The Poor Will Always Be With Us: Blog Action Day 2008
You know, I often talk about similarities between the US and Jordan. Folks on both sides of the pond often think I'll a bit off I'd imagine. And yet, the similarities are striking to me. They say more about humans and less about places. Today is Blog About Poverty Day. Bloggers around the world are talking about one issue, that's right just one. Poverty. So, today, I want to draw another parallel.
First, know that I am definitely not blogging from a position of poverty. I live in West Amman and rarely see the poor in the course of my days. My life is lived between the first and seventh circles and the poor just don't live here in large numbers. I know that. I am at least THAT self-aware. But, you know what? The poor exist in Jordan. There are people who can't afford to buy clothes. People struggling to pay rent, people unable to heat their homes. Today, there are people in Amman going hungry. And we'll probably end up throwing out food that is going bad. That's life. And you know what? America is just the same.
There are people in America who can't afford to buy food. There are people who can't pay electric bills, who have no phones, who live right on the edge. And, many Americans are one job loss or one major medical emergency away from life on the streets, life in poverty. The more things change, the more they are the same.
While it's easy for those of us who live in the land of plenty, be it in Jordan or America, to forget that the poor are always with us, it is not right. It is not the call to help the poor that people of faith - both Muslim and Christian - receive. We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, help the sick. And, on this day of solidarity against poverty we must remember those world-wide who will be hungry tonight. As a Mom, the children move me the most. Knowing that here in Jordan, in my home state of Alabama, all around the world children will cry themselves to sleep over the grumbling of their hungry bellies is enough to bring me to tears. It's also enough to bring me to the resolution to find a way to do more. The poor may always be with us, but we should each remember that there but for the grace of God go we. It's not them versus us. They ARE us.
Erase Poverty, one person at a time!
posted by MommaBean @ 7:30 AM
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Well said, sista. Your immediate and extended family is a great example to me of intentional and proactive discovery of 'ways to do more'.
Thank you so much for these words, and you are absolutely right. Poor people are suffering all over the world, and it is not their fault. It is OUR fault, we who can afford our actual lives, we who are greedy, and selfish (all of us in a way or another). What we need is a minute every day to think about those who are struggling every minute of their lives to get some bread for their children. We all throw out food that is going bad but without thinking that there is somebody, not far away, who will sleep with an empty stomach. We need some action, continuing action, not only a day every year just to make us feel better. Another thing, we need to put some pressure on governments, of all countries, so that they do some thing concrete and real to end poverty. Poverty is the major danger in my opinion, it is the motor of most problems in the world. We need to stop it, and now. We need to react, every body in his/her society, city, area and street. And I join you to say: Erase poverty, once and forever (because we can do it, if we just stop being so selfish and greedy)...
Have a nice day...
Kinzi, welcome always.
Ahmad, I agree. We need to do things every day to help find the poor the finacial wherewithal and on-going employment so that they are able to move out of poverty.
THE ONLY REASON THAT WE HAVE POVERTY IS BECAUSE OF THE RICH THAT HAS BEEN STEALING FROM THE POOR FOR LONG TIME AND SOON OR LATER ,WEaTHER IN THE US OR Jordan WE WILL TAKE BACK OUR FRUITS OF LABOR BY ALL MEANS Necessary
Poor Arab News Service, thanks for your comment. Poverty has existed from the beginning of time and will exist until the end of time. I hope that youa re able to find productive help to assist in your challenges as you clearly have the will. However, seeking the positive typically produces better results than focus on negative "solutions."
I can name a dozen of organizations that help the Poor in Jordan, but I sure do recommend "Ruwwad" in Jabal Nazeef, that's the Jabal across of the Municapality. They accept clothes, books, PCs, accessories, Home appliances, besides they do community work
Ali, I have heard many good things about Ruwwad. Thanks for the info on what they are prepared to accept in support of their mission.
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