What is poverty?

Recently the blog has included many brighter stories and events but this week I want to discuss something that my brain has been struggling to fully understand.

I read a quote this week which made me think quite a lot. I don't know who said it but it carries a great deal of truth. The following is a paraphrase (my own words) of that quote:

 

'We think sometimes that poverty is being homeless, hungry and in need of clothes. But the poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is a much greater poverty.'

Since I have been in Brazil, I have viewed much of the first type of poverty and this is challenging enough to see. However, we mustn't forget that it exists in the UK as we learn that more and more families rely on Food Bank donations to help feed their families each week. We also know that there are homeless shelters in Southend and all over England which are needed greatly. 

I then began to consider how it must feel to be unloved, unwanted and uncared for! For the children living on the streets here in Recife, the initial cause leading them to this life will be at least one of these! For me, thinking about this can be uncomfortable especially as I have begun to get to know some of the children for whom this is a reality or is a part of their past. Even the boys currently at Hope House will have a story that began with this type of poverty.

I'm not going to go into details about any one child as that would be unfair to them and I know that I wouldn't expect a friend of mine to share my problems with the world on the internet. This is also why I have decided to not share a photo this week of any street children. I'm sure you understand this choice.

However, this type of poverty is not without hope! There are so many good people in the world and charities that do so much. Many of these help with food, clothes and homes. Others carry out the important job of showing care to someone and showing them that they are wanted and loved. I'd like to challenge you to do something in the coming weeks and months. Around you there are people who feel lonely, perhaps unwanted or unloved. This could be a pupil on the playground who has no one to play with or a grandparent who has very few visitors. Find time to show them that someone cares about them and that they are wanted. It might not change the world but it will change theirs!