Change Your World Week Winter 2023 (Archived)

Think about all the luxuries you have, skincare, snacks, fancy clothing. Now imagine how you would feel if you had none of that. People who live in poverty often can’t afford luxuries. Poverty is a huge problem in the world, and I believe it can be helped through small acts of people helping.

The problem with poverty is that many people can struggle to get out of it completely and may have issues with chronic poverty.  Other problems are:

• People in poverty often times feel hopeless and isolated from their community. 
• Stereotypes about people struggling with poverty often are harmful, which stops people from helping.
• Poverty is a very complex cycle, which can make it difficult to help those in need.

Although you yourself probably can't permanently end poverty, there are some things that you can do to help those struggling in your community. You can help by:

• Creating awareness and learning about poverty in your community.

You can create awareness by sharing stories of people in your community, and you can also create awareness by sharing resources for those in need.

• Donating funds

You can donate to organizations that give essentials or help aid those in poverty. I have a list of organizations you can donate to right here.

• Donating your time

If you can't donate money, I recommend donating your time. Many organizations need volunteers, soup kitchens also always are looking for volunteers. 

• You can also make kits and donate them to organizations.​​​​​​​

Making a kit full of essentials such as body care items, toothpaste, and clothes for example, can be helpful to those in need, as then they don't have to spend their own money on those items. If you are wondering if these things actually are helpful to those in need, you can learn how helpful it is from 11-year-old Luisa, who explains her life in poverty.

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