Poverty — try it sometime.
Posted on 09. Mar, 2010 by scott in Social commentary, economic daydreaming
To start, let me explain that I have why I am so concerned about today’s subject. Here is the scoop. I have seen poverty up close and real–a bunch of times.
When I was a junior in high-school my dad moved us to a country that was still recovering from war. Poverty was something I saw everyday for two years. I had heard rumors of people throwing themselves in front of diplomatic trains and cars — so they (or their families if they were killed) could collect compensation for the ‘accident.’ It wasn’t more than a few months before I saw it myself. I won’t go into the details but let me tell you I was shook up.
I took marshal arts classes ‘off base’ from a local. He lived better than most but it sure wasn’t good. Then in my business travels years later I saw poverty in a number of other countries. Kids starving and begging, adults so skinny their clothes wouldn’t hang on them. Lots of stuff you just can’t describe adequately — something you have to see to believe.
More importantly I traveled back to that country I grew up in (if you count the last two years of high-school as growing up–and I do). Thanks to huge infusions of capital from America that country had changed. Now it is one of the most developed and ‘wired’ nations in the world. The people there are proud, educated and well-off. It is a beautiful country with wonderful people.
But, there are far too many more countries that need the same kind of help (Africa, Mid-east, Asia mostly).
The lesson;.
Ever since those experiences I have felt like we Americans have a lot more than we think, a lot of ‘things’ that make our lives more enjoyable, more food than we can eat . . . I always get frustrated at the food restaurants throw out. We take it all for granted– but the food a singe family leaves on their plates after dinner one night could feed a family in some countries for a months. Believe it.
We have a responsibility to help others. And we do–it is in our blood so to speak. Americans give more individually than any other nation on earth. But I think if we all knew how bad it is ‘out there’ that we would give even more.
So I was glad to read about a local program to help us understand . . . and maybe change the way we think about the third world.
Though it was the first I had ever heard about it, apparently Brigham Young University (50 miles south) held their 20th Annual Hunger Banquet last week. It was hosted by the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies and Students for International Development — whew, that’s some long names.
I didn’t get all the details but the banquet apparently works like this: a bunch of folks (hundreds) pay some money and go to the banquet. When they get there they are sent (randomly) to different areas representing the main classes of development and wealth in the world.
Seventy percent have to sit on the floor on cardboard. They are fed small servings of rice, beans and tortillas. All they get to drink is a small plastic bag of water. Twenty percent get to sit on chairs around the walls of the room and get to eat a hot dog and chips with soft drinks. The other 10 percent sit at decked out tables and eat off of nice plates with fancy glasses and silverware. They are served a wonderful dinner with delicious dessert. Way more than they can eat and far too much was prepared for them (just in case?).
That’s not all. While the meal is going on ’scuzzy’ people are wandering the room trying to sell the leftovers from the rich’s banquet for a whole lot more than the scraps are worth. There are also ‘tourists’ wandering around the ‘poor’ sections taking pictures and mumbling about how bad the poor folk have it.
I will leave it up to you to figure out the consequences . . . it shouldn’t take too long. I think this program should be held once a year at every University in the country. Maybe high-schools too.
I hope this description strikes home.
Just remember that every time you throw anything out, at home or at a restaurant, the 70% of the world that go hungry would shout for joy if you gave them those scraps.
We sit at home watching TV and ‘notchin’ chips and Dr. Pepper and never give a second thought to those 70%.
Health care reform?
Jeez Louise, that seems pretty inconsequential when enough kids to fill California have one set of dirty clothes and ribs that show through their stretched skin.
Can we do more?
You bet.
Will we?
Well that is up to you and me . . . and 306 million just like us.
Thank God we live in this great country.
Count your blessings and then share a few.
thanks to flickr’s ralphrepo for the photo
6 Responses to “Poverty — try it sometime.”
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Barack Marx? The incredible leftward lean.
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Poverty -- try it sometime.
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Debt really is a burden.
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A 41 to 59 majority?
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Aren't we all?
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Francisco: I hope the best for your family and you Brother Ho...
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Michelle: I agree with the fact that we need to support the ...
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Roberto Vargas: I'm sorry, I got caught by the emotions las t...
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Steven Espinoza: S-O-C-I-A-L-I-S-M is not the answer! Going into de...
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Honors and Recognitions
Kristiann Hyde
11. Mar, 2010
For me personally, I live such non-poverty stricken life that this article opened my eyes a little to how real poverty actually is. Sometimes living in this great country makes me forget that there is a whole other world out there filled with worse nightmares than America’s economic problems. Although America does give so much to this world, we could give more, but right now everyone is focused on themselves and how they are going to get through the current pitfalls in the economy. If people would only watch the rest of the world, then maybe they would see that America isn’t nearly as bad off as 70% of the people out there.
Joseph De Luca
11. Mar, 2010
I agree, this blog can help us as citizens to realize what future we want to avoid with our current economy. We are truly blessed to not have to worry about poverty affecting our lives and we do have enough that we can give back. A result of poverty is greed and selfishness. A Sunday School teacher once said “there is enough resources in the world that no one should go hungry.” I believe that statement, if nations can look towards the people instead of their paychecks poverty would decrease bringing hope into everyone’s lives. It will take time and willingness from us all for a change to occur.
A. Steven Espinoza
11. Mar, 2010
AMEN! You hit this on the head and I completely agree. Can there be something done? Of course! I believe it starts with having an understanding that people all over the world are going hungry and starving to death daily. I think that a large majority of people in the nation know there are problems like this in the world, but don’t really know what to do about it. Yes, we can send money and food, but is that really going to create a solution? I do not believe it will.
It is like the old adage, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, TEACH a man to fish and you feed him for life.” I believe with the education and resources us as Americans have, we should focus our energies and efforts on learning and teaching about self-sufficiency. Self sufficiency is the key to ending poverty! Rather than continuing to give a handout, let’s give a hand up.
A few ways I believe we can do this is:
*Go to 3rd world countries and develop infrastructure and organizations that help create new jobs.
*Create and implement poverty reduction methods and programs that are measurable and replicable. (including the use of micro-loans, and education)
*Focus on areas where existing humanitarian efforts are limited.
Helping to create more self-sustaining people will not only bless the lives of individuals and their families, but entire communities, giving them the ability to make meaningful contributions of their time, money, and talents, and helping others do the same that they have achieved.
scott
11. Mar, 2010
I agree and must add that education is a primary driver of escaping the long-term impacts of poverty. The LDS church’s Perpetual Education Fund is an excellent example of helping in this area. It would be great if more NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) would use this as a model for helping in the 3rd world.
angelo rosario
06. Apr, 2010
I agree 100% with this and think some thing should be done to help! my life is the other way around, there is 3rd world areas in Puerto Rico. and i lived on the 23rd floor with just my mom and my sister. we used the rain water for the toilet. so i can see were you are coming from and i would love 2 come up with some ways to help. and i know i was not in a 3rd world country but i do know poverty.
Steven Elliott
09. Apr, 2010
I am constantly giving thanks on my prayers for the rich blessings I enjoy everyday. I grew up in Venezuela and moved back to the US in 2001. during my time there I was exposed to every kinds of social class that there is. The lowest are by far the scariest because there is no way out for them. They do not have access to an education that would get them ahead of the game, or government support. There is little to be done now. However, the church has swt forth some great programs that are taking root and will continue to help many families get ahead now as with the generations to come.