In other countries: Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some 45 million orphaned children. That’s more than the total number of all children under the age of 18 living in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden combined. Nearly a third of these children have lost their parents to AIDS. AIDS is particularly brutal to children because it often wipes out the entire family network. Since the extended family is typically the only safety net these children have, AIDS orphans are critically vulnerable. Without family members to care for them, these children will almost always end up on the streets – where they face terrible odds for survival. They will eat other peoples garbage, drink water that is dirty and full of disease, and have no safe place to sleep.
Do you think Americans are concerned enough about the problem of poverty?
Are they more concerned with one over the other, and should they be?
Is the government trying to hide poverty that exists in the United States?
Do you feel that the homeless in America are to blame for their condition because at one point in time they had opportunity, whereas in ‘undeveloped’ countries they “were born into their condition” ?
Are those living in poverty in ‘undeveloped’ countries more important to feed than Americans living in poverty?
Since America is the wealthiest country in the world, do you think Americans and non-profit organizations are doing their part in helping this situation? Should they do more or less?
With so many children around the world living in poverty and the holiday shopping season fast approaching, how can we as wealthy Americans be less selfish during this time and do something for these children who would be thankful to just have a meal? How can we learn to be generous? How can we use our abundance for the betterment of others?
Hannah Dodd (9:00)