How can we even begin to do anything about poverty when the problem is so big?
Where do I start?
If I can't help anyone is it worth even doing anything?
I have struggled with some of these exact questions. The reality is that we are not asked to do it all ourselves. There are legitimate and trustworthy organizations in place that you can choose to partner with that you can help. One of these is World Vision.
Today, I had the privledge of going to LIFE Church in Olathe, Kansas and walking through the World Vision AIDS Experience. For those of you who have never heard of this, it is an exhibit that travels around the country. It is a simulation of an African village where you are given a headset to listen and tour around as a child in that village. There are four different children that you can possibly go through the experience as. My child, Mathabo, is 11 years old. She lives in a village in Lesotho, Africa. Her father died when she was young, probably of AIDS. Her mother had to leave because the family had no food or money and she went to South Africa to find work. Her older brother was abusive and left the family a few years later. At the end of this experience you find out if the child you are is HIV positive or not. To go through the virtual tour yourself and experience the life of a real child in Africa or to find out more about Mathabo you can visit www.worldvisionexperience.org.
If I can't help everyone, is it worth helping anyone? YES! A resounding YES! Just because you cannot change everyone in the world's situation, you may be able to change the fate of one, or a few. One option is through Child Sponsorship. I have had the privledge of sponsoring a child in Tanzania, Africa through an organization called Compassion International. While I have only done this for a few months, it has definately blessed me. There is something about helping others that changes in your heart when you are committed for the long term, not out of any kind of guilt, or resentment but because you truly desire to help another human being.
My child is going to be 11 years old on December 12. Her name is Amina, and she enjoys hide and seek, running, ping pong, drawing, singing, jumping rope, and other ball games. Amina is in grade 5 and though both of her parents are alive, they were never married and they struggle to provide for the family. Today after going through the AIDS experience, I decided to give a birthday present to 2 friends of mine by sponsoring a child. Lydia lives in Uganda and is 5 years old. She lives with her parents and 3 brothers. Her parents struggle to provide for them. She is not in school because her parents cannot afford her school fees. She likes to play ball games and helps out at home. She is in good health currently.
Although I may not be impacting the ENTIRE world population, it is very possible that I am changing 2 children's lives and the lives of their families.
December 6, 2009
7 Revolutions That Will Change the Face of the World!
This semester I am currently in a course that is covers the future of the world. Futurists predict that there are 7 major revolutions that will change the face of our planet as we know it. These are
1. Population
2. Resource Management
3. Technology
4. Information
5. Economic Integration
6. Conflict
7. Governance
For more on these revolutions specificially check out CSIS website.
From this class I take away a lot of information not only about how each of these revolutions will impact the westernized world, but also the world of the developing nations and those in the midst of poverty. I have come to the conclusion that with the "flattening" of our world and a level playing ground for people of all nations in our midst, if we choose not to take action today against poverty we might be in a dangerous place for the future.
I have already used a lot of the resources from this class to create this blog and have posted some videos that I found through the class and enjoyed. Here are a few more to let you make your own decision about what needs to be done for the poorest of poor among us.
Hans Rosling: "New Insights On Poverty"
Paul Collier on the "Bottom Billion"
1. Population
2. Resource Management
3. Technology
4. Information
5. Economic Integration
6. Conflict
7. Governance
For more on these revolutions specificially check out CSIS website.
From this class I take away a lot of information not only about how each of these revolutions will impact the westernized world, but also the world of the developing nations and those in the midst of poverty. I have come to the conclusion that with the "flattening" of our world and a level playing ground for people of all nations in our midst, if we choose not to take action today against poverty we might be in a dangerous place for the future.
I have already used a lot of the resources from this class to create this blog and have posted some videos that I found through the class and enjoyed. Here are a few more to let you make your own decision about what needs to be done for the poorest of poor among us.
Hans Rosling: "New Insights On Poverty"
Paul Collier on the "Bottom Billion"
December 5, 2009
Chicken A La Carte
This is a short film that I found the other day. It was a film tha was entered in the Berlin International Film Festival, the theme for the festival was food, taste, and hunger. This film blew the judges away and won numerous awards. It is about 6 minutes in length and definately worth watching!
December 4, 2009
Lies of Affluence
Are you rich?
