Building a Better World Together: Celebrating Canada’s Global Impact

Last year I had the opportunity to visit a community in northern Ghana where a Canadian-funded, Children Believe project was just getting started. Arriving at this place on the edge of the Sahara Desert during dry season, I saw with dismay how access to water can be a life or death struggle. We followed Saadia, a mother of four, to the local water source and saw how she was forced to skim from just a few inches of dirty water for her family to have enough to drink. And we heard how during this lean time, they only had enough food to eat one bowl of porridge per day. Inconsistent weather was only making things worse.

Choices were being stolen from Saadoa and her children. Parents living under these terrible circumstance were having to decide between whether to eat, or pay for their children’s education. And even while at school, hunger limited their ability to concentrate on their studies. The cycle of poverty was running rampant.

But, after talking with families and walking through their community, I was given a glimpse of the positive things that were just starting to be made possible by this groundbreaking Children Believe project funded by a Government of Canada grant. The Championing Nutrition and Gender Equality (CHANGE) project, a multi-million-dollar initiative in both Ghana and Ethiopia, is now beginning to make big strides to improve lives with a goal of reaching 385,000 of the poorest and most marginalized women and their families over the next five years.

In these places where inequality means that women and girls typically eat the least and the last, the CHANGE project has initiated a series of workshops to engage husbands and change mindsets about the traditional gender roles that can hold communities back. As a result, we’re already seeing empowered women entrepreneurs gaining access to the resources they need to start small businesses, earn more income and improve the diet of their families. And at the same time, we’re removing severe obstacles like poor health services, especially for women and girls. Local teams have already been sharing some very encouraging and tangible results. In the first year of program implementation, there has been the  planting of robust gardens, training for improving farm yields and the means to store food during times of plenty so that it last through times of hardship. CHANGE is happening.

Celebrating Canadian Impact

This is why celebrating International Development Week is so important. Because we have an opportunity to reflect on Canada’s profound impact on global development and the lives we’ve touched beyond our borders. Our nation’s longstanding commitment to international assistance has helped replicate this success in communities worldwide, demonstrating that Canadian values extend far beyond our geographical boundaries.

Canada’s approach to international development is rooted in the belief that when we help others rise, we all benefit. Through strategic partnerships and targeted investments, Canadian assistance has been instrumental in transforming lives, particularly for women and girls in developing nations. This focus on gender equality isn’t just about fairness – it’s about effective and sustainable development. When women and girls have access to education, nutrition, and opportunities, entire communities prosper. And so does everyone around the world.

The impact of Canadian development assistance is particularly visible in education and nutrition programs like the CHANGE project because it recognizes them as both a barrier to education and an opportunity, particularly for women and girls. When girls receive proper nutrition, they’re better able to learn, grow, and participate fully in their education. These girl graduates can then serve as role models, change agents and leaders for the next generation. This holistic approach goes beyond basic education – it creates a ripple effect that transforms societies. When girls complete their education and maintain good health through proper nutrition, they marry later, have healthier children, and are more likely to participate in driving both local and global economies.

The importance of looking beyond our borders cannot be overstated in today’s interconnected world. Climate change, food insecurity, and economic instability don’t respect national boundaries. By helping vulnerable communities build resilience and capacity, we’re not just being altruistic – we’re investing in global stability and prosperity that benefits everyone, including Canadians.

The world’s most marginalized people like Saadia in Ghana, aren’t asking for charity; they’re asking for the opportunity to live the life they choose to live. Through education, nutrition, empowerment, and support, Canada and Canadians are helping to provide those opportunities. As we reflect on our impact this week, let’s take pride in our nation’s contributions while recognizing that our work isn’t finished. Together, we can continue to build a world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.