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Poverty in Jamaica: The World Bank Renovates Kingston’s Waterfront

Poverty in jamaicaOn October 18, 2024, Jamaica’s government and the World Bank announced a $12 million investment to renovate Kingston’s Waterfront. The project aims to boost tourism, improve job accessibility and reduce poverty in Jamaica. This development is promising for Jamaica, where poverty in the area has made it challenging for many residents to sustain themselves.

The revitalized Waterfront has the potential to invigorate the local economy. Nigel Clarke, former Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and Public Service, commented: “This government is creating public spaces to serve the Jamaican people. This will revitalize downtown Kingston.”

The Timeline for Waterfront Renovations

Phases one and two of the Kingston Waterfront Improvement Project, known as KIWI, will run from 2024 to 2030. The project’s first phase will fund the creation of a multi-use park along Kingston’s waterfront. It will feature recreational amenities like bike paths, playgrounds, sports fields, street furniture and landscaped areas.

The second phase will “focus on the park’s construction, small-scale infrastructure works and urban upgrading.” The total amount that the budget covers for both phases is approximately $40 million. This large sum will work to reestablish Jamaica’s economy by its inherent benefit to the community. This could benefit around 700,000 Jamaicans by providing them with new job opportunities in the tourism sector, retail or small business booths in downtown Jamaica.

Kingston’s Waterfront Statistics and Employment Rate

In September 2022, Jamaica’s economic enrichment statistics from tourism indicate how urbanization of Kingston’s waterfront has the potential to further fortify its economy. Tourism keeps Jamaica involved in foreign commerce, building its independent value. Statistically, tourism in Jamaica directly employs 175,000 Jamaicans and indirectly employs around 354,000.

Professor Lloyd Webber highlighted tourism’s necessity in Jamaica by saying that consistent efforts must be made toward the Jamaican economy to maintain Jamaica’s status as a tourism hotspot. The Kingston Waterfront would do just that, building jobs, a more bustling economy and community cohesion, which would mitigate crime rates inherently.

Long-Term Jobs Create Long-Term Solutions for Islanders

While Jamaica is known as a bustling island nation, it faces significant socioeconomic challenges, including poverty and crime. According to the World Bank, approximately 17% of Jamaica’s population lives in poverty, with low-quality jobs leaving many Jamaicans vulnerable to economic shocks.

According to Graeme Young, “a Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow,” the lack of sustainable jobs makes it difficult for Jamaicans to afford nutritious food. Young argued that government policies fail to address the root issue: supply and demand. Young also highlighted Kingston’s primary challenges: low sales and insufficient customers.

Therefore, the renovation of Kingston’s Waterfront presents an opportunity to rebuild the economy, creating a vibrant, safe environment that benefits tourists and locals alike, whilst reducing poverty in Jamaica.

– Madeline Star Heintz

Madeline is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Uruguay’s Water Crisis

Uruguay's Water CrisisDespite championing itself as the first country to enshrine the right to clean drinking water in its constitution, Uruguay has had a tumultuous relationship with water in the last few years. Uruguay’s water crisis, which began in 2018 and was triggered by severe droughts and a lack of rainfall, combined with poor government management and crisis response, reached a dangerous peak in the winter of 2023. Given Uruguay’s reliance on agricultural exports, this threatened the availability of safe drinking water, public health and economic productivity.

Thankfully, Uruguay’s water crisis ended in August 2023, with heavy rainfall and efforts by the government and international organizations to help replenish depleted supplies. However, this does not mean that policymakers in Montevideo can sit back and relax. On the contrary, efforts to improve infrastructure and protect water sources must be continued so that the country does not find itself in the same situation soon.

Why Was There a Water Crisis in Uruguay?

Many blame climate instability for Uruguay’s water crisis. The “La Niña” weather phenomenon contributed to rising temperatures and worsening droughts, persisting much longer than in the past. However, many argue that the climate emergency alone cannot be blamed. Poor government planning in the wake of these meteorological changes greatly worsened the effects of global warming.

