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EAA Is Tackling Barriers Faced by Out-Of-School Children

EAAThe distance to school, in many contexts around the world and particularly in remote, rural locations across developing countries, is one of the most obstructive barriers to education access for vulnerable primary-level children. According to the World Bank, “The single most important determinant of primary school enrolment is the proximity of a school.” Stated that as the distance between school and home grows, so, too, does the likelihood that a child will not have a chance to enroll or attend. The negative implications in such scenarios are apparent.

Education Above All Foundation

Since its inception in 2012, the Education Above All Foundation’s (EAA) Educate A Child (EAC) program has focused its energies on working in partnership to design interventions that address the range of barriers out-of-school children (OOSC) face. These efforts create opportunities for marginalized children to access quality primary education. That said, the mission has certainly not been a well-paved road, void of problems or pitfalls.

Yet, by holding fast to a set of core values, the EAA Foundation has shaped its development efforts, particularly by recognizing what works and building on effective strategies that produce results for the hardest-to-reach children. Early on, the EAA Foundation understood that the barriers that keep millions of children out of school, whether due to distance, poverty or other challenges, can “exist in different locations within a country or even within a single location, indicating the need for a variety of approaches and partners to address these challenges.”

That perspective has enabled the program to remain aware of real-world challenges that will inevitably arise while staying open to a variety of solutions—no matter the form they take—even when addressing the same persistent barrier. By now, it is clear OOSC will not benefit from one-size-fits-all approaches; their situations require tailored solutions. With this in mind, the EAA Foundation has recognized the merit of simple yet impactful interventions that have proven effective over the years and contributed significantly to reducing education exclusion.

A Critical Combination

Across the globe, where children on the margins find themselves several kilometers from the nearest classroom, the EAA Foundation and its partners rely on a critical combination of technical expertise and local knowledge to support the will of OOSC to realize their right to education. For instance, to address the distance barrier, the program has helped provide bicycles for children who might otherwise have no recourse but to drop out in Cambodia, The Gambia and Zambia.

This was achieved through respective joint initiatives with Action Education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Vision. A buddy system where children travel in groups to and from school, with older peers offering guidance and groupings of mothers helping to ensure safe passage, has been introduced with effect in Nepal with United World Schools.

The Story of Tanzina

Tanzina, from Bangladesh’s remote Sunamganj District, a region prone to severe flooding, especially during monsoon season, grew up in a community where tradition and securing livelihoods against rising water levels often took priority over education. Moreover, traditional school buildings are generally impractical in the area’s natural floodplain.

As a result, young Tanzina had very limited opportunities to ever sit in a classroom. Nonetheless, through her own determination and a boat school initiative implemented in partnership with BRAC, which picks up children, holds classes on the boat and drops them off at home each day, Tanzina was finally able to realize her right to education.

Final Remark

It is remarkable how simple solutions and innovations in the most remote communities can have such an outsized impact on children who face daily challenges, like long distances to the nearest school, through no fault of their own. This serves as a reminder to be creative and seek solutions that fit the local context. After all, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

– Mary Joy Pigozzi, Executive Director, Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child Program.

Photo: EAA

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The Evolution of Uruguay’s Technological Infrastructure

Uruguay’s technological infrastructureUruguay boasts a technology literacy rate of more than 98%, the highest in South America, with telecommunications networks that are 100% digital. Between 2021 and 2022, Uruguay’s imports of IT and telecommunications equipment surged from $549 million to $706 million. Here are some key factors in Uruguay’s technological infrastructure that have earned it the name “Silicon Valley of South America.”

Expanding Fiber Optic Infrastructure in Rural Areas

In 2021 and 2022, ANTEL, Uruguay’s largest telecommunications company, invested $161 million into the country’s telecommunication sector, with 80% of that allocated to expanding fiber optic infrastructure in rural areas. ANTEL currently holds 57% of the market share, followed by Spain’s Telefónica/Movistar with 26% and Mexico’s Claro with 17%. The company is focused on replacing outdated copper connections with fiber optic technology. This aims to improve and strengthen internet access, particularly in the country’s rural regions.

