Poverty is a villain who terrorizes, oppresses and represses. It takes the path of unworthiness, defeat and sorrow. I feel this sorrow as I consider poverty and a deeper sorrow as some of its victims have now entered my life and become my closest friends. As a result, my path in life is to fight against poverty, to challenge its violent and relentless pursuit to take its subjects. It is an evil regime that has preceded and will continue to proceed the majority world.
Along my path I have found many organizations accomplishing credible feats in this battle and I heartedly commend and thank them. But there is an organization I can personally and intimately endorse in its efforts and that is New Hope Initiative, where we are initiating change by carrying the Good News of God's love thru nutrition, education, micro-loans for small businesses and providing medical care for those who are as poor as you can imagine. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 400 million of them. Their simple dwellings have no electricity, no running water or sewage system, women cook with charcoal, they wash their clothes in a tub, they get up early in the morning to walk to market and sell their produce or wares. They return home at night to prepare meager dinner for their families or no dinner at all. As men lose their self worth women and children bear the brunt of their trauma.
Yet I have found some things along this path. I have witnessed to what extremes a mother will go for her child. I have found that amidst the strife and hopelessness God is right in the middle of it. He knows it all, He sees it all, and He has great compassion for us all. Also I have found that even the most difficult life is still a treasure. As far as poverty seems from the throne of heaven, I can still hear His voice. I see light in the darkness and hope burning bright for the future.
Join us in forging this path out of poverty...
By Karen Baird - Director of New Hope Initiative