Organizations that Help Poverty
There are numerous organizations that help poverty worldwide. With 736 million people living below the poverty line, the need is great.1 While some organizations focus on helping impoverished people in America or other developed countries, other organizations focus on the dire needs within developing countries. For example, GFA World serves impoverished people in places such as Asia and Africa.
Poverty is a common force that fuels many major global concerns, such as health care, education, equality for women and protection for endangered children.2 When individuals are fighting just to survive and feed their families, they often can’t afford to expend time or resources toward more advanced concerns.3 According to a GFA World special report, “Lacking adequate housing, hygiene, health care and education because they simply don’t have enough money, they pay a high price: disease, discrimination and, often, early death.”4
But when organizations such as GFA World help families rise out of poverty, these individuals become empowered to dream of better futures for themselves and their children. The specific needs within any given community, and the families within that community, are unique. GFA missionaries live among these communities and are familiar with those unique needs. They work with local government officials and regional leaders to determine how to best meet the needs within the communities they serve.
One way GFA missionaries help empower impoverished people is through income-generating gifts. Tabor is an example of how such gifts can significantly impact lives.5 Day after day, Tabor and his wife toiled in the fields, trying to feed their seven children. Tabor attempted other avenues to increase his income, better provide for his family and send his children to school, but his attempts failed. He was desperate and helpless.
Then Tabor received a pair of piglets from a GFA World gift distribution. The piglets grew and reproduced. Each offspring represented a month’s income. The multiplying gift provided a continual source of income for these hard-working parents. Now, the family is thriving.
Salestia and her husband, another example, worked as daily laborers and struggled to cover their family’s needs.6 Through a GFA World tailoring class, Salestia learned valuable skills that could enable her to keep their family from falling deeper into poverty. Though she lacked a sewing machine or the funds to purchase one, Salestia diligently continued her training. Upon completion of the course, Salestia received a sewing machine from GFA as well! Now she has the skills and the tools to feed and clothe her children, and even send them to school.
1 “Poverty.” The World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/overview. Accessed August 5, 2021.
2 Holt, Palmer. “Poverty: Public Enemy #1.” GFA World. https://www.gfa.org/special-report/poverty-alleviation/. October 17, 2019.
3 McLeod, Dr. Saul. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html. December 29, 2020.
4 Holt, Palmer. “Poverty: Public Enemy #1.” GFA World. https://www.gfa.org/special-report/poverty-alleviation/. October 17, 2019.
5 “Piglets Displace Poverty for Family of Nine.” GFA World. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2021/01/piglets-displace-poverty-family-nine/. January 7, 2021.
6 “Mother Receives Skills, Tools to Feed Her Family.” GFA World. https://gospelforasia-reports.org/2021/05/mother-receives-skills-tools-to-feed-her-family/. May 27, 2021.