In an effort to bring poverty into perspective:
According to 2006 UN data,
the prevelance of poverty in Mongolia hovers at 36%.
36% of Mongolians live on less than $30 per week.
36 out of every 100 Mongolians do not have the neccessary means to purchase food items deemed neccessary for survival.
According to US Census information,
the prevalence of poverty in America is 12%.
12 out of every 100 Americans do not have the neccessary means to purchase food items
deemed neccessary for survival.
Don't both figures seem horribly wrong?
Check out this short video for footage of Ewan McGreggor in UB diving below the surface with street children, circa 2004:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=197kBg7uX50
2 comments:
Molly - Did you bring a camera? You should post some photogrpahs. I know it is cliche but a picture is worth a thousand words. People think they know what poverty is, but when they SEE children sleeping in the streets and people foraging for food in in what the other 64% of people discard, it makes you think. It is difficult to photograph people in those conditions and convince them that you are not trying to exploit them, but I'm sure they would see the compassion in you and open up, knowing that you are there to help. Good luck. Thanks for traveling for all of us.
Hey, Jason. You're right - photos always speak louder than words. FYI everyone - having a bit of trouble uploading images, but working on it. Stay tuned! Thanks for joining the adventure.
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