eh? what poverty?
poverty is a strange concept for a lot us growing up in Australia these days. for the majority of us, we live in relative comfort. we have access to jobs to earn money, if we can't work we have access to a (relatively) good welfare system. if we get sick, we have a (relatively) good health care system to get us better. we have access to clean water, electricity, & telephone / internet services.
so when we hear the word poverty mentioned, its pretty hard to imagine a life without all those luxuries and relate to the hardships that the majority of the world's people are going through.
even harder is trying to fathom that almost 50% of the world's population live on less than $2.50 a day.
and 80% live on less than $10 a day. 80%!!!
but the problems don't stop there, because the poorest countries of the world keep on getting poorer even with the aid they receive. how can this happen? because for every $1 of aid they receive, they have to pay back $25 for the debts their country have to rich world countries!
(want to see more scary facts? check out these facts and stats on poverty, oh and while you're at it, here's a nice definition of poverty to read too)
okay okay, enough overwhelming scary stuff, what can i do to help?
'live simply so that others may simply live'
this amazingly powerful quote by that gandhi guy has stuck with me for years. my parents had the poster on our kitchen wall, and although i read it every day growing up, i never really knew what it meant or how to live by it. its only in the last year that i've really got it. the simpler i live and the less i consume, the more there will be to go around for those that really need it.
simplifying my life
it took a few weeks to get used to the idea of simplifying my lifestyle. for me the hardest part was breaking my routines. but once broken, the changes were simple and in some cases, actually quite enjoyable!
here are some of the little things i've changed:
* stopped driving to work, started skateboarding to work. (travel time is actually 5 mins less door to door, and less dependency on oil!)
* sold my car. (i now share one with my girlfriend for emergencies)
* turned vegetarian. (vegetarians use 10 times less energy and 100 times less water!!)
* stopped buying lunch, and started making my own organic food at work in the kitchen. (saving $8 / day, eating healthier)
* started cooking bulk dinners at home. (its not that much extra work, costs less, and saves time! i have "fast food" in my freezer any night of the week now!)
* wear more clothes in winter / bought rugs for the couch. (so i use less heating at home)
* put up partitions in my house so that if i do need to heat a room, i can heat a smaller space. (i've managed to reduce my electricity bill by 1/3!)
* have less lights on, installed power saving globes, burn more candles. (and get a lot more sexy time with my girlfriend!)
* share shorter showers with my girlfriend. (i now use less gas and water, even though i'm cooking more!)
* set a budget and put my savings away at the beginning of the month. (managing to save 30% of my income)
* set up automatic debits to donate to charity. (working towards donating 5% of my income, currently at 2.5%)
so what does all this mean?
well at the end of the month, i've now got more money left over. which means i can donate more to support the people who have less than me and are living in tough conditions around the world.
having more money left over also means i can work less. i've managed to stop working my second job, which has freed up much more time to do creative things and have more time to spend with my friends and girlfriend, go for walks, skateboard and relax.
this free time also gives me much more time to clear my mind, which has led to less stress and a generally happier lifestyle.
give it a try yourself!
i can highly recommend it.. and while you're at it, blog about it to share your experience. oh, and if you've got any suggestions or comments on my little life simplification, please ask!!!
links
i was inspired to write this post by world vision's learn about poverty campaign. which I heard about via the always switched on ross hill.
si.
Comments
Poverty is an eternal cycle. As long as we walk on this earth and probably beyond, there will be poverty all around us. It would be nice to be able to truly offer everyone a helping hand, but, and this is not meant to be cruel, or mean spirited, there's always going to be a huge minority at the bottom of the socio economic totem pole.
I have no answers to give, and though
Nice one Simon,
Really thoughtful stuff
Great post, congrats on winning the Learn About Poverty comp!
I saw the name on the post and knew I'd seen it elsewhere... I'm an avid New Int. reader (and subscriber). I think I have emailed you before about T-Shirt designs? ...
Anyway, nice work again!
Christian