Many of us claim to be something we are not. In many cases, some of us claim to be rich, popular, or poor. However, we don’t realize that there are billions of people in the world that can’t escape their reality.
“I’m poor” we often hear people say. But have these people actually stopped to think about what does it really mean to be poor? As humans we tend to overlook the things we have. We don’t value the privilege of being able to choose what to wear, what shoes to put on, or what to eat and wasting food. Did you know that 2.5 billion people live with less than $2 a day and out of those 2.5, 1.5 of them live with less than $1 per day?
Today we got the opportunity to visit the Dump along with a partnering Global Glimpse organization called Las Hormiguitas. Las Hormiguitas is a center that was created about 22 years ago. The center focuses on educating kids from the age range of eight to fourteen and a half years old. In addition, Las Hormiguitas has a mobile school which they use to teach the kids that work at the Dump. So today we spent some time with them at the Dump working with the kids and giving out food.
Before this day I used to think of poverty as not being able to buy certain clothes or not having the ability to move to a bigger apartment, but now, I can’t even imagine what is poverty. I don’t think anyone can understand what’s the true meaning of poverty until we experience it. Poverty is something beyond understanding and I don’t think anyone deserves to go through it. Observing the people at the dump was tragic. Sad because many of those people were kids who don’t even own a pair of shoes.
As the Global Glimpse leader of the day, I can guarantee you that we were all touched by what we experienced.
Chase , through your journey at globial glimps your eyes have been opened too many things. I know it must’ve been hard for you to see how families have to live in such terrible conditions. I know your group has brought many smiles to the children and families through your gameplaying , teaching or just being friends with the people of Nicaragua. Xox mom
Hi everyone,
Wow I’m sure the last two days were a very humbling experience for all! Thanks for the last two posts, which were very moving and heartfelt descriptions of your day. It gives me hope that your generation will make a difference in this world. Loved, loved, loved all the pictures of everyone running around, playing games, and interacting with the families. It was proof that money does not buy happiness. I was not surprised to see you holding a child in the group picture Maddie! Is the number of children that you are going to adopt someday even higher now (Angelina Jolie) ? Keep up the good work everyone. You ARE making a difference in other peoples lives! Mucho love to Maddie and Caitlin!
Noreen
Dear Pamela,
Wow! What a moving post! The facts you have listed about poverty are deeply disturbing and ones I will refer to when I think I need something I don’t have!!
Much love to Caitlin and Maddie!
Love,
Kathleen
P.S. Please remind Caitlin to call my cell phone and not her father’s as mine is always on and with me!
What an amazing experience to see how people make do with so little. My friend Becky ate on $1 a day for a month in her home in Durham, NC; with a lot of choices for what food to eat, wrote a blog, and received so much attention that she was featured in People magazine and was on the Rachel Ray show. The people you are seeing live on this little every day of their lives. You are blessed to be able to see the world from such a different perspective. Great job Caitlin especially! Maureen Waters (Caitlin’s aunt)
I am so glad to know that you ALLL have learned a valid lesson of being need and just want.
Pamela,
Your blog post is powerful. Your writing clearly demonstrates the impact the day had on you and your fellow Glimpsers. I am so incredibly proud of you and what you are learning in Nica. Thank you for sharing your emotions and insights. Please let your entire delegation know I’m thinking of them and hope they continue to learn and grow in the remaining days. I can’t wait to see you and the rest of the HSEF GGs at school in a few weeks!
Big Love, Heather (aka Ms Page)