TACOMA, Washington — Over the past decades, poverty impacted millions of people around the world. Approximately 736 million live under the international poverty line. Most of these people reside in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan African. Though it has been a slow process, there have been improvements. Since 2010, the world poverty rate decreased by 16%. In 2018, about 55% of the world’s population received fewer cash benefits than in previous years. These cash benefits often lead to innovations that impact poverty in a positive way.
Typically, cash benefits lead to increased investment in education and healthcare. Furthermore, countries with rural areas that are lacking in resources can invest in development. Whether it be community infrastructure or technological improvements, there are a number of innovations that impact poverty. Here are five innovations that impact poverty.
Five Innovations that Impact Poverty
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The Life-saving Dot. Iodine deficiency affects millions of people all over India, especially in rural areas. It is the largest disorder that leads to brain damage. With such a huge problem, the solution is actually quite simple. A bindi, the small dot placed between the eyebrows that people wear every day. The life-saving dot is worn to supply a daily dose of iodine. With 150 to 220 micrograms of iodine supplied each day, the solution improves health and malnutrition. Since its distribution began, no one has reported side effects. Thus, the life-saving dot is an effective solution for everyone in India battling iodine deficiency.
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The Embrace Warmer. This product is a sleeping bag made to regulate the amount of warmth a baby should have when firstborn. Each year, about one million babies die the same day they are born. About 98% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Due to hypothermia, death rates among infants has increased. The award-winning “embrace warmer” has fixed that problem and is now supplying newborns with significant heat. This innovation is reusable and low-cost. Most importantly, the warmer does not require electricity, making it naturally safe. Since its creation, 200,000 infants have used the product so far. Additionally, the product is also being distributed in under-developed hospitals.
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The Hippo Roller. Around the world, people rely on clean water to live. However, many lack access to potable water, especially those living in rural areas. Though finding potable water and collecting it can be extremely time-consuming, there is now an easier solution. The Hippo Roller is a safe and very effective innovation that requires minimal work to get water. This innovation acts like a drum rolling across areas that provide water. In addition to helping people collect water, the drum rolls on the ground. This is an added benefit since women often had to carry large containers on their heads for long distances in order to supply their families with water. In addition to the safety benefit, this collection method is also much quicker and more efficient. Thus, people don’t need to spend entire days collecting enough water for their families.
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The XO Laptop. In developing countries, there is a lack of useful technology for education. With no online programs or updated resources, children have a harder time learning and going to school. The XO laptop is uniquely designed for developing countries. Thus, helping to close the gap in educational resources available to those in under-developed nations. This laptop makes it fun for kids to learn and benefit more from going to school. Now kids are getting the higher-level education they need and can connect to information from all over the world. About 2.24 million children worldwide received these laptop donations. It has made a significant difference in Madagascar, Paraguay, Peru and many more countries.
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The PeePoo Toilet. Studies show that about 785 million people do not have access to sanitary water. This means that about one in nine lacks access to this resource. Trying to access clean water when there are no ways to manage the amount of waste makes it much more difficult. This harmful unsanitary waste can also make the spread of diseases worse while affecting long term health in younger children. Now there is a brilliant way to manage waste. The PeePoo toilet is a small bag that helps decompose bacteria and eventually becomes fertilizer. This is an affordable solution especially for people who are carrying diseases. This also helps downsize and manage the amount of waste taking place. So far this has helped 20,000 children.
These resources are some of the best innovations that impact poverty in a positive way. As a result of these products, there is a likelihood poverty rates will continue to decrease. The Life You Can Save Organization is confident that poverty will be downsized by 2030.
According to UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) in 1960, 20 million children died before their fifth birthday. Now, the most recent report estimates that 5.4 million children under the age of five died in 2017. The drop is even more impressive because the world’s population has more than doubled.
With generous donations, there will be a better investment opportunity to help gain even more beneficial resources. “While progress is certainly possible, it will require each of us to join the fight against extreme poverty, in whatever way we can.” Says Anam Vadgama from the organization. For now, poverty is still in the process of downsizing.
– Rachel Hernandez
Photo: Flickr