Saint Lucia's economic and poverty data ahead of IPF’s 2027 assembly. It contrasts the official 2016 poverty rate with recent gains, such as unemployment falling and expanded public assistance. It highlights Saint Lucia's ongoing 2025–2026 household survey, celebrating the nation's proactive effort to update its data to better fight poverty.

Behind every five-second photo, there are five months of tireless work. As International Director of the International Poverty Forum, Shabakie Fernandes leads with a belief that true impact goes far beyond immediate relief. From delivering brand-new footwear to children through the No Bare Soles initiative to addressing the root causes of systemic poverty, Shabakie’s vision restores dignity and hope to vulnerable communities around the globe. Read on for an insider look at her journey, her philosophy on meaningful aid, and how IPF is preparing for its 2027 Annual Assembly in Saint Lucia.

On the 10th anniversary of its founding, in partnership with the government and people of Saint Lucia, IPF brings its global, action-driven approach to poverty eradication to the Caribbean for the first time, March 18-19, 2027.

If you stop by Caring For Others on a weekday, there is a good chance Miss Cammie will be there. She will have been there yesterday, too. And the day before. Since 2011, she has shown up — full-time, as a volunteer — for what she calls her God-given gift.

“My gift to me is service,” she says. “So when I come to Caring For Others, I feel like I’m giving a service to the people.”

It started in a warehouse. Wesley Myrick was volunteering with Caring For Others, sorting items for a disaster distribution, when something clicked. “It was through this experience of taking something procured with love and preparing it for distribution to restore dignity that I first came to love the work of the IPF,” he says.

For Dr. Eslene Richmond-Shockley, a return to Guyana is a powerful reckoning with the urgent work of lifting others out of the "disease of poverty". This post explores the transformative impact of Shockley Solutions in action—from disaster relief for a fire victim to the expansion of the MISI micro-grant program for senior female farmers. By replacing awareness with measurable outcomes, the International Poverty Forum is turning compassion into sustainable economic engines, proving that a "hand up" can redefine possibility for entire communities.

Crystal Khalil has been a pivotal force within the International Poverty Forum (IPF) for over 11 years, serving as a dedicated change agent committed to delivering life-changing results. Her journey with us began during her tenure as Head of Procurement at Porsche, where she remained intentional about aligning her professional success with a higher purpose. She remains focused on bridging the gap between discussing the "idea" of poverty and delivering tangible, measurable change for the communities we serve.

The International Poverty Forum’s presence in Antigua is a deep-seated commitment to modeling poverty eradication through local leadership and a relational model built on trust. By maintaining a year-round presence, we bridge the gap between foundational relief and transformative growth, providing a consistent pipeline of essential goods to those in need. Our work is best demonstrated through "Shockley Solutions," such as the community grant that empowered Rhonda Spencer to launch her own culinary enterprise. These dignified investments ensure that local entrepreneurs become the sustainable engines of their own economy, turning individual potential into a permanent community asset. Ultimately, Antigua serves as a global blueprint for proving that when we combine micro-investment with shared humanity, poverty no longer defines possibility.

Driven by the Shockley Solution, the International Poverty Forum (IPF) and Caring For Others South Africa are turning compassion into measurable progress across vulnerable communities like Gugulethu, Parkwood, and Langa. By focusing on foundational pillars—such as distributing grocery hampers to families in need and providing life-sustaining water in Aurora—and transformative pillars, such as Early Childhood Development scholarships and sustainable community gardens, the organization offers a "hand up, not a handout." From feeding over 1,400 people on Mandela Day to planning school-based food pantries for 2026, these efforts prove that collective action can eradicate the disease of poverty while restoring individual dignity and hope.

We sat down with Jonathan Matthews, our Head of Marketing and Operations, to pull back the curtain on the "expertise of empathy." From the logistics of the first 48 hours to the deeply personal connection Jonathan has to the Westmoreland Parish, this interview explores how we move with urgency without sacrificing the dignity of those we serve.

Caring For Others honors the remarkable life and legacy of Minister Sharna Fernandez, a visionary leader whose compassion and commitment were instrumental in establishing CFOSA. From her transformative leadership in the Western Cape to her powerful presence at the International Poverty Forum, her life remains a testament to the power of servant leadership.

The 9th Annual Christmas Party and Toy Distribution in Linden serves as a powerful activation of the International Poverty Forum’s mission to eradicate the "disease" of poverty. By providing children with toys, footwear, and hygiene products, the initiative addresses the foundational pillars of clothing and health with tangible, high-quality resources. The addition of food baskets for senior citizens and single mothers further strengthens the family ecosystem and ensures regional food security. This effort reflects the "Shockley Solution" model, guided by the vision of Mrs. Eslene Richmond-Shockley. The event reinforces a brand voice that is compassionate, action-oriented, and rooted in shared dignity. Ultimately, this success proves that strategic coordination can turn compassion into a "hand up" that empowers the most vulnerable.

Atlanta Volunteers Load First Container of Nearly 18,540 Items. The International Poverty Forum (IPF), powered by Caring for Others, is mobilizing emergency relief for the people of Jamaica following recent storms that have left families and communities in urgent need of assistance.

In partnership with Delivering Good, IPF, powered by Caring For Others, will be providing more than 18,540 essential items - tangible proof of compassion in motion.