 countries, Concern Worldwide focuses on empowering local communities to address poverty caused by natural disasters, hunger and conflict.
  4. End Poverty Now (EPN). A Canadian NGO that unites nonprofits to create sustainable solutions. EPN ensures continued support for the programs it initiates, fostering lasting impacts.
  5. Global Citizen. With a mission to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, Global Citizen mobilizes global citizens to advocate for systemic change and hold world leaders accountable.

These organizations play critical roles in combating the many forms of poverty, offering both immediate assistance and sustainable pathways to self-sufficiency.

Looking Ahead

Breaking intergenerational poverty involves targeted interventions that prioritize children’s development and family stability. Effective strategies address systemic challenges while empowering communities through education, health care and economic opportunities. By combining immediate aid with sustainable solutions, global initiatives play a crucial role in fostering long-term change. These ongoing efforts offer hope for a future where poverty no longer determines the opportunities and outcomes of successive generations.

– Sadie Treadwell

Sadie is based in Grovetown, GA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Save the Children’s Jumper Day Fights Child Poverty

How Save the Children’s Jumper Day Fights Child PovertyWith one in five children living in extreme poverty, Save the Children provides aid, protection and emergency assistance to children worldwide. The organization has supported 47 million children by ensuring access to education, food, clean water and sanitation in safe, healthy environments. The annual Christmas Jumper Day, held on Dec. 12, encourages participants to wear a Christmas Jumper and donate £2. Since its launch in 2012, the event has raised £30 million in the United Kingdom, helping fund the charity’s global initiatives.

Child Poverty

Child poverty is a global issue that affects low-, middle- and high-income countries to varying degrees. An estimated 1 billion children worldwide experience multidimensional poverty, lacking essentials such as food, clean water, shelter, education and health care. Additionally, 333 million children live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day. While extreme poverty is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, millions of children in some of the world’s wealthiest nations also face poverty, underscoring the universal nature of this challenge.

The Day’s Impact

Hosted in schools and workplaces, Christmas Jumper Day raises funds and increases awareness about child poverty and efforts to combat it. In 2023, 1.5 million children and teachers, along with 27,000 workplaces, raised £3 million. The funds support initiatives such as training midwives, keeping children in school, reuniting families separated by conflict, predicting food crises to deliver timely aid and ensuring access to essential medications.

Christmas Jumper Day also supports Save the Children’s Emergency Fund, which aids children living in crisis zones like Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine. The charity provides emergency supplies, cash assistance, education and mental health support to children in these regions. In Gaza, Save the Children offers medical care for children with severe injuries, mental health services and safe spaces for maternity health care. In October 2024, the organization opened a medical center in Khan Younis, treating more than 800 patients. Funds raised through the day will enable the charity to expand its medical services, a critical need with more than 14,100 children killed in Gaza.

Celebrity Involvement

To raise awareness for the day, celebrities including Olly Murs, Myleene Klass, Alison Hammond and Laura Whitmore modeled their Christmas jumpers to encourage fundraising and participation. When asked about the day, Nadia Sawalha commented: “Wearing a jumper and donating a small amount has the power to transform children’s lives for good. Christmas Jumper Day 2024 introduced a new Shaun the Sheep animation, “The Knit Before Christmas,” designed to engage children ahead of the event. The animation follows the beloved characters as they prepare for the big day. Actress Ashley Jensen premiered the animation at Launde Primary School in Leicester, which was the top fundraiser in 2023, raising £3,744.84.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing efforts by Save the Children demonstrate the importance of innovative fundraising campaigns in addressing the challenges faced by children living in poverty. Events like Christmas Jumper Day connect communities to a global cause, generating resources that support life-changing programs. By integrating public participation and targeted aid, the organization continues to provide critical assistance to children in need, fostering hope and resilience in some of the most vulnerable regions worldwide.

– Ellie Western

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

Photo: Unsplash