Aside from Bangladesh's severe natural disadvantages, it has suffered from ineffective and corrupt governments ever since being established as a country in 1971.

Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, is in recovery from a long history of oppressive dictatorships, civil war and natural disasters. You can sponsor a child in Nicaragua here

Peru has experienced a variety of military and public governments since gaining independence from their Spanish colonisers in the mid-nineteenth century. You can sponsor a child in Peru here

Afghanistan is the poorest country in Asia, and perhaps the most war-torn, conflict-ridden country in the world. You can sponsor a child in Afghanistan here

Established in 1964, Tanzania suffered for many years under the policies of President Julius Nyerere. His government failed because of its inefficiency and corruption, and because of persistent social resistance to it. Sponsor a child in Tanzania

Since achieving independence in 1964, Ugandans have suffered at the hands of two different dictators. Several hundred thousand people lost their lives, and schools, hospitals, roads and industries were destroyed during the long years of conflict. Sponsor a child in Uganda here

Bolivia has a very troubled history, which until 1982, was characterised by many coups and counter-coups. The controversial policies of President Evo Morales, elected with an almost unprecedented majority of votes, have exacerbated tensions between different ethnic groups. He faces massive challenges with regard to poverty, civil unrest and illegal drug production and exportation.

Strong economic growth and the recent decrease in numbers of people contracting HIV point strongly toward its development as a nation. However, with 22% of its 176.3 million strong population still living below the poverty line, welfare is still a massive issue in Brazil. You can sponsor a child in Brazil here

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been afflicted by internal strife for the last ten years. This has led to the displacement of 4.3 million people and the fact that around 8 million children do not go to school. Extreme poverty and severe violence have led to the deaths of millions of people, and ensured that whilst the DRC has some of the biggest mineral, timber and agricultural reserves, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Sponsor a child in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) here

The Gambia is a very narrow, very densely populated strip of land almost totally surrounded by Senegal. Aside from a flaring of tensions with neighbouring Senegal over a military coup that overthrew the president in 1994, it is fortunate to have experienced long periods of peace. Sponsor a child in the Gambia here

Somaliland is an autonomous area of Somalia, in the Horn of Africa, which considers itself the natural successor state of the former British Somaliland protectorate. The war for independence from Somalia, which ended in 1993, claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Whilst it now experiences relative peace, poverty, unemployment and disease are widespread problems. Sponsor a child in Somaliland here

Rwanda's darkest days are hopefully behind it, but many deeply challenging months and years remain. Since the genocide of 1994, when a million people died and over two million fled to neighbouring countries, Rwandans have been slowly returning home. Sponsor a child in Rwanda here.

Nigeria, one of Africa's most populous nations, has suffered for many years from government corruption, which has compromised measures taken to eradicate poverty. The recently elected democratic government has failed to capitalise responsibly on Nigeria's significant oil revenues. Sponsor a child in Nigeria here

In Ethiopia, one of Africa's poorest countries, nearly 85% of people are dependent on subsistence farming. During recent years of civil strife, investment in agriculture and industry has been minimal. An oppressive state was toppled in 1991 and recent years have seen the establishment of multiparty democratic elections and the adoption of a constitution. Sponsor a child in Ethiopia

While Kenya is in some ways one of Africa's success stories, its economy has been struggling for some years now, and poverty is a growing problem. Kenya relies on the export of primary goods, the value of which has fallen even lower in the past year. The knock-on effects of the economic problems are that the average life expectancy is only 45 years, 1 in 9 children will die before their fifth birthday, and 43% of people do not have access to clean water. Sponsor a child in Kenya here