What Are Some Solutions to the Poverty Cycle?
There are many solutions to the poverty cycle; however, through our extensive work in South Asia, we have learned that you can provide significant change through these 5 strategies.
Solutions to the Poverty Cycle:
5 Strategies
Invest in Educational Programs
When children and adults are literate and taught how to think, it is easier to break the cycle of poverty. When you invest in literacy programs, your investment is multiplied because parents teach their children, and those children will someday teach their children, too. Women who learn to read and learn basic math increase their chances of escaping poverty exponentially.
Invest in Income-generating Training and Gifts
Training someone in an income-generating skill is a huge boost to someone in poverty. For example, when a woman is taught how to sew and given a sewing machine, she obtains tailoring skills that will generate income for her family. Or when a family is gifted chickens or goats, they now have eggs and milk to sell at the market. Investing in income-generation items is key to helping someone out of poverty.
Invest in Children
When children understand that they have value and someone believes in them, they are more likely to succeed. We can help break the poverty mindset early and demonstrate to children that they have the potential to dream of something better. A better future can be within their grasp.
Invest in Community Development
Water wells, water filters, toilets, and disaster relief can change an entire community. For example, access to a toilet gives a person dignity. He or she no longer has to walk long distances to relieve themselves. Community development projects help change the mindset of poverty.
Invest in Spiritual Hope
Many people in poverty don’t know that God loves them and that they were created with a purpose. Poverty tells people they are hopeless. God tells them that hope is possible. The good news of Jesus is life changing.