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4 Charities Combating Child Poverty in Brazil

Child Poverty in BrazilBrazil has the second-highest economy in the Americas. Despite the country having a whopping gross domestic product (GDP) range of $2.17 trillion as of 2023, it is also home to millions of children living in poverty. Vast disparities in wealth and access to essential resources persist, leaving many children and teenagers alike impoverished. Fortunately, several charities are working tirelessly to address these challenges and improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in Brazil. 

ChildFund

Since 1966, ChildFund has been helping impoverished children in Brazil, focusing on improving the lives of children and families in disadvantaged areas. The organization’s efforts center on education, health care and protecting children from violence and exploitation. ChildFund also aims to train community members to monitor water quality and has partnered with multiple programs to implement measures that promote safe water drinking—one of these partnerships accomplished providing clean water to more than 24,000 people in Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley.

One of ChildFund’s key initiatives in Brazil is its focus on education and skills training. The organization provides educational support to children, ensuring access to quality schooling and essential resources for success. This includes reducing violence in classrooms and socioeducational activities promoting leadership. Additionally, ChildFund Brazil empowered 8,200 children through its “Taking Care of the First Years of Life” program.

Children of Bahia

Children of Bahia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children in one of Brazil’s most impoverished regions, the state of Bahia. Established in 2005, the organization provides food, education and health care to children living in extreme poverty. By working directly with local communities, Children of Bahia addresses the needs of the children it serves and provides targeted support where needed most.

The organization also supports projects where children receive meals, access necessary health care and participate in extracurricular activities like the Wednesday Club. In addition to providing direct support, Children of Bahia strengthens families and communities by offering workshops and community development programs. This approach ensures children get the support they need to thrive at home and within their communities.

GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving is an international crowdfunding platform connecting donors with grassroots projects worldwide, including Brazil. The platform supports various initiatives to combat child poverty in Brazil through its platform. These projects are run by local organizations that deeply understand the communities they serve, ensuring that donations are used effectively to create lasting change.

In Brazil, GlobalGiving supports projects that provide education, health care and necessities to needy children. For example, some projects focus on improving rural communities’ access to clean water and sanitation. In contrast, others provide scholarships and educational resources to children who would otherwise be unable to attend school. The organization’s model allows donors to choose specific projects they want to support, providing transparency and ensuring that their contributions make a direct impact.

Compassion International

Compassion International is a well-known organization that works to alleviate child poverty through its child sponsorship programs. The organization provides children access to education, health care and spiritual guidance in Brazil. Compassion’s sponsorship programs connect donors with individual children. It provides them with the financial support needed to attend school, receive medical care and participate in extracurricular activities.

The organization has also served 223 churches to create safe and nurturing environments for the children, for which approximately 69,000 have received aid. In addition to meeting basic needs, Compassion’s programs emphasize the importance of emotional and spiritual well-being. They offer counseling and support to help children overcome the challenges they face.

Conclusion on Charities in Brazil

The work of charities such as ChildFund, Children of Bahia, GlobalGiving and Compassion International demonstrates that the power of collective action. These organizations have sufficiently reduced child poverty in Brazil via education, health care, food and water supply and sponsoring.

– Christian Core

Christian is based in Princeville, HI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UNICEF Supports Children in Liberia

UNICEF Supports Children in Liberia 20 Years After the Civil WarIn Liberia, more than 20 years have passed since the second civil war ended in Aug. 2003. Yet, the younger population continues to be deeply affected by the consequences of the conflict, in particular the use of child soldiers. All sides initially deployed children because they were cheap and obedient, making them easy to exploit. Often heavily drugged, these children could constitute up to 50% of the fighting forces.

The Lasting Impact on Former Child Soldiers

A BBC interview with a former child soldier, Miatta, reveals how her childhood was traumatized by the war. At only 14 years old, she was forced to kill. The hurt she endured led her to fall victim to drugs and sex work in her later teenage years, a fate which, sadly, is often met by many child soldiers. Miatta’s story is a testimony to how the livelihoods and futures of a young generation are haunted by this conflict. A UNICEF report reveals that Liberia is witnessing a growing population, with 63% under 25 years old. Yet statistics drawn by Save the Children reveal that challenges still prevail, with 50% of children out of school and 32% suffering from malnutrition. 

