Stories about Development from May, 2014
Rwanda: The Good, the Bad and the Hopeful
Although Rwanda has made great strides in recovering from the 1994 genocide, advocacy groups continue to report human rights violations.
“How are We Malagasy Supposed to Provide School Supplies and Medications for our Children ?”
Malagasy blogger Tojo Fehizoro posted a spreadsheet that summarized the minimum cost of basic supplies for a Malagasy family of 4 with 2 children, 10 and 7 years old respectively. The spreadsheet lists the cost and description of each item [mg] and the combined salary of both parents: Monthly Income Monthly...
Creating Biogas from Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinth (water weed) is a menace in Bangladesh which restricts water flow and blocks sunlight in rivers and ponds contributing to contamination and killing of fish. Instead of spending much in removing or eradicating them they can be used for a good cause. Kristin Boekhoff at Panigram blog informs...
Property Prices a Source of Sticker Shock for Expats in Hong Kong
Expats flock to the city for the high quality of life and abundant work opportunities, but many say rental property prices are too expensive for the average worker.
A Low-cost Solution to Heal Cataract in Sub Saharan Countries
One of the main causes of blindness in sub saharan countries are cataracts. A group of french physicians has developed a surgical kit called “Phacokit” to treat at low-cost individuals suffering from cataract and help them recover their eyesight [fr]: Pour vaincre la cataracte, principale cause de cécité, notamment dans les pays pauvres,...
An Open Letter to the President of Madagascar on Land Leases to Microsoft and the Zurich Zoo
In an open letter to the new President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina and other elected officials, the Association for the protection of Malagasy Lands asks that several aspects of the contracts regarding the recent land leases be clarified to the general public [fr] : nous demandons une clarification de la part des autorités...
Bangladesh's Economy Remains Stable, Analysis Finds
Equity analyst and blogger Asif Khan posts a brief economic update of Bangladesh in his blog. According to the analysis, despite political uncertainties the economy looks stable and inflation remains under control: The chances of an interim election in the next 12 months look slim. Current account surpluses continue, currency...
“Ban” From Barbados Central Bank Prompts Defense of Press Freedom
Barbados' Central Bank Governor attempts to strip a newspaper of its privileges, prompting a barrage of blog posts questioning his suitability to the post and supporting freedom of the press.
VIDEO: Mining Mogul Brags About the Unbelievable “Deal” He Scored for Zambia's Copper
A video of the owner of Vedanta Resources bragging about the unbelievable deal he cut with Zambia’s government for a copper mine 9 years ago, has appalled many Zambians.
Meet Khadija, a Motorcycle Repairwoman Breaking Boundaries in Bangladesh
BRAC blog profiles how girls in Bangladesh are learning lucrative yet unconventional trades for women. Khadija, for example, was forced to drop out of school before finishing fifth grade to help support her family. Not so strange, given that only 55 percent of children in Bangladesh complete their primary education. But now,...
Tips for Being a First World Country
Mexican Alfredo Cortés de Café Financiero reflects [es] after a trip to Canada about things and attitudes that in this country mean to belong to the “first world”: I want to mention the simplest things I observed, that we all could accomplish; and as a whole this is what makes...
Madagascar to Start Distributing Crude Oil Locally and Hope to Boost Job Market
L'Express reports that the Madagascar Oil Group will start testing distribution of 55,000 to 73,000 barrels [fr] of crude oil from Tsimiroro, Madagascar onto the local market. It is part of the new government strategy to ingnite economic recovery and strive for energy independence [fr]. The oil exploitation is also expected to create new jobs for local...
Saint Lucians Defend Country's Image After Hotelier's Murder
After a rich businessman is murdered in St. Lucia, netizens discuss the impact his killing might have on the international perception of the island and by extension, its tourism industry.
Pity for the Poor, or When Do We Get to Hear the Good News?
When NGOs communicate, they often go for narratives of distress and disaster instead of showing progress and potential. The result is a distorted and stereotyped view of the world.
Jamaica: Let's Get Together and Feel…Miserable?
A country ranking by The Cato Institute based on the misery index has listed Jamaica, the land where everything is "irie", as the 5th most miserable country in the world.
Retaking the Streets of Puerto Rico…On a Bicycle
In some urban areas of Puerto Rico, more and more people choose to leave their cars in favor of cycling.
Alternative Voices Speaking For A Secular Bangladesh
Bangladeshi liberal humanist, free-thinker and award winning blogger Asif Mohiuddin has been invited to speak at the World Humanist Congress 2014 in Oxford, UK. He was arrested multiple times for his alleged ‘anti-state’ and ‘anti-religious’ writings, attacked by fundamentalists, and is living with death threats. Here is an excerpt from...
Protest against Goods and Services Tax Became Malaysia’s Biggest May Day Rally
Tens of thousands in Malaysia joined the May Day rally organized by the opposition to oppose the Goods and Services Tax which the government will start collecting next year.
Trinidad & Tobago: From One Government to Another
Our country cannot continue exporting our jobs, capital and skilled people in favour of unexamined and undisclosed foreign policies. Afra Raymond says that the current Government to Government arrangements are a direct threat to Trinidad and Tobago’s fundamental interests.