It meant that Uruguay quickly found itself in a very vulnerable position. Water resource exploitation is very high in Uruguay; around 80% of freshwater is dedicated to farming and agriculture, limiting the amount of water for personal use. The government’s priority has been using water for “productive activities- agriculture, irrigation and big industry” and sufficient measures were not taken to prevent Uruguay’s water crisis.

Additionally, there was a historic lack of progress regarding water infrastructure projects. Before the crisis, the most recent reform to the waterways took place in 1987, as there has been a clear lack of political incentives to pursue projects to improve water infrastructure until now. For example, ex-president José Mujica proposed the Casupá Project in 2013, “which would have been able to fulfill 70% of Montevideo’s demand.” However, this program never came to fruition, as successive administrations made no moves to make it a reality.

What Were the Impacts of the Water Crisis?

Uruguay’s water crisis spelled trouble for its citizens, specifically for those living in Montevideo (home to around one-third of the total population). The Paso Severino Reservoir, the capital city’s main water source, reached around 1.7% of its total capacity in July 2023. In response to this scarcity, the State Sanitary Works Administration took water from sources near the River Plate, much more brackish than water from the reservoirs.

Although it was deemed safe, sick people and pregnant women were advised not to drink it. The sodium and chloride levels of the water pumped through the taps “exceeded what the World Health Organization considers safe for human consumption.” Bottled water was available and made exempt from taxes, but these quickly became scarce, partly due to panic-buying. The government provided free bottles to the most impoverished communities in affected areas.

Uruguay’s water crisis also had a significant impact on agricultural production. This sector accounts for around 7% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 70% of total exports. The lack of water greatly affects agricultural output, especially between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, “when it declined by 25% on a year-on-year basis.” The lack of water hit soybean production and cattle farming the hardest.

Another significant consequence of Uruguay’s water crisis was the growing political unrest due to poor drinking water quality and negative public perceptions of President Lacalle’s emergency response. Around 60% of the population was affected by the government’s decision to reroute water from rivers for public consumption, with the most vulnerable groups being especially affected. Around 63% of the population condemned the government’s response to the drought, with organized protests and campaigners shouting, “¡No es sequia, es saqueo! — It’s not drought, it’s pillage!”

What Was the Government’s Response?

Short-term solutions were enacted at the height of the drought to address immediate needs. Similarly, the government embarked on a long-term strategy to manage the current emergency and prevent future occurrences. Vowing it is “committed to improving the country’s water infrastructure and resilience to drought,” the government invested $500 million into plans to improve Uruguay’s waterways.

These included renovating sanitation systems, constructing another potable water source for the capital city and more reservoirs and desalination plants. There are also plans to repair damaged pipes to reduce water losses, with reports indicating that around 50% of the state-owned water company’s potable water supplies were lost due to leaks. The company has proposed a plan to reduce this by 25% in the next two decades.

What Role Have International Organizations Played?

During the crisis, the government also called on the Uruguayan Red Cross to help deal with demand and support plans to mitigate the consequences of shortages. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also approved a $200 million loan “to support a program in Uruguay to boost water security and environmental sustainability.”

This loan aimed to improve water resource management and solid waste management to minimize contamination of potential future drinking water sources. Also, the IDB investment helped to improve Uruguay’s crisis responses, boosting resilience to changing weather dynamics alongside government refurbishments of its water systems.

Final Note

President Luis Lacalle Pou announced the end of the water crisis in August 2023 after three years of shortages and drinking water scarcity. This was mostly due to heavy rainfall in the region, which helped to refill water sources that were gravely depleted. However, the repairs to the water systems and programs to improve water security and management will hopefully pay dividends in the future, protecting Uruguay from the same situation.

– Ciara Howard

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

Photo: Pxhere

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Solving the Illiteracy Crisis in Brazil

Illiteracy in BrazilIn a study conducted by Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (INEP), the results from 2021’s National Learning Assessment showed that about 56% of Brazilian students were not literate. Illiteracy in Brazil has become a concerning issue as literacy is a key skill that can facilitate higher education, higher-paying jobs and, in general, an escape from poverty. Nevertheless, there are areas of deprivation in Brazil where education is not as comprehensive as it could be. 

