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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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Biofortification to Minimize Hunger in Panama

Panama, known for the Panama Canal, is characterized by its tropical forests and mountainous terrains, connecting Central America to South America. Over the last two decades, Panama has experienced economic growth and attained the status of a high-income country. However, inequality remains a significant issue, with disparities between the urban, rural and indigenous populations. The government is taking steps to improve the situation and reduce poverty and hunger in Panama. 

Current Statistics

Panama has made significant progress towards decreasing poverty, hunger and malnutrition and achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2.

Combating Hunger and Malnutrition with Everyday Foods

Panama’s success has been made possible because of the government’s dedication to combatting inequalities, hunger and malnutrition through various food fortification and nutritional programs. Some of these programs are mentioned here. 

  • School Lunch- The Ministry of Education has launched various programs to improve children’s health, especially in the vulnerable population. These initiatives provide meals  (grains) fortified with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, zinc and folate.
  • Fortification of Crops- The government of Panama, in collaboration with the other partners, has been running a biofortification program called AgroNutre since 2006. Fortified varieties of beans, sweet potato and maize have been released, whereas pumpkin, cassava and cowpea fortification is planned. 
  • Mandatory Fortification of Staple Foods- Panama mandates fortifying wheat flour and rice with essential micronutrients to combat deficiencies among the population. 
  • Fortified Milk- In partnership with Tetrapak, the government is providing fortified milk to over 200,000 children in around 400 schools nationwide. The milk is fortified with 10 vitamins, three minerals and Omega 3 and aims to reduce stunting and wasting in children.

Through these initiatives, Panama is bridging disparities in its population and aims to elevate the quality of life for its citizens.

– Maria Waleed

Photo: Flickr

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The Havids’ Initiatives for Youth and Community Development

The Havids’ InitiativesFor years, the people of the Niger Delta, an oil-rich region in Southern Nigeria, have faced staggering challenges, including inadequate access to quality education, limited economic opportunities and environmental degradation. These factors have perpetuated a cycle of poverty, leaving the community’s most vulnerable children, particularly children and youths, without the resources they need to thrive.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, The Havids Center for Environment and Development (The Havids), founded in 1992, has embarked on a mission to empower Nigerian youths living in the delta region and even beyond. To achieve this, The Havids’ initiatives have been implemented, including:

The Scholar Diplomats – Building Future Leaders

The Havids designed the Scholar Diplomats program to nurture a new generation of leaders who are academically proficient and deeply committed to social change. The organization carefully selects bright young minds from the community and provides them with rigorous training in diplomacy, environmental stewardship and leadership. The program equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to address local challenges while thinking globally.

The Wintersteen Hub: A Beacon of Hope

The Wintersteen Hub is a community center that serves as the focal point of The Havids’ efforts in Bakana (Rivers State, Nigeria) and its environs. The Hub offers a range of programs aimed at combating poverty, including a library, vocational training, entrepreneurship support and environmental education. It also serves as a safe space for community members to access resources, such as Internet services, educational materials and health information.

More than 200 individuals have completed vocational training programs at the Hub, with many going on to start their own businesses or secure gainful employment. Additionally, the Hub’s focus on environmental education has significantly reduced deforestation in the area, as community members have learned about sustainable farming practices and the importance of preserving their natural surroundings.

Reusable Sanitary Menstrual Pads for Schoolgirls

The Havids also addresses period poverty among schoolgirls in the Niger Delta through the Reusable Sanitary Menstrual Pads for Schoolgirls project. In many impoverished communities, young girls often miss school due to a lack of access to sanitary products, leading to significant disruptions in their education.

To combat this, the organization provides reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls, ensuring they can attend school with dignity and without interruption. The Reusable Sanitary Menstrual Pads for Schoolgirls project has kept more than 500 girls in school, reducing absenteeism and empowering them to pursue their education without the stigma and challenges associated with inadequate menstrual care.

By educating girls about menstrual health and providing sustainable, cost-effective solutions, The Havids not only helps to keep them in school but also empowers them with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.

Practical Leadership Awards for Youths (PLAY)

PLAY, another of The Havids’ initiatives, seeks to recognize and empower young individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to community development. It gives this award to youths who have shown a remarkable attitude toward tackling local issues, whether through innovative projects, community service or environmental conservation efforts.

