Why Care About Poor Families in Developing Countries?

“We have plenty of poor in the U.S.” I hear this statement often in making our case for supporting poverty eradication in Bangladesh. There is no doubt that poverty still exists in the U.S. – the greatest country in the world.  But not “extreme” poverty – living on less than $2/day.  What I have learned from my work with PSDI is that people living in extreme poverty have much difficulty lifting themselves out of that poverty without intentional help and support from somewhere.  PSDI donors offer that support – an opportunity to make a connection with a family half way around the world that will make a significant difference in their lives.

For many of our donors, it is their faith that drives them to support our important work.  It’s simple – love your neighbor.  Serving the poor is at the heart of the doctrine of many religions.  And that is reason enough!  But we want to share with you some of the other reasons why we should care about poor families in developing countries.

1.       Lives are wasted – lives of those who could have prospered and contributed to society and the common good.

2.       People living in poverty become desperate which can lead them to committing crimes.  It’s not hard to understand how you would do anything to provide for your family, if need be.

3.       People living in poverty have more health problems – as proven by recent data spotlighting the greater impact of the pandemic on poor populations.

4.       Poverty leads to the feeling of hopelessness and leaves people vulnerable to anyone who reaches out to them, including religious extremists and gang leaders.

5.       Research has shown that helping the poor will raise the incomes of the rest of the world.  Did you know that the extreme and moderate poor have buying power equal to $8 billion per day making them an opportunity, not a burden.[1]

6.       Developed countries should be concerned about nations filled with poor people as they often end up in conflict and violence that impacts many outside of their borders.

7.       People living in desperate situations often immigrate to other countries to improve their lives, sometimes illegally.

And I will add one more reason to this important list of why we should care about helping the poor in developing countries – IT FEELS SO GOOD!!!   

FYI – 80% of those living in extreme poverty in our world, live in just 14 countries, including Bangladesh  (also India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Congo, Niger, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Chad, South Sudan, Guinea and Somalia.)[2]

So, when someone asks me why they should support families living thousands of miles away instead of supporting families in our own  neighborhoods, I say – WE MUST DO BOTH!!!

Help us serve families in urgent need in Bangladesh – good people – caring people – hopeful people – because if you don’t, who will?  Thank you.   (www.psdintl.org/waystogive)

[1] C.K. Prahalad book “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid”

[2] Jailan Adly article “Why We Should All Care About Ending Ultra-Poverty”