Furthermore, because of the pandemic, which started in 2020, schools in Brazil have been struggling to help their students get up to speed after some years of intermittent attendance. Brazilian schools sometimes suffer from resource scarcity, creating educational inequality. Pupils of schools that benefit from more wealth and allocation of funds generally receive better results than schools with fewer resources, often situated in more deprived areas. 

Though this is typically the case, educators also make do with what they have. All schools have the opportunity to get good results. However, inequality poses a challenge to achieving total literacy in Brazil. 

Adult Illiteracy in Brazil

One issue that is globally prevalent is functional illiteracy. This differs from “absolute” illiteracy in that, while someone may be able to read, they struggle to interpret the information or to read between the lines. The Brazilian Geographical and Statistics Institute (IBGE) states that not finishing 4th grade schooling is one of Brazil’s most significant indicators of adult functional illiteracy.

This means that those who complete at least the 4th grade or equivalent have a much better chance of being functionally literate, a key to being a productive citizen who can contribute even more to the greater society. Nevertheless, in one study, 8% of Brazilians aged 15-64 were not able to read or write, making them absolutely illiterate. Absolute illiteracy in Brazil is a significant factor that contributes to social exclusion and generally worse outcomes in life. Thus, this needs to be addressed urgently. 

The Brazilian Government’s Promise to Reduce Illiteracy

The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) has begun to support the ongoing effort to increase children’s literacy using various approaches. These approaches range from funding scholarship programs to providing educators nationwide with additional resources to capacitate students to read and write entirely. The promise intends to get all children to be literate upon completing 2nd grade. 

The MEC can achieve its goal by working with a wide variety of professionals working in the educational sphere, from teachers to experts in universities and municipal representatives.

Lemann Foundation

Supporting the work done by the government to eradicate illiteracy in Brazil, the Lemann Foundation is a charity based in Brazil that aims to reduce the vast inequality by making sure all children can read by the 3rd grade. Its work includes supporting initiatives with partnerships in the third sector that strive for equality, especially for those with illiteracy in Brazil. 

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there are 754 million illiterate adults worldwide, nearly 10% of the population. Despite this, reading is an essential skill in almost all the most desirable jobs. Literacy opens doors to better education, career and critical thinking. Therefore, it is equally vital that illiteracy is eradicated so that poverty can also be eliminated. With that said, illiteracy in Brazil is part of a worldwide cause for concern about literacy inequality.

– Callum Bennett

Callum is based in Colchester, Essex, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Twaweza: A Mission to Empower Citizen Voices in East Africa

TwawezaIn East Africa, poverty and lack of government accountability are deeply intertwined issues that have long hindered the development of marginalized communities. Twaweza is a pivotal grassroots nongovernmental organization (NGO), founded in 2009, tackling these ongoing challenges head-on. It operates across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to empower citizens, enhance children’s learning and foster open and responsive governments. By promoting transparency, collaboration and citizen engagement, Twaweza addresses systemic issues of poverty by ensuring that marginalized communities can hold their governments accountable and demand better services and opportunities.

We Can Make It Happen

Twaweza means “we can make it happen” in Swahili, and its name captures the charity’s commitment to putting citizens at the center of change.  The organization believes in an open society where citizens are informed, engaged and organized to drive positive change in their communities and hold authorities accountable. Twaweza’s mission is centered on three key areas: 