The 2025 Digital Agenda

In May of 2021, Uruguay approved a guideline for further digital developments called the “2025 Digital Agenda,” which is managed by the Knowledge Management Agency. This will open doors to more opportunities for hardware and software providers, as well as telecommunication and network service companies. The basis of the plan is to expand the “fiber-to-the-home” networks to remote locations.  Additionally, the plan looks to increase the range of 5G networks and new digital health services.

Programa Ibirapitá

This program in Uruguay focuses on the digital inclusion of older adults, aiming to improve social inclusion, participation and equity. Through workshops designed to increase digital literacy and consultations, the initiative empowers elderly individuals. The program specifically targets individuals aged 65 and above whose annual income is at most $30,885. These participants are granted access to mobile devices through the Ibirapitá Mobile Plan, a service provided by ANTEL, which helps bridge the digital divide and fosters greater connectivity and independence for older adults.

Plan Ceibal

In 2007, Uruguay launched a program aimed at promoting nationwide digital literacy and skill development by providing each student with access to a laptop in school. This initiative became a key part of the country’s education strategy. Furthermore, it has been supported by tax incentives for tech companies and significant investments in communications infrastructure. Furthermore, the program has helped bridge the digital divide and enhance technological skills among students across the country.

Looking Ahead

Uruguay’s next step in its technological evolution is focusing on the “Internet of Things” (IoT). Development will be driven by both public and private stakeholders. Indeed, these efforts are taking place in the “Open Digital Lab,” a dedicated test space for IoT technologies and their applications. As the country continues to grow and expand its technological capabilities, discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have become more prevalent, reflecting Uruguay’s ongoing push to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure and embrace emerging technologies.

– Isabella Chavez

Isabella is based in Swampscott, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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IT Supporting Rural Livelihood in India

Rural Livelihood in IndiaTechnological advancements in the past decades have widened the gap between the rich and the needy. The lack of access to the internet and Information Technology (IT) resources hinders the growth of a considerable percentage of India’s population. However, IT supporting rural livelihood in India has slowly manifested through the combined efforts of private and public sector initiatives.

Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Center

IT supporting rural livelihood in India has been expected to act as a viable option. IT can be used for various purposes like predicting weather conditions and market prices for farming along with gaining useful knowledge and skills. To materialize this, Mission 2007 was initiated in 2003 by an alliance of 150 organizations to avail the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) dedicated to human well-being in rural areas.

The Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy (NVA) for Rural Prosperity and the Jamsetji Tata Training School (JTS) for Leadership in Rural Knowledge Connectivity were established to support and fuel this IT revolution. They aim to provide IT access and training to more than a million rural people and encourage them by enabling them to enhance their livelihood with the help of IT skills.

The National Virtual Academy

Established in 2003 under the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the NVA aims to train “grassroots workers” to use ICTs to enable them to be responsible for their development and “to build skills and capacities relevant to enhancing opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.” Alongside providing training in ICTs, the NVA also facilitates the recognition of rural people who have mastered ICTs and are using their skills to guide the betterment of villages.

The NVA aims to materialize access to “work, income and health security” like e-governance, e-commerce, e-literacy and e-health in rural areas. The initiative seeks to establish a “two-way linkage” communication system, where scientists share information on agriculture and technological advancements with rural communities while rural people provide insights into traditional farming methods. This exchange helps scientists develop sustainable farming practices that integrate both modern and traditional knowledge.

The NVA also facilitates “lateral communication” to enable people within rural areas to share their knowledge and expertise with other rural people through technological means. It, therefore, functions as a “participatory knowledge hub,” tying traditional wisdom with modern science. In 2006, the initiative recognized the achievements of 77 people from across 11 states in India, highlighting its impact in rural areas.

