What Does Poverty Mean?

When asking, “What does poverty mean?” it’s helpful to understand how the United Nations defines it:

“Nearly half of the world’s population currently lives in poverty, defined as income of less than US $2 per day, including one billion children. Of those living in poverty, over 800 million people live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US $1.25 a day.”[1]

In addition to these statistical parameters, people in poverty also lack access to proper nutrition, clean drinking water, and adequate health services. Often improper or dangerous housing is part of their situation, as well.

The United Nations has several Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of global issues that need to be addressed. Their number one SDG is “No Poverty.”[2]

Their top three goals in this area include:
  1. By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
  2. By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  3. Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.[3]
These goals speak to income generation, working within a country’s uniqueness and providing proper housing. There are many more factors, certainly, but GFA World knows how to address each of these.

First of all, GFA missionaries are from the countries where they serve. They uniquely understand and see the struggles and causes of poverty where they are sent to love the people there. They are able to connect the people they serve with the specific services from GFA that will most help them take the next step out of poverty.

Second, GFA World knows that sustainable and reliable income is the key for families struggling to make ends meet. Through out Christmas Gift Catalog, we offer many ways for givers to supply things like farm animals and business equipment like sewing machines.

Third, GFA also offers tin roof panels through the catalog to address housing issues that plague many in poverty.

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