Recipients of the PLAY award receive not only recognition but also mentorship opportunities, funding for their projects and the chance to network with other young leaders. By shining a spotlight on these young changemakers, PLAY aims to inspire a new generation of leaders dedicated to creating a poverty-free future for the Niger Delta and beyond.

The Havids’ efforts, demonstrated through these initiatives, are a testament to the power of innovative, community-driven solutions to poverty. By focusing on education, leadership and sustainable development, The Havids is not only changing the narrative in the Niger Delta but also inspiring others globally to take action.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Pexels

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The NDP and Poverty Reduction in the Congo

The NDP in the CongoThe Republic of the Congo (ROC) begins to see light at the end of a dark tunnel filled with poverty and famine. Situated in the central-western portion of sub-Saharan Africa alongside the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ROC heavily relies on its exports of petroleum, timber and raw materials to sustain its economy.

Although it remains under tight strain due to ongoing riots and armed conflict in the DRC, the ROC is determined to continue its “march toward development” and enable the country to “join the circle of emerging developed countries,” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hence, shortly after the 2021 elections in the Congo, President Denis Sassou Nguesso introduced the National Development Plan (NDP) for 2022-2026.

The NDP in the Congo: An Overview

The NDP aims to alleviate poverty alongside other necessary economic measures to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is dedicated to improving the standard quality of life in the Congo. According to official records by the ROC in its NDP, economic activity contracted to a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of around -6.2% due to the impacts of the pandemic and the later collapse of world oil prices, from which the country heavily depends economically. The poverty rate has also been estimated to have increased dramatically to 52.5% as of 2020.

The plan, developed by Nguesso and approved by the Congolese government, prioritizes diversifying exports and income sources. This focus aims to mitigate the impact of global economic shocks that have slowed the Congo’s GDP growth in recent years. However, with the NDP and its funding of around $14.7 billion, the plan aims to develop agriculture broadly to fight against the growing issue of poverty in the nation.

Through legislation such as the National Social Action Policy (NSAP) and the NDP, the Congolese government aims to create many decent jobs and provide a “noncontributory social protection base” for those in need. This approach is intended to enhance the economic prospects of impoverished rural and urban populations, reduce poverty and improve the overall quality of life in the Congo.

The ROC Today

Due to these initiatives being undertaken by the Congo Government, the World Bank notes that the GDP of the Republic is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% in 2024 and hover at a consistent 3.4% on average in 2025-2026, signaling that the plan is having its intended effect on the Congo’s economy. The World Bank also notes that “although debt vulnerabilities remain elevated to this day, the debt-to-GDP ratio (a measurement of how much total federal debt is there as a percentage of the current GDP of the nation) is projected to decline slowly to 81% by 2026”, a massive step from the previous 96% in 2023.

The United States currently has a debt-to-GDP ratio of around 122%, highlighting how much progress has been made to improve the general quality of life in the Congo and calling for good times ahead for the Congolese and the Republic of the Congo.

– Aarush Kanduri

Aarush Kanduri is based in Iselin, NJ and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Pakistan: Ongoing Reduction Efforts

Poverty in PakistanAffected by political turmoil, Pakistan has faced numerous socioeconomic challenges. By 2018, these issues culminated in record levels of poverty, with more than 39% of Pakistan living below the poverty line. Amid widespread unemployment, the government has also grappled with nutritional poverty, particularly affecting the youth. This has led to significant issues, such as nationwide stunting in growth, which is directly linked to these dietary deficiencies. Here are some of the initiatives that are tackling these problems:

Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program

This initiative, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, offers vocational training in various industries, helping young people haul themselves out of poverty and find work. With more than 25,000 youths trained nationwide, the program has played a crucial role in decreasing national poverty. Most notably, the focal point concentrating on an intake of 35% girls has ensured that the marginalized remain a focus. Ultimately, these efforts have contributed to the limitation of poverty and increased job prospects among the youth.

