According to the National Academies of Science Engineering & Medicine, many segments of the population have limited access to jobs, goods, services, health care, recreation, and social interaction because of a lack of transportation options. This can be particularly troublesome when it comes to health and social service access, causing some individuals in need to put off necessary treatment. One population that is particularly at risk: teenagers.

Extreme poverty remains a vexing problem worldwide. While global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, one in ten people in developing regions still lives on less than $1.90 a day – the internationally agreed poverty line, and millions of others live on slightly more than this daily amount.

Access Afya is a data-driven primary social enterprise delivering easy and affordable healthcare to residents of Nairobi’s informal settlements through a chain of micro-clinics, diagnostic centers and pharmacies.

The Foundation’s mission is to support and empower those working to bring about high impact and sustainable social change that improves communities and lives. To carryout this mission, the Foundation seeks to provide support through resources, thought leadership, and networking opportunities in addition to providing social entrepreneurs with pro bono legal assistance from Lex Mundi member firms.

Nicaragua and Honduras are among the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with fifty percent of the rural population living below the national poverty line. A large majority of the impoverished population in these countries lives in rural areas, where access to basic services is limited. In addition to living in remote areas and possessing little purchasing power, most rural families continue to live without access to clean drinking water and have little opportunity to generate income.

The 10th Annual Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation Awards were presented during the 2019 Lex Mundi Leadership Summit and Annual Conference in London. These awards honor Lex Mundi member law firms that have provided critical pro bono legal services – helping to strengthen the global rule of law, support the global social entrepreneurship movement and improve lives and communities around the world.