Most of us in today's American society, especially college students would answer that question with a resounding "No!". The reality? As a college student in America you are among the richest 20 percent of people in the entire WORLD! Not only that, but you are among the richest and most educated in the entire HISTORY of the world!
Did you drink clean water today without risking disease or death?
Are you wearing a pair of shoes?
Do you have a bed to sleep in?
If you answered yes, then you are rich. Literally, you are rich.
It is interesting because many people in America today, myself included often think that we are barely getting by. However, thinking that I am simply living a modest life while trying to pay my bills is not true! I am living the good life. I can take a shower each day, I have a car to drive to work and school, and I even can catch a movie or two every once in a while. Why is it that I still feel like the poor college student?
In the book Hope Lives, Amber Van Schooneveld said it best, "The saddest thing about me driving discontently down the road in my Chevy, not realizing that I'm rich, is that I honestly sometimes believe I really don't have the extra money to help others."
The thing about my wealth and wealth in all of America today is that I am not just satisfied by the wealth I have but it makes me hungrier. It makes me yearn for more and more and more. Eventually it makes us paralyzed- trapped in a pile of material possessions, unable to reach out and offer help to anyone in need.
In the book mentioned earlier, the author looks at her and her husband's monthly finances for one month. It is listed below...
Income After Taxes: $2204.32
Rent: $800
Boring Bills: $308.23
Tithe: $250
Groceries: $215.87
Savings: $107.60
Two designer sweaters: $84.26
Two purses: $80.67
Charitable donation: $75
Dinner out: $68.50
Movies: $10.56
Cheese: $20.41
Ice cream: $22.67
Fast Food: $36.16
Other: $124.39
The conclusion that she came to? In one month alone she spent nearly as much on ice cream, cheese, and books on poverty as the average person in Ethiopia makes in one year ($90). Who's rich now? She also found out that she spends more on one meal out than a person in Haiti will make in two months. And she spents almost three times as much on cute sweaters and purses and a video game as she did on charity to help others. She also invested 3 percent of her money in helping others while spending 15 percent on luxuries as herself.
Through doing this research and reading that book, it has become clear to me that I underestimate my wealth. It is also clear to me that there are so many others around me that underestimate their own wealth as well.
What we need to come to grips with is if 21st century America isn't wealthy..... then who is?
Most of us in today's American society, especially college students would answer that question with a resounding "No!". The reality? As a college student in America you are among the richest 20 percent of people in the entire WORLD! Not only that, but you are among the richest and most educated in the entire HISTORY of the world!
Did you drink clean water today without risking disease or death?
Are you wearing a pair of shoes?
Do you have a bed to sleep in?
If you answered yes, then you are rich. Literally, you are rich.
It is interesting because many people in America today, myself included often think that we are barely getting by. However, thinking that I am simply living a modest life while trying to pay my bills is not true! I am living the good life. I can take a shower each day, I have a car to drive to work and school, and I even can catch a movie or two every once in a while. Why is it that I still feel like the poor college student?
In the book Hope Lives, Amber Van Schooneveld said it best, "The saddest thing about me driving discontently down the road in my Chevy, not realizing that I'm rich, is that I honestly sometimes believe I really don't have the extra money to help others."
The thing about my wealth and wealth in all of America today is that I am not just satisfied by the wealth I have but it makes me hungrier. It makes me yearn for more and more and more. Eventually it makes us paralyzed- trapped in a pile of material possessions, unable to reach out and offer help to anyone in need.
In the book mentioned earlier, the author looks at her and her husband's monthly finances for one month. It is listed below...
Income After Taxes: $2204.32
Rent: $800
Boring Bills: $308.23
Tithe: $250
Groceries: $215.87
Savings: $107.60
Two designer sweaters: $84.26
Two purses: $80.67
Charitable donation: $75
Dinner out: $68.50
Movies: $10.56
Cheese: $20.41
Ice cream: $22.67
Fast Food: $36.16
Other: $124.39
The conclusion that she came to? In one month alone she spent nearly as much on ice cream, cheese, and books on poverty as the average person in Ethiopia makes in one year ($90). Who's rich now? She also found out that she spends more on one meal out than a person in Haiti will make in two months. And she spents almost three times as much on cute sweaters and purses and a video game as she did on charity to help others. She also invested 3 percent of her money in helping others while spending 15 percent on luxuries as herself.