UNICEF’s Pivotal Role in Child Protection

UNICEF’s involvement has been crucial in supporting children born into poverty in Liberia. The organization began its efforts in 1986 with a focus on child protection. Additionally, they have financially assisted the government with projects aimed at supporting youth. UNICEF advocates for laws that ensure the safety and rehabilitation of children in violent situations. A key achievement is the passage of the Children’s Law in 2011, which explicitly defines the human rights entitled to children. UNICEF also champions the protection of children’s rights from birth, emphasizing the importance of birth registration to ensure their access to services and legal protections.

UNICEF collaborates with several organizations, including Save the Children and Catholic groups like Don Bosco Homes, to support Liberia’s recovery. During the Ebola outbreak, Save the Children notably provided foster homes and educational kits to ensure the health and education of children. Liberia continues to grapple with the scars left by its civil wars and the traumatic use of child soldiers. Issues like violence, drug use, malnutrition and poverty persist among the youth. However, the dedicated efforts of these organizations, especially UNICEF, offer a glimmer of hope for the future generations of Liberia.

Looking Ahead

Despite the end of Liberia’s civil wars more than two decades ago, the nation still faces significant challenges in rebuilding its society. This is particularly so in the case of supporting its youth. UNICEF, alongside other organizations, continues to play a critical role in addressing the needs of children in Liberia. They focus on protection, education and health. Furthermore, with ongoing efforts to improve living conditions and ensure the rights of every child, these initiatives aim to help Liberia’s young population recover from the lingering effects of conflict and build a brighter future.

– Grace Sammartini

Grace is based in Rome, Italy and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know about Poverty in Jordan

Poverty in JordanThe Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, situated in the Southern Levant region of West Asia, borders the occupied Palestinian West Bank to the west and Iraq to the east. The nation’s most famous landmark, Petra, is one of the world’s seven wonders. Jordan, once home to several empires, including the Roman Empire, was a member of the Ottoman Empire until 1918. It was also a mandate of the United Kingdom before gaining independence in 1946. Despite its cultural significance, Jordan faces many challenges, including high poverty. A Department of Statistics report shows that 24.1% of Jordanians live in poverty. This means 2.72 million out of the 11.3 million are classified as vulnerable. The World Bank sets the poverty line of $7.90 per capita per day, a harsh reality for those living below that threshold in Jordan.

A Poor Economic State

Jordan’s economic state is reflected in its average monthly salary, which ranges from $850 to $1,130. Even so, the country has a high cost of living index of 41.2, posing a challenge for families in low-income households and worsening poverty. This makes it difficult for them to meet their needs. For comparison, the cost-of-living index in Egypt is 21.0. The cost of living exceeds the average salary of the local Jordanian population, making it difficult for them to live comfortably. Even though they earn less on average, a large portion of their income is spent on necessities, worsening Jordan’s poverty rates.

The Economic Research Forum notes that income inequality in Jordan is low, as measured by the Gini index. However, in 2016, the pre-tax national income shares of 10% of the distribution exceeded 40%, highlighting that most of the country’s income is concentrated among the wealthiest.

High Unemployment Rates

One reason for the high poverty levels in Jordan is the increase in unemployment rates among the Jordanian youth. According to the Department of Statistics, as of March 2024, the unemployment rate has increased to 21.4%. According to the Atlantic Council, long-standing issues in the labor market, such as a decline in the necessary skills for certain jobs within the population, are also contributing to rising unemployment rates.

Regional Instabilities

Wars in neighboring countries have put a significant strain on Jordanian society. The influx of refugees from these countries has increased the population to 11 million since 2000. With Jordan hosting more than 745,000 refugees, the government is at the forefront of hosting refugees per capita worldwide. This has impacted the labor markets, health care, educational quality and increased living expenses.

As refugees struggle to find jobs and face limited quality education and health care, many Syrians in Jordan rely on international aid. This creates pressure on Jordan’s already strained resources and creates challenges for both the host country and the refugees.

Children Are Among the Most Affected

As poverty rates rise in Jordan, the impact on children is becoming more evident. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) explains that of the 3.16 million children in Jordan, one in five is multidimensionally vulnerable. Furthermore, a World Health Organization (WHO) study found that 13.8% of the 9,734 births analyzed were underweight. This elevated low birth rate poses a significant challenge to public health in Jordan.

