Back in 2020, we ran a story about a humanitarian project in Togo organized by the non-profit GiveDirectly, UC Berkeley, and Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy. Its aim: use AI to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of money to the poorest populations in the country. Now some of … [Read more...] about How AI helped Togo’s poorest citizens
Poverty
Cash transfer to DC community creates tangible and emotional benefits
At The Optimist Daily, we love success stories about sustainable urban policies. A recent study by the Urban Institute reports that trust was critical to delivering funds to households in need and improving their mental health at the same time. THRIVE East of the River In … [Read more...] about Cash transfer to DC community creates tangible and emotional benefits
How raising a tax credit for struggling families can reduce child neglect
Our children are our future, but sadly enough, child neglect is a major problem in the US. In fact, an estimated one-third of children are subject to a child protective services investigation before the age of 18. Research has found that the stress of poverty is often linked to … [Read more...] about How raising a tax credit for struggling families can reduce child neglect
2019 was the best year so far for humanity
If you’re feeling low about the state of the world, consider this: In the long arc of human history, 2019 has been the best year ever. As Nicholas Kristof from The New York Times highlights, since modern humans emerged about 200,000 years ago, 2019 was probably the year in … [Read more...] about 2019 was the best year so far for humanity
Women in rural Zimbabwe weave their way out of poverty
The Lupane Women’s Centre was created ten years ago in a drought-prone area of Zimbabwe where extreme poverty and bouts of harsh hunger were the norm. Now the basket-weaving enterprise counts 3,638 members and average earnings have increased from one dollar to 50 dollars a … [Read more...] about Women in rural Zimbabwe weave their way out of poverty