The Sehat Sahulat Program

Initially launched in 2015, the Sehat Sahulat Program is a social health insurance initiative providing free health care services for Pakistan’s underprivileged groups. As a result of the program, the most disadvantaged are supported by free health care. The initiative covers a range of conditions, including cancer and diabetes. Ultimately, the scheme provides financial protection and access to sustainable, quality health care to those most in need.

UNICEF Nutrition Counseling

With more than a third of children suffering from severe food poverty, the country faces an endemic in which its young are at a heightened risk of malnutrition and an unbalanced, scarce diet. The United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) initiative develops cooking demonstrations tailored to new and soon-to-be mothers, ensuring their children can be fed and energized correctly.

Alongside nutritional education, the sessions aim to educate women about the importance of hygiene and its strict relationship with food, with a particular emphasis placed on washing hands before and after preparing food. This focus has been adopted worldwide and in 2022, UNICEF counseling reached 79.3 million people globally.

Combat Against Nationwide Stunting

In Pakistan, more than 40% of children younger than 5 are stunted. A product of long-term malnutrition, stunting “impairs cognitive and physical development, which in turn impacts a child’s potential and productivity.’’ With a large proportion of pregnant women living below the poverty line, many children experience stunted growth in the womb due to their mothers’ poor diet, leading to inhibited development.

The government has launched several initiatives to fight malnutrition to address this issue, with the Ehsaas Nashonuma Program being the most prominent. The program provides nutritional education and cash transfers to pregnant or nursing women. The quarterly stipend is about $5 for mothers and boys and $7 for girls. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have also played a crucial role in the fight against stunting. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH) initiatives have thrived with the support of NGOs like HANDS. In 2022-23, HANDS conducted 16 WASH projects in 34 districts and nearly 2,000 villages in Pakistan, benefiting more than 1.8 million people.

Nutritional awareness is fundamental to the resurgence of the health of the next generation in Pakistan, pulling them out of poverty. The government has guaranteed that various schemes are in place to tackle widespread poverty. Additionally, it has ensured that the health and hygiene of the population of Pakistan are also addressed. It’s both transparent and reassuring that while the government recognizes this importance, various NGOs share the same concern.

– Jonny Wilkinson

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

Photo: Pexels

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Cage Homes in Hong Kong

Cage Homes in Hong KongIn a hidden corner of Hong Kong, one of the “Four Asian Tigers” with the most developed Asian economy, more than 220,000 people live in “subdivided flats“—a delicate term for cramped living spaces measuring just 4 by 4 by 6 feet. Historically, the British colonial administration introduced the Small House Policy in 1972 to expand Hong Kong’s territories. This policy, which the post-handover Hong Kong government has maintained, has limited land availability for nonindigenous residents.

As a result, the limited land availability has driven the creation of smaller living units. Property developers have responded to the demand for affordable housing by continuously downsizing unit areas. The city’s mountainous terrain also restricts development space, with 75% of the territory comprising green spaces or protected country parks.

Simon’s Story

Simon had lived in a 12-square-foot “cage home” for eight years. As a retiree, he has given up hope of securing public housing, where the waiting list stretches five years and includes more than 100,000 families. He receives $867 a month from the government. After paying $330 for rent, the remaining amount is too scanty to support him until the end of the month.

These tiny living spaces, often no larger than 20 square feet, are cramped and used for living and storage, providing barely enough room for one person. They frequently fail to meet safety regulations, have poor insulation, receive little maintenance and can significantly impact tenants’ physical and psychological well-being.

Nutritional Crisis in Cage Homes in Hong Kong

A recent study by Crystal Ying Chan, a research assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, found that children living in these units face higher risks of food insecurity and nutrient deficiencies. In a survey of 469 “cage home” families, 25% of children aged 6 to 8 were overweight or obese, nearly double the citywide average of 13%. Additionally, almost one in four children from infancy to age 17 were underweight, compared to the citywide average of one in a hundred. Moreover, children in half of the surveyed households had experienced food insecurity in the past year.

Solutions

Many projects and institutes are working to support people living in cage homes in Hong Kong. A program led by Crystal Ying Chan has partnered with a team of nurses, social workers and dietitians to deliver food and care services to residents of subdivided flats. Chan’s community intervention model aims to offer essential services directly to these families, reducing their reliance on an overburdened health care sector and overcoming language and cultural barriers foreign workers face. This model emphasizes grassroots experiences and tailors support to each family’s unique circumstances.

