What’s the Real Problem?

Many people in the midst of poverty, hunger, social and physical despair lack something essential not just for their survival, but for their future hope. A powerful component to fighting poverty and hunger involves integrating hope, joy and perspective which transcend circumstances.

Poverty and hunger are co-related. Many hungry people are trapped in severe poverty. They often lack the money or physical well being to buy or grow food. That downward spiral often leads to malnutrition or other life-threatening conditions.

There is, however, enough food on this planet for everyone. The challenge is breaking the cycle and finding solutions that help people escape poverty and re-build their physical and mental health.

What if relief organizations teamed up with local faith-based organizations, places of worship and community leaders to address the complete problem of poverty and all that poverty brings? I think we’d all be surprised at the power of compassion and success of providing communities with both physical and spiritual solutions to the problem of poverty and hunger. A comprehensive approach to solving the problem, one that provides physical and spiritual solutions can make a lasting difference in the lives of the poor, the hungry, their families, and their communities.

What are the Causes of Child Poverty?

Children who are poor are often born into poverty.

“Poverty engenders poverty and creates a vicious circle.”  A child lives in poverty because his family and/or his country is facing poverty.

Historically, all nations have at one time or another confronted the question of misery and poverty. Today, extreme poverty affects more than a billion human beings throughout the world.

Poverty is on the decline, but the efforts to combat it remain insufficient. However, it is not a question of an unrealistic dream. Solutions exist. What is lacking is real political will on part of the world at large.

What are the Consequences of Poverty on Children?

The consequences of poverty on children are devastating. Today, poverty kills one child every three seconds.

Poverty deprives children of their fundamental right to life. In addition, it deprives them of educational opportunities and prevents them from gaining access to medical care, clean water, food, shelter, security and protection, information, etc.

Poverty thus constitutes a veritable threat to childhood and violates children’s rights

How to End Child Poverty?

“No society can really defeat poverty without doing everything it can, in a vigorous and long-term manner, to ensure that all of its members have a right to and are able to receive basic medical care, nutritious food and a decent education.”

In order to respect Children’s Rights, it is imperative that extreme poverty be defeated worldwide.

You too can get involved!

I saw some kids that didn’t have blazers or coats in winter and I could see they couldn’t afford it.

What are the effects of poverty on children?

Children living in poverty are more likely to:

• Have poor physical health
• Experience mental health problems
• Have a low sense of well-being
• Underachieve at school
• Have employment difficulties in adult life
• Experience social deprivation
• Feel unsafe
• Experience stigma and bullying at school.