Many years ago, a young fellow from the UK wrote a song with the lyrics “I’d love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do.” Many people feel that way, usually because they see problems such as hunger and poverty as too large and too widespread for one person to do anything about.

Though it is a difficult thing to do, each individual must see the issue in a different way. Rather than thinking that one person has to take on the entire problem, each citizen of the world should dedicate his or her time and money, however little he or she may have, to solving a small part of the issue. If enough small pieces of the puzzle are put in place, it is possible to make a difference.

A History of Helping

There many groups and organisations that carry on this work on a daily basis. Some are working in as many as 90 countries, doing what they can to find solutions to social injustice and poverty. A common denominator among these groups is the core belief that every person on Earth should be able to exercise his or her basic rights and manage his or her life free of hunger and debilitating poverty.

Those who can afford to donate to these organisations can make a difference, one person at a time. But there is strength in numbers, so thousands of individuals making donations of any size will eventually have a positive effect on major issues half a world away. Groups such as Oxfam Australia are helping people battle poverty and recover from emergency situations.

All Parts of the World

Crisis situations exist in many locations around the world, including the Middle East. Half of the population of Syria is in immediate need of help because of the violent social upheaval, as are thousands in Yemen. There is a need for clean water and sanitary living conditions in the Congo on the continent of Africa. The potential for famine threatens the people of South Sudan due to prolonged drought, civil conflict, and rising prices for food.

In a completely different part of the world, people are still recovering from a major earthquake that destroyed entire villages in Fiji. In April of 2015 a massive earthquake devastated Nepal, resulting in the loss of 8,000 lives and leaving tens of thousands. In Australia, specific populations such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a life expectancy that is 10 years shorter than that of the majority of Australians.

There are similar situations on every continent, and the work continues through the efforts of dedicated individuals. General donations can be made or individuals can make contributions that will be targeted to the most pressing issues the organisations focus on. Because one person in three on the planet lives in poverty, assistance is needed immediately to keep the problem from getting worse. With the assistance of caring citizens of the world, poverty and hunger can be reduced and even eliminated. Take a few minutes to donate today.

Leave a Reply