IT IS unusual to see such a strong sense of social conscience in someone as young as Featherston School pupil Nina Gelashvili, who won a Rotary speech competition last week with her speech on poverty.
I would suggest it's good to see that kind of social conscience in Wairarapa, because at times it doesn't feel like it's there.
Nina clearly showed, through her words, that she had a perception of poverty.
She could see the difference between her life, and her advantages, and those who were struggling. She could appreciate how fortunate she was, how lucky she was, because she has watched her family members help others.
It is too easy to dismiss poverty as a malaise; a social disease caused by those who don't work hard enough, or skived off at school, or came from a bad side of town.