  1. Demonstrating Collective Citizen Action. Between 2019 and 2023, Twaweza held nearly 1,400 community meetings in Uganda and Tanzania, engaging more than 93,000 attendees to identify and address local challenges. In Uganda, Twaweza conducted 233 village-level meetings despite limited legal requirements, while in Tanzania, 303 meetings led to 66 action plans, ensuring local governance remained accountable and transparent. These efforts empower communities to actively participate in decision-making actively, addressing systemic issues through collective action.
  2. Enabling Citizens’ Voices in Decision-Making. Twaweza in collaboration with more than 14 government institutions across Kenya and Uganda to ensure citizens voice informed policy decisions. Collaborations with ministries, especially during COVID-19, led to significant policy changes, such as the removal of mobile money levies in Tanzania and amendments to access information laws in Uganda. These partnerships highlight the critical role of citizen-driven data in shaping national policies and ensuring responsive governance.
  3. Promoting and Protecting Open Civic Spaces. Twaweza influenced 11 key laws, including those affecting media and political freedoms, by working in collaboration with diverse civil society groups. Notable successes include supporting the Tanzania Centre for Democracy in lifting the ban on political rallies and enhancing the capacity of various organizations to advocate for policy changes. Although challenges in strategic litigation led to shifts in focus, Twaweza continues to promote civic participation and protect democratic space through targeted advocacy and capacity-building efforts.

Uwezo – Revolutionizing Education Assessment

Launched in 2009, Twaweza’s Uwezo initiative, meaning “capability” in Swahili, targets the learning crisis in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Uwezo assesses millions of children for basic literacy and numeracy skills through a citizen-led approach.

Volunteers conduct large-scale assessments and provide instant feedback to households, engaging communities in educational advocacy. Uwezo’s findings, revealing that many children lack foundational skills, have influenced policy and highlighted educational inequities. The program also demonstrated adaptability by assessing learning in crisis contexts, such as Uganda’s refugee settlements. UNESCO recognized Uwezo in its 2018 Global Education Monitoring Report.

Sauti za Wananchi – Giving Citizens a Voice

In a region where access to reliable data is often limited, Twaweza’s Sauti za Wananchi, meaning ‘Voices of the Citizens’ in Swahili, emerged as a groundbreaking initiative. Launched in 2013, it is Africa’s first nationally representative mobile phone survey. It gathers real-time, nationally representative data on citizens’ views in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. 

The survey, which engages 2,000 participants, led to significant policy impacts, with more than 150 pieces of media coverage and reaching hundreds of policymakers annually. The data collected plays a crucial role in influencing government transparency, policy-making and public debate on issues like education, health and governance. By providing a representative panel and facilitating direct interactions, it amplifies citizen voices, promotes government accountability and drives informed decision-making.

Open Government Partnership

Through its Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, Twaweza collaborates with governments. The organization develops and implements action plans that promote transparency, fight corruption and enhance public access to information. Furthermore, it calls on members to enhance reforms in 10 key policy areas over five years to strengthen democracies. The Challenge engages multiple public institutions globally, inspiring policy changes and public debate. With high participation, OGP recognizes outstanding efforts in international forums. Additionally, it boosts global democratic practices and reinforces Twaweza’s advocacy for accountable governance.

Looking Ahead

Twaweza’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of NGOs for citizen engagement in combating poverty and fostering accountability. Furthermore, the charity is actively helping to create a future where all East Africans can access the services and opportunities they deserve. It stands as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, demonstrating that through collective action, real change is possible.

– Fatima Naqavi

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

Photo: Flickr

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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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Reducing Poverty in Egypt: Balancing Tradition and Modernity

Reducing Poverty in EgyptEgypt, a nation steeped in millennia of history, faces contemporary challenges that test its ability to reduce poverty while maintaining its rich cultural heritage. The delicate balance between preserving tradition and embracing modernity is crucial for sustainable development and reducing poverty in Egypt.

Traditional Approaches to Poverty Alleviation

Egypt’s history of community-based support systems and charitable giving, rooted in Islamic traditions, plays a significant role in poverty reduction. Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, mandates Muslims to give a portion of their wealth to the less fortunate. This practice, deeply embedded in Egyptian society, has historically provided a safety net for many impoverished families.

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) like the Misr El Kheir Foundation, driven by these traditional values, have been pivotal in offering food, clothing, education and health care to those in need. These organizations operate through local networks, ensuring aid reaches even the most remote areas. The emphasis on community and familial bonds further reinforces the support system, making it a resilient method of reducing poverty in Egypt.

