So yesterday was Blog Action Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness through blogging on global issues. This year Blog Action Day is addressing Poverty.

This is my blog posting about the issue and what are my thoughts!

Look around the world and you see children living in poverty, children who have no choice in the matter, children who could go on to do great things if given the chance, children who, through no fault of their own have no future. We can’t look away from these children whose eyes implore us to help them in some way. But, what can we do? How can we change the cycle of impoverishment? No child should have to face the things these impoverished children do each day of their young lives. Sickness, malnutrition, illness, and little to no education affect children in poverty and it is time we all give of ourselves to help in some way. One way we can help is to become a mentor to a child in poverty. If everyone were to help just one child, it would go a long in the war against poverty. Take a child under your wing. Give them hope. Give them your friendship and your love. Give them a chance.

These children aren’t asking for a handout. They are asking for a hand up. Look into their eyes and see their plea. They need you to help them break out of the cycle of poverty they are a part of. They are too young to understand what poverty means for their future. Show them a different way. Help them learn to read, buy them a book, spend time with them, show them how to make a better future for themselves and their children. These children deserve a chance. Certainly, we can’t help everyone in poverty and everyone may not want our help but why not try? Counsel them and comfort them. Give them the confidence to believe there is something better. Invest time in helping a child to achieve their full potential. A child’s health, nutrition, education, social and cognitive development are important in determining who they will become. These children have no choice in their young lives whether they will be poor or not. Give them a chance to live the life of a normal child. To become a child who laughs, plays, and loves the world. They are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are our future. Show them how to make their way in the world on their own. Life is too precious to waste in poverty.

Will we be able to stop poverty in our lifetime? No. Will we be able to make a difference by helping just one child out of poverty? Yes. It all begins with one child. I am not foolish enough to believe we can help every child in poverty but if we can all do our part, we will make a difference. We will make lives better. We will find our hearts filled with joy as we see an impoverished child look up and smile or read a book or finish school. One small smile from a child in need is the greatest gift in the world. Don’t wait for someone else to do it. Go out today and help someone, not with your money but with your time, friendship, and love. Working together, over time, we can do something about poverty so please go out and help an impoverished child today. Poverty can be turned around if we all just care a little more about others

So back to you. What can we do about poverty? Do you think it’ll ever end? Lets hear your views by commenting below.