It is essential that we examine and compare the patterns of extreme poverty on all levels, whether it is local or global, if we are to understand its complexity and gain the means to eradicate it. As they say, with knowledge comes power!
Here’s a glimpse…
Microcosm: Children in Colorado are plummeting beneath the poverty line and their numbers are growing at an alarming rate. Colorado has experienced an 85% rise in the number of children living in poverty between 2000 and 2007! This is the largest spike across the Country, according to the Colorado Children’s Campaign!
The facts:
*Poverty line in this study is set at an annual income of $22,050 for a family of FOUR! That equals about $11.50 / hour.
*In the year 2000 an estimated 104,000 Colorado children were living in poverty
*More than 192,000 children living in poverty by 2007, according to U.S. Census Bureau
*Colorado ranks 8th highest in the nation for infant day care costs and 3rd highest for 4yr olds (annually)
*Average of $9,765 is spent to send a 4yr old to day care for a year
*Most of the data in these reports was gathered before the recession!
Macrocosm: 1.4 billion people across the planet are living in extreme poverty! That means 1 out of 4 people are trying to survive on about $1 a day!! It’s apparent that these numbers are all relative but there is no denying the presence of poverty and its impact on your own backyard and around the world.
But there is hope in awareness and in the action of one person who can also inspire another to make a difference! It’s easy to feel devastated and overwhelmed by the reality of extreme poverty. But since I started working for BeadforLife I have maintained focus and been driven in my pursuits by an African proverb: “You can only chase one animal at a time.”
We can each make a difference!! BeadforLife Oye!
Child Poverty Rates On The Rise In Colorado
Linda Crane received her Bachelor of Arts from The University of Washington in The Comparative History of Ideas (CHID) – a unique and radical department that promoted an interdisciplinary exploration of academia and inspired her to habitually question and examine the world around her from a variety of vantage points.
In 2007, Linda spent three months conducting Anthropological research while living in The Gambia, located on Africa’s West coast. It is there that she truly faced extreme poverty for the first time and came to the realization that while most West African’s suffer from material destitution, their wealth in spirit is unparalleled.
In pursuit of an opportunity to make a difference in the world, Linda found BeadforLife and fell in love with their mission. Linda now works as a member of the BeadParty team, connecting people worldwide in an enriching circle of exchange to spread awareness about extreme poverty and take action in its eradication.
Tags: Child Poverty, Childcare, healthcare, poverty
We need to examine the consequence of continuing to have children while you are unable to care for the one’s you have. I make $19 per hour. My neighbor does not work. I pay taxes on my salary, Rent, utilities, food, clothes for 2 children. My neighbor does not work. She has asked me “why do you need all the hassle your boss causes you.” Social security pays her rent, utilities, and clothes for her children. Wic gives her food. She uses her quest card to buy things that I cannot afford to purchase for my children. My children live with more deficiency’s; because I work.