A recent article published on the Unbound platform highlights how a mother in Nairobi, Kenya, has begun transforming her family’s life using the Poverty Stoplight, a tool originally developed by Fundación Paraguaya.
This case shows not only that Paraguay’s success in social inclusion can be shared with the world, but also that women across continents face similar challenges — and, above all, share the same determination to grow, move forward, and build a life of dignity.
In Nairobi, the participant lived in conditions of extreme poverty: her home consisted of a single room that served as both kitchen and bedroom, without electricity or modern sanitation. By applying the Poverty Stoplight — internationally recognized for its simplicity and ease of use — she was able to identify her main areas of vulnerability (marked in red) and begin a concrete process to turn those indicators green.
The result: a family that started saving regularly, redefining priorities, and building a path toward prosperity. “When they ask if your stove uses charcoal or gas… you realize you are the one living in poverty. So, you get motivated to work hard not to feel left behind,” reads part of the article.
This story strongly resonates in Paraguay. Here too, many women in rural areas face similar struggles — precarious housing, informal income, limited access to services — and the same drive to create lasting change. The Poverty Stoplight, now implemented in nearly 60 countries worldwide, has proven to be a key tool to guide that process.
When a woman in Paraguay looks at her reality through this tool — just like the mother in Nairobi — she begins a journey of transformation: identifying her challenges, setting goals, engaging her community, and moving step by step toward dignity.
What makes the Poverty Stoplight so powerful is that it doesn’t require complex infrastructure. It’s intuitive, visual, and adaptable to every context. That flexibility allows it to be used just as effectively in the neighborhoods of Nairobi as in the communities of the Paraguayan Chaco. Trust is built when people can map their own strengths and weaknesses — and witness how their efforts turn red indicators into green ones.
Ultimately, the value of this tool lies in its ability to empower people as true agents of change. In Nairobi, the mother is no longer a passive beneficiary but a leader of her own progress. In Paraguay, countless women follow that same path, proving that poverty is not a permanent condition — it is a challenge that can be overcome with purpose, community, and action.
With its internationally proven model, Fundación Paraguaya offers a clear response: social development is more than theory — it’s practical, measurable change. And today, thanks to this tool born in Paraguay and now thriving in Nairobi, we can proudly say that we are helping vulnerable families around the world — and at home — move forward.
👉 Read the full international story here: https://www.unbound.org/news-stories/child-sponsorship/poverty-stoplight-improving-saving