I am often asked with great astonishment why I am going to give up my job, and everything I have, to go and work for little to no pay on the other side of the world, without the comforts and luxuries of Western Life.
It always surprises me a little, because my inner sense is that I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t feel exactly the same way that I do. I’m sure that’s a little silly of me, and I wonder if it’s because a lot of people don’t know some of the staggering statistics that I have come across recently. I’m convinced it can’t be that we just don’t care! Here are some of them!
In 1998, a Human Development Report said:
The three richest people in the world own the amount of wealth equal to the combined GDP of the world’s poorest 48 nations.
Basic education for the whole world would only cost an extra $6 billion a year.
Installation of water and sanitation for the whole world would cost £9 billion.
Healthcare and Nutrition for the whole world would cost $13 billion a year.
Then the flip side
$11 billion is spent on Ice cream in Europe in one year.
$17 billion is spent on pet food in Europe and the US in one year.
$35 billion is spent on business entertainment in Japan in one year.
$50 billion is spent on cigarettes in Europe in one year.
$105 billion is spent on alcohol in Europe in one year.
$400 billion is spent on narcotics globally in on year.
$780 billion is spent on the world’s armed forces in one year.
In 1997, UNDP reported it would cost £80 billion a year to wipe out poverty from the planet until 2007 which is less that one half of one percent of global income , and is the equivalent of the combined net worth of the richest seven men on earth.
Other Statistics about World Hunger
About 24,000 people die every day from hunger or hunger-related causes. Three-fourths of the deaths are children under the age of 5. (The Hunger Project, United Nations)
That’s 1,000 people every hour, 16 people every minute, 1 every 4 seconds.
It is estimated that 1 billion people in the world suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition, about 100 times as many as those who actually die from it each year. Keep in mind, there are 1 billion people in the world that are obese. (The Hunger Project)
Malnutrition can severely affect a child’s intellectual development. Children who have stunted growth due to malnutrition score significantly lower on math and language achievement tests than do well-nourished children. Preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger, according to a recent study.
(State of the World’s Children 1998, UNICEF)
The world produces enough food to feed everyone. World agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, despite a 70 percent population increase. This is enough to provide everyone in the world with at least 2,720 kilocalories (kcal) per person per day. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food. (Food and Agriculture Organization 2002, FAO 1998)
SO WHAT WHO CARES!
I care - I really do. I am sometimes overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem but I am going to try and find ways to combat it - and to let everyone else know how they can combat it.
If we in the west really cared, we would do something about it. There is so much that we can do, but it does require sacrifices on our part, which few people are willing to give. Could you give up £100 a month? Let’s see what it would mean:
£25 a week =
2 Takeaway £10
2 Beers £6
3 chocolate bars £3
1 magazine £2
2 coffees £4
A little bit of a sacrifice on our part - could mean that 5 children live. Something to consider don’t you think? To sponsor a World Vision Child costs £18 a month (in Australia about $50 a month). You could sponsor five of them. Or you could take it further - how much do you care?
I am investigating ways we can start putting our money to better use. Please let me know if you are interested to help…