Blog Action Day 08

• Almost half the world — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day
• 1 out of every 2 kids worldwide lives in poverty
• According to UNICEF, 26,500 to 30,000 children die each day due to poverty
• Nearly 1 billion people entered the 21st Century unable to read a book or sign their names

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, and the topic on the table is poverty. Jed (whose BAD08 posts are much more concise than my own and most likely more interesting ;) sent me a link about this several days ago and so I started thinking: What do I know of poverty? What do I personally do to help people in need? And, most importantly – What more can I do to help others?

What Do I Know of Poverty?
The first thoughts that rush to my mind are shameful ones, though I don't suppose I really need be ashamed. I guess it's just that feeling of being so very blessed and knowing that so many others are struggling just to stay above water.

I'll be the first to say that I have lived a very privileged existence. Not that my parents were high rollers – hell, they were both public school teachers — but growing up, I got every single thing that I needed, and most of the things that I wanted. I never ever went to bed hungry; was never cold in the winter; was never without good shoes or clothes or any of those things kids all need; and I got a top-notch education.

I was truly fortunate. And, likewise, my friends and their families have been largely untouched by poverty. So, what do I personally know of poverty? Not much.

What Do I Do to Help People in Need?
The answer is definitely not enough. I do some small things every day and some things when they are put in front of me, but I can do much more. I'm not like Brad & Angie with beaucoup money to spread far and wide, but even on a budget, I can do more. And really that is what this day is about – thinking about what we do and what more we can do to help this crisis.

Small things I currently do:

• Buying fair trade products. I pay a tiny bit more to insure farmers get a fair price for their crop. Also, buying non-sweatshop products. This is a much more difficult thing to do in our society because so many things are made oversees, and who knows how they're made? But if we start looking at those labels and really thinking about our purchases and seeking out fair-made stuff, it will make a difference.

• Visiting web sites each day like the Hunger Site, Child Health Site, Literacy Site and Breast Cancer Site. Each of these sites has sponsors who donate life-saving services when you visit and click a button. On the Hunger Site, sponsors donate 1.1 cups of food for every daily click. On the Literacy Site, it's free books and the Breast Cancer Site donates free mammograms. With just a few clicks of a mouse and less than a minute of time, this is an easy way to make a difference.

• During the holiday season, I give money every time I walk by the Salvation Army bell ringers. I never carry cash but actually make a point to do so when I know they will be out. I wonder what would happen if they were outside stores all year long? I would give all year long, but have never considered just making monthly or quarterly donations. Hmmm ....

• Donating old coats during coat drives is also an easy way to help people during the colder months when heat is so expensive, even for those of us in the "Haves" category.

So, that's what I've come up with ... and it's not a lot, but it is a start. The thing is, these meager acts can amount to great deeds when many take part. And then we can always do more.

What More Can I Do to Help Those in Need?
There is a worldwide poverty crisis happening at this very minute. And while things like the aforementioned Hunger Site and buying fair trade are easy enough to do, it's hard to take in such an extreme situation and figure out exactly how one person can make a difference. I've decided that the best thing for me to do is go with the "Think Globally, Act Locally" method right now – to do what I can now to help those around me and then when the time comes that I can go bigger, give more and do more, I'll do it celebrity style, heh.

I will take a cue from my mother who, for as long as I can remember, has gone out of her way to help those around her who were less fortunate. I am going to strive to do lots of small things to help those who are struggling; to donate more of my time to causes in my community (I don't have loads of money but definitely have time to spare); and to be open to ways that I can give back since I have been so tremendously blessed. I encourage you all to do the same.

And if you actually made it down this far, please do take a couple minutes to watch the video below ;)

What Can One Person Do?



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