What We Do

Nearly half of the world’s population — more than 3.5 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 700 million people live in extreme poverty (less than USD $1.90 a day), the majority of whom are in Africa and Asia.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada tackles the root causes of this poverty through a holistic and interconnected set of programs. These initiatives address people’s most pressing needs and enable them to unlock their full potential, with a particular focus on marginalized groups like women and girls.

Our programs aim to ensure access to high quality education and health care, ensure food security, improve economic well-being, and develop resilient communities and societies.

Primary health care and the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has underscored the importance of primary health care systems, both in the global response to the pandemic and in keeping people healthy through the delivery of essential services.

Side effects: How COVID-19 is putting gender equality gains at risk

By Lindsay Mossman, Senior Gender Equality Advisor
How old you are, where you live, your race, your ethnic background, and your socioeconomic status all affect how your world has changed since the pandemic began. Gender is no exception.

Back-to-school, but not back to normal: Lessons from our field programs

By Tracey Evans, Program Manager, Education
Educators, parents, and policymakers around the world have grappled with a common question for months: how to keep children safe while learning?

A Canadian in Kenya

When he first heard about the coronavirus in early February, Liam Thorne was working as a monitoring and evaluation fellow supporting health programming in Kisii, Kenya.

Unmasking new opportunities in a time of crisis

With the outbreak of COVID-19, Istoray’s business ground to a sudden halt. A lockdown order on the market where Istoray’s business operated caused her, and many others to lose their business and income.

Growing crops, nurturing a community

After the spread of COVID-19, many, including Kimya’s eldest son, a rental driver, lost their jobs. But the greenhouse has enabled their family to weather the pandemic.

Bridging the gap by supporting communities

Community health volunteers (CHVs) play a crucial role in the healthcare system in Kenya.

“Each of us can contribute.”

As a vaccine for COVID-19 has yet to be produced, prevention is the only way to stop the spread of this disease. Community awareness is key to the success of such initiatives.

Fighting fear and misinformation on three wheels

Thanks to COVID-19 prevention training provided by a Canadian-supported program, Maria learned that prevention was something she could help control.