Furthermore, to address the housing crisis, the Hong Kong government has planned the development of a Northern Metropolis near the China border, which aims to provide housing for 2.5 million people. Additionally, city officials have pledged to prevent developers from constructing extremely small homes, specifically those less than 200 square feet.

Final Note on Cage Homes in Hong Kong

Cage homes in Hong Kong reveal serious housing challenges, with more than 220,000 people living in spaces as small as 12 square feet. This leads to significant health issues and food insecurity, especially among children. While community support and government plans for new developments offer hope, substantial challenges persist until these solutions are fully implemented.

– Cindy Hong

Cindy is based in Milpitas, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Sida Power Africa Team Is Supporting Africa’s Energy Growth

The Sida Power Africa TeamIn 2013, President Obama launched Power Africa, an ambitious initiative to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa by tapping into the region’s vast renewable energy resource. The goal was to add 30,000 megawatts of new, cleaner power capacity and create 60 million electrical connections.

The Sida Power Africa Team

In 2014, Sweden became the first international government to back Power Africa. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) committed to mobilizing $1 billion over the next decade for sustainable energy investments. In 2015, Sida entered a 10-year partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The partnership was formed under the Power Africa program. The focus of the partnership was to focus on knowledge exchange and utilizing existing strategies and resources to boost energy sector development. As a result of this partnership, the Sida Power Africa Team was created, dedicated to creating sustainable energy solutions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Development Challenges

The lack of modern energy services is a critical barrier to economic development and quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 600 million people lack access to electricity and around 900 million lack clean cooking alternatives. Addressing these gaps is vital for economic development, health improvement, education and employment.

Vision for 2030

Sida’s mission document outlines a comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency until 2030 as a pathway out of poverty. Building upon its successful partnership with USAID, the overarching goal of the Sida Power Africa Team is to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 7 (SDG 7) and other energy-dependent goals by developing markets, mobilizing capital and reducing poverty.

Focus Areas

Sida’s revised mission document identifies five key focus areas to guide its efforts:

  1. Access to Electricity: Developing sustainable business models to provide renewable energy to underserved populations alongside supporting policies and regulations to facilitate this access.
  2. Regional Economic Integration and Institutional Capacity: Strengthening capacities and policies for efficient local, national and regional power markets.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Promoting the market development of energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
  4. Productive Use of Energy: Supporting business models that enhance energy-dependent value chains.
  5. Access to Clean Cooking: Developing sustainable markets for clean cooking solutions, targeting neglected communities.

These focus areas intend to expand energy access. They enhance regional integration, improve energy efficiency, stimulate productive energy use and provide clean cooking solutions.

Quantitative and Qualitative Goals

Sida has set aspirational performance targets for 2030 to mobilize approximately $2.3 billion toward energy sector development, with a leverage factor of five. With help from existing partnerships between Sida and the European Union (EU), the World Bank, USAID and other Swedish agencies, these aims prioritize increasing access to renewable electricity and clean cooking, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.

These priorities will boost economic growth, health and education. Furthermore, they will cut costs, support agriculture and reduce environmental problems that disproportionately affect these regions. The Sida Power Africa Team will also report on transitions related to poverty focus, gender equality, conflict area activities, innovative financial methods, democratic engagements and anti-corruption measures.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Palestinian Education Crisis: Scholasticide

Palestinian Education CrisisPalestine, composed of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, is a region enduring prolonged conflict and political instability. The West Bank (bordered by Israel and Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (bordered by Israel and Egypt) are home to a combined population of more than 5 million Palestinians. The geopolitical conflict with Israel has led to severe socioeconomic challenges, including high mortality rates, restricted access to resources and continuous warfare.

The Education Crisis

The ongoing conflict has inflicted devastating damage on Palestinian education. Schools and universities throughout the region have been targeted, demolished or forced to shut down due to military actions. In Gaza, the situation is particularly dire. Reports describe how relentless warfare has shattered the education system, leaving students and educators struggling to maintain any semblance of normalcy.

