2015 marks the last year for
countries to meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as
set out by the United Nations. A set of eight goals with time-bound targets, drawn up
in 2000, they pledge to uphold principles of human dignity, equality and
equity, thus addressing some of the most pressing development challenges of the
present. Specifically, the MDGs sought to reduce extreme poverty and hunger by
half, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower
women, reduce under-five mortality rate, improve maternal health, combat the
spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other threatening diseases, ensure environmental
sustainability, including providing access to safe drinking water and
sanitation, and building a global partnership for development.
Over the years, considerable progress has been made in achieving the MDG targets. For example, the number of
people living in extreme poverty has reduced, while 90% of children in
development regions enjoy primary education, with more opportunities for
education accorded to both boys and girls. Achievements have also been made in
fighting malaria and tuberculosis, while more people now have access to
improved sources of water. Yet, more remains to be done.
For instance, did you know
that over a billion people still continue to live in extreme poverty? That is,
they live on less than $1.25 per day (£0.83). Poverty affects all aspects of a person’s
life and is especially hard on children. It affects their chances of obtaining
an education, leads to risks in diseases and illnesses and impacts their
security and well-being.
At Quest4Change, key in our
work in Africa and South America is helping children and vulnerable
communities, especially those living in poor conditions, to reach their full
potential. We do this by providing them new houses, improved access to
knowledge and education, and enhanced opportunities for development.
In Villa Maria, Peru, since
1997, we have built over 90 houses, while the Quest school provides invaluable
education for children. With most children living below the poverty line, in
shacks, often with no running water, sanitation or electricity, our efforts
have been geared towards addressing these needs. Furthermore, our volunteers
have also conducted recreational activities for children and communities,
creating new friendships among those who have had little interaction in the
past.
In Malawi, where there are a
lack of educational and health facilities in rural areas, we provide a secure and
healthy environment for orphans, vulnerable children and their families in and
around the Blantyre District, with project partner Joshua Orphan &
Community Care. In 2014, we constructed a staff room and library at the
Chilingani Primary School, while also renovating the Milo feeding centre and a
classroom at the Chibwana Junior Primary School.
In Rwanda’s capital Kigali,
many children live on the streets, having being orphaned or abandoned due to
conflict. Working with Ubaka U Rwanda, our mission is to help these children
build a more promising future away from the street. Thanks to the incredible
£6000 we received via the Big Give challenge, we can now start the construction
of a new home for 34 ex-street children.
This year, we will continue
our work in helping the most vulnerable in the communities we work with in
Africa and South America, empowering them, so that they are able to overcome
issues such as poverty. Not only that, with just 12 more months to go, our
efforts will be aimed at contributing towards global efforts of fulfilling a
number of Millennium Development Goals, especially those addressing hunger,
education, child mortality and access to sanitation.
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