Jamsetji Tata Training School

The JTS aims to provide training on computer applications to rural workers at the grassroots level. It also aims to create virtual platforms to develop learning environments where rural people can learn need-based skills and competencies to gain knowledge specific to their area of work. The JTS is similar to the NVA in its primary aims and objectives and helps further build NVA’s initiatives by equipping people with Village Knowledge Centers (VKCs), Village Resource Centers (VRCs) and Knowledge Hub Consortiums (KHCs) to encourage centralized learning environments.

Some other efforts by JTS include organizing workshops between scientists and NVA fellows, addressing issues at the grassroots level with government agencies, providing training on computer applications and developing virtual platforms for learning.

Conclusion

In 2019, 41% of India’s population, amounting to approximately 574 million people, had access to the internet. Among this, 307 million internet users belonged to the urban population and 264 million people belonged to the rural population. As of 2023, 55% of India’s population, amounting to 821 million people, have access to the internet. Among these, a higher percentage of internet users come from rural areas (442 million) than urban areas (378 million). As a result of initiatives like those mentioned above, India has experienced significant growth in IT access across the country, particularly in rural areas. IT supporting rural livelihood in India is now not only a dream but a reality.

– Adya Umesh

Adya is based in Bangalore, Karnataka, India and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Village Enterprise: Equipping Business Owners in Rural Rwanda

Village EnterpriseIt has been 30 years since the tragic 1994 Rwandan genocide, and Rwanda is still reeling from its aftershocks. The conflict, which claimed 800,000 civilian lives and displaced 1.5 million people, left the country’s infrastructure in ruins, with homes, schools and medical centers reduced to rubble. That year, the United Nations (U.N.) reported that the poverty rate in Rwanda peaked at 78%, rendering a significant portion of the population unable to afford necessities. Today, nearly half of all Rwandans live below the poverty line and 16% are in extreme poverty. Yet, despite these grim statistics, hope is on the horizon for sustainable economic growth.

A Strategic Partnership

The Government of Rwanda seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. A strategic partnership with civil society organizations, such as the U.S.-based NGO Village Enterprise, could support this goal. Village Enterprise specializes in entrepreneurial training in rural Africa, equipping aspiring business owners with the necessary skills and capital to get their ideas off the ground.

In the next few years, its work in Rwanda will offer more than 31,000 participating households training, startup cash ($180 per small business group of target size three households) and business mentoring to support the launch of enterprises like hairdressing, farming and bicycle repair. As such, the program is a critical component of the government’s effort to reduce unemployment and boost the national standard of living.

Village Enterprise’s Poverty Graduation Approach

Village Enterprise’s poverty graduation approach has already shown significant success. This model, designed to lift individuals from extreme poverty and give them the tools to achieve financial independence, is a game-changer. Many beneficiaries, particularly women, who comprise 82% of the program, have reported a substantial increase in income, improved living conditions and a newfound sense of agency.

Celeste Brubaker, Chief of Impact and Innovative Financing at Village Enterprise recounts speaking with program participants indelibly proud of the progress they have made and the lives they have built: “The entrepreneurs often explain how their businesses have empowered them to achieve goals such as improving their diets, sending their children to school or upgrading their homes.” Stories like these underscore the people-centered mission at the heart of the fight against extreme poverty and emphasize its outsize impact.

Bellancile’s story is a testament to the program’s efficacy. Bellancile, 42, of Butare, Rwanda, shares: “I used to believe that a woman eats because her husband works, but now I’m the one feeding my family.” Bellancile’s experience is among many. Since Village Enterprise established its presence in Rwanda in 2021, nearly 14,000 entrepreneurs and 6,000 new businesses have emerged from its entrepreneurial program, with the figures to increase in the next couple of years.

A New and Promising Contribution

On July 17, 2024, the Fund for Innovation and Development (FID), an independent body hosted by the French Development Agency (AFD), issued a $1.3 million grant to Village Enterprise. These funds, combined with a $6.5 million grant awarded to the organization by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year, will cofinance its initial scaling work in Rwanda.

Village Enterprise is also partnering with the Rwandan government to extend the program’s reach, seeking to raise an additional $22 million to establish an outcomes fund, which Brubaker believes will “incentivize service providers who effectively support communities and discourage participation from less effective organizations.” Increasing the organization’s capacity beyond its current operations in four Rwandan districts could enable its entrepreneurial training to serve an additional 125,000 households by 2027.

