Livelihood services play a crucial role in bridging these gaps, providing essential skills, financial literacy, and job opportunities that empower individuals to support themselves and their families.
Throughout the world, millions of underprivileged individuals struggle to build stable, fulfilling lives. The reasons for their circumstances vary. Some face difficulties such as financial hardship and lack access to job opportunities. Others face social discrimination or are held back by their limited education. From migrant workers to single parents to people with disabilities, they face systemic barriers preventing them from achieving financial independence or stability.
Livelihood services play a crucial role in bridging these gaps, providing essential skills, financial literacy, and job opportunities that empower individuals to support themselves and their families. By equipping at-risk communities with the tools to build sustainable careers and self-sufficient lives, these programs create long-term, transformative change.
Many organizations are leading the way in providing these vital livelihood services. Below, we explore the impactful work of three such organizations that are improving lives through education, employment support, and social inclusion.
One-Forty: Supporting Migrant Workers in Taiwan, China
Migrant workers in Taiwan face significant challenges, including financial instability, limited job opportunities, and social discrimination. One-Forty is dedicated to addressing these issues by equipping migrant workers with the education and resources they need to build sustainable livelihoods.
One-Forty has two core programs that that directly address these challenges:
- Migrant Learning Network Program: provides online and offline courses in entrepreneurship, financial management, language, and computer science. The program helps them to develop practical skills that they can use both in Taiwan and in their hometowns.
- DEI Public Advocacy program: aimed at combating discrimination, the program organizes events that produce mutual understanding, compassion, and empathy between the migrant workers and the Taiwanese community. These events include concerts, exhibitions, and interactive sessions, portraying migrant workers as more than just laborers.
Since 2015, One-Forty has helped over 5,000 workers complete educational programs, and currently reaches 92,000 individuals through its courses. Workers who have completed their training have created businesses and found lucrative jobs, learning new skills which can be transferred back to their hometowns. Additionally, over 200,000 Taiwainese natives have participated in cultural events, promoting greater acceptance of migrant workers into the Taiwanese community.
Social Health Growth Ltd: Empowering Single Parents in Singapore
Single-parent families, particularly unwed mothers, often face immense challenges in securing stable employment and providing for their children. In Singapore, Social Health Group Ltd. (SHG) is committed to supporting these families by fostering self reliance and financial independence.
SHG’s programs focus on equipping single parents with essential life skills, including:
- Mentoring and Empowerment Courses – These courses help parents build resilience and confidence, enabling them to secure meaningful employment and provide for their families.
- Financial and Computer Literacy Training – Parents learn how to manage expenses, create budgets, and apply for jobs by writing effective cover letters and resumes.
- Educational Support for Children – SHG offers enrichment courses to help children develop a positive approach to learning and academic success.
With more than 9,500 beneficiaries to date, SGH has played a pivotal role in transforming lives. Many participants have returned to SHG to become coaches and mentors, passing on the support and knowledge they once received to help others achieve financial stability and personal growth.
Eden Social Welfare Foundation: Lifting Up the Disabled in Taiwan, China
There are over 1.2 million disabled individuals in Taiwan who struggle to get by with their impairments. These individuals have difficulty finding work and living on their own, causing a loss of independence, and decreasing their confidence in taking care of themselves. Eden Social Welfare Foundation confronts this issue by providing vocational training and employment services to disabled individuals.
ESWF has three programs which take care of disabled individuals:
- Elephant Circle — Identifies disabilities at an early age and works with schools to bolster self-confidence and promote positive learning environments.
- Eden Shelter Workshop — Provides training and career guidance to disabled individuals and helps integrate them into ordinary workplaces.
- Evergreen Home — ESWF takes in elderly over 65 years old, some of whom have dementia and visual impairments, and provides them with home-care services.
The services ESWF provides disabled individuals not only promotes social inclusion and self-worth but also provides them with the skills needed for professional development. Their work is a testament to the power of employment in fostering dignity, self worth, and independence. Their work is a testament to the power of employment in fostering dignity, self-worth, and independence.
The Transformative Power of Livelihood Services
Providing at-risk communities with access to livelihood services is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change. Programs like those offered by One-Forty, SHG, and ESWF not only help individuals build financial stability but also empower them to take control of their futures and contribute positively to their communities.
Discover more about our partners and join us in supporting these life-changing initiatives today.