Moving Forward

As Jordan faces poverty challenges, it is implementing solutions to address them. According to the World Bank, in 2021, the Jordanian government launched a 10-year, three-track agenda to modernize politics, the public sector and the economy. The plan aims to create one million new jobs and empower women and children to participate in Jordanian politics. Consequently, according to a U.N. report, Jordan’s strategies have increased economic growth, rising from 2.4% in 2022 to 2.6% in 2023.

To assist refugees, Jordan has established a system to address their needs, including cash and voucher assistance schemes that also benefit Jordanian citizens. The support includes employment opportunities for both Jordanians and Syrians. More than 2.8 million people have benefited from this project, which improved local services and created 45,000 working days of employment.

In summary, Jordan is firmly working to address its high poverty rates through targeted assistance and modernization efforts, aiming to improve the lives of Jordanian citizens and refugees.

– Nouf Hunaiti

Nouf is based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Child Poverty in France

France is often regarded as a European economic powerhouse of wealth and political influence. However, of the 14.47 million children living in France, 22.8% were at risk of poverty and social exclusion as of 2021. This amounts to around 3.3 million children in total. These children consistently struggle to access education, health care, food, housing and care services. In fact, by 2022, nearly 5,700 children in mainland France lived in shantytowns. Additionally, about 30,000 were housed in hotels—environments deemed unfit for family living—and 1,600 had no accommodation solution at all.

European Council Child Guarantee

Poverty and exclusion threaten about 19 million children in the European Union. In light of this, the European Commission adopted a recommendation from the European Council and created the Child Guarantee Act. This act aims to prevent and fight social exclusion by ensuring that vulnerable children have effective access to a range of basic services, such as free education, free health care, healthy food and adequate housing. By adopting the Childhood Guarantee on June 12, 2021, France pledged to enforce the protection of children’s rights to health, education, security and comfort at the national level. Consequently, France also pledged to enhance existing monitoring systems and develop new ones to better protect these rights.

French Child Guarantee National Action Plan

The Child Guarantee National Action Plan proposed by France to the European Council is ambitious, with many of its measures aimed at tackling child poverty receiving widespread approval. The plan focuses on five main points, which are as follows:

  1. The creation of a national observatory for ‘nonschooling’ now requires parents to obtain prior authorization to home-school their children. Authorities will accept only limited reasons for granting this permission.
  2. To reduce child poverty, the plan improves access to employment and develops the country’s childcare support system, focusing on maternal assistance accessibility during a child’s first 1,000 days.
  3. To reinforce access to education and schooling for vulnerable children, the plan includes enforcing stricter rules in foster care systems.
  4. The plan prioritizes children’s mental health and improves their access to health care overall.
  5. The plan expands the availability of care services to all children up to the age of 21.

Remaining Uncertainties

There are ongoing uncertainties about the funding and implementation conditions for policies designed to tackle child poverty in France. Key concerns include how the French Child Guarantee National Action Plan will be implemented, monitored and evaluated. This is due to an agreement by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament that requires Member States to allocate 5% of their European Social Fund Plus resources to combat child poverty, but only if their national child poverty rates exceed the European average of 23.4%.

Countries like France do not have to invest a specific percentage of their budget in these efforts. Instead, they only need to allocate an ‘appropriate’ amount. This flexibility in the requirement is concerning, as it could result in inadequate support for vulnerable children in France who are at risk of or currently experiencing poverty, potentially diverting funds to other investments.

Looking Ahead

France faces significant challenges in addressing child poverty. The French Child Guarantee National Action Plan, aligned with the European Council’s Child Guarantee Act, aims to provide vulnerable children with access to essential services like education, health care and housing. However, uncertainties remain regarding the allocation of resources and the effectiveness of these measures, raising concerns about whether the plan will provide sufficient support to those most in need.

– Kristina Grant

Kristina is based in Scotland and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Providing Education for Children in Malaysia

Education for Children in MalaysiaMalaysia, located just south of Thailand in Southeast Asia, is home to more than 35 million people. Major cities include Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Johor Bahru. Recently, Malaysia’s education system was ranked second in the region based on test scores. However, it also placed last in Southeast Asia. While some families can afford quality education for their children, others living below the poverty line struggle to prioritize education. It is difficult for families with lower incomes to spend money on education when they have so many other needs that they need to tend to. Organizations like Dignity for Children Foundation, Teach For Malaysia and Budimas Education Charity Fund are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for children from impoverished families in Malaysia.

