The Borgen Project

In a small, rural community in the interior lowlands of Sierra Leone, a young woman experienced days of obstructed labor, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of her child. While she survived, severe complications from her perilous delivery caused heavy urinary and fecal leakage, leading to extreme postpartum depression and isolation from the community due to stigma. For years, this has been the story for thousands of women from this geographically diverse country.

Since 1978, China has successfully lifted 750 million people out of poverty through a combination of strategies, including market reforms in agricultural goods, increased job opportunities and individualized plans for families living in poverty. One of these individualized plans involved the government providing funds to struggling households to install solar panels for personal electricity generation. This article will explore how solar power is helping reduce poverty in China.

For many children, education in Sudan has become another casualty of the country’s ongoing conflict. Since fighting erupted in April 2023, millions of children have lost access to classrooms as schools have been damaged, closed or used for other purposes. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Sudan is home to about 17 million school-age children.

Coffee plays an important role in Rwanda’s economy and the livelihoods of rural families. The World Bank reports that 38.6% of Rwanda’s population lived below the international poverty line for lower-middle-income countries in 2023. Agriculture remains the country’s largest employer, making stable sources of farm income essential for reducing poverty.

Agriculture remains central to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy, providing employment and income for millions. While cocoa is often highlighted, Côte d’Ivoire’s mango industry is also driving new economic opportunities. The country is Africa’s leading mango exporter and the third-largest supplier of fresh mangoes to Europe, behind only Brazil and Peru. The nation is transforming its mango sector from a seasonal activity into a modern value chain that creates jobs, supports industry, and reduces poverty.

Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) announced a three-year extension of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme on July 9, 2026. The extension, backed by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), will protect an additional 3.3 million children and women from malnutrition. Combined with prior enrollment, the program’s total reach will grow to 8 million people since its 2020 launch.

Sports bind people, as they are not just fun or leisure activities, but rather a form of social cause helping tackle issues like poverty. Sports like cricket have helped children from impoverished backgrounds become some of the most popular household names.

The Gambia’s oyster industry is emerging as a powerful example of how women-led conservation and entrepreneurship can reduce poverty while protecting the environment. The TRY Oyster Women’s Association, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) FISH4ACP Program, is a grassroots organization representing hundreds of female oyster harvesters.

Food waste accounts for 11% of Singapore’s total waste and has placed pressure on the country’s only landfill, which is expected to reach capacity by 2035. To address the problem, Singapore has introduced initiatives to manage food waste, including recycling, redistribution and treatment. Managing food waste in Singapore will support the country’s goal of becoming a zero-waste nation while helping reduce poverty and food insecurity in its communities.

Though Sierra Leone is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, this West African country also faces persistent poverty. Inflation, minimal career opportunities and unequal access to resources and education contribute to almost two-thirds of citizens living below the poverty line. Repeated media coverage of tragedies in Sierra Leone, such as civil war, natural disasters and disease outbreaks, often deters tourists from visiting and supporting local businesses.