SEATTLE, Washington — Education statistics in Africa can sometimes seem daunting. UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) cites that more than one-fifth of primary-school-age children are not attending school throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In Sierra Leone, more than 19,000 children were out of primary school in 2015. More than 200,000 adolescents never made it to secondary school in 2018. An organization called Street Child is improving education in Sierra Leone. Street Child in Sierra Leone In 2008, Tom Dannatt visited Sierra Leone, which was the poorest country in the world at the time. Children were out on the streets trying to survive…
Author: Staff Reports
SEATTLE, Washington — In 2009, Eugene and Minhee Cho decided to donate their entire income of $68,000 to help fight extreme global poverty. This was after they traveled and witnessed the hard truth about poverty with their own eyes, and it was only the beginning. The Cho family wanted to invite others to help the fight. They did not expect everyone to dedicate an entire year’s worth of their income but simply contribute one day. One Day’s Wages was created to raise money that could be shared with other organizations actively participating in poverty-stricken communities. Their goal is to “partner…
SEATTLE, Washington — According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million women and girls alive today have been subjected to some form of genital mutilation. Each year, at least 3 million more girls are in danger of being subject to the procedure. The worst concentration of female genital mutilation is in Somalia where 98 percent of females have undergone this risky and painful procedure. Recently, there has been a movement to end female genital mutilation in Somalia. What is Female Genital Mutilation? The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) defines female genital mutilation as “all procedures involving…
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The last several decades have been very difficult for the country of Somalia. After a military coup in 1969 and a subsequent civil war in 1991, the country has been plagued by famine and civil disorder. Due to these conflicts, Somalia is the world’s third-largest source of refugees, behind only Iraq and Afghanistan. Healthcare has suffered greatly. However, there are several organizations that are working the improve healthcare in Somalia. The crises in Somalia have also led to significant disparities in health for Somali citizens. Diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid fever and malaria pose significant health risks.…
SEATTLE, Washington — Child health is improving dramatically around the world. Cases of measles and tetanus have reduced by 80 percent. The Center for Disease Control has aided more than 80 countries in eliminating rubella by increasing access to vaccines. The death rate of children under five has plummeted. India is one of the countries making great strides in the health of their children. In recent years, India has been making advancements in the finances, communication and technology to improve the overall health of its children. Here are some new advancements in improving child health in India. Microloans for Women One…
SEATTLE, Washington — Access to clean and safe food and water is something that the developed world often takes for granted. However, in many countries, access to safe food and water is limited, leading to peril for those who live there. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 10 people get sick and 420,000 people die every year from contaminated food. Meanwhile, 485,000 people die from diarrhea-related diseases as a result of contaminated water. At least 785 million people do not have access to basic drinking water. Thankfully, scientists at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering are…
MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia, a country located in West Africa, lags behind most other African countries in terms of education statistics. According to the CIA World Factbook, the literacy rate is estimated to be at about 47.6 percent. This is an unfortunate statistic for a nation where more than 60 percent of the population is younger than the age of 25. However, LEAD Africa is working in Liberia to improve education through the LEAD-Monrovia Football Academy. The Education Crisis in Liberia The education crisis in Liberia can be attributed to two primary factors. First, during the 14-year period of civil…
BAUCHI, Nigeria — The country of Nigeria is currently experiencing an outbreak of Yellow Fever throughout all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Yellow fever is a viral infection that is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos. Mild cases cause fever, headache, nausea and vomiting while the more serious cases can end fatally due to liver, heart and kidney failure. Due to the dangerousness of this infection, Nigeria has been trying to combat and prevent this disease since September 2017. Through its many Yellow Fever vaccination campaigns, Nigeria is hoping to prevent and protect its 201 million people from suffering from this disease. These are 6 facts about…
SEATTLE — While professional boxers are primarily known for their accomplishments within the ring, the actions of some outside the ring are certainly worth noting. Celebrities such as professional boxers are potentially valuable allies in the fight against poverty and encourage more people to invest in helping developing countries. Keep reading to learn more about professional boxers who give back. Professional Boxers Who Give Back Muhammad Ali – It only makes sense to begin with one of the most iconic boxers of all time: the late Muhammad Ali. Although Muhammad Ali was made famous due to his personality and his…