Dignity for Children Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Dignity for Children Foundation aims to provide quality education to impoverished children. Its mission includes support programs, education initiatives, a farm academy and various enterprises designed to offer a well-rounded education that prepares children for employment.

Through donations, child sponsorships and the efforts of many volunteers, the foundation has significantly impacted the lives of impoverished children. Starting with 20 students in 1998, the foundation now supports 2,300 students aged 2 to 19 as of 2024. In addition to offering free quality education, the foundation also provides meals.

Teach For Malaysia

Established in 2010, Teach For Malaysia aims to reduce educational inequality across the country. The organization recruits and trains individuals to work in under-resourced schools, ensuring that all children have access to quality education regardless of their family’s financial situation. Partnering with the Ministry of Education, Teach For Malaysia addresses impoverished students’ challenges and advocates for systemic change.

Students taught by Teach For Malaysia’s fellows experienced 36% more academic growth than their peers. By training and placing new teachers in schools with high needs, the organization significantly impacts education in Malaysia.

Budimas Education Charity Fund

Founded in 2001, the Budimas Education Charity Fund is dedicated to making education more accessible for all. In Malaysia, where many children would have to travel more than 40 kilometers to reach school, the organization works to bring education closer to those in poverty.

The Budimas Education Charity Fund has established 12 libraries in underprivileged areas, providing thousands of books and spaces for children to complete schoolwork and engage in educational activities. By offering free books and educational resources in regions with limited school access, the organization is committed to enhancing education for less privileged children in Malaysia.

Final Note

While accessing quality education in Malaysia can be extremely challenging for underprivileged children, organizations like the Dignity for Children Foundation, Teach For Malaysia and Budimas Education Charity Fund are making significant strides to address educational inequality. These three organizations have positively impacted many lives by improving access to education and resources. Although the statistics and rankings regarding education in Malaysia may raise concerns, efforts by these organizations offer hope for a brighter future.

– Poppy Duggal

Poppy is based in Chevy Chase, MD, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling Poverty, Transforming Lives: Child Poverty in Romania

Child Poverty in RomaniaRomania is a high-income economy with a high human development ranking. However, almost half of the 4 million children living in the country are at risk of child poverty in Romania. To combat this issue, FARA, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) founded in the U.K., offers a variety of practical solutions to give a range of vulnerable groups the best start in life.

Child Poverty in Romania

According to UNICEF, during 2019-2021, 29% of Romanian children were living in relative income poverty, the highest of all member states of the EU. It also noted that Romania had the most cases of persistent child poverty, which amounted to 25% of all children. UNICEF explains that prolonged periods of poverty throughout childhood can exacerbate the disadvantages already created by poverty and provide particularly negative outcomes for children in the future.

One of the reasons for this particularly high rate of child poverty may be the limited impact of social protection benefits on the issue, according to UNICEF. Eurochild calls for investments in social infrastructure to address the needs of vulnerable children in Romania, especially those belonging to minority groups such as Roma.

FARA

FARA, which means “without” in Romanian, is an NGO focusing on breaking the cycle of poverty experienced by children in Romania. Jane Nicholson founded the organization in 1991 and was appalled to find out about the extreme cruelty inflicted within state-run orphanages during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu, FARA states on its website.

Since its founding, all of the services FARA provides continue to match her initial ethos that abandoned children should have access to quality education and live in places that resemble families, not institutions.

FARA believes that to break the cycle of poverty, children must complete their education. According to UNICEF via FARA, an extra year of school attendance could increase a child’s future income by 8% to 9% and reduce their risk of unemployment by 8%. FARA has identified key groups that currently face barriers to their education. These include children from poor families and communities such as Romani, vulnerable children and children with disabilities.

Tackling Poverty Through Education

Tackling Poverty Through Education is FARA’s flagship program which assists 300 children and their families in nursery and primary schools in rural communities across Northern Romania. To help children start and stay in school, FARA offers a free program that employs teachers, catering staff and social workers in schools across rural communities, according to its website.

