Steps to Get Out of Poverty
Image by World Bank Photo Collection via Flickr
Money, money, money. It’s so funny, it’s a rich man’s world! This song will always be applicable at any time. Sung by ABBA, it has always reminded me of how money makes the world go round. Without money, you can’t buy food for your basic needs, house to live in and bills to pay.
What the Uganda women are doing in their villages in order to earn money to buy food, the make paper beads. Some call it Mzuri beads. The beads are recycled from unwanted paper such as magazines, brochures and scrapped paper. The women are doing this so that they can try to get out of poverty.
In Singapore, some temples give out free lunches for the poor so that they won’t have to worry about their meal and can work without worries. However, it is a disappointment that even those who can afford a meal are blatantly eating at the temples upon arriving in their BMWs or Mercedes.
Every year, there are some charities giving out free textbooks to the school children. Those who truly need the books for their children are sometimes unable to get them because there are people who can afford to buy the textbooks will be there in their cars and grab the books before leaving.
Giving out free meals and books are part of the steps to help the poor. However, when these are abuse, there may be no more good Samaritans who can carry these acts without worrying that the poor won’t be receiving these kindness as the ones who can afford are snatching them up before them.
The World Bank provides books on poverty so that people will understand and take steps to help the poor move out of it. When charities attempt to help the poor by giving out free toys, food and textbooks, greedy people will abuse this system.
Thus, the poor are often pushed away even when they do need the stuff. Other than begging for money in the streets and busking, the poor can only do so much. The laws in Singapore prevents anyone from busking in the streets without a license.
No one can sell street food without a valid stall. Every business has to be reported and the rentals are expensive. With the current recession, one can only do so much. Even attempts to selling products online may become an issue as humans being humans will only buy from a trusted site. The products must not harm the human if it’s a toy for a child.
What can the poor really do to get out of poverty in Singapore then? They have to apply for help at the various authorities such as CDAC, Salvation Army, Singapore Red Cross Society and many more. Those who can help can only do so much.
Only you can help yourself to get out of poverty. Have you done anything to help yourself yet?
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I have actually seen these temples giving out, every Sat or Sun at 2pm or something. It is really appalling that those who can well afford to buy themselves a good meal just comes to get a free meal. Shocking! Its up to these organizations to protect those who are really suffering from poverty and stamp out those who are taking advantage of the situation.
Some who are suffering from poverty may not have the means to help themselves. Even if it means taking on 2 odd jobs, it is still not enough. It is even more saddening to know that an old woman working at 90+.
It’s very sad and utterly thoughtless that those who can afford it dare to stretch their hands out for free food. I am scared that my parents will end up working into their 70s because there simply isn’t enough money.