A joint report by the World Bank and the United Nations (U.N.) revealed extensive damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, with educational facilities being among the most affected. Furthermore, U.N. experts have termed the deliberate targeting and destruction of schools as “scholasticide,” expressing deep concern over the long-term impacts on Palestinian children.

The lack of stable education has profound implications. With disrupted learning, Palestinian youth face a future with limited opportunities, leading to increased poverty and diminished economic prospects. Education is a fundamental pillar for development, and its disruption threatens the socioeconomic fabric of their society. Addressing these educational disruptions is crucial for ensuring the region’s more stable and prosperous future.

Aiding Educational Efforts

Several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working to mitigate the Palestinian education crisis. They aim to provide immediate relief and create sustainable solutions for long-term recovery. The New Palestinian Educational Foundation (NPEF), the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), and the Educational Relief Fund are dedicated to providing academic opportunities and resources to students, aiming to rebuild and support teaching in the region. Their efforts focus on offering scholarships, educational materials and other essential resources.

Despite the bleak situation, these organizations have made considerable strides in addressing “scholasticide.” For instance, Anera’s Right Start! program supports preschools in the West Bank and Gaza to aid early childhood development. Right Start! is making investments in critical areas such as teacher training, better learning materials, and preschool infrastructure enhancements. These efforts enable pupils to continue their education and achieve their academic goals, even in adversity. Similarly, the NPEF has given more than 10 teachers mini-grants, supporting classroom innovations.

Looking Forward

The Palestinian education crisis is a stark reminder of the profound impact that conflict has on society’s youth. Ongoing violence and instability have severely disrupted the schooling system, threatening the future of Palestine and the economic development of the region. However, domestic and international efforts offer a glimmer of hope as people work tirelessly to restore education and support the dreams of Palestinian students.

– Asiya Siddiqui

Asiya is based in Fremont, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Afrilearn App: Leading Nigeria’s Educational Future

The Afrilearn AppA newly emerging educational experience utilizing affordable, interactive and entirely digital engagement mechanisms has been conceptualized through Afrilearn, Nigeria’s first learn-and-earn app. Although Afrilearn was founded in 2020 by Isaac Oladipupo and Gabriel Olatunji-Legend, the creators recently received support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Venture Fund, significantly expanding its programming output.

With supplementation through AI, Afrilearn has envisioned a completely personalized academic pathway for students across West Africa, allowing users to navigate lessons across disciplines at the most appropriate pace. The Afrilearn app has amassed more than 7,000 learners, fueling the rapid international growth of education technology companies throughout the last decade.

Accessibility to Education in Nigeria

More than 40% of Nigeria’s population of more than 200 million people cannot read or write, depriving millions throughout the nation of the opportunity to engage in academia thoughtfully. Despite access to physical and academic settings, Oladipupo views current projections of affordable, quality education within Nigeria as an “illusion.” Statistics indicating the number of Nigerian students attending school do not properly reflect the standards of education they are receiving. For example, more than 83% of West African Senior School Certificate Examination candidates cannot fulfill the national educational guidelines and ultimately do not pass.

Oladipupo views Afrilearn as a way of mitigating these educational inequalities, serving as his inspiration for the company. In an interview with Forbes Africa, he emphasized that “every child, no matter their background or location,” should have “full access to quality education and the tools to prepare them for lifelong success,” with Afrilearn serving as a stepping stone for these future academic aspirations.

Developing a World-Renowned Platform

Afrilearn previously consisted of numerous ventures in education technology led by Oladipupo and Olatunji-Legend. They first created ClassNotes.ng in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which provided primary and secondary academic tools when Nigerian students could not attend school in person. ClassNotes.ng achieved widespread success, acquiring more than five million users and teachers since its establishment in 2020.

Later that year, they released Exambly, which democratized access to test preparation materials in West African nations to prepare learners for national and international exams. The Afrilearn app combines the ambitions of these prior applications, pairing animated, engaging lesson plans with sample tests and other types of practice documents. The work of Oladipupo and Olatunji-Legend earned them the Digital Innovation of the Year Award in 2020, dictated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Engagement Tactics

One of the primary goals of Afrilearn is to tailor its content to the needs of each student, influenced by the relatively large teacher-to-student ratio present within the Nigerian education system. While the teacher-to-student ratio in the U.S. can be estimated at around 1:10, in Nigeria, this is closer to 1:70. Despite the scale of educational materials stored within the Afrilearn app, it attempts to create a sense of connection between its users and the expert tutors that it hosts, blending modes of “social learning and storytelling” to replicate a typical student-teacher relationship.