As part of this program, FARA provides children from poor families with free school meals which both fuels them for a day of learning and encourages their parents to send them off to school. In addition to appropriate nutrition, the program also provides pastoral care and support to children and their families to strengthen family ties and prevent school dropouts. The organization hopes to expand beyond the 300 children it assists in the next decade.

FARA Family Homes

According to FARA, “Romania has one of the largest alternative care systems in the EU.” Figures from the Romanian Government and UNICEF show that over 56,000 children receive some form of support, with 18,000 living in foster care, 13,900 in kinship care and 18,500 in state-run institutions. According to UNICEF via FARA, for a child under the age of three, spending three months in an institution can delay their physical development by one month and may also pose a risk to their cognitive and language development.

As one of few NGOs providing an alternative to state care in Romania, FARA’s children’s homes are modeled on the principle of giving a “family for those without.” FARA’s current home, St Nicholas, which can accommodate 12 children and three students, provides a caring and loving environment for children over the age of three. The children get accommodation until their mid-20s to ensure that they receive support in their pursuit of further education and have the best chance of finding a future career. Over the years, more than 70 children have received support through FARA Family Homes, according to its website.

Therapy for Children with Disabilities

There are approximately 72,000 children registered as disabled in Romania, many of whom are unable to access mainstream education. Children with disabilities face negative attitudes, daily discrimination and costly health care, causing them to be one of the most marginalized groups in Romanian society. The combination of these barriers to success significantly endangers the development and life of disabled children and their families.

FARA offers a lifeline of support for isolated children and their families through their three therapy centers in Bucharest and Suceava District in the northeast of Romania. According to FARA, every week the centers support 228 children by providing them with physio, speech and sensory therapies for various disabilities. It also provides social support for their families, ensuring they can meet their children’s needs. In the last decade, 630 disabled children have accessed therapy in FARA centers, with 67% of those children going on to enroll in kindergartens and mainstream schools.

In addition to these three main groups, FARA also helps “youth at risk and adults with learning disabilities.”

A Brighter Future

Although child poverty remains a prevalent issue in communities across Romania, NGOs such as FARA are working hard to ensure that every child has the best chance at life. Hopefully, going forward, the government can improve the social infrastructure to create more effective welfare solutions to ensure every child receives the education and support they need, which could further help alleviate child poverty in Romania.

– Carla Messinger

Carla is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Guardians of Dreams: A Brighter Future for Children in India

Guardians of DreamsA team of innovative minds based in Bangalore, India, set out nine years ago to enhance the social and physical infrastructures of children’s homes. Since 2015, the nonprofit organization, Guardians of Dreams actively reformed the delivery of childcare institutions, ensuring the essential needs of every child within are effectively provided. The Borgen Project spoke with one of the co-founders, Mekha Thachankary, to discuss the work of Guardians of Dreams and its journey ahead.

A Home of Diverse Backstories

There are nearly 400,000 children across 10,000 children’s homes in India. Within these homes, children come from a variety of environments. Some children come from families that are economically unstable and cannot sustain the essential needs of a child such as nutrition, clothing and health care. Children who have been orphaned, in conflict with the law or been rescued from human trafficking also require a rehabilitative environment. 

Challenges Strung Upon Childcare Homes

Enacted in 2015, the Juvenile Justice Act allows childcare institutions such as children’s homes, orphanages and juvenile justice homes to provide care and protection through specific practices and resources. These resources include 24-hour supervision, education, nutrition and basic amenities like beds and hygiene care. Despite the critical need for these resources, most childcare institutions in India lack the financial capacity to consistently maintain their infrastructures. The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained the childcare sector’s ability to deliver effective services. Additionally, individuals who turn 18 and are legally considered adults must leave these institutions. This forces them to abandon plans for higher education and take the nearest available job. Aftercare is crucial for these young adults to integrate into society successfully. Without life skills training and a reliable support system, they remain vulnerable to a systemic cycle of poverty.

