Views of Poverty
Filed in: Human Rights
By Kat Vaughan
When you think of poverty, what comes to your mind? Homelessness? Living paycheck to paycheck? Subsidized housing? The extended large family living in a 2 bedroom apartment? The National Geographic images of those starving in Darfur, Sudan or some other African nation? Indeed, poverty brings up different mental images, depending upon one's experience. However, nothing compares to seeing, smelling and experiencing poverty in the developing world. Nothing. You will be transformed somehow when your life touches that of another human being living in dire conditions.
I know of many Guatemalan Mayan families living in the most distressing conditions, including: cornstalk homes, aluminum and cardboard shacks, dirt floors, and no running water and/or bathrooms. The first time I saw such poverty, injustice and righteous indignation filled my being. How could we allow this? How could we let people suffer and not do anything? My experiences in Guatemala changed me from a mere adventure traveler to an advocate for the plight of the poor in Guatemala.
We are all responsible for making life better for the poor, the suffering, the sick and the needy. What will it take for us to recognize that it is only the grace of God separating us from those living in poverty? It has nothing to do with karma; the poor do not deserve a life of poverty, nor do the wealthy deserve their life of privilege. It is the duty of the rich to give to the poor, to improve the lives of others, making the world a better place for all.
Do you agree?
When you think of poverty, what comes to your mind? Homelessness? Living paycheck to paycheck? Subsidized housing? The extended large family living in a 2 bedroom apartment? The National Geographic images of those starving in Darfur, Sudan or some other African nation? Indeed, poverty brings up different mental images, depending upon one's experience. However, nothing compares to seeing, smelling and experiencing poverty in the developing world. Nothing. You will be transformed somehow when your life touches that of another human being living in dire conditions.
I know of many Guatemalan Mayan families living in the most distressing conditions, including: cornstalk homes, aluminum and cardboard shacks, dirt floors, and no running water and/or bathrooms. The first time I saw such poverty, injustice and righteous indignation filled my being. How could we allow this? How could we let people suffer and not do anything? My experiences in Guatemala changed me from a mere adventure traveler to an advocate for the plight of the poor in Guatemala.
We are all responsible for making life better for the poor, the suffering, the sick and the needy. What will it take for us to recognize that it is only the grace of God separating us from those living in poverty? It has nothing to do with karma; the poor do not deserve a life of poverty, nor do the wealthy deserve their life of privilege. It is the duty of the rich to give to the poor, to improve the lives of others, making the world a better place for all.
Do you agree?
Be globally minded and make life better for all.
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