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. We bring together human, financial, and technical resources to some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, with an emphasis on women and girls, investing in human potential, expanding opportunity, and improving quality of life.

Dispatch from the field: Finding inspiration from your office

Emma Bell-Scollan was part of the 2016-2017 cohort of the International Youth Fellowship Program. She was placed with the University

Dispatch from the field: From the framework to the field

Marc Lombardi was part of the 2016-2017 cohort of the International Youth Fellowship Program. He was placed as a Monitoring and Evaluation Fellow in Aga Khan Foundation Uganda.

“There is so much good going on…”

As September turned into October, six Canadians from different walks of life embarked on a journey through Kenya to get a glimpse into the work AKFC is supporting around the world.

Feeding Her Community

Lal and Samantha live worlds apart, but their lives are more similar than it seems at first glance.

We are there

For vulnerable communities in remote, high mountain valleys across Central Asia, lives are changing.

“Girls are like birds”: How girls are reaching new heights in East Africa

There are four tall trophies on Yadah Mouzamin’s desk at Nyai Primary School. They are a dull gold and have masking tape labels, the one I can see reading “U14 Boys 2016 Champions.”

Dispatch from the field: Supporting dairy farmers in Bangladesh

I’ve been in Bangladesh for more than two months now, working with CARE Bangladesh on their programming to help rural farmers improve their agricultural practices – and incomes.

Dispatch from the field: Don’t hit hard, hit home – A lesson in journalism from Kenya

I found Jesca Ciahcabi sitting beneath the shade of a crispy, brown banana tree. I reached for a handshake, but instead she hugged me. We were in Ndiruni, a small village roughly three hours northeast of Nairobi.

Dispatch from the field: “Don’t worry, be happy”

Laura Fortin – a native of Montreal – was an International Youth Fellow in 2015-16. She was placed in Uganda for eight months to support Aga Khan Foundation’s education programming in the region, and still lives there today.