Reality Check: Poverty

To live in a world in which sole contemplation comes from the whole heart rather than desire is an interesting idea. However, how can one live whole-heartedly without simple necessities? How can one possibly grow to prosper when they are affected by poverty to such extents? The question then becomes, how can we as humans allow others to live within this standard of life?

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What is poverty?

“The World Bank Organization describes poverty in this way:

“Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.”

There are many faces of poverty but one thing is for sure; it can be debilitating and frightening. It can transform you into being a social outcast, thus removing you from society. Poverty should not be an option for any human being.

How many suffer?

Within the entirety of planet Earth 795 million people are malnourished, as they cannot afford enough food to survive. 98% of these people live in third world countries thus making any form of allocating more food even more difficult. “Every 10 seconds, a child dies from hunger-related diseases”.

While hunger is one major affect of poverty, another is the spread of disease, and the inability to eradicate the disease. 36.9 million people are affected with AIDS/HIV and a huge chunk of those who are victim to this disease are unable to receive the medical attention necessary to stay in good health. Preventable diseases are also a common factor in the amount of impoverished people dying around the world.

663 million people do not have access to water that is drinkable.

With statistics this high, poverty should be given more consideration. 

• human rights
• people
• poverty