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Poverty & World Hunger Theme Page

POVERTY & WORLD HUNGER

2.6 Billion

people do not have access to Internet 🔗

350 million

people around the world are experiencing the most extreme form of hunger right now 🔗

2.2 Billion

people still lack access to safely managed drinking water services 🔗

Millions are denied access to food, housing, and education. Explore how you can take action to fight poverty and support economic justice for all.

SUBTOPICS

Homelessness
Food Insecurity
Access to Basic Needs
Digital Literacy
Financial Literacy
Education
Economic Justice

MEET OUR AMBASSADORS FOR POVERTY & WORLD HUNGER

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Joshua Williams

Founder of Joshua's Heart Foundation

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Vidhi Miglani

Founder of DhanSarthi

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David Onilude

Founder of Tech Now Global, Co-founder of Beere Software

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Zachary Bonner

Founder of Little Red Wagon Foundation

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Ana Tona

Founder of O Mundo Ler (O'mbala)

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Claire Chi

Founder of Dancing Against Hunger

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Siyabonga Hans

Co-founder of SL Africa Sports

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Jawad Araf Khan

Founder of Trio Business Cubers Limited, Founder of Success2Success

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Prince Kevin Ogoo

Founder of Kev Connect

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Rachel Labi

Co-founder of Building Financial Freedom

OUR PARTNERS FOR POVERTY & WORLD HUNGER

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Dr. Hans Hoogeveen

Independent Chairperson of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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Joshua Coombes

Founder of the "Do Something For Nothing" Movement

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Gédéon Baleke

Founder of Congolese Young Leaders

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Joshua Williams

FOUNDER OF JOSHUA'S HEART FOUNDATION

Joshua Christopher Williams is a globally recognized social entrepreneur, philanthropist, strategist, and systems architect. His journey began at age four in Miami when he gave a $20 gift from his grandmother to a hungry man—an early act of compassion that sparked a lifelong mission to fight hunger and poverty. At seven, he founded Joshua’s Heart Foundation (JHF), a youth-led nonprofit addressing food insecurity and empowering young leaders. Now 24, he continues to lead JHF, which has transformed that original $20 into over $5.5 million of impact—reaching 700,000+ people, distributing 7.5 million pounds of food, and mobilizing over 60,000 youth volunteers worldwide.

Joshua holds a B.S. in Business with concentrations in Finance and Management from NYU’s Stern School. He is the youngest-ever White House Champion of Change, honored by President Obama at age 11, and has been recognized by the United Nations, President Biden, and President Trump. His accolades include awards from BET, CNN, Nickelodeon, and global campaigns like Pass It On. Joshua’s work bridges grassroots action and systemic reform. He is currently building a stealth venture focused on economic models that address the structural roots of inequality—moving beyond aid to create long-term, self-sustaining solutions in finance, food systems, and infrastructure.

USA

Vidhi Miglani

FOUNDER OF DHANISARTHI

India

Vidhi Miglani, currently studying at Stanford University, is a financial literacy advocate committed to advancing economic empowerment and poverty alleviation for women across rural India. She is the founder of DhanSarthi, an organization focused on equipping women with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve financial independence. Through DhanSarthi, Vidhi has conducted over 300 financial literacy workshops, helped open 2,000 bank accounts for women in collaboration with financial institutions, and reached more than 20,000 individuals across 10 states through her Guide to Financial Literacy. Her initiatives have empowered over 5,000 rural women and established a network of 200 peer educators across four states. She is currently expanding her reach through an audiobook and podcast focused on financial education.

Vidhi’s work has been recognized with national and international accolades, including the Diana Award and the Financial Inclusion & Literacy Leadership Award from Awoke India. Her efforts have been featured in media outlets such as the Times of India, India Today, and The Daily Guardian. With a hands-on, community-driven approach, Vidhi supports rural women in navigating government schemes, accessing vocational training, and breaking down systemic barriers—building a self-sustaining ecosystem for economic equality and gender equity.

David Onilude

FOUNDER OF TECH NOW GLOBAL, CO-FOUNDER OF BEERE SOFTWARE​

Nigeria

David Onilude is a Nigerian Digital Literacy Advocate, Software Developer, and Social Entrepreneur focused on improving digital inclusion and access to quality education. He is the Founder of Tech Now Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the digital divide in underserved communities by equipping young people with essential skills for the modern world. David also co-founded Beere Software, where he leads innovative digital solutions for diverse industries, demonstrating his technical expertise and passion for social impact. 

His work has earned him numerous accolades, including being a Diana Award Recipient, Lagos State Youth Ambassador, Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree, Ashoka Young Changemaker, Future Awards Africa Nominee, and a Certified Fellow of the Management Institute of Finland.

Collaborating with leaders, institutions, and changemakers, David continues to champion initiatives that enhance digital inclusion and transform access to education across Africa.