Navigating the Challenges

Overall, the country’s economic outlook is positive. The World Bank reported a 7.6% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for the first three quarters of 2023 and anticipates significant gains in the next two years. Village Enterprise’s entrepreneurial program has played a role in the country’s economic recovery. However, challenges persist, including external shocks, limited resources, ineffective sequencing, difficulties in impact measurement and disjointed coordination.

Despite the obstacles, though, Jean Pierre Sibomana, Village Enterprise’s Rwanda Scaling Project Director, points to reasons to be optimistic: “The country is focused on sustaining livelihoods through initiatives like Ejo Heza, a pension program for especially those working in the informal sector, as well as job creation and the development of the education sector… It’s a long journey, but looking at how committed the government is, it presents hope.” Indeed, Village Enterprise’s entrepreneurial training program, bolstered by philanthropic contributions, may prove a linchpin of the government’s efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the near future.

Maurice Nirere, Village Enterprise’s Senior Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation in Rwanda, recommends other pan-African governments follow suit. He emphasizes the importance of international collaboration, stating that by “putting in place well-designed strategies and anti-poverty policies, [governments can demonstrate] a political willingness to combat poverty and [create] a room to collaborate with international agencies.” This call for global collaboration makes aid agencies and governments part of a shared mission and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.

Looking Ahead

Village Enterprise’s progress in Rwanda has made a tangible impact, changing lives and stabilizing rural areas embroiled in extreme poverty. Emerance of Rulindo, Rwanda, has forged a path to success and independence with the organization’s support. She and her business partners, Lucie and Domithile, are now not merely surviving but providing for their families in ways they never imagined possible. Their tenacity and even the name of their business, “Bright Future,” signal prosperous days ahead for thousands across Rwanda.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Microfinance in India Transforms the Lives of Rural Women

<span style=India is a rich, diverse nation in Southern Asia, within what is known as the “Indian subcontinent.” It has long boasted extremes of all sorts, with Antilia – the residence of India’s richest family – located on Billionaire’s Row adjacent to the Dharavi Slum, which houses more than one million people. This extreme poverty is nothing short of ubiquitous.

Microfinance in India

Microfinance in India, which surfaced in 1974, refers to financial services aimed specifically at low-income individuals who do not meet traditional banking services requirements. The microfinance institutions offer small business loans at reduced interest rates to finance entrepreneurial initiatives for low-income individuals. In India, microfinance has proven instrumental to more than 160 million impoverished households as of 2023.

The Impact of Microfinance in India

Rajpoot was a homemaker in Narela, Madhya Pradesh, in rural India. She had fallen into loan shark schemes, borrowing twice to cover emergency medical expenses and her son’s college tuition. However, loan sharks are notorious for their high interest rates, which only prove troublesome for low-income borrowers. Rajpoot could not repay the 5% daily interest on her last loan in 2019, forcing her to give away a family heirloom as compensation.

However, in 2020, her life changed when she registered for a low-cost loan program with a group of women from her village. She used the funds to start a dairy herd business. Today, she proudly owns seven cows and one buffalo. She comfortably repays the $19 monthly installment to the microfinance company, Spandana Spoorthy Financial Ltd, while also affording her expenses, freeing her from crippling poverty.

The success story of Rajpoot highlights the impact of microfinance in India. Her story comes in addition to prominent microfinance banks, such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which have empowered more than 160 million impoverished Indian households as of 2023.

The Importance of Microfinance in India

In India, where about 80% of women are financially illiterate, loan sharks often charge high daily interest rates. This practice drives more people into extreme poverty as they are forced to borrow from one lender to repay another. Microfinance provides an alternative to predatory lending, offering fair and manageable loan terms. By empowering women with access to financial resources and education, microfinance helps break the cycle of debt and fosters economic independence and stability.

