Global Poverty
Poverty Around the World
- Nearly half the world lives on less than $2.50 a day.
- Extreme poverty kills 8 million people every year.
- Every other child in the world lives in poverty; and 25,000 children die from poverty every day.
Statistics of global poverty seem to be everywhere - reminding us of the desperate situations that billions of people find themselves in each day. But with all of the focus on this global crisis, what's really being done to solve it?
- Microfinance Programs provide small loans so individuals can build capital and start a business.
- Debt Relief can help developing countries spend money on programs to help the poor, instead of paying back debts. For every $1 given in aid to a developing country, $25 is spent on debt repayment.
- Investing in Education and Rights for Girls. Educating girls has proven to increase the well-being of her entire family- and her children later in life.
Why Buy Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is a financial relationship between producers, sellers, and consumers to ensure that workers are treated fairly.
Many workers in developing countries export goods whose prices change dramatically from month to month, such as coffee, tea, and fruits. The change in food and fuel prices can cause poverty for small farming households, as they receive less income to pay for food, education, and health needs.
Fair trade ensures that workers are receiving a fair price for their goods; one that enables them to meet their family's needs. For more information about Fair Trade, click here.
Take Action
- Buy Fair Trade Certified Products whenever possible. Fair Trade certification means that all the traders in the supply chain adhered to the 9 principles of fair trade and that all of the workers were treated fairly.
- Go for one day spending $1 or less. Send us your reactions and we'll post it on the YUGACentral Blog. What did it feel like? Did it make you realize how much money you spend a day without realizing it? What were you unable to do? For an extended challenge, try to spend only $34.33 on food for a week- the average amount of money available to most Haitians.
- Learn about your candidate's stance on poverty issues. Does your representative reflect your views about hunger, homelessness, and unemployment? What is your candidate proposing to do about these issues?
- Take the Global Poverty Quiz. Test your knowledge about global poverty, and challenge your fellow YUGA members at your next meeting!
Activism Update
Child Marriage Bill Out of Committee!
Many of you have been following our advocacy efforts for the Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act. We've been writing letters, standing up at Congress, and even meeting with U.S. Senators to talk about the importance of the bill! To track its progress, you can visit this website. Be sure to read our blog entry to hear about our meeting with Sheldon Whitehouse, too!
YUGA Central This Month's Most Popular...
Facebook Message: 3 YUGA members sat down with Senator Whitehouse on August 30, 2010 to talk about the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act. The Senator is a co-sponsor supporting the bill, and YUGA is advocating to have it passed! August 31 at 1:26pm
Tweet: Today is Int'l Literacy Day! Celebrate with a good book and by helping others to read and write, too. September 8 at 9:53am
Blog Entry: Are Youth Undervalued? Reflections on the United Nations International Year of Youth Event by Luis
YUGA Calendar
October 17, 2010
YUGA New England Meeting
11:30am-1:30pm
Plan USA Office: 155 Plan Way, Warwick
School Spotlight
Cranston East YUGA Recycles Cans at Football Games
Additional Resources
Picks of the Month
Books to Read:
- The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It by Paul Collier
- The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs
Film to Watch:
- "Black Gold" Length: 78 min
Next Month
November - Giving Thanks
Over the years, YUGA has been involved in some pretty creative and successful fundraisers. Find out how your peers have been raising money for Plan's projects- and how your money has made a difference!
