POVERTY is one of those words that we often associate with some South African countries. It brings an image of some skinny-starving children in some villages on a faraway desert. It reminds us to finish our food and vegetables however much we dislike them, because somewhere far away, somebody’s going to bed hungry.
POVERTY is one of those words that really does not mean anything to us because we are such fortunate people.
But that shouldn’t stop us from doing something. If you’re looking for some ideas on what YOU, as an individual can do to stop poverty, here’s a list of 88 ways to do something about poverty. Go on and pick something from the list and do it. Or you could think about something new and add it onto the list.
Whatever it is, just do something. Because by taking action, some kids will have some food tonight before they go to bed.
Yes. Each of us can indeed do something to alleviate poverty. My own recommendation however is to choose something that enables people rather than just finance something. Teaching someone to fish rather than feeding him fish!
You are right, Nicole! I am also a subscriber of that fishing theory :D
I like the list, it has a lot of good ideas on it that aren’t really all that hard, but go a long way to helping poverty.
I think, and you kind of touched on this, that #72 is very true. For many people something isn’t real unless they see it. Many don’t have to see what poverty looks like, so it is easy for them to ignore.
Understanding this common human nature is key to getting people involved. Another good one was being homeless for a day, which would be great, because people would be able to have a much more personal understanding of what poverty really is.
Yes Steve, I think being homeless in a day will kind of open up our eyes to what it feels to be homeless, to be in the shoes of the homeless people we see on the streets.
But then again, what is more important than the experience is what we do AFTER.
You’re right Pelf. I imagine there would be a lot of people that the experience of being homeless would only make them extremely thankful for what they had, rather than more compassionate towards those that are homeless. Mores the pity…
Well said Pelf. We really are fortunate, and because we’ve been that way all our lives, it can be hard to imagine what it would be like not to be. But that’s no excuse for us. We have to try, and we have to help more people get to live the sorts of lives we’re lucky enough to live. :)
Thanks, Michael! :blush:
Great post. I really like helping by providing a helping hand to people to let them improve their lives. Two of my favorite tools for helping that progress along are Kiva, Trickle Up and many other great microfinancing organizations help too.
i love kiva. :) am currently unable to make a donation though, so i put up its banner on my blog, as well as that of freerice (rice donation via gameplay) and goodsearch (donation per search).
it’s great that you’re participating in blog action day. :)
Hi John, I didn’t know about Trickle Up, so thanks for sharing that! :D