Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty 

When we think of poverty, which country do we usually think of? Africa? Indonesia? China? Mainly the 3rd world countries right?

On Monday, I added Singapore to my list. Singapore is a world-class 1st world country. And yet, there are still Singaporeans who struggle daily to meet their basic needs. Food, Water, Electricity and a Roof over their heads.

Poverty is a endless vicious cycle. Parents struggle to survive. Children work from young to contribute to the family. Education is put on the back burner. Children grow up and repeat that cycle. How do we break that?

Three ways that I can think of. If you have more, please share.

1. Active support and help for families stuck in this cycle. Of course, help them fufill their immediate needs. But we need to ensure their long-term sustainability. Educate the children. Train the parents with skills that will enable them to find better jobs and therefore better income. Educate the mothers especially, as she’ll pass that down to the children directly.

2. Promote. Share. Tell everyone who will listen of people who don’t know if they’ll be able to eat one day to another. This is more powerful than you know. For instance, I found out about Compassion International from Shannon and felt motivated to get involved. It’s not that I didn’t want to help before. But when I found out about this avenue for service, it jumped out at me.

3. Above all that, Pray. Not just in general like, “Lord, feed the hungry”. “Adopt” a specific family, find out their needs and hopes, and pray for each one of them specifically. By name. By exact current needs. Pray for the Lord to bring compassionate souls to make a difference in someone’s life.

We don’t need to go far to share our blessings and help others. I bet there’s someone in our backyard now that needs us.

Related posts:

1. Showing Love to Christian Ministries
2. This is how it should be…
3. Senseless Violence
4. Why I support Vanessa through Compassion
5. The Joy Of Old Friends