Final Remark

Microfinance in India plays a critical role in bridging the nation’s economic extremes. Encouraging this practice involves supporting the banks directly engaged in microfinance. It increases marketing prospects in villages where microfinance would yield the greatest benefits in alleviating poverty. These measures would ensure that the initiative is maximized and that as much of the population as possible is aware of this initiative. Additionally, the initiative can help brighten the nation’s future by empowering illiterate women as legitimate income earners.

– Disheta Anand

Disheta is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Health Improvements in Rural Kenya

Health Improvements in Rural KenyaKenya is a country in West Africa that has experienced a significant decline in poverty in recent years. This reduction is due to health improvements in rural Kenya. This has been achieved with the interventions of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Core Health and Wealth International (CHW). Both organizations run programs that educate and assist pastoral populations.

The Situation

Like many developing nations, Kenya experiences poverty and its consequences on a large scale. To clarify, in 2005, poverty levels in rural parts of the country were around 50%, but in 2016 these levels fell to about 38.8%. It is also important to note that the rates of poverty in rural areas are about 6.5 times that of urban areas.

Kitchen Gardens

One important CHW program is its work in educating rural populations on how to grow and maintain kitchen gardens successfully. The goal of this program is “to promote a healthier organic living to vulnerable communities who have small pieces of land.” To achieve this goal, CHW supplies seedlings and conducts training on how to build and maintain multi-story, keyhole or raised bed gardens.

This method of farming is suitable for those living on small plots of land. It creates a small farm that can grow a variety of crops. Through this program, more than 200 rural citizens have grown enough to feed themselves and then some. The results of this program have led to food security, increased immunity through nutrition and profitable gardens.

Sericulture

Another important program that CHW began in rural Kenya is the introduction of sericulture. Sericulture is the practice of raising silkworms through their development stages in order to eventually harvest, process and weave silk. In this program, silkworms are raised on mulberry trees, which not only provide food for silkworms but also aid in soil conservation.

CHW partnered with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to educate farmers about “sericulture techniques, crop management and silk processing.” Since sericulture is a sustainable and eco-friendly way of developing in-demand silks and silk blends, it is an excellent mode of economic growth for rural Kenyans. This creates wealth for farmers, weavers, garment producers and more. When wealth is created, it also creates strong health improvements in rural Kenya, as citizens are able to afford nutritious foods, medical treatments and other sanitary necessities.

Vaccinations

In Western Kenya, rabies is spread to both people and livestock, mostly through dogs across rural areas. In such pastoral locations, it is difficult to maintain the refrigeration that vaccines require, so most victims of rabies bites must travel long distances on rough roads to receive necessary treatment. However, in a recent effort to reduce rabies levels, CHW collaborated with Boehringer Ingelheim. Together, they implemented the Making More Health initiative to find an innovative solution to rural Kenya’s rabies problem.

The solution unfolded with the help of  Zipline, the world’s largest delivery system, which used drones to deliver packages full of vaccines and VacciBox, which utilizes solar power to run refrigerators. On the first day of this drone-to-refrigerator delivery, 2,000 dogs were vaccinated across counties in Western Kenya. This is only the beginning of an extensive movement to reduce rabies levels and is an excellent example of the health improvements in rural Kenya that CHW aims to achieve.

A Sustainable Future in Rural Kenya

Thanks to CHW’s tireless efforts, rural citizens in Kenya have seen improvements in agriculture, production and access to vaccines. Additionally, they have received assistance in education, period poverty and sanitation. Organizations like CHW, which address all aspects of rural poverty, are making significant contributions to health improvements in rural Kenya.

– Carlie Duggan

Carlie is based in Newtown, PA, USA. and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Solar Energy in Rural Kenya: A Pathway Out of Poverty

Solar Energy in Rural KenyaApproximately 71% of Kenya’s population lives in rural areas, where access to electricity is often limited or non-existent. Without electricity, rural communities rely on kerosene lamps for lighting, which are expensive, provide poor-quality light and pose health risks due to indoor air pollution.

