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blog action day - poverty
WSA adsense code -->Does everyone else find that it’s easy to identify other people’s problems?
I was talking to an Aussie and a Yank last week and we were discussing politics, or rather our respective political systems and parties. The Aussie mentioned that she’d voted for Kevin Rudd in their last elections and was absolutely delighted that he’d given a formal apology on behalf of the Australian government for the Stolen Generation of Aborigines.
Which reminded me that I think the single biggest, most important and most difficult problem facing Australian society is that Aboriginal life expectancy is still 17 years less than that of white Australians. That single statistic actually highlights the vast array of issues currently facing members of the oldest continuous culture on the planet. Whatever people are trying to do about it, they need to do more, and better. It’s not really good enough.
As I said, it’s easy to identify other people’s problems. Because there’s actually enormous disparity in life expectancy between the rich and poor in the UK as well. Men in Glasgow have a life expectancy that’s 11 years less than men in London.
Poverty is closely correlated with lower life expectancies. People in poverty have worse diets and lifestyle, poorer housing, are more likely to work in physically taxing jobs, and often have worse education for their kids and may be be able to access healthcare.
The problems within individual developed countries however, don’t really compare to those in less and least developed countries. Life expectancy in many countries has been decimated by the Aids epidemic. Because with malaria and TB running rampant, it needed to get worse 
. The number of people worldwide who live on less than $1 a day is unbelievable. I know that some things are cheaper in other countries, but not really things like pharmaceuticals.
We, you and I, could do something about this if we wanted to. If you and I each donated some money, that would help. We are after all, rich beyond many people’s wildest dreams. And giving money will make us each feel richer - there’s nothing like a warm glow on a cold autumnal day.
I’m donating September and October’s adsense earnings for Blog Action Day 2008. What are you doing?
Other bloggers who are getting involved
- being frugal
- gather little by little
- the good human
- my two dollars
- moolanomy
- cash money life
- military finance network
- that one caveman
- bible money matters
- mrs micah
- debt kid
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19 comments for “blog action day - poverty”
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cool. it’s great that you’re making that donation (appreciated especially since i do hail from a developing country).
for my part, i turn to sites like freerice, kiva, and goodsearch, as ways to help alleviate poverty online.
saw this post via the front page of blog action day. it’s great that you’re participating.
Crazy, isn’t it? Here’s another: 30,000 children die each day due to poverty.
-andrew
http://www.worldconcern.org
I agree, there is so much need and most reading this post are very fortunate financially compared to the majority of those in the world today. I really like helping by providing a helping hand to people to let them improve their lives. Two of my favorite tools for helping that progress along are Kiva, Trickle Up and many other great microfinancing organizations help too. I am glad to see you plan to join Kiva. I have a page on my blog showing readers that are helping through Kiva: Curious Cat Kivans.
As an Australian, the problems within our indigenous population are shoking, but unfortunately it is a very complex problem with no simple solution. I don’t think Aussies realise what a blight this situation is on our country’s reputation, certainly not until you live in another country, anyway.
Great post.
@FruGal:
As I say, easy to spot other people’s problems. Harder to see your own, and almost impossible to solve any of them.
Great reminder that we all need to pitch in. I’m taking a personal approach. I’m acquainted with several working poor families, and I am using frugal habits (couponing, drugstore games, etc.) to stockpile items I can donate either directly to the families or to local food banks, etc.
1. Poverty
2. Health Care (would need this of course if we would follow Canada’s lead but with privatized medicine were sol)
3. Health Care…without it were all in trouble. I have a physician friend who works pro bono and he can literally cover his premiums it’s insane, not to mention malpractice insurance… sorry for the rant!
As Health is wealth but i think money is wealth and world so we need to become social with the people as doctor serve the patient similarly we can serve the people by participating in social benefits to provide the treatment to people like hospitals therefore i read the article and found the nice tips which are useful for us
i used this post at night when i think about my friends and family so i really thankful for providing very knowledgeable information for further help
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