I’ve nnever thought about poverty in great detail until recently. Growing up, because I was in French Immersion, I was in the same class with the same people for the first 8 years of school and got to know everyone pretty well. Sure some kids lived in big houses and others in small houses with a big family or in a trailer but everyone seemed to have a decent standard of living. What I would have considered “poverty” for the town is the drunk people that hung around the liquor store and homeless shelter which was across the street. I didn’t know the reasons behind it but I basically saw poverty as a blend between homelessness and alcohol addiction. When I became older I obviously began to realize and understand other aspects of povertyy.

After it was over I got to learn a lot more by hearing people talk who were actually participating in it and one thing that they alluded to was lack of energy from lack of food. Not only adults, but children in their ability to concentrate in school. “For many, their body is their main or only asset. It is uninsured. Shortage of food and sickness not only causes pain, but also weakens and devalues the asset. There are “lazy” poor people, but in-activity is often conservation of energy.” (Narayan, 2000) Personally, I try to eat as healthy as I can, simply because it makes me feel better and gives me more energy. So if you don’t have the ability to eat at all it is obvious how this becomes a factor even though many people will just label them “lazy”. “These burdens also expose them to “time poverty,” meaning that they have little or no time to rest, reflect, enjoy social life, take part in community activities, or spend time in spiritual activities.” (Narayan, 2000). This was another significant concern that I saw as the banker at the simulation. Because people have full time jobs, have to take care of their children, plus all of the other duties that come when you are living check to check (or worse), the element of time is exceptionally concerning. People were always in a rush, and when the bank closed for the day we had to turn people away unfortunately, which would sometimes mean that they would not be able to eat.

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3 years ago