Modern Initiatives and Government Programs

While traditional methods form the backbone of poverty reduction efforts, modern initiatives spearheaded by the government and international agencies are indispensable. The Egyptian government has launched several programs for economic reform and social protection. These include:

  1. Takaful and Karama Programs: Launched in 2015, these social safety nets financially assist the most impoverished families. Takaful (Solidarity) offers conditional cash transfers linked to health and education, ensuring children attend school and receive medical care. Karama (Dignity) supports older and disabled people with unconditional cash transfers.
  2. Economic Reform Program: In partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Egypt embarked on an ambitious economic reform program in 2016. Measures included floating the Egyptian pound, cutting subsidies and implementing value-added tax (VAT). Despite initial hardships, these reforms have stabilized the economy, attracted foreign investment and created jobs, reducing poverty in Egypt.
  3. Infrastructure Development: Investments in infrastructure, such as the New Administrative Capital and the expansion of the Suez Canal, aim to boost economic growth and job creation. These projects modernize the country’s infrastructure and provide employment opportunities, thereby reducing poverty.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Balancing tradition with modernity in poverty reduction efforts comes with challenges. The initial impact of economic reforms, such as inflation and subsidy cuts, strained many families. Additionally, ensuring that aid reaches those in need without getting lost in bureaucratic inefficiencies remains a concern.

To address these challenges, Egypt continues to refine its strategies. Enhancing transparency and accountability in government programs ensures more effective distribution of resources. Integrating technology, such as digital cash transfers and mobile banking, further streamlines aid delivery and widens access to financial services for people experiencing poverty.

Education and vocational training are critical for equipping the youth with skills needed for the modern job market. Investing in quality education and aligning curriculum with market needs can prepare future generations to contribute to and benefit from economic growth.

Conclusion

Egypt’s efforts to reduce poverty demonstrate a nuanced approach, respecting traditional values while embracing necessary modern reforms. The synergy of these efforts, bolstered by community spirit and innovative government programs, is essential for sustainable poverty alleviation. By continuing to adapt and evolve, Egypt can ensure a harmonious future where economic progress and cultural heritage coexist, providing a better quality of life for all its citizens.

– Rika Mokal

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Disability and Poverty in Cuba

Disability and Poverty in CubaCuba is a developing country in the Caribbean, with a population of 10.9. Cuba’s economy relied heavily on the Soviet Union, which started in 1960. However, during the early ’90s, the Soviet Union fell and Cuba’s economy suffered. Since 2018, the Cuban economy has been severely impacted by international blockade and sanctions. The COVID-19 pandemic has also hindered Cuba’s economic growth. In 2020, Cuban gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 11% and only increased by 0.4% in 2021 and 1.8% in 2022. Moreover, Cuba’s economy has recently experienced inflation and the population has had limited access to essential resources like food and health products. The nation’s fuel supply has also struggled to meet the needs of citizens, causing periodic energy and transport crises.

In 2023, more than 360,000 people with disabilities lived in Cuba and they were all impacted by these economic challenges. The Data Disability Initiative published that women with physical disabilities experience a higher level of multidimensional poverty than women without physical disabilities. Despite these challenges, the Cuban government has made efforts to develop education policies that better cater to children with disabilities. International organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund and Humanity and Inclusion (HI) have been helping improve the quality of life for people living with disability and poverty in Cuba.

Challenges

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Cuba has not established its domestic laws in agreement with the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, nor has the nation’s government developed effective disability rights policies related to accessibility, legal capacity, education, independent living and employment. As of 2022, Cuban law suggests that public buildings, health services and transportation services should all accommodate people with disabilities. However, the government generally has not enforced this law effectively, resulting in the needed facilities and accommodations being rarely available for people with disabilities.

According to the 2019 Multiple Indicator Survey 6 results, 10% of women ages 18 to 49 with much functional difficulty have less than primary school as their highest level of education received, while only 1% of women with some functional difficulty and 0% of women with no functional difficulty have less than primary school as their highest level of schooling. Significant differences exist in the number of women with adequate housing and asset ownership. Women who have some functional difficulty are less likely to have these resources and women with much difficulty have even lower rates of access to these resources. Women with some functional difficulty and much functional difficulty were also more likely to report being discriminated against or harassed based on any ground, with rates of 3% and 15%, respectively.

