Blog Action Day Against Poverty

Thanks to the post Poverty Around Us on Geotraveler’s Niche by Lola Akinmade I came across Blog Action Day 2008. This day took place yesterday October 15th and aimed to raise awareness and initiate action for the complex issue of poverty.

Girl in Ecuador

As we all know the world isn’t fair. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer. I wish everyone could come home to a safe house, clean clothes and a warm bed without needing to struggle for survival every single day.

The ways to help are many and varied. For example, you can:

• Click on the link to feed the hungry at The Hunger Site every day.

• Play on freerice.com. I love the game Identify Countries on the Map.

• Avoid overconsumption.

• Buy fair trade products.

• Give coupons for free meals and beverages to someone who need them more than you.

• Support charity organization in your country.

• Eat meatless meals a couple of times a week and donate that grocery money to a local food bank.

• Adopt a child through an organization like Compassion International.

• Gather your friends to go door-to-door collecting canned foods for a soup kitchen.

• Volunteer at your local soup kitchen or in a shelter for homeless.

• Bring your unused winter clothes to a charitable organization.

• Publish pictures or videos about poverty on the Web to help fight ignorance.

• Volunteer abroad. The opportunities for volunteering around the world are endless.

I have talked with lots of people about whether they think one should give money to homeless or not. Some are for it, others against it. Sometimes I give a few coins, sometimes I give food.

I remember my second trip to London, where I often saw homeless people near tube stations, on the streets and in alleys. One day I had bought a tasty sandwich from Pret a Manger near Marble Arch. As I walked through the passageway towards Hyde Park to eat lunch outdoors, I saw a homeless man sitting on the concrete. He seemed exhausted, hungry. On impulse I asked if he wanted a sandwich from Pret a Manger.

“Yes!” He looked up at once.

I gave him the sandwich box. He instantly opened it to take a first bite.

He needed that lunch more than I did.

Helping in small ways does matter, regardless of where you live or travel.

Before I stop writing I must recommend 23 Awesome Examples of Design as a Force for Good. Great examples of where people have used graphic design to encourage action.

Homeless in Paris

Children playing with soil in Nepal

Homeless man sleeping with his bible