The Beginning of The Story

In 2011, Thachankary began volunteering as an English teacher in children’s homes. Over time, she became acutely aware of the broader challenges these children faced, realizing that teaching English alone was insufficient for providing long-term protection and support. “You start realizing the problem is much deeper,” Thachankary said, as she encountered the complex issues these children dealt with. This realization sparked an initiative to reform children’s homes in India. Many children suffer from malnutrition and inadequate health care, trapping them in a continuous cycle of illness. Additionally, a lack of opportunities for relationship-building has stunted their social skill development. Recognizing these issues, Thachankary concluded that a holistic approach was essential for a brighter future in child welfare.

The Guardians of Dreams

Alongside a team of inspired individuals, Guardians of Dreams was created to support the children and their aspirations going forward. “The whole point of the name Guardians of Dreams for us is to make sure that we’re able to guard their dreams,” Thachankary said. Ensuring the appropriate resources within childcare institutions fosters greater opportunities for young adults. Since 2015, this organization has expanded to helping 450 pre-existing childcare institutions across 6 Indian districts: Kochi, Bangalore, Chennai, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Guardians of Dreams is intent on upgrading the providence of childcare institutions through financial, educational and emotional support. Through a noninvasive technique, Guardians of Dreams builds a relationship with the leaders and workers of the institutions and collaborates to deliver positive development for the children.

A Glimpse Into The Projects

A new three- to five-year program currently rolls out across 10 homes and incorporates a curriculum developed by Guardians of Dreams. This curriculum is crafted in collaboration with subject matter experts, such as nutritionists and hotel management professionals experienced in sanitation care and childcare institutions with established practices. The curriculum acknowledges a variation of domains such as nutrition, mental health, hygiene and more and promotes these guidelines within the homes. Volunteers called ‘embedded managers’ go on-site to train and evaluate. In this newly developed program, the organization provides approximately $2500 to $4000 in grants annually to support enhanced meal plans and mental health coaching. 

A program such as the Scholastics Awards Program provides unrestricted financial support for one year to 10th-and 12th-grade students who demonstrate academic success. So far, it has reached 974 students across three districts, encouraging young adults to pursue their preferred career opportunities without financial strain.

To address financial instability and the lack of facilities at childcare institutions, Guardians of Dreams conducts thorough assessments and executes upgrades, including additional toilets and enhanced dormitory and recreational spaces. This project has successfully revitalized six homes and is currently making progress with more than 300 homes.

The Journey Ahead

The United Nations asserts that childhood deserves special care and attention, establishing a framework that supports a child’s right to a suitable standard of living. Numerous local nonprofit organizations and government-run childcare institutions in India are committed to achieving making this a reality for vulnerable children, but resource shortages can compromise consistency. The efforts of organizations like Guardians of Dreams have significantly improved childcare institutions, benefiting the institutions, members and staff. A notable success story involved assisting a Bangalore childcare home in securing the official license required to operate as an established institution after 16 years. The ultimate measure of success is seeing vulnerable children from any background thrive in a supportive environment.

– Abigail Lobo

Abigail is based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Nonprofits Improving Education for Children in Belize

Education for Children in BelizeDue to Belize’s economic and political pressures, much of the population experiences significant social and economic inequality, leading to severe disparities in access to services, particularly for children. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that about 49% of all Belizean children live in multidimensional poverty, lacking basic needs, including adequate nutrition and housing, clean drinking water, sanitation and education. The education system in Belize is particularly concerning as only 55% of children currently have access to early childhood education and again, only half of them continue to secondary school.

The World Bank defines learning poverty as being unable to read and understand short, age-appropriate text by age 10. In 2021, about 76% of all Belizean children at their late primary age were not proficient in reading. Reading is a gateway for learning as one progresses through school, so this lack of education and literacy severely restricts individual progress and undermines Belize’s broader efforts toward sustainable growth and poverty reduction. However, here are three nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working to improve education for children in Belize:

Ocean Academy

Caye Caulker Ocean Academy was founded in 2008. It provides a highly subsidized education to all its students, offering individualized attention, free tutoring and work studies. Through partnerships with local tourism industries, Ocean Academy offers students free apprenticeships in scuba diving, kayaking, fly fishing and windsurfing. These opportunities allow the students to become involved within their community, often leading to full-time employment offers after graduation. Before its opening, only 35% of students in Caye Caulker progressed past primary school. More than 90% have enrolled in high school, many becoming the first in their family to attend.

