Gospel for Asia

The effects of poverty on society are far reaching. Poverty impacts 659 million people worldwide in nearly every country on earth. [1] These people live in both large cities and rural communities. No matter the size of the community, poverty negatively impacts society. Poverty impacts a community in a variety of ways Poverty impacts education. When parents are not educated, they are less likely to stress the importance of education for their children. In these situations, it quickly becomes the norm not to send children to school. In countries with severe poverty, children are used to fetch water, earn money through child labor, help around the house or simply left to roam the streets. Poverty also impacts child development due to malnutrition or lack of resources. [2] Poverty impacts the economy. Over time, poverty results in several generations of people who are uneducated or under-educated, unhealthy due to malnutrition and often unable to be productive members of their community...

For many people who live inside the cycle of poverty, the effects of poverty on education are quite tangible. Parents may not have received an education, so they place very little value on learning. Chances are good they don’t understand the way education can break the cycle their family has been in for generations. They may feel that the jobs available to locals do not require an education. What keeps less fortunate children away from school? Cost of education – In some countries, education is free for children. However, even in these countries, the cost of supplies, uniforms and other needs can be more than a family can afford. This leaves a family unable to give their children access to education. Water poverty – Lack of water also has a negative effect on education. When children must walk miles each day to find water for their family, they are unable to attend school. There simply isn’t time for both fetching water and education. Period poverty – When girls don’t have access to...

The physical effects of poverty on children are vast and have lasting impacts. Starting before a baby is even born, there are impacts from the womb. “Malnutrition during pregnancy has the potential to lead to later health disparities in children, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Furthermore, mothers experiencing poverty tend to have a diet lacking fruits and vegetables, which provide necessary micronutrients for fetal development.”, says Madison Doser from the American Public Human Services Association. [1] In the poorest of countries, women are often denied medical care and prenatal education. [2] Starting in the youngest years of a child’s life, poverty can harm a child’s brain and other body systems. [3] Vital nutrients are not always available to children in areas of extreme poverty, causing physical delays and other health issues. At GFA World, we’re committed to helping alleviate these physical effects of poverty. One of the benefits of our child sponsorship progra...

Many organizations study the effects of poverty on child development, and in recent years there have been tremendous advancements to counter these impacts. According to UNICEF, “Children represent half of those struggling to survive on less than $1.90 a day.” About 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they don’t have access to necessities like adequate food and clean water. Around the world, 356 million kids live in extreme poverty. [1] The effects of poverty on child development are dire: First, the effects of poverty on children impact their physical growth. Starting in the womb, malnutrition of the mother can impact a baby’s development and health. [2] Once outside the womb, poverty continues to impact the child through hunger, lack of medical care, poor sanitation facilities and more. Children’s Bureau reports, “Poverty itself can negatively affect how the body and mind develop, and economic hardship can actually alter the fundamental structure of the child’s b...

Understanding why poverty reduction is important is crucial in addressing its far-reaching impact. Poverty hampers human development, perpetuates inequality, and denies individuals the opportunity to reach their full potential. It creates a cycle of deprivation that spans generations, affecting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Poverty reduction is not just charity; it is an essential step towards building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world. By lifting individuals out of poverty, we foster economic growth, promote social stability, and uphold fundamental human rights. Each person lifted out of poverty brings us closer to a global society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute. However, the significance of poverty reduction extends far beyond individual circumstances; it has the potential to permeate entire countries when effective strategies are employed. Nature offers a transformative path towards dynamic prosperity, an opportunity access...

A person living in poverty may not think about his or her country’s economic growth, but knowing the relation between economic growth and poverty reduction is important for decision makers and donors alike. McKinsey & Company, a publisher of financial analysis and economic news, gives a simplified way of thinking about this relationship: “Understanding whether an economy is getting bigger or smaller is important not only to economists but also to public- and private-sector leaders, as well as to individuals. That’s because economic growth usually indicates that people and businesses are earning and spending more and generally feeling better off. If it’s stalled, or if an economy is contracting, companies will spend less and maybe even cut jobs. People will earn and spend less, too, leaving them feeling worse off.” [1] Poverty is a deep need for resources and assistance in every area of life. A community with no businesses to provide jobs is worse off than a community with many busi...

When asking, “What is poverty reduction?” it’s important to understand that there are many metrics used by different countries and organizations to evaluate this. An overall understanding of poverty reduction includes ways of measuring the number of people who are permanently lifted out of this economic class. [1] The United Nations notes, “Poverty entails more than the lack of income and productive resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Its manifestations include hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion, as well as the lack of participation in decision-making.” [2] Each individual’s story of poverty holds nuances of need that must be addressed. No one service or gift alone can reduce poverty since it is a multifaceted issue for many. Solutions that make the most impact are those that have multiplying effects on a person or their family. GFA World’s farm animal gifts can be a long-lasting investment in indi...