Zachary Bonner

FOUNDER OF LITTLE RED WAGON FOUNDATION

USA

Zachary Bonner is an award-winning American philanthropist and founder of the Little Red Wagon Foundation, which he started at age 7 to support the 1.3 million homeless children in the U.S. By age 12, he became the youngest person to walk from the East Coast to the West Coast, completing over 2,500 miles to raise awareness through his “March Across America” and “My House to the White House” campaigns. He has distributed over 10,000 “Zachpacks” filled with essentials to children in need, organized events simulating homelessness for youth, and led the “Food for a Million” drive, collecting 566,600 pounds of food in 24 hours. Zachary has received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Points of Light Award, and Beliefnet’s Most Inspiring Person of the Year, and was the subject of the 2012 docudrama Little Red Wagon. He has spoken at national youth summits, including The Children’s Philanthropy Center Symposium, inspiring a movement around the message “You Matter! Let Your Voice Be Heard.” He also met with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill to advocate for stronger federal action on child homelessness and youth housing support. His advocacy continues to inspire youth activism across the U.S. and internationally.

Ana Tona

FOUNDER OF O MUNDO LER (O'MBALA)​

Angola

Ana Tona is an entrepreneur, trainer and education activist. Inspired by her own experiences of social inequality and limited access to schooling, Ana founded O Mundo Ler (O’mbala), an award-winning NGO that promotes literacy and entrepreneurship practices in Angola’s most underserved communities. Through OMBALA and as a YALI (Young African Leadership Initiative) alumna, Ana has helped impact over 1,000 individuals across 14 Southern African countries, reached 300+ out-of-school children, and donated 100+ books to shelters. Her work addresses SDGs 1, 4, and 5, centering education as a solution to broader challenges like gender inequality, poverty, and climate change.Ana recently began leading the Muhetu Project, funded by the UK Embassy in Angola and implemented with Days for Girls, empowering 70+ girls aged 9–21 from vulnerable communities with reproductive and sexual health education, menstrual hygiene kits, and food kit delivery for immediate nutrition support. The project aims to reduce early pregnancy, promote awareness of participants’ rights and combat social exclusion caused by menstrual poverty or an early pregnancy .

Ana is also a Global Youth Ambassador for Theirworld,  Angola’s Orange Corners Student Ambassador, a member of the UN Disaster Response Team, part of the Global Shapers Luanda Hub and a Customs Advisor at DHL Express, supporting sustainability.

Claire Chi

FOUNDER OF DANCING AGAINST HUNGER

USA

Claire is leading the youth movement to fight hunger. Her advocacy for food security policy has been recognized by the White House, late President George H.W. Bush, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PepsiCo, and more. At 16, Claire founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Dancing Against Hunger, which has engaged 4,100+ participants in fighting hunger nationwide. She has been honored as a Food Hero by Hormel Foods Corporation and an individual changing the world by Points of Light. She is the youngest-ever TED x Penn State speaker with her talk, “How Kids Can Lead the Fight Against Hunger,” which has been certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as required professional education for educators. In 2022, Claire was appointed Student Representative to the State Board of Education, representing 1.8 million K-12 students and advising the Secretary of Education on long-term education policy. During her two-year tenure, she advocated for Pennsylvania’s Free Breakfast Program, which has provided 1.7 million students across 500 school districts with free school breakfast daily since 2023. Over 91 million breakfasts were provided in the last year alone. Claire was recognized as the youngest-ever Pennsylvania Forty Under 40 honoree among the state’s most prominent government and business leaders. Appointed by the Governor, Claire is currently serving on his Advisory Commission for Next Generation Engagement. In her free time, she documents her college life at Stanford as a content creator, reaching 12+ million users.

Siyabonga Hans

CO-FOUNDER OF SL AFRICA SPORTS​

South Africa

Siyabonga Hans is a youth and economic justice activist from South Africa, deeply committed to advancing the economic emancipation of young people across the country. As the co-founder of SL Africa Sports, Siyabonga leads an organization recognized among the Top 100 Youth-Led NPOs by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). SL Africa Sports focuses on integrating physical wellness with academic excellence, ensuring that children and learners in under-resourced communities have equal access to physical education and life skills development.

In addition to his work with SL Africa Sports, Siyabonga serves as the Treasurer of the Eastern Cape Youth Chamber of Business and the South African Youth Trade Association (SAYTA). His work bridges sports, youth development, and economic empowerment—creating pathways for youth to thrive both physically and economically.

Siyabonga is passionate about building inclusive platforms that uplift marginalized communities and drive sustainable development through youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship.

Jawad Araf Khan

FOUNDER OF TRIO BUSINESS CUBERS LIMITED, FOUNDER OF SUCCESS2SUCCESS​

Bangladesh

Jawad Araf Khan is an award-winning entrepreneur, trainer, and speaker committed to reducing unemployment and poverty through skills development and entrepreneurship. He is the Founder of Trio Business Cubers Limited, a UK-based company that helps small and medium-sized businesses automate operations and expand their digital presence. He is also the Founder and Editor of Success2Success Magazine, which showcases inspiring stories and practical insights for aspiring professionals worldwide. In addition, he serves as a Business Development Representative for a leading software company in Texas.

