BRAZIL: FUNDING FAMILIES, FEEDING MINDS
President Lula lifted millions of Brazilians out of extreme poverty and at the heart of his social policies was Bolsa Familia, his family grant scheme that has been much praised abroad. But how key a role was actually played by Bolsa Familia?
Fundacion Esperanza: Bringing Hope to the Dominican Republic and Haiti
Claudia Pompa describes the mission of microfinance institute, Esperanza Internacional.
KIVA – Alleviating Poverty Through Lending
KIVA is a non-profit organisation that creates worldwide networks of microfinance institutions to alleviate poverty.
Compartamos: From Nonprofit to Profit
Compartamos Bank in Mexico. Behind its gentle image is a tough, highly lucrative bank. Bloomberg Business Week Magazine reports.
Inter-American Development Bank Report on Microfinance in Latin America and the...
A new report on microfinance in Latin America and the Caribbean shows that the sector is growing strongly.
Fundacion Paraguaya: Committed to Improving the Life of Women in Paraguay
Claudia Pompa reports on Fundacion Paraguaya -- its mission, history and successes.
MEXICO: THE NEO-LIBERAL ‘DRUGS WAR’
A new book looks beyond the clichés to examine the causes of the violence associated with illegal drugs trafficking in Mexico. LAB talks to one of its authors, Peter Watt.
WHY ONLY LOPEZ OBRADOR CAN SAVE MEXICO
The next six years of Mexican history may be be critical for its long-term future, as there is much to repair and heal. For this reason, only AMLO can save Mexico, argues British journalist Matt Kennard.
PARAGUAY: BRAZILIAN EXPANSIONISM
The rapid growth of large soya monocultures, mainly in Brazilian hands, is leading to 9,000 peasant families being forced off their land each year. This is fuelling land conflict, says Perla Álvarez, from the rural women's organisation, Conamuri.
Rio+20: where are the favelados?
The conference slogan is "The Future We Want" but few local population have been asked what they think. Verena Brähler and Felicitas Röhrig report for LAB from Rio.