Poverty is a complex issue that requires social, economic and cultural solutions. There are 5 ways to reduce poverty that are proven to help families live healthier lives that enrich communities as a whole. To design and implement effective solutions, it is crucial to explore the question, “ What is poverty reduction ?” and gain a helpful understanding of the dynamics at work in places where poverty prevails. Why is poverty reduction important? Poverty not only devastates individuals and families, it can also cripple entire communities and societies. People cannot joyfully enter into life and society, contributing their gifts and productivity, if every part of their lives is defined by lack. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Those who are poor face challenges beyond a lack of resources. They also experience mental and physical issues at a much higher rate than those living above the poverty line.” The APA points out that children born into poverty have higher ...

In providing solutions and addressing the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, aid must not stop with food. In one area of Madhya Pradesh, a congregation made 220 facemasks for those who could only work two hours a day because of lockdown restrictions. They also traveled to a nearby village to offer masks and health safety tips. In other towns and villages, Gospel for Asia (GFA World) national missionaries who were unable to hold services regularly called and checked in on families. But addressing this multi-faceted problem of the COVID-19 pandemic calls for more aid. For the past 15 years, GFA World has aided 138,000 children through it’s Child Sponsorship Program, a network of educational centers that provide children a chance to learn and dream of a better day as a doctor, teacher, government worker, or computer specialist. When Parmar Nagraj Provinbhai and three siblings came to a Child Sponsorship school, they had few skills for surviving in a modern world. Today, Parmar i...

The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the battle against extreme poverty brings the 2020 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty into sharp focus, commemorating the 27th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s declaration. The UN calls poverty a “multidimensional phenomenon” that stems from a lack of income and other deprivations, such as dangerous working conditions, unsafe housing, a lack of nutritious food, and limited access to health care. [1] All are worsened by the pandemic. “The end of the Cold War, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Syrian refugee crisis changed the public discourse on migration to focus on international security rather than the economic, cultural, social or humanitarian context,” wrote Abhinav Chugh in a report for the World Economic Forum last May. “Now, the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear of ‘the other’ shifts migration rhetoric further, by expanding the focus to include the risk to individual health security, as well. “Migrant key worke...

In the early days of spring COVID-19 lockdowns, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations’ human rights chief, issued a statement expressing distress and deep concern over the plight of migrant workers facing poverty, especially in South Asia—home to one-sixth of the world’s population. She said they were, in effect, forced to leave the cites where they worked with just a few hours’ notice. Lacking jobs and money and facing a shutdown of public transportation, thousands had to travel hundreds of miles to their home villages. Some died on the journey. “The lockdown in South Asia represents a massive logistical and implementation challenge given the population size and its density and we all hope the spread of the virus can be checked,” Bachelet said. “Many of these people’s lives have been suddenly uprooted by the lockdown, placing them in very precarious situations.” [1] The director of the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University thinks the world ne...

From September 2022, within a mere six-month timeframe, an additional 11 million individuals have plunged into the depths of extreme poverty as of April 2023, surviving on a meager $2.15 or less per day. Consequently, the global tally of impoverished individuals now reaches a staggering 659 million, as reported by the World Bank and their research data via the Poverty and Inequality Platform. [1] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that global growth would decline by 4.9 percent in 2020, with a particularly adverse effect on low-income households. In it’s April 2023 update , the global growth forecast declined further down to 2.5 percent–the weakest growth since the global downturn of 2001. This imperils progress made in reducing extreme poverty worldwide since the 1990s. When it comes to predicting the impact of COVID-19 and the world’s next epicenter the outcome is anyone’s guess. But this much is certain: impact of COVID-19 on poverty , as well as the impact of COVID-19 o...

Marty’s life in the impoverished communities of South Asia was characterized by poverty, struggle, and despair. However, through a transformative encounter with the Gospel, he discovered hope, healing, and a calling to serve his community. This is the story of Marty’s inspiring journey, highlighting the challenges he overcame and the ministry he established to bring light to the darkness of the slums and foster transformation in impoverished communities. [1] Despite the challenges he faced, Marty managed to graduate from twelfth grade while working as a street sweeper, studying under a streetlight due to lack of electricity. The death of his father during his seventh-grade year added to the burden of providing for his family. Marty’s determination and perseverance propelled him forward, overcoming the temptations that often ensnare young boys living on the streets. The trajectory of Marty’s life shifted when his mother began attending a Christian church. It was through her connection t...

Despite the challenging conditions they face, slum dwellers in South Asia often choose to remain in their communities, driven by their desire for dignified living conditions and the opportunity to work and support their families. We will explore the lived experiences of marginalized residents, including the unique case of police personnel residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and highlight their aspirations for improved living standards. The Plight of Disadvantaged Neighborhoods It is crucial to acknowledge that slums, universally characterized by “squalor,” are far from pleasant places to live. However, many residents have come to terms with their circumstances and find contentment within their communities, despite the hardships they endure on a daily basis. An intriguing aspect of slum life in South Asia is evident within the local police force, where approximately 40% of police personnel, [1] accounting for nearly 800,000 individuals, reside in impoverished communities. [2] Rep...

