Neglect nurtures poverty

THOSE who think poverty isn't a big problem in the world might want to think again.

With rising rates of unemployment and homelessness, and lack of education, a number of countries are sinking into poverty.

Poverty is the state of the majority of the world's people and nations.

Why is this? Are the poor at fault for their predicament?

Have they been idle, made awful decisions and are they solely accountable?

What about their governments? Have they made good decisions that encourage successful development? Such causes of poverty and inequality are no doubt real.

With worldwide involvement and unlimited financial and human resources, we, our country and numerous others, could take a considerable step in altering these problems of poverty. But what are we actually doing to help?

We go through our daily lives thinking we have a lot to endure. But have you ever stopped, just for a moment, and thought about the lives lost every day through hunger or hunger-related causes?

Twenty-five thousand people could have been saved from death just today. The problem is that hungry people are trapped in severe poverty. They lack the money to buy enough food to nourish themselves. With meagre incomes, they cannot support themselves and become malnourished, weak and sick.

They live in countries where jobs are scarce and the basic necessities of life are more and more out of reach.

This is happening due to the growing economies and wealth of the nations around them. Wealthier countries are exploiting them for goods such as minerals, fuel and water for their own profit.

Reluctant, but helpless, they surrender for the little money they can get and let outsiders take control of their country.

The facts and figures describing the extreme injustice happening in the world are truly bewildering.

More than 660 million people without sanitation live on less than $2 a day, and more than 385 million on less than $1 a day.

Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. More than 10 million children died in 2003 before they reached the age of 5 - roughly 29,000 children a day.

Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000, yet it didn't happen.

As people with the power to speak up, what have we done? We walk by these facts knowing they are unjust, but stay silent. Why?

Are we scared, don't have the time, don't want to get involved; or are we so selfish we care about nothing but ourselves?

Would we care if this was our child, family, parents or friends?

Yes, would the answer. Then take the first step in becoming the voice of the unheard. Be heard and make a difference.

Shrishti Aggarwal, Year 9, Lynfield College