Blog Action Day: The facts and faces of poverty
Today, 30,000 children will die as a result of living in extreme poverty.
2.8 billion people live on less than $2 per day.
More than 1 billion live on less than $1 per day.
More than 800 million people go hungry daily.
100 million children around the world are homeless.
I don’t like numbers. Too easily dismissed, no emotional impact. Tell me you have X number of children, I understand the number.
But show me their photograph, and I’ll smile, thinking of my own. I’m emotionally involved when I see a face.
I understand the severe problem of poverty by reading the numbers, but it’s not until I see pictures that it begins to get down into my gut.
People, many of them children, are dying as a result of living in poverty.
Normally when I post a video, I tell you to enjoy it. You will not enjoy this video, I want you to see it because it serves a purpose: to show what numbers - 30,000, 800 million, 2.8 billion - can’t accomplish.
You can’t comprehend death and suffering only with a number.
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All numbers provided by Compassion International.
10.15.08 at 9:18 am
Dan King comments:
Wow! What a powerful video! Thanks for posting that, and sharing your heart! It certainly does make a difference when you look at the faces of those stuck in poverty.
10.15.08 at 9:56 am
Michelle Wegner comments:
We were able to visit our Compassion International daughter in Southern India. We have sponsored Compassion Kids since 1992, but this visit to her actual home sealed God’s call on me. I know I am supposed to help her and girls like her (and their families) for the rest of my life.
Thanks for making people aware.
Michelle Wegners last blog post..Help For Southern India
10.15.08 at 11:42 am
Heather comments:
Last night at an IJM event, I bought a book called Terrify No More, which has the stories of some of the victims IJM saves. Like you, knowing stories touches me more than numbers.
(My husband, on the other hand, is a numbers guy. Just the facts, ma’am.)
Heathers last blog post..Blog Action Day 08: International Justice Mission
10.15.08 at 11:48 am
Jennifer, Snapshot comments:
Pictures are real, but the numbers do speak as well. It’s overwhelming.
10.15.08 at 1:08 pm
amy comments:
thank you for posting today.