Slum communities in South Asia, despite facing significant challenges, provide residents in more permanent slums with better prospects for building a future compared to those in temporary neighborhoods. This article explores the factors contributing to the perception of permanence in these impoverished neighborhoods and the thriving economic activities that foster a strong sense of community among residents. The term “permanent” used to describe slum neighborhoods in South Asia is not solely based on the sturdiness of the structures but also on the fact that many residents have no plans to relocate. According to surveys, a remarkable 93% of residents in certain impoverished communities in South Asia have expressed their contentment and stated that they are not going to move. This reflects the deep-rooted connections and the sense of belonging these communities have cultivated over time. [1] Certain communities in South Asia house numerous shops and manufacturing units. In one suburb fo...

GFA World shared a powerful true story of Madin, a young man who, along with his family, left their impoverished rural village only to find themselves residing in a first-generation slum. This article sheds light on their journey, highlighting the challenges they faced and the unique aspects of generational slums. Despite the hardships, the residents of these impoverished neighborhoods demonstrate remarkable resilience and cultivate a strong sense of community. [1] Madin, belonging to the lowest social class, endured a lifetime of exploitation and mistreatment from his affluent village neighbors. Overwhelmed by the abuse, he made the difficult decision to seek peace and improved prospects for his family. Recognizing that their village offered no respite, Madin moved his family to a bustling city, hoping to escape the shackles of social class. However, lacking connections, they found themselves settling in a large impoverished community within an overcrowded urban area, facing new chall...

Africa is home to one-fifth of the world’s population—about 1.2 billion people—and half of the African populace is under the age of 15. With the presence of significant poverty in many of the nations on the continent, there is also great need and opportunity to sponsor a child in Africa. [1] Mortality rates among all ages in Africa have been dropping over the decades, but In 2017, more than half of the 5.4 million deaths of children under the age of five worldwide occurred in Africa. [2] Many of these deaths were caused by preventable diseases, like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea. If current trends persist, millions more unnecessary under-five deaths will occur throughout Africa in the coming decade. However, not all the difficulties African children face come from death; new life also creates challenges. Sub-Saharan Africa has had the highest birth rates of any region since 2017, and this trend is projected to persist for the remainder of the century. With such a large and growing p...

With GFA World, the question, “How can I sponsor a child in Africa?” is easy to answer. You can visit GFA’s website and click on the “Sponsoring Children” icon. On that page, you will see the kids who are awaiting sponsorship. You can then select which child you would like to sponsor. The $35/month donations are tax deductible and can be made monthly or annually through various channels. After that, you are connected to a child to write to and pray for. You receive a picture of them, and, using an online portal or the mail, you can send them pictures and letters too. [1] GFA’s Child Sponsorship Program provides education support to kids who would otherwise struggle to attend school. Education is often the most important key to breaking the generational cycle of poverty, but in sub-Saharan Africa, 32 million children are not in school. Thus, the program is incredibly important here. When kids go to school and become educated, their futures change as new opportunities for higher-paying j...

Since our work began in the capital city of Kigali in 2021, GFA World has opened the door to sponsor a child in Rwanda and help the needy who live there. [1] Rwanda is the fourth smallest country in Africa by land area, and lush hills and valleys make up most of the landscape, so it is also known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” [2] Kigali is the cleanest city in Africa and among the top ten cleanest cities in the world. However, Rwanda is largely rural, and about 90 percent of the population is involved in agricultural, agro-processing and mineral work. Tea and coffee are the major cash crops, but there is a lot of subsistence farming too because a high population density in a small area leaves little acreage for large-scale farming. The country has come a long way and has greatly healed from the deep scars of genocide, but there is still ministry work to be done in Rwanda. [3] GFA World has started to help needy children and communities in the impoverished areas of Kigali. Kigali...

The decision to sponsor a child in Africa to go to school is one that can change the child’s life forever. Though many countries have free public education, for copious children around the world, taking advantage of that fact is only a dream. Schools in rural areas can be hours away, and the cost of transportation and supplies can overwhelm families living in poverty. Often, children must work alongside their parents to provide for the family, cutting their education short and making it more difficult for them to escape from their circumstances. Thus, while education is one of the best ways to eradicate poverty, poverty often prevents education, creating a vicious, never-ending cycle. [1] Breaking this cycle is an important key to reducing poverty worldwide, and many organizations, like GFA World, are working toward this goal. The major way that we seek to break the chains of poverty is through our Child Sponsorship Program. This program gives children hope for a brighter future by enh...