Solar energy presents a transformative solution in Kenya. It alleviates poverty by providing reliable electricity, promoting education and enabling various economic activities. Thus, solar energy initiatives in Kenya highlight the potential of renewable energy to drive sustainable development and improve living standards.

Solar Energy Initiatives in Kenya

One innovative approach that has made solar energy accessible to low-income households in Kenya is the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model. This model allows users to pay for solar systems in small, manageable installments using mobile money platforms. The PAYG model reduces the upfront cost barrier, enabling more families to afford solar energy solutions.

Companies such as M-KOPA Solar are leading the change by providing these affordable solar home systems to rural households. M-KOPA Solar first launched its pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar system in Kenya in 2010. These systems typically include solar panels, batteries and energy-efficient appliances, offering a sustainable and cost-effective source of electricity.

More than eight million households in Kenya spend a total of $1 billion on kerosene lamps for lighting, bringing the average to approximately $200 on lighting per household each year. With the introduction of M-KOPA’s PAYG solar systems, Kenyans now spend $200 for a one-time payment to receive electricity.

Impact on Education

Access to solar energy also has a profound impact on education in rural Kenya. Solar-powered schools can benefit from improved resources, such as the ability to use computers and the Internet. This access to technology enhances the learning experience and provides students with skills essential for the modern economy. Furthermore, with reliable lighting, students can study after dark, leading to better academic performance.

Economic Empowerment

Reliable electricity from solar energy enables various income-generating activities that were previously impossible or limited. For example, small businesses can extend their operating hours and farmers can use solar-powered irrigation systems to increase agricultural productivity. These opportunities contribute to higher incomes and improved livelihoods.

The solar energy sector itself also creates jobs, ranging from installation and maintenance of solar systems to sales and customer support. For instance, M-KOPA employs more than 1,000 people, the majority of whom are located in Kenya and the rest in Uganda. This contributes to economic growth, thus reducing poverty.

Moving Forward

Solar energy has the potential to significantly reduce rural poverty in Kenya by providing reliable electricity, promoting education and enabling economic activities. Through innovative models and sustained efforts, solar energy initiatives are transforming lives and contributing to sustainable development. Continued investment, supportive policies and community engagement are key to maximizing the impact of solar energy and ensuring a brighter future for rural Kenya.

– Jennifer Lee

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

Photo: Pexels

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How Innovations for Poverty Action Is Helping Fight Poverty

Innovations for Poverty ActionInnovations for Poverty Action (IPA) was founded in 2002 and works to find tested and proven solutions to fight poverty. The organization has offices and projects in 20 countries and four continents. Through research and evidence, the IPA has implemented programs in many of these countries to help poverty-stricken areas.

Innovations for Poverty Action in Colombia

IPA first came to Colombia in 2010 and has since completed much research regarding poverty in the country. It has worked in various capacities, including education and migration. One of IPA’s major projects in Colombia, ConsultIPA, came from researching the effects of different programs and their impact on areas facing poverty.

ConsultIPA is an initiative that aims to help small, local nonprofit organizations develop programs. This branch of IPA works out of Colombia and provides support for these nonprofits in their commitment to the right monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system. So far, ConsultIPA has helped multiple nonprofits start their foundations and implement working strategies. Two of the bigger nonprofits that IPA has helped are Fundación Iguaraya and Planeta Rural. Both of these organizations have impacted their local communities and led to bigger initiatives and practices.

Fundación Iguaraya focuses on sustainability in Colombia and promoting a greater quality of life for its residents. Its initial mission regarded local communities and their involvement in conservation efforts to achieve greater biodiversity. Over time, the mission has evolved into learning more about the local communities and how to best amplify their voices as it relates to the cultural heritage of the people. The initiative has also provided jobs, specifically as tour guides for people traveling to these local spots.

Planeta Rural has also developed into a very important organization in Colombia. The nonprofit works with young people in the rural countryside to provide help for those in need. Planeta Rural has established programs to help the more impoverished areas grow food and explore newer technologies in support of these areas.

