Matthew Lang

This is my contribution to Blog Action Day 08, which this year will highlight the issue of poverty and hopefully raise awareness of this global problem.

In the recent weeks we have been hit with news everyday of the global financial crisis.  People are worried about their savings, their properties and their jobs. I myself know of a number of people who are currently employed within some of these massive companies.  However amongst all this turmoil, have we in the developed world forgot about one of the bigger problems facing our planet?

Poverty is a global issue and one that was highlighted a couple of years ago with the Live 8 gigs that were played across the world.  As always though, it seems that these issues are highlighted in the media for only so long before the next big news story comes along.  It’s the hope that Blog Action Day 08 can highlight this issue again, and remind people and organisations that although you might think your living in troubled times in the financial crisis, remember that there are millions of others that have been living in poverty for longer.

So how can we as a society help others in poverty, so that they have a better standard of living?  For those in the developing countries, the best solution is allow communities to support themselves.  This means educating communities and providing them with the necessary tools and skills to start a business or allow them to trade.

As a software developer I often update computers for people with software, but all too often I see that they have old machines simply sitting in the spare room not being used.  If you have such a machine then why not donate it?  The Computers4Africa scheme promotes information and communication schemes in communities across Africa, by refurbishing old computers and readying them for deployment to school children in Africa.

With the Christmas period coming up it’s easy to get sucked into buying presents for people and giving people ideas for what to buy yourself.  Instead of thinking of you, why not think of others.  Ask that your relatives instead make a donation to Oxfam or even better, buy tools or a goat through their Oxfam Unwrapped scheme.  This scheme allows people to buy items that help communities in the developing world get on their feet and provide for themselves where they can.

In the developed countries of the world, poverty is often an issue that is skipped over.  While we have our nice homes and cars, there are other people that just can’t afford the basics essentials in life and often have to choose between paying bills or putting food on the table.  You can help families living in poverty by donating clothes or unused furniture. Contact your local charity and ask them if they need anything.  Just donating is great, but you might be able to make a bigger change by actually helping out.  Every little helps, and by making these changes you help people get that step closer to a better standard or living.

At the end of the day most of us will live in the mindset that we are facing tough times with the financial crisis ahead and forget about those who are less fortunate than us.  Why not shift your mindset from focusing on negative times ahead for yourself and instead focus on spending a little bit of your time on helping those less fortunate than you?