An author of two nationally acclaimed books, Jawad is committed to educating and mentoring youth, providing free training, resources, and consultancy to help entrepreneurs launch and scale successful ventures. He conducts nationwide seminars and workshops to motivate young people to develop essential skills and achieve self-sufficiency, while offering a clear roadmap to monetize those skills for personal and professional growth. Jawad’s philanthropic work aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth). His work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Diana Award 2024 and the Icons of Asia Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Prince Kevin Ogoo

FOUNDER OF KEV CONNECT

Sierra Leone

Prince Kevin Ogoo is an award-winning young leader recognized for his impact in the fight against world hunger through innovation, research and advocacy around sustainable agriculture. He has received 25 international honors, including the Global Business Award, Global Youth Award, MEA Business Award, Global Recognition Award, Young Entrepreneur of the African Continent 2024/2025 (Global Entrepreneurship Week), and the Black History Youth Award. He founded Kev Connect, a USSD-based platform revolutionizing food supply chains by cutting logistics costs by 45% and helping smallholder farmers sell more efficiently—without needing internet or smartphones. His platform empowers illiterate and low-income farmers in remote areas, improving food access and household income. His initiatives have influenced communities in Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa and in India, through initiatives such as the Soil Cups project, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity. He has authored articles for top universities in Pakistan and is a sought-after speaker, recently making headlines advocating for gene editing as a tool for agricultural innovation and food security. At such a young age, Prince Kevin Ogoo has established a remarkable reputation and continues to strive for progress. Through his various initiatives and advocacy efforts, he is dedicated to improving the lives of others and ensuring a brighter future for communities both in Africa and around the world.

Rachel Labi

CO-FOUNDER OF BUILDING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

USA

Rachel Labi is an education and anti-trafficking advocate. At age 12, Rachel began anti-trafficking advocacy and has supported global organizations that fight labor exploitation. At 17, she co-founded Building Financial Freedom, her financial literacy organization that has educated audiences worldwide. Additionally, Rachel is a board representative for Lafayette Urban Ministry, and she is a member of both the Indiana Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority (IHCDA) YAB. In 2023, she served as an Institute for Youth in Policy Fellow and a YOUNGA Youth Delegate. Last year, Rachel was honored as a Her Campus e.l.f.ing Amazing 22 Under 22 Winner and served as a speaker for the UNA-USA OHCHR Youth Consultation on the International Day of Education.

Dr. Hans Hoogeveen

INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL OF THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Netherlands

Dr. Hans Hoogeveen is the Independent Chairperson of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2023. He previously served as the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to FAO and has chaired key bodies across FAO, IFAD, and WFP. A leader in global food systems and sustainable agriculture, he co-founded and currently co-chairs Champions 12.3, which works to halve global food loss and waste by 2030, and the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA). He is a political advisor to the World Bank and a special advisor to the UN Task Force on global food policy. Dr. Hoogeveen chaired the UN Forum on Forests Bureau, where he led negotiations to a historic international agreement on forests, earning a UN award. He has served on the Board of the World Agricultural Forum and Yale’s Governance, Environment and Markets Initiative, and is a Fellow at Forest Trends. Hans Hoogeveen has authored a book on Sustainable Development Diplomacy as well as a number of articles on sustainable development and natural resources policies. His academic posts include Professor of Practice in Natural Resource Policy at the Fletcher School of Law, visiting Professor Sustainable Development Diplomacy at Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands, and lead lecturer in European Policy. He has received many awards including the Commander of Gregorius (Holy See), and Commander de l’Orde Grand-Ducal de la Couronne de Chene.

Joshua Coombes

Founder of the "Do something for nothing" movement

UK

Joshua Coombes is a British author, speaker, and renowned hairdresser whose journey breaks the traditional boundaries of social change. As the founder of the groundbreaking movement “Do Something For Nothing,” he is on a mission to spark transformation through empathy, creativity, and action. In 2016, faced with the stark realities of homelessness in his community, Joshua recognized that change often begins with small, meaningful actions and began offering free haircuts to those living on the streets. This simple gesture not only restored dignity but fostered hope and community connection, proving that anyone can make a difference, igniting a movement that has reverberated across the globe. Today, he works in youth education, speaking with high school students on themes such as empathy, love, service, and human connection. His talks serve as a catalyst for students to harness their creativity and compassion to uplift both themselves and the people around them.

Gédéon Baleke

FOUNDER OF CONGOLESE YOUNG LEADERS

Democratic Republic of Congo

Gédéon Baleke is a Congolese diplomat, political analyst, entrepreneur, and youth leader dedicated to advancing peace, development, and youth empowerment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As a trained diplomat with a strong foundation in international relations, he has worked to strengthen the DRC’s engagement on the global stage and foster diplomatic cooperation. Gédéon is also a respected political actor, actively engaging in national discourse and advocating for progress through political initiatives. In parallel, he works as a business consultant, guiding organizations to navigate the complexities of the Congolese market through strategic insights and local expertise. He is the founder of Congolese Young Leaders, a youth-led initiative that promotes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and equips young people with the tools and knowledge to drive change in their communities. His work empowers youth to be active contributors to the country’s future. Through a unique blend of diplomacy, business strategy, and youth engagement, he continues to shape a vision of a self-reliant, prosperous, and youth-driven Congo.