ABOUT US
Love Forward is helping to break generational cycles of abuse and poverty by providing a higher education and individualized support for those most marginalized in our global community.
WHERE WE WORK
Building on 10 prior years of success of the Arms of Love ILP program, Love Forward launched its inaugural programs in Nicaragua, the Philippines, and India in 2018 and was sponsoring about 40 students in local universities by the fall of 2018.
A country of incredible beauty with people known for their warmth and hospitality, Nicaragua blends many different cultures and influences. Unfortunately, a history of military conflicts and natural disasters contributed to Nicaragua becoming the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Nicaragua has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Latin America, and the country has struggled to protect young women from gender-based violence.
The Philippines is one of the world’s largest archipelago nations with a rich diversity of people groups. Although the Philippines has experienced significant economic growth, poverty remains widespread in the Philippines. There are significant gender inequalities that result from financial dependency, unemployment, lack of educational attainment, and a patriarchal culture, and the Philippines remains an international hub for prostitution and commercial sex tourism.
Kolkata (Calcutta) is the third most-populous metropolitan area in India. Kolkata was the center for the movement that led to India’s independence in 1947, but it subsequently suffered from decades of economic decline. Kolkata’s economy is now rebounding, but the 2020 report of the World Economic Report ranks India as one of the lowest five countries in the world for economic participation and opportunity for women, as well as health and survival.
Pakistan
The fifth most populous country in the world, Pakistan has an emerging economy with a fast-growing middle class. Nevertheless, in 2020, it was ranked 151 out of 153 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index published by the World Economic Forum. Less than half of women are literate and less than one-quarter participate in the labor force. Love Forward plans to start its program in Pakistan in 2021-2022.