… the world’s got me!

If you didn’t know today is Blog Action Day with this years focus being about Poverty.

People all around the world are going to be posting on this issue and are encouraged to talk about the issue within the context of their speciality. For example a design blog might talk about what works and what doesn’t about a set of charity posters etc…

I just want to speak briefly about my own feelings on the issue and what poverty actually means.

I think many people have different views of what poverty is - and many still think poverty is an issue that exists somewhere else and doesn’t happen right here in our own communities. Poverty is not just a global issue that only affects people in developing countries - it is also a very real problem for those struggling to keep up in developed countries with so called healthy and growing economies. With the cost of living increasing each day as fuel costs rocket upwards it is becoming harder and harder for low income earners to keep above the poverty threshold and provide for themselves and their families. Right here in Auckland New Zealand the Auckland City Mission as well as caring for the homeless provides 250 emergency food packets to families around Auckland who are in crisis. 

Stats taken from the website of the Children’s Commissioner tell us that in 2006/2007 22 percent of children were living in poverty! That’s 230,000 children. Right here in OUR COUNTRY! That’s more than the entire population of North Shore City.

There are many causes of poverty and I recommend you go and research it if this information shocks you - but there are many things we can be doing to help. Donating food to the mission helps them with the emergency food parcels (if they are not donated they have to buy the food), shop using this list from the website. Become a fan of The Mission on facebook.

Most importantly spread the word. This is not just a problem for ‘places far away from us’ this is an issue that we must acknowledge and help with right here on our doorstep. It is not ok that people don’t have access to the basic necessities of life, and it is NOT OK that young children have NO OPTION and NO CHOICE about the matter.