by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer
I had the pleasure of meeting two representatives of Soles4Soles at BlogHer ’11 in San Diego where I was able to learn more about the organization and what it stands for. Chris and Jeremy were two of the nicest guys, although guys were in limited supply at BlogHer, a girl could meet. You can see in their eyes how much the organization means to them and why the cause is so close to their hearts. Since I don’t know when any of you will be able to meet Chris or Jeremy at an event, I decided I should tell you a little bit more about the organization and what they are doing to make a difference in the world today. Soles4Souls, Inc. was founded by Wayne Esley in 2004 following the devastating tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. A picture of a single shoe washed ashore triggered an idea that would lead Esley to creating Soles4Souls, Inc. and help put shoes on over 15 million pairs of feet worldwide. Some might ask, “Why shoes?” The truth of the matter is that shoes can prevent infections, diseases, burns, and other injuries that could lead to health issues later in life. Soles4Souls “Why Shoes?” webpage sums up the importance of shoes especially for children, “With the number of children living in abject poverty and therefore surviving at a scavenger's existence, the feet are at tremendous risk as the child hunts for food or household items in garbage dumps, abandoned housing/construction areas, or while crossing through open sewer trenches and contaminated areas.” The organization takes new and gently used shoes, cleans them up, and then delivers them to those in need. Soles4Souls has delivered over 15 million pairs of shoes domestically and internationally. Volunteers with the organization have delivered shoes to children and families in need in over 127 countries. Shoes are not the only concern for Esley and his volunteers. Clothing, toys, furniture and building materials are all items that can provide support to victims of natural disasters and those living in extreme poverty. Soles4Souls’ other two divisions, Clothes4Souls and Hope4Souls, focus on these efforts. Visit Soles4Souls to find out how you can make a difference by cleaning out your closet, hosting a fundraiser or taking a trip to deliver shoes to those in need. More by Linda: Brazil’s “Zero Hunger” Program Offers Hope for the War on Poverty Worldwide Child Poverty: America's Rising Crisis World Humanitarian Day: Celebrating the Men and Women Making a Difference Yum! Brands, Inc. Fights Hunger in Africa with $1M
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by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer
Brazil is giving hope to the world by leading in the war on poverty. The country has seen dramatic changes over the years in how many people are going hungry. In 2003 over 17 million Brazilians were living in extreme poverty. That number dropped to nine million in 2009. It still means that nine million people are living in poverty, but it also means that the social programs being used to combat poverty and hunger are working. The new Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Jose Graziano da Silva, was previously a food security minister for Brazil. He was also one of the creators of the nation’s “Zero Hunger” social programs. One of the programs is “Bolsa Familia” or “Family Grant” which gives money directly to poor households. Graziano has stated that one of his first priorities for the FAO is to eradicate hunger. “Bolsa Familia” is the social program that can be credited with helping Brazil’s extreme poverty numbers drop. Graziano believes that the “Zero Hunger” programs should be a model for other nations. According to Fox News Latino, Graziano believes that the “strong institutional framework” including the right to food in Brazil’s constitution and working closely with civic groups are the strength behind Zero Hunger. Graziano stated, “These two pillars are what make the Brazilian program so attractive for the world.” Last year it was estimated that 925 million people worldwide suffered from malnutrition, hunger, and poverty by the U.N. food program. A fear that the numbers are already on the rise due to the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa, rising food prices globally, and economic collapses is well founded. The social program initiatives under “Zero Hunger” should be a great starting point for governments all over the world to give hope to those living in extreme poverty. Some of the initiatives under “Zero Hunger” include “Bolsa Familia”, job training for women, support for small farmers, and running restaurants that serve 50-cent meals. More by Linda: Child Poverty: America's Rising Crisis Soles4Souls: Over 300 Million Children are Without Shoes World Humanitarian Day: Celebrating the Men and Women Making a Difference Yum! Brands, Inc. Fights Hunger in Africa with $1M by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer
A student, Drew Mirolli, at North Paulding High School in Georgia is a founder of a non-profit organization that collects food and clothing for people in need. The non-profit called Operation Poverty has raised close to $13,000 to stock up a local food pantry and to help rebuild a girls’ dormitory in Uganda. As great as those things are, that is not what sets Operation Poverty apart from other non-profits that focus on helping those in need. Operation Poverty believes that in order to understand the crisis of homelessness and poverty you have to experience it. The organization issued a challenge to the students of North Paulding High School- to sleep outside and live on $2 a day with daily rations of oatmeal, small PB&J sandwiches and ramen noodles. Over 200 students joined in “Challenge Week” with some dropping out along the way. When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked Mirolli if anyone dropped out of “Challenge Week” Mirolli responded, “We had a couple of freshman girls — it is just a little too hard. That almost makes me happy. That means that they are actually experiencing what it’s like.” Mirolli was honored earlier this month in Washington D.C. for his outstanding community service. He was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award which recognized outstanding service by middle and high school students. Mirolli is graduating this year but has passed the challenge project onto a senior at a rival high school He hopes that Operation Poverty will go nationwide with more and more students getting involved. You can read Ann Hardie’s full interview with Drew Mirolli at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The most called-upon prerequisite of a friend is an accessible ear.” ~ Maya Angelou Are you accessible to those around you? Be it business or personal, you should always lend an ear. Not only can being accessible strengthen trust and relationships. But it is also vital to solving important issues. What does this have to do with poverty or homelessness? Think about it. In order to be successful in getting the most help out to those who really need it, a program needs to be very accessible. Also think in terms of support and encouragement. Like Ms. Angelou says, lend an ear. Listen to your client, friend, or family member in need. I mean really listen hard and be there for them. That is the first step to helping someone succeed in life. Without the inspiration and desire to do so, all the assistance in the world is not going to matter. If someone is not encouraged, it will be a wasted effort. If you offer help that is not easily accessed, it is a wasted effort. But when you are accessible in times of need, this can make all the difference in someone's life. So, the next time a client, acquaintance, or friend comes to you for help, be accessible. by Ann Olson, Featured Y! Health Contributor Staying healthy when you're poor can be very difficult. It's hard enough to afford groceries--making healthy choices with your grocery habits may seem impossible. But there are ways to stay healthy even if you are struggling to afford groceries every week. Some foods stretch further and offer more nutritional value, such as carrots and oatmeal. Other foods offer cheaper alternatives to more expensive food choices, such as lean chicken breasts. If you are poor or expect to become poor, these healthy eating choices will keep you healthy, which can prevent the onset of illnesses that may ultimately cost more money to treat. So how do you stay healthy when you're poor? 1. Always have carrots and potatoes in stock. Potatoes and carrots are usually very cheap or on sale in my area.. The versatility and nutritional value of these vegetables are essential for staying healthy, as it contains several important nutrients and vitamins that helps maintain the health of your skin, teeth, bones and vision. 2. Get your protein with eggs and canned tuna. Chicken or pork can be very expensive--in my area, it's hard to find a bag of chicken breasts for less than $5.99, and that doesn't even last the entire week! Try getting your protein by eating eggs or canned tuna instead. Just a couple of servings can cover your daily protein requirement. 3. Oatmeal just isn't for breakfast. It contains both insoluble and soluble fiber, which takes slower to digest, giving you a feeling of fullness. It's also cheap and has limitless servings--just one canister of oatmeal should last you at least a week, if not more. I like to eat mine with a dash of raisins and brown sugar. 4. Remember to get your sun. If you're poor, you probably don't feel like going out because you don't want to spend money, but just spending 30 minutes outside each day can have wonderful benefits for your physical and mental well-being. Not only has moderate sun exposure been shown to make people less likely to become depressed, it can also help your body get vitamin D. It can really help you stay sane during these rough times. Overall, making smart choices can help you save money and stay healthy when you're poor. Stock up on vegetables, cook your food from scratch, and make sure to get some fresh air to stay healthy and sane. |
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