Poverty is a topic that comes to mind. I personally did not grow up in poverty, but I teach for Headstart, and many of the children that come through our program are living in poverty. Poverty as described by Merrium-Webster, is the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions (Webster 2015). I see many of my students lacking what society would think of as the socially acceptable things. Headstart provides these students with access to two free meals a day and a snack. They also provide other access to assistance that may be available through agencies in the community.
The country I chose to research was Indonesia. Indonesia has a high poverty rate. According to the information I read, people are trying to get by on $1-2 per day. Indonesia's per capita rate is around $3,000 per year according to (J.C. 2011). This is hard to fathom. In Indonesia they do not have the same access to clean water and good nutrition that we have hear. There are no programs like Headstart to help their underprivileged families receive good nutrition and free education.
Indonesia is not the only country that has this problem. There are people all around the world and here in the USA that are living in poverty. It is a global problem. There has got to be some way to help these families. I think if we each pay it forward a little at the time we can make changes and help the world the best we can. As educators, it is our duty to do the best we can to inspire others to make a change. Together we can make a difference.
References:
To make a million people unpoor. (2011, August 3). J.C.
Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2011/08/indonesias-poverty-line
Merriam Webster
Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty
Jennifer-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that poverty is a problem everywhere and everyone needs to work together to make a difference and change this, In my opinion we need to start in our own "backyard" and work out. Children and families should not be living in poverty in the U.S. Children should not be going hungry and worried where their next meal meal will come from.
Great Post,
Brandie
Poverty is definitely something that can cause a stressor. I grew up in poverty and even though my mother had two jobs and sold Avon and Tupperware on the side it still didn’t seem to be enough. I overcame my circumstances but some don’t and then they end up getting comfortable. Poverty is everywhere and some countries have it really bad.
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