IPA in Ethiopia

IPA has also started developing more programs in Ethiopia. Although the group does not have a base in the country, it has partnered with local groups to provide training and support for the Ethiopian people. One of its major programs has been helping the “ultra-poor” through a graduation process. The IPA took a sample group of 925 households and divided them in half: one group would receive the program’s benefits and one would not.

After the households were picked, the project was based on five components: an asset, a training program, a support program, a savings program and home visits. Each component provided the households with much-needed support and had long-lasting impacts on these homes. The impacts of this study have been overwhelming for these families. Exit surveys have shown that the families reported economic impacts, including better saving methods. Families also said that they had enough food daily after the program. Another benefit of this program has been an increase in revenue as more families have been able to find jobs and profit from the new livestock provided during the IPA program.

Looking Forward

IPA continues to provide increasing support for areas affected by poverty and will continue pursuing new evidence and results in the fight against poverty.

– Dorothy Howard

Dorothy is based in Greensboro, NC, USA. and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Role of Technology for Rural Health Care in India

Rural Health Care in IndiaIn India’s vast and diverse health care landscape, technology emerges as a powerful tool to bridge the existing gaps, especially for the rural poor grappling with the challenges of poverty. As India endeavors to provide comprehensive medical care to all its citizens, leveraging technology for rural health care becomes imperative and a lifeline for those living on the fringes.

The Nexus of Poverty and Health Care Disparities in Rural India

Despite its rapid economic growth, India continues to face significant poverty-related challenges. According to the World Bank, more than 40% of Indians still live in moderate poverty. This poverty is particularly acute in rural areas, where access to quality health care remains a persistent challenge due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of medical facilities and geographical remoteness. After the COVID-19 pandemic, India has made several strides to make technology for rural health care more accessible.

Empowering Rural Healthcare Through Telemedicine

Telemedicine, a key player in the technological revolution in health care, has shown remarkable success in connecting remote communities with essential medical services. Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveal that, as of 2021, approximately 10 million teleconsultations were conducted in rural areas with the eSanjeevani telemedicine platform, emphasizing the growing impact of technology on health care delivery.

Apollo TeleHealth Services, a pioneer in this domain, anticipates that telehealth services can largely supplement in-person consultations in rural India. This is especially significant in light of the yawning gap in the number of doctors serving in rural areas (30%) vis-a-vis the population in these areas (60%). This could potentially enhance the reach of health care services and directly address the challenges exacerbated by poverty in rural India.

Mobile Health (mHealth) Solutions: A Lifeline for Rural Communities

The ubiquity of mobile phones in India has opened up new avenues for health care delivery in rural areas. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions leverage mobile devices to provide health care information, facilitate remote consultations and enable health monitoring. For India’s poor, who often lack direct access to health care facilities, mHealth is a lifeline.

Organizations like SevaMob have been at the forefront of implementing mHealth solutions tailored for rural India. By employing a mobile-based healthcare platform, SevaMob has reached underserved communities by offering virtual consultations, health education and medication reminders. These initiatives not only enhance accessibility but also empower individuals to take control of their health.

Digitizing Healthcare Records for Seamless Patient Care

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to digitize health records and provide citizens with a unique health ID, bringing a paradigm shift to health care delivery. The need for such digital interventions becomes even more pronounced in rural areas, where a lack of organized health records compounds the challenges posed by poverty.

Studies indicate that digitizing health care records can lead to substantial improvement in health care delivery efficiency. In rural India, where poverty often hampers access to organized health care, this efficiency gain is not just a statistic but a tangible improvement in the lives of the underserved.

Innovations in Diagnostic Technology for Rural Areas

Access to timely and accurate diagnostics is a cornerstone of adequate healthcare. The lack of advanced diagnostic facilities compounds the healthcare challenges in rural areas struggling with poverty. However, point-of-care diagnostic devices have brought about a notable change in the rural Indian setting.

Implementing such devices in rural healthcare settings leads to a marked reduction in diagnostic turnaround time. This not only enables faster and more accurate diagnoses but also serves as an equalizer for those in poverty, ensuring that they receive prompt and efficient healthcare services.

