Here
is a video of us at the Garbage Dump.
This depicts the level of poverty in Cambodia
and was very hard for us to experience.
ABOUT
POVERTY
One of the most extreme pressing issues facing the people
of Cambodia is poverty. In 2004, 35 percent of Cambodia’s
population was considered in poverty. On average, a household
spent only .45 cents per day, where 80 percent of that money
was spent on food, leaving the remaining amount for basic
needs such as clothing. The line did vary much between bigger
cities and the rural areas of Cambodia, for the poverty
rate in cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Riep were much
lower than that of the rural areas of Cambodia. (World Bank).
90% of those considered poor make their main income from
agriculture (Poverty Net). What are solutions to this issue
without giving charity? How can you make an impact on 35%
of the population? The solution is not easy, but it is urgent
that people help, for this is a human violation. One can
argue that these people can fend for themselves, it is their
fault they are poor. The truth is when living in a developing
country where human rights are nonexistent, the ability
to become prosperous is extremely difficult, for workers
in factories, many are forced to work 12 hours a day receiving
only one dollar. How can a person provide for themselves,
for their family, if there entire day is consumed by work,
and all they receive in return is a bowl of noodles. A shocking
number of 2.5 million children are forced to work (World
Food). If these children are working, how are they receiving
an education? Well most children aren’t. Without human
rights to receive and education, to receive fair working
conditions, such as minimum wage, how can these people in
poverty support themselves? This is why we must listen to
the Cambodians needs, providing them with assistance, not
just charity, so they can learn sustainability to help themselves.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Poverty
Net. Achieving Poverty Targets. 03 March
2007.