Government Support for Education

Cuba’s 2012 Population and Housing Census took note of 41,374 children and adolescents with disabilities and many live in rural areas. About 57% of this total are visually impaired children and children with intellectual disabilities. Cuba has 355 schools for children who have disabilities, with 33,975 children and students enrolled in these schools in the 2017-2018 school year. Also, 1,978 mainstream schools at all levels educate 11,037 students with disabilities.

Education is state policy in Cuba. The government puts much effort into financing education, resulting in residual illiteracy of 0.2%, an average of 10.1 years of schooling and 10% of the GDP being used for school funding since 2004. Cuba has special and inclusive schools that work together to educate children with disabilities. In 2019, out of 10,598 schools, 342 (3%) of the total schools in the country were special schools. Special schools use the same teaching materials and curriculum as mainstream schools. However, they are flexible so that they can adapt to the specific needs of each student.

Special schools were established as resource centers with exit strategies that help students with disabilities smoothly transition into mainstream schools. In 2019, the number of students attending different centers was 102,477 in mainstream schools, 33,639 in special schools, 1,070 in technical and professional education and 180 in higher education. According to data collected from UNICEF Cuba in 2020, 15% of the students who attended trade schools were graduates of special schools.

Nonprofit Aid

HI is an international nonprofit that focuses on helping vulnerable populations, especially people with disabilities. It has been working in 60 countries around the world, including Cuba. This nonprofit helps Cubans with disabilities, especially women and young people, find employment by giving them kits with the necessary tools to become economically self-sufficient. HI’s teams also raise awareness about disability issues for local employers and help develop new adapted activities and jobs. In 2016, HI’s project helped more than 1,400 people with disabilities in Cuba. The organization’s project partnered with 800 health professionals and community officers, further assisting people with a disability and reducing poverty in Cuba.

Similarly, in 2019, UNICEF helped train 548 specialists across all 16 provinces of Cuba to provide the necessary care for students with disabilities who attend mainstream schools. UNICEF has been working on improving the capacities of teachers, principals and families in rural areas to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities attending mainstream schools receive the educational services they need. UNICEF also uses a communication-for-development strategy to encourage social and academic inclusion for children with disabilities.

Summary

While there seems to be further work to do to strengthen the country’s policies on transportation, employment and independent living for people with disabilities, progress has been made in addressing the needs of children and adolescents through institutions like special schools. International organizations like UNICEF and HI have also been helping to fill the gaps in providing the resources citizens living with disability and poverty in Cuba need.

UNICEF is improving education for children with disabilities by training teachers, principals and families in rural areas to understand intellectual disabilities better. HI’s program in Cuba supports people with disabilities by helping them find employment and providing materials for economic self-sufficiency. Overall, progress is being made in supporting people with disabilities in Cuba and continued support will be crucial for sustaining this advancement.

– Elisabeth Nwasokwa

Elisabeth is based in Bellerose, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Everything You Need to Know about Poverty in Tibet

Poverty in TibetTibet, known as the “roof of the world,” is a remote territory under China’s rule that lies north of the Himalayas and southwest of China. The region is home to 3.6 million, and many Tibetans earn less than $100 per year, unable to afford basic fruits and vegetables, with many relying solely on barley dumplings to survive. There are 628,000 Tibetans registered as poor who have been uplifted from poverty, as of late 2019. The Chinese government has allocated around 75 billion Chinese Yuan ($15.3 billion) to poverty alleviation, which led to China in 2020 declaring a “major victory” in eradicating extreme poverty in Tibet — all of Tibet’s 74 counties are no longer “poverty-stricken,” according to the Chinese government. Here’s everything you need to know about poverty in Tibet.