Through doing this research and reading that book, it has become clear to me that I underestimate my wealth. It is also clear to me that there are so many others around me that underestimate their own wealth as well.
What we need to come to grips with is if 21st century America isn't wealthy..... then who is?
December 3, 2009
Defining a Global Issue
What is poverty?
I have posted videos about poverty, told stories about those in poverty, but however I have yet to define poverty. According to Mr. Wesbster, poverty is.....
Main Entry: pov·er·ty
Pronunciation: \ˈpä-vər-tē\
Function: noun
1 a : the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions b : renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property
2 : scarcity, dearth
3 a : debility due to malnutrition b : lack of fertility
The World Bank established the poverty line as an income of less than $2 a day. They also reported that 2.6 million people live below this line. In fact, the reality of our global situation is that every three seconds a child dies from extreme poverty.
There are a variety of issues that those in extreme poverty face such as lack of education, poor sanitation, nutrition, and health care, as well as little or no access to clean water and increased likelihood of contracting infectious diseases and viruses to name a few.
I believe when we talk about poverty, we must also talk about compassion.
Here is another definition for you...
com⋅pas⋅sion
[kuhm-pash-uhn]
–noun
1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compassion is what allows us to come alongside other people in their time of trouble. However, it is also what allows us to do something about that suffering. Compassion is not simply an feeling, it is a compelling emotion. It must be our compassion that compels us into action. It is so much more than feeling sorry for someone for a situation they are in. It is also about identifying with the person and taking action to make a change against their circumstances or injustice.
Knowing all of this, the question becomes, do YOU care? An even harder question still remains as well, do you care enough to DO something about it?
I have posted videos about poverty, told stories about those in poverty, but however I have yet to define poverty. According to Mr. Wesbster, poverty is.....
Main Entry: pov·er·ty
Pronunciation: \ˈpä-vər-tē\
Function: noun
1 a : the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions b : renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property
2 : scarcity, dearth
3 a : debility due to malnutrition b : lack of fertility
The World Bank established the poverty line as an income of less than $2 a day. They also reported that 2.6 million people live below this line. In fact, the reality of our global situation is that every three seconds a child dies from extreme poverty.
There are a variety of issues that those in extreme poverty face such as lack of education, poor sanitation, nutrition, and health care, as well as little or no access to clean water and increased likelihood of contracting infectious diseases and viruses to name a few.
I believe when we talk about poverty, we must also talk about compassion.
Here is another definition for you...
com⋅pas⋅sion
[kuhm-pash-uhn]
–noun
1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Compassion is what allows us to come alongside other people in their time of trouble. However, it is also what allows us to do something about that suffering. Compassion is not simply an feeling, it is a compelling emotion. It must be our compassion that compels us into action. It is so much more than feeling sorry for someone for a situation they are in. It is also about identifying with the person and taking action to make a change against their circumstances or injustice.
Knowing all of this, the question becomes, do YOU care? An even harder question still remains as well, do you care enough to DO something about it?
December 2, 2009
Putting A Face To A Number
"Why is it that a child's death amounts to a tragedy, but the death of millions is merely a statistic?"
-Patrick McDonald
I have a friend.
This friend is 12 years old.
She loves to playing catch, keep away, and jumping rope.
She has 12 brothers and sisters.
She lives in a small town with her mother and siblings.
She has a warm heart and a sweet smile.
Did I mention that her family is too poor for her to go to school?
Did I mention that her mother breaks up rocks to sell them for money for food?
Did I mention that Sabina is constantly hungry?
Did I mention that Sabina is not a number?
Many times I think that it is overwhelming for us to handle the numbers and statistics that are thrown at us. So many people around the world are affected by poverty. So many PEOPLE around the world are affected by poverty. They are not a number, they are not a statistic, they are a face, they are a life. If we continue to put a deaf ear and a blind eye to those in poverty and see them as an annoyance or a statistic we put our human moral responsibility on the back burner.
"Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to self-reliance for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melting away. "
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Mahatma Gandhi
To continue to put a face to the number, check out these websites.
http://www.poverty.com/
http://www.poverty.com/
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