Most of the options within the platform are free; however, a variety of tools become available for an additional subscription. Some of these include downloadable notes, instant homework help and coding lessons, enhancing the personalization features contained within the app. The revenue generated from subscriptions is re-invested into expanding and improving the free curriculums, corresponding to Afrilearn’s overarching goals of affordability and accessibility.

Education in the Digital Age

Afrilearn showcases an innovative approach to navigating education in the digital age, reimagining modern-day technologies through its teaching potential. For those with the restricted financial capacity to attend and thoughtfully engage in academics, Afrilearn proposes a solution through digital incentivization tailored toward younger generations.

– Eileen Lincoln

Eileen is based in Oakton, VA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Cycles of Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the PhilippinesIncome inequality is a huge contributor to the persisting cycles of poverty within the Philippines. In 2022, the country’s top 1% of earners reported 17% of all national income, while only 14% was shared between the bottom 50%. Outreach International argues that income inequality continues to exacerbate issues of poverty because many of the national efforts to reduce poverty have been focused in the most densely populated areas of the country, where the most opportunities already exist. Hence, Outreach International focuses its support initiatives on providing those in rural areas with long-term and sustainable solutions that help break the cycle of poverty.

The Cycle of Family Poverty in the Philippines

Income inequality in the Philippines stems from several different structural factors. These include the fact that access to higher education and job skills remains an impossible task for many, the societal norms that leave women and other minorities at a disadvantage socially and addition, the complex geography of the nation, which means that opportunities and natural resources are disproportionately located.

The cycle of poverty prevails when these structural disadvantages mean that households permanently lack the resources to cover their most basic needs. When individuals are forced to spend their whole lives struggling to meet these basic needs, it means that they lack the time and resources to address the core of the issues that keep them rooted in poverty. This cycle of poverty can last a lifetime. It can even be passed from one generation to the next – family poverty.

These cycles of poverty, extreme and chronic, are passed from one generation to the next when children are born into situations where they are unlikely to have the ability to pursue changes that would make life easier for them and even their potential children. Children who are born into poverty are less likely to enroll in school and maintain age-appropriate grade levels because their time is taken up by the need to help the family meet their daily and most basic needs. Limiting a child’s access to education also limits their access to opportunities in the future, their subsequent earning potential and even the prospective development of their community.

However, Outreach International recognizes that family poverty is caused and maintained by more than just a lack of access to education and other kinds of infrastructure. It acknowledges the role of the above structural and societal inequalities and predatory loan practices.

Community-Led Development

Community-led development (CLD) aims to help communities get to the root of social issues affecting them and hindering their economic growth and development. CLD projects result in the final product and help the involved communities develop skills, knowledge and confidence in many aspects of life and business.

When the involved group learns how to “identify, prioritize and mobilize to reach a goal, they don’t just reach that one goal,” they develop skills to reach every goal after that. Their development becomes continuous and sustainable. Unlike short-term monetary solutions, this continues to benefit the communities involved as these skills can be passed onto future generations.

Outreach International’s Rice Loans

An example of Outreach International’s focus on CLD programs is its rice loans. Local community leaders work directly with suppliers to obtain rice at a wholesale price. They negotiate a fair price and organize a delivery location that is accessible to all participating households. The rice is then portioned and delivered to families who cannot afford it at market price.

All households are members of their respective Community-Based Organizations. Over time, each recipient repays the cost of their food loan into a community-managed fund. This fund generates interest and will cover the cost of further rice acquisition. This means vulnerable households can avoid using loan sharks that will take advantage of them. It also means the community can develop the funds and skills to tackle rice shortages on a long-term scale.

By providing communities with the skills and confidence to overcome structural issues over time, Outreach International’s focus on CLD schemes results in long-term economic and social development that helps lift the most vulnerable in the Philippines out of the cycle of poverty.

– Kristina Grant

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

Photo: Pexels