Holy Cross Education Foundation

The Holy Cross Education Foundation’s mission is to provide administrative and financial support to disadvantaged schools around Belize, giving the children the best possible quality education. It covers the construction and maintenance of the schools, staff salaries, classroom supplies, computer labs, office equipment and more. Moreover, it created a lunch program staffed with local women, allowing children access to a hot lunch without leaving campus. The program has consistently provided nutritional meals to more than 400 students daily.

Pathlight Belize

PathLight International was founded in 2007. It aims to empower impoverished children in Belize to receive a quality education, break away from poverty and reach their fullest potential. Through its Teaching Training program, PathLight equips Belizean teachers with formal training in various subjects alongside providing tuition, supplies and transportation for all students. Each student also receives a personalized mentor to assist with job readiness training, social skills training and leadership development. By the end of 2024, PathLight aims to become the leading NGO in Belize to achieve its ambition of having more than 60% of students graduate at the secondary school level.

Meaningful Impact

In light of pressing challenges, several nonprofit organizations have been working diligently in Belize to address the educational deficiencies and improve children’s general well-being, creating a tangible impact in improving academic outcomes and empowering the next generation. With ongoing support, there is hope that their efforts will elevate educational standards in Belize and allow Belizean children to break the cycle of generational poverty by obtaining the necessary skills and knowledge.

– Kewe Chen

Kewe is based in Memphis, TN, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Picryl

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Child Poverty in Timor-Leste

Child Poverty in Timor-LesteSince its independence in May 2002, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in expanding its economy and improving its standards of living through various efforts such as rebuilding public infrastructures and institutional frameworks. Today, Timor-Leste, with around 1.3 million people, is a peaceful nation. However, the aftermath of decades of conflicts and other factors like natural disasters persists, as shown by the poverty measure with the national poverty line. Though it has been on the decline, in 2024, 42% of families in Timor-Leste are living in poverty according to the United Nations. Among them, children are the most vulnerable group when it comes to poverty. Fortunately, some efforts are underway to eliminate child poverty in Timor-Leste.

Poverty

According to Timor-Leste’s own country-specific measurement of multidimensional poverty, young children have the highest multidimensional poverty rates, meaning that the children do not have enough access to quality education, health care and nutrition.

Education

According to UNICEF, only 20% of children who are of the age for preschool are enrolled in school and 70% of students in the first grade do not meet basic learning standards. Moreover, educational institutions face challenges due to insufficient necessities as well such as bathrooms and drinking water. 

To address this room for improvement, UNICEF has been working with the government to formalize quality standards for preschool and basic education and an Early Childhood Development Policy. Additionally, UNICEF also advocated for Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education to establish the Basic Law of Education in 2008, the  National Policy Framework for Preschool Education in 2014, the Basic Education Law in 2010,  the WASH in Schools Guidelines in 2016 and the Inclusive Education Policy in 2017. These efforts for improvements in education and equity will contribute to a higher rate of quality education along with an increase in individual earnings. This will eventually contribute to solving poverty and increasing domestic product per capita in Timor-Leste.

Child Labor

Instead, many children in Timor-Leste work as child laborers to make a living for their families and to buy necessities. According to the United Nations, one child named Ano from Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, spends nine hours daily selling popcorn and other snacks to subsidize his family’s income. This is not just a problem surrounding one child. UNICEF and ILO jointly announced in their report that around 10% of 5-12 aged children in Timor-Leste work to support their families.

The government of Timor-Leste acknowledged the issue of child labor by ratifying Convention No. 182, an international agreement in 1999, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2003 with a goal of eliminating any form of child abuse. Other organizations such as UNICEF have also worked to advocate for child rights and eliminate child labor in Timor-Leste.

Nutrition

Food deficits and malnutrition are also problems in Timor-Leste. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that around 47% of the children five years old and under are stunted and 8.6% of children are suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, 23% of women from age 15 to 49 are anemic, which means they do not have enough red blood cells needed to distribute oxygen to the body’s tissues.

To combat malnutrition, WFP has provided technical support to the government of Timor-Leste to produce fortified food filled with minerals and vitamins for vulnerable families. It has also developed an efficient supply chain management system to ensure that the food reaches households that need the most assistance. Subsequently, in 2022, WFP provided fortified rice to approximately 79,000 children in more than 400 schools in Timor-Leste  through a school program.

