Poverty 101 Category | Compassion International Blog

What Poverty Tourism Gets Wrong

A woman selling beans on a street in Kibera, where some people go for poverty tourism.

Is poverty tourism just a harmless way to gain insight into what it’s like to live in poverty? Sidney Muisyo explains the underlying and deeply flawed messages that slum tours are based on and can further ingrain in us. He also explains how you can visit an impoverished community in a way that is mutually honoring and beneficial.

By: Sidney Muisyo Posted on: February 02, 2020

Why Help People in Poverty in Other Countries When People Need Help Here?

Our time and resources are finite, yet there seems to be infinite need. We want to be kind to people in poverty and we want to do it wisely. Here are a few things to consider as you struggle through this question for yourself.

By: Amber Van Schooneveld Posted on: July 07, 2017

A farmer stands in fields in the early morning in Indonesia

17 Gorgeous Photos of Gardens Around the World

In these photos of gardens around the world, you’ll see more than just plants. In these gardens are vegetables — but also opportunities. Fruits are flourishing — and so are small businesses started by families living in poverty. A fledgling sprout peeking up from the soil can signify a whole new future for a child. Because people in poverty who can grow successful gardens have not only a source of nutritious food, but also a source of income.

A laughing girl child wearing a brown shirt with white lace and collar stands outside in the middle of a street holding a present wrapped in shiny red wrapping paper. Behind her is blue sky and trees.

Children’s Birthdays Are a Big Deal — and Not Just for Kids

Kids sure do love their birthdays. As I write this, my wife and I are in the midst of planning a birthday party for our two sons. They are turning 9 and 7. Their birthdays are within two weeks of each other, and since they are so close in age, they share many of the same friends. So, we’re able to do a bit of a two-for-one deal.

11 Remarkable Photos of “Tiny Homes” in the Developing World

The tiny house movement that’s sweeping North America is actually nothing new. People have always found peace in the simplicity of tiny homes. Here are some remarkable photos of tiny homes from communities where we work in the developing world.

Suchat, a boy in Thailand, smiles and holds his hands in prayer. He is wearing a white collared shirt. A rural home and plants are seen behind him

6 Weekly Prayers for Children in Poverty This Lent

For the next 40 days (plus Sundays), Christians around the world will recognize the season of Lent. Please enjoy this mini Lent prayer guide that includes a portion of Scripture, thought and prayer for each week over the next six weeks. Also, because we know that you’re busy and juggling multiple priorities, we’ve included a set of prayer reminder cards!

A girl and a boy are riding on a donkey. The girl is wearing a school uniform and a backpack. They are smiling

15 Out-of-the-Ordinary Journeys to School

Here’s a look at some of the great lengths children around the world are going to every day to get themselves to the classroom.

How Does the Bible Define Poverty?

Many people and organizations view poverty in economic terms. But does this definition align with how Scripture describes the poor? How does the Bible define poverty?

A young girl wearing a pink shirt holds a dish and looks at the camera. She is in her family's kitchen, which has bamboo walls and a shelf of organized dishes.

Kitchens Around the World: 10 Fascinating Photos

These photos of kitchens around the world say more than words ever could.

Every kitchen tells a story. From Latin America to Asia and Africa, these intimate images captured by Compassion’s photojournalists show the remarkable ways that families —usually women and children — cook their food, gather with loved ones to eat it, and keep their kitchens organized.

A boy with a net wrapped around his shoulders

15 Powerful Photos of the Journey From Child Slavery to Freedom

Millions of children around the world remain trapped in child labor. Ebenezer was 6 years old when he was sent to work on Lake Volta, a notorious hotbed of child slavery. These 15 powerful photos capture the injustice he faced … and his journey to freedom.

Someone in a green shirt is holding a handful of money

4 Family Budgets Around the World

Would you like to take a peek into the pocketbook of a few families around the world? Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to live below the global poverty line of US $1.90 a day? These four families invited us to learn what it’s like to try to make ends meet in extreme poverty.

A tired girl leans on a fence in Burkina Faso

Compassion Fatigue in the Time of Coronavirus

The broken state of the world and sheer number of things requiring your compassion can cause you to reach a state of numbness and apathy. When you just stop caring because you simply cannot care anymore. But as Christ-followers, this is not the place we want to stay. Here are ways to prevent compassion fatigue and find our true soul’s rest in Jesus.