China’s Poverty Alleviation Tactics in Tibet

China’s mission to alleviate poverty in Tibet is synonymous with modernizing the region. Some poor Tibetans now own cars in Tibet, according to ThinkChina, with paved expressways and a billboard advertising a “Westernised” café amid the Himalayan mountains. Some young Tibetans own cell phones and dream of “leaving the mountains and plains” to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, or to mainland China, ThinkChina says.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) reported that China’s efforts are a “scheme” that the government carries out under the guise of poverty alleviation. The economic gain from China’s poverty alleviation mission has come at a large cost to rural Tibetans and their culture. The Chinese government has relocated Tibetan nomads and farmers en masse from poverty-stricken areas to other locations in Tibet or China, forcing them into military training and factory labor.

China also seeks to eliminate what it calls the “harmful influence” of Buddhism and change Tibetans’ “way of thinking” by way of “re-education,” according to the CTA. U.N. experts are “very disturbed” that around a million Tibetan children face seemingly forced cultural, religious and linguistic assimilation into the majority Han culture, the U.N. reported in February 2023.

Forced Evictions and Relocations

In May 2024, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that 500 Tibetan villages with more than 140,000 residents have faced or are currently facing forced eviction and relocation. When individual households are relocated, poorer households are often selected — between 2016 and 2020, 567,000 people were relocated under this program by the government. These relocations are “severely eroding Tibetan culture and ways of life,” HRW’s China director Maya Wang said.

The Chinese government states that the goal of resettling Tibet’s poorest into urban areas is to improve their housing conditions, health care and education. However, the government’s mission left many of those resettled living in poverty in urban areas, according to the United States Department of State.

Despite China’s occupation, many Tibetans’ alliances continue to lie with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who created a nonprofit organization working for the welfare of destitute Tibetans.

14th Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Relief Committee

Tibet used to be an independent region — in the 1950s, China forcibly claimed Tibet, destroying many Buddhist monasteries and killing thousands. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fled to northern India, along with around 80,000 refugees, according to BBC. In 1994, he established the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) in India.

The CTRC’s main objective is to rehabilitate and settle Tibetan refugees, as well as uplift the poor and make the Tibetan settlement “viable and sustainable,” according to its website. One of its primary initiatives is to “take care of genuinely poor and destitute elders who have no one to take care of them.” The CTRC has built more than 14 homes and accommodates more than 500 Tibetan elders, as of 2020.

“The awesome power that economic institutions have acquired in our society, and the distressing effects that poverty continues to wreak, should make all of us look for means of transforming our economy into one based on compassion,” His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama wrote in 2008.

Chinese government claims it has lifted Tibet out of extreme poverty, however, the CTA, the U.N. and HRW dispute this claim. China’s poverty alleviation tactics may have diminished Tibet’s poverty in an economic sense, but individual Tibetans often remain impoverished, with their traditional culture stripped away. Human rights groups and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama continue to look out for poor Tibetans, ensuring proper poverty relief.

– Ahna Fleming

Ahna is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Eradication in Taiwan

Poverty Eradication in TaiwanTaiwan has undergone dramatic economic progress over the years. Despite the island’s success, in 2021 it was reported that at least 1.3% of the island’s population fell below the poverty line (around 300,000 people), a figure which some groups claim to be under-representative of the real issue. Nonetheless, there is hope that through the Public Assistance Act, the government can achieve its goal of poverty eradication in Taiwan.

The Public Assistance Act

Taiwan has transformed itself into a “highly developed market economy” which places highly on numerous rankings such as the global Human Development Index and the Gender Inequality Index. According to BTI, Taiwan has one of the “most comprehensive, well-developed welfare regimes in Asia” which can be attributed to its Public Assistance Act which was first announced in 1980 and was most recently amended in 2015.

The act focuses on those living in low and middle-income households, along with individuals who find themselves in need following a natural disaster or emergency. It gives clear guidelines as to who falls into these categories and how they can access aid.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice, Articles 10-17 of the Public Assistance Act detail how low-income households can apply for living support from their local authorities. If an individual is eligible for the scheme, they will receive assistance in the form of a monetary stipend, vocational training and employment services, all to alleviate poverty and help them to become self-sufficient.

