Poverty

When i think about the fact that approximately 80% of the world wide population lives on under 10$ a day, and that at least 25 000 kids die each day due to poverty, it really makes me think about how lucky I am to live the way I do. Most of us just take what we have each day for granted , even what we think to be little things like clean water and a nice house to live in, because we have had access to it for our whole lives.

When I was reading the statistics, I was extremely surprised to see that in Canada, 15 percent of children live below the poverty line. I have always thought everyone in Canada was well off, or at least had all the necessity's they needed. But when i read these statistics it really opened my eyes to the world around me, and made me realize that just because I live in Canada, and I have always had everything I needed and much more, that it is not that way for most people around here and everywhere in the world, in fact, its very different. The children in the stories that I read about poverty live such different lives than I do, they have been through so much more, and had so many different experiences that I would have in my nightmares. But yet, they still seem to be happy. How can people who have so little hardly ever complain, yet people like us who have so much, can find almost anything to whine or make a big deal out of. It just doesn't make sense to me, and I know I am bad with this too, but after reading these stories, I try to see the world differently, and think that I could be much worse off.

I think the role of youth is very large, when your young all you have to do is learn and grow, most people living in poverty are children. Kids can relate to other kids no matter how different their lives or circumstances are. You can always find something that connects two people, whether it be sports or taste in music, those little things make a big difference, especially to people who cherish every moment and are grateful for everything they have.

If you asked me if my out look on poverty has changed over this past month, I would say definatly. After being to we day, and hearing all the inspirational speeches, and in LA with Ms. W reading stories and learning statistics, its really opened my eyes to the world around me. I now realize and understand what really goes on in the "real" world around me.

Maddie ♥