2024: The Year in Pictures
Take a look back with us at the many ways we provide fair opportunities worldwide.
January: Keeping water clean
Water reservoirs—often artistically painted as shown here—are vital in Mali. They store water and keep it clean, thus ensuring people's health. In Mali, responsibility for the water supply usually lies with local communities, which often lack resources and skilled personnel. As a result, many are forced to use contaminated water from ponds or shallow wells. Thanks to donations from Switzerland, Helvetas supports villages with money and expertise. Together with communities, the appropriate infrastructure is selected, be it solar pumps or cisterns.
February: Helping hands in Ukraine
“Restored with the support of a community of friends.” Over 90 percent of humanitarian aid in Ukraine is provided by Ukrainian organizations. The Russian war of aggression has triggered an extraordinary wave of willingness to help: Before the war began, there were around 800 charitable organizations in Ukraine; by the end of 2022, their number had risen to over 6,000. Together with Swiss Solidarity, Helvetas is supporting more than 80 Ukrainian NGOs that are providing emergency aid such as food, hygiene kits and repairs to power lines in war-torn villages. Helvetas also provides tools and training for volunteer electricians. Another contribution is a barrier-free shelter that is accessible to people with disabilities—a decisive step towards greater safety and inclusion.
March: A job securing safe drinking water
Hareg Mamo (left) repairs a water pump. The 23-year-old was unemployed for a long time before she was trained as a well repairer through Helvetas' YES project in Amhara, Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a young population, many of whom are unable to find work. Today, Hareg and other young entrepreneurs offer water supply services. The project has two advantages: Hareg earns a regular income and defective pumps are quickly repaired so that they reliably supply water. The young well repairers visit the pumps once or twice a year. They are supported by a colleague (pictured behind the well) for difficult repairs.
April: Harvest of abundance
Eliane Mary lives with her children in the village of Ambodifinesy, Madagascar, and grows cocoa on the farm she inherited. With the support of Helvetas, she has improved her cultivation methods and now achieves higher yields. She also grows vanilla and beans, which provides her with additional income and a more balanced diet. After the loss of her parents, Eliane returned to the farm to provide for her children. She finances the school fees for Ynola (6) and Forlane (12) with income from cultivation and livestock farming. Despite many challenges, Eliane is proud of what she has achieved and continues to work hard to build a better future for her family.
May: A fresh start with new prospects
Young people like Alhasan Diallo take on immense hardships to find better living conditions. At the age of 16, Alhasan left Guinea and crossed the Ivory Coast, Mauritania and Libya, among other countries, dreaming of a better life in Europe. But the reality was characterized by exploitation, corruption and life-threatening situations. Disappointed, he returned to Guinea and settled in Conakry. Thanks to Helvetas' EJM project, he found new hope. This project offers education and vocational training for young migrants. Today, Alhasan is working towards a career in IT so that he can build a new life in Guinea.
June: Traveling with respect
Tourism is a recent phenomenon in Bhutan, and is deliberately designed to be sustainable to preserve nature and culture. Helvetas promotes sustainable tourism in the remote Haa Valley. This picture shows a homestay where travelers lodge with local families. A visitor center run by young people offers hosts training to improve their hospitality and overcome language barriers. The result is a tourism destination that benefits everyone: the rural population, the communities and the travelers. The project strengthens the region and enables authentic encounters in line with Bhutan's sustainable travel principles.
July: Theater for change
In the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, youth groups trained by Helvetas are actively working to raise awareness. Young Rohingya from the camp and young people from surrounding communities bring their messages to the stage through interactive theater plays. Using costumes and traditional songs, they address important issues such as the prevention of dengue fever. The serious consequences of early marriages are also vividly portrayed and followed attentively by an animated audience. The young people's missions promote exchange and respect between communities. They also provide rapid assistance in the event of disasters such as fires or floods, especially for the most vulnerable.
August: Emergency aid in the Amazon region
Devastating forest fires are raging in Bolivia, fanned by the extreme summer heat. Villages in Santa Cruz and Beni are in flames, smoke is paralyzing schools and many people are cut off from supplies. Over 40,000 people, including many from indigenous communities, are facing disaster. Firefighters are battling the flames day and night, risking their lives and threatening Bolivia's unique flora and fauna. In addition to emergency aid such as drinking water, food and medicine, Helvetas is supporting stricken communities over the long term; with agroforestry systems we are helping to rebuild destroyed livelihoods and strengthen resilience to future disasters.
September: Turning crises into cohesion
Young adults in Sri Lanka are thinking about how they can be useful to their community. With the support of Helvetas, they have founded a honey cooperative in Mihintale, a region affected by the economic crisis. This supports farmers in collecting, processing and selling honey. The initiative also promotes exchange in remote villages, reduces social problems and helps to break down old prejudices between Sinhalese and Tamil young people. Through their work, the young people create economic prospects and strengthen cohesion in their region. Despite crises and conflicts, they prove that a better and peaceful future is possible.
October: Security in difficult times
The current crisis in Lebanon is presenting many families with enormous challenges. In the first days of the escalation of violence, hundreds of thousands have already had to leave their homes and are dependent on support due to a lack of safe places to sleep, food and hygiene. Together with partner organizations, Helvetas is providing urgently needed relief supplies. Mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits are helping to alleviate the suffering and hot meals are giving people strength in these difficult times. Aid workers are working tirelessly to provide affected families with safety and protection.
November: Approaching the summit with heart and courage
Gulburak Begmataeva loves the mountains of her homeland, especially the majestic Lenin Peak above the Alay Valley. The young woman spends her summers with her family in one of the poorest regions of Kyrgyzstan. They used to earn a living from livestock farming, but this income can no longer meet their needs. Now sustainable tourism is giving them new hope. With Helvetas' support, Gulburak realized her dream of training as a mountain guide. One morning, when the summit appears in all its glory, she beams: “I feel free up here!” Her dream of making the mountains her profession also gives her community an opportunity to reduce poverty in the valley.
December: Hope for the little ones
The birthing center in Sinawongourou, Benin, is a hive of activity: Mothers bring their babies for their first vaccination, while the midwives also check the little ones' state of health. Thanks to Helvetas' support, the maternity ward has access to clean water, which makes conditions safer. In the past, families had to bring their own water for the birth, which was often contaminated, increasing the risk of infection and death for mother and child. The water connection now makes work easier: Examinations, births and postnatal care are more hygienic and the rooms can be cleaned more easily. The midwives are happy to be able to hand over a healthy baby to a mother more often these days.