The act also outlines how it gives aid in the form of medical subsidies and emergency aid, as well as through the construction of public assistance institutions. All of these approaches combine to provide a comprehensive strategy for poverty eradication in Taiwan.

Future Amendments

While the act has been successful in providing aid for countless Taiwanese people facing poverty, some call for amendments to ensure that as many people as possible receive appropriate aid. In 2023, The Taiwan Social Welfare League issued results from a survey that illustrated that due to a gap in government reporting, it is likely that the actual number of those in poverty in Taiwan is around 2.6% of the island’s population or roughly 600,000 households.

One suggestion is that the Act amendments should account for the fact that although many people may appear financially independent on paper, in reality, they are living in poverty, according to the Taipei Times. This would allow people whose registered household does not match their current living conditions to get the support they need.

Another concern is that some individuals are not finding employment because this would disqualify them from the aid that the act provides. A potential solution to this is gradually reducing the aid given to individuals once they start earning more money to allow them to become independent over time.

With these amendments, an additional 2 million individuals who are currently ineligible for aid, according to the BTI, could benefit from the act’s assistance, making vital progress towards poverty eradication in Taiwan.

– Carla Messinger

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Building Inclusiveness in Nepal

Inclusiveness in NepalIn 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the South Asian country of Nepal, killing 9,000 people, injuring 168,00 more and destroying tens of thousands of homes. The tragedy and ongoing reconstruction that followed sparked the scarred nation to adopt a new constitution. This act is in an effort to create more transparency and equality. However, Nepal’s traditional society that remained provided little support for the lower class including women. USAID has stepped in to aid with reconstruction and support Archana Tamang as a USAID-funded gender and social inclusion (GESI) advisor to the government. She wants to ensure that women, as well as other marginalized people, have a voice in creating a sense of inclusiveness in Nepal and helping lead it into the future.

A History of Gender Inequality and Violence

Women, especially those from lower castes in Nepal’s Hindu culture, have little opportunities for education, health care and work outside the home. A woman has no choice but to marry into what are often arranged marriages that define her life. Husbands control the family resources leaving women often shunned and impoverished should they be divorced or widowed. These marriages can often be oppressive and even abusive.

“During the first earthquake in 2015, Archana was traveling to Afghanistan for work; but the quake ‘was a real wake up call.'” Tamang’s choice to fight GESI issues is inspired by her experience. She got married at the early age of 17 to a man from India. Tamang lived with emotional and physical abuse for five years before escaping back to Nepal with her daughter. In Nepal, she later became involved in GESI efforts. She was working in Afghanistan when the earthquake hit and quickly returned to her home to help rebuild.

On the Road to Change

The National Reconstruction Authority is the sector of the Nepalese government that has overseen rebuilding after the earthquake. As Nepal’s government moves toward a more transparent leadership, the National Reconstruction Authority had pledged to help defenseless populations. However, a focused approach was lacking. Tamang developed a research-supported GESI Action Plan for the government where she would “empower women and ensure that they were able to earn a living.”

Tamang makes it her mission to visit women and other powerless people in their home villages to educate them on their liberties and duties. She wants to make sure they are heard in the reconstruction process. Her GESI Action Plan mandates that at least two of five posts in local governments are to be held by women. Plus, women make up at least one of two mayoral or deputy mayoral candidates in each Nepal district. The plan has also called for women to get paid the same as men for their labor helping to rebuild, further nurturing inclusiveness in Nepal.

A Future for Inclusiveness in Nepal

In 2017, Nepal had its first election in over 20 years under the new constitution and more than 1.7 million Nepalis — most of whom were women and lower-class people — registered to vote for the first time. The elections brought more than 14,000 women into government. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Tamang’s Action Plan to the point where it received full government financial support. She is happy to report that in 2019, 40% of elected officials were women. In addition, more and more girls are being educated and finding their voice to help heal their scarred nation.

– Joseph Maria
Photo: Flickr