Poverty 101 Archives

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: August 08, 2021

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

This is What Life is Like in Urban and Rural El Salvador

Learn more about what it’s like to live in the smallest country in Central America!

Girl squatting by a fire holding a corn husk.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust: A Hopeful Reminder

We often associate the phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” with death. That’s because the phrase comes from the burial rites in the Book of Common Prayer. This collection of prayer books is used mostly in the Anglican church for communion, marriages and other Christian rites — including burial services and cremations. But a closer look at what “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” means actually reveals a hopeful message about life.

Daniel is wearing a gray shirt. He is holding a lamb, which was a gift from his sponsor.

12 Heart-Melting Pictures of Kids With Their Animal Buddies

These pictures of kids with animals are cute, of course. But they also show how animals help people in poverty.

Four children are standing outside playing musical instruments and dancing. There are trees and tall grass behind them. The children are wearing traditional clothing.

Your Top 5 Compassion Stories of 2021

As editor of the Compassion USA blog, I always love looking back over the previous year to see which articles resonated with you the most. It gives me a chance to reflect on the powerful stories and photos that come from our photojournalists around the world and writers in the U.S. I also get an idea of what type of content to gather and share with you in the year to come. In case you missed them, here were the top stories of 2021 on the Compassion USA blog.

A smiling woman sits at a marketplace in Burkina Faso surrounded by fruits and vegetables on blankets.

What’s It Like To Go Shopping Around the World?

If you think mall traffic is crazy where you live, you should check out the crowded markets in Tanzania! And you’ve never seen more beautiful produce than at the fruit stands in Burkina Faso. Take a stroll through some of the world’s busiest, most colorful markets and experience the wonder of how people in other cultures go shopping.

Maira in Colombia holds a sign that says Gracias, Spanish for thank you. She is thankful for her sponsor and her family's food farm.

5 Children in South America Share What They’re Thankful For

It’s always so touching to hear what children in poverty feel thankful for. They live with less than most people, but their gratitude overflows. It helps put things in perspective and reminds us to give praise in all circumstances!

A mother brushes a daughter's hair. They are inside their home.

Tough Questions: “What Don’t People Understand About Life in Poverty?”

In Uganda, Olive smiles as a neighbor invites her to a family member’s wedding. But secretly, her heart sinks. She doesn’t own clothes nice enough for the occasion. These days, food is more important than fashion. She hates that her absence will make her look rude. It’s too embarrassing to explain, though.

Woman wearing a white shirt and a floral print head covering. She is sitting outside and is talking on the phone.

Tough Questions: “Why Do Families in Poverty Have Phones or TVs?”

According to the World Bank, the world’s poorest families are more likely to have access to a mobile phone than a toilet or electricity. As technology advancements reach the most remote corners of the globe, devices like cellphones and televisions are becoming important tools for daily life. They’re also becoming a lot more affordable.

Girl standing in a doorway wearing a dress with a flower print.

Tough Questions: “How Did You End Up Living in Poverty?”

The causes of poverty vary widely. Poverty can be purely geographical: Simply where you are born can dictate so much about your life.

But although poverty is often passed down for generations, the plunge to life below the poverty line can also be blind-siding. These families share their experiences of being born into poverty or ending up there because of changing circumstances.