Health Care

Due to low access to health care systems, maternal and under-5 mortality rates are the highest in Southeast Asia. In terms of vaccination, a UNICEF report from 2016 indicated that only 49% of children (12-29 months) had obtained all of their vaccinations. Moreover, about 88% of health care facilities in Timor-Leste lack emergency care for women and newborns. These problems are mainly due to limited workforce, supply chains and public financing.

In order to save the lives of children by improving health care systems, many organizations and governments have carried out various efforts. USAID endeavors to expand health care across Timor-Leste and improve the support of infants, children and women. USAID assisted the Ministry of Health in facilitating health promotion sessions including hygiene and nutrition education for 11,317 people. UNICEF also seeks to strengthen health care worker networks and workforces in Timor-Leste along with advocacy for vaccination programs. By 2025, its goal is to increase the number of skilled health care professionals during birth from 55% to 70% and reach 150,000 people at health care promotion activities and health care facilities.

Looking Forward

It was a short period after Timor-Leste became a sovereign state in 2002. Since, there has been a continuous effort made by governments, various organizations and individuals to mitigate the problem of child poverty in Timor-Leste and improve the lives of children. When these collective actions worldwide support its long-lasting growth in Timor-Leste, child poverty in Timor-Leste will gradually decline with more children living the fulfilling lives they deserve. As Helen Keller said, “Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.”

– Sein Kim

Sein is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sudan’s Child Soldiers: Rehabilitation Efforts by World Vision

Sudan’s Child SoldiersSudan has experienced the largest displacement since the civil war outbreak in April 2023, affecting approximately 12 million civilians. The conflict between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Janjaweed leader Hemedti and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has displaced more than 1 million children, primarily across South Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. This sudden instability has resulted in numerous deaths and disabilities and has brought the country to the brink of famine.

Child Soldiers

Child soldiers often come from poor backgrounds and are forcefully recruited and, in some cases, decide to join, having witnessed violent streaks in their villages under the influence of the warring parties. In 2000, the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly warned militias. It recognized that the use and recruitment of children as child soldiers is a crime act. An optional protocol was initiated to protect children from recruitment.

Despite extra measures, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has accounted for 7,622 child soldiers in global conflicts as of 2022. The militia abducts and indoctrinates children to be porters, guards, cooks and combatants; the minors are also used as shields and for sexual exploitation, according to the U.N.

World Vision

World Vision is a Christian faith-based organization that seeks to create safe and harmonious environments for vulnerable children, irrespective of their backgrounds. It is dedicated to ending child exploitation in developing countries by tackling the root cause of poverty. World Vision’s main aim is to end all forms of child exploitation with a holistic approach, providing hope to Sudan’s former child soldiers.

Measures Set in Rehabilitating Child Soldiers

  1. Prevention: The primary focus of World Vision is to prevent child recruitment and ensure child safety by educating the affected communities on how family/community violence can lead to malleable decision-making. It believes that reinforcing protective measures can prevent recruitment. Furthermore, integrating tools and skills for young boys and girls in decision-making can lead to a more harmonious community.

    Elders and caregivers are encouraged to participate in social networks to eradicate harmful beliefs and help protect their youth. In partnership with civic organizations, community-based organizations and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), World Vision provides economic opportunities, social assistance, universal birth registration and family support funds.
  1. Reintegration: Despite the atrocities Sudan’s child soldiers have faced, many find hope in World Vision’s rehabilitation centers. So far, 2,000 children have recovered with the aid of UNICEF and the education sector in the two centers currently operating in South Sudan. Former war children receive counseling tailored to their traumas. Additionally, opportunities for a new life are created through access to formal education, various apprenticeships like tailoring and other vocational training.

    Additionally, World Vision has funded space in the Blue Nile region with a volleyball court, basketball court, board games and art equipment. Children-friendly spaces are important for the psychological development of former child soldiers, allowing them to feel like children again. One former child soldier, Grace, who was abducted at 17, shared her gratitude for the rehabilitation center and how she found hope again through tailoring.

Final Remark

World Vision’s efforts have transformed the lives of children who once knew only violence. By promoting social cohesion and providing access to education, the NGO aims to prevent further child exploitation. The long term goals is ensuring a better quality of life for the children and their communities.

– Lydie Udofia

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

Photo: Flickr