Challenges and Opportunities: The Road Ahead

While the statistics and success stories demonstrate the significant impact of technology on rural health care, challenges persist. The digital divide, limited internet connectivity and inadequate technology infrastructure in some regions remain hurdles, particularly in impoverished rural areas. However, the correlation between poverty and health care disparities underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure equitable access to required resources. By leveraging technology for rural health care, India has the potential to build a robust and inclusive system.

– Srishti Arora
Photo: Flickr

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Tech Platforms Increasing Accessibility in India

accessibility in IndiaAs of 2020, 50% of people in India had access to the internet, a figure growing most quickly in rural regions. In 2019, there were 264 million internet users in rural India compared to the 310 million internet users in urban India. The rapid growth of internet adoption outside of Indian cities can be accredited in part to the initiatives of the Digital India campaign, including efforts to integrate the country’s cloud infrastructure, promote open data platforms, fill connectivity gaps and offer affordable data plans. Overall, internet penetration rates across the country have more than doubled over the last five years. Through the use of technology and the internet, platforms have been created to increase resource, service and opportunity accessibility in India.

The Digital Revolution Increases Accessibility

In a country where 80% of the impoverished live in rural areas, widespread internet availability is vital. More than just a source of entertainment, the internet increases accessibility of products and services that otherwise might not be affordable or available. Recognizing the potential for digital technologies to cut across geographic and economic barriers, numerous private and public organizations have developed platforms designed to increase accessibility in India. Whether connecting buyers to faraway sellers or simply helping individuals locate public toilets, these innovative tech platforms champion access and promote inclusion in India.

Google Toilet Locator

In 2012, more Indian households had a cellphone than a toilet. A lack of access to toilets leads to rampant open defecation with consequences ranging from water pollution to the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera. In a country where technology has grown faster than public services, the government turned to tech for assistance in its campaign to eradicate open defecation and improve waste management. In December 2016, India’s Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) partnered with Google to introduce a Google Maps toilet finder tool as part of the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission. As the government works to construct millions of toilets around the country, the Google Toilet Locator helps Indians to more easily find them. The app even allows users to leave ratings and reviews for public restrooms.

Tractors-as-a-Service

In September 2018, Aeris Communications partnered with Hello Tractor to launch “Tractors-as-a-Service” in India, The service provides on-demand tractor rentals to Indian farmers. In India, agriculture is an essential source of export earnings, employment and food. Tractors play a crucial role in increasing agricultural productivity but less than 30% of farmers utilize such expensive, high-capacity equipment. Hello Tractor’s software, which can be accessed through mobile and web applications, offers a “pay-as-you-use” model based on time in the field and area covered. The app enables small farmers to reap the benefits of commercial model tractors at lower costs while increasing the profits of tractor owners by allowing them to rent out their machines during idle times.

IndiaMART

IndiaMART is India’s largest online business-to-business marketplace, connecting buyers with suppliers of products and services ranging from pharmaceuticals to industrial machinery to wholesale foods. IndiaMART offers more than 67 million products and services to more than 100 million buyers. Importantly, the platform gives small and medium-sized enterprises in India a place to promote their business. There are about 60 million small and medium-sized businesses in India but only around 10 million of them have any web presence, according to the most recent data. IndiaMART allows these companies to expand their market reach and sell through the platform for a subscription fee.

A thriving e-commerce economy allows for goods and services to reach a consumer base that is less affluent and lives outside of traditional urban markets, thereby increasing market accessibility and enhancing the welfare of rural and lower-income populations.

Unified Payments Interface

In the financial sector, the National Payments Corporation of India developed the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), an instant real-time payment system regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. The platform allows users to access multiple bank accounts from even the most remote locations, routing funds and making payments under one seamless application. Digital finance platforms such as UPI are crucial in promoting financial inclusion and empowering individuals with tools such as loans and savings accounts.

Both private and public digital platforms have been deployed to increase accessibility in India and reach those who may otherwise be excluded from resources, services and opportunities.

– Margot Seidel
Photo: Flickr