October 5, 2012 – By John Scolaro: John is a Professor of Humanities at Valencia College in Orlando.
Poverty is a global phenomenon, especially in parts of Africa and in the Middle East. Of course, the United States is not exempt from this horrific plague of the human spirit. Joblessness, foreclosures, and other economic factors have traumatized American families beyond belief.
Despite the depth and degree of poverty experienced worldwide, hope is on the way. This is due to the initiatives of such organizations as the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. It was established in 1981 as a private, non-denominational, non-profit, international development organization, committed not only to the alleviation of global poverty, but also to the substantial reduction of the global epidemics of disease, hunger, and illiteracy.
The following data are sobering, especially if you are unaware of those adversely affected by the dire conditions which a substantial percentage of Earth’s 7 billion people experience every day: 3 billion of the world’s population earn less than $2.50 a day, which is less than most of us pay for a cup of coffee at Starbucks; 1 billion can’t even read or sign their names; and at least 400 million have no access to safe water.
via My Word: John Scolaro: World transforms with partnerships – OrlandoSentinel.com.
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