Poverty at the Door

It is amazing how small things can come together to create one big picture. In this case, a big picture of emotion that moves me to do something beyond myself.

First off, I live in a place where the majority of people live in trailers with no foundation, have no indoor plumbing, and their only source of electricity comes from solar panels (if they have been lucky enough to afford them).  We pulled in with our 17 foot moving truck to a newly remodel 3 bedroom apartment, provided by my husband’s employer, with central air, electricity, and running hot water. Some of our neighbors live in a dwelling no longer than that truck.  Talk about wealth disparity and talk about motivation to rid the excess from our home.

While I have continually been amazed at the living conditions of those in our own country of America, my heart was saddened to read about refugees fleeing from their home countries. They left their country with nothing but their lives, their family and the clothes on their backs. Nothing promising awaits them in these foreign countries, no job, no school, only the hope of safety. They come completely reliant on the kindness of others. Their futures uncertain, their fears prominent. Their adversity makes hauling water home look like a blessing.

Perhaps the last straw that brought tears to my eyes and broke my heart came while getting dressed this morning.  While still pondering the condition of the refugees, I looked at the tag of my shirt, bought 2nd hand from a thrift store, and read: made in Cambodia.

 My mind flashed back to a YouTube video I saw, where a young man went to serve the people of Cambodia. The poverty he saw while there was overwhelming. Children going to bed hungry every night because they could not afford a bowl of rice.  How grateful someone must have been, to have a job sewing a shirt so they could earn a little to feed and clothe their family.  Yet, what were their wages? A day of sewing just enough to pay for one meal?  It’s no wonder they call Americans fat. Even our poorest have access to more than those people who live in that country; a forgotten place that most of us have never even heard of.

We live a spoiled life here. After reading the tag, and reflecting on what I know of Cambodia, I felt a little ashamed. Oh, how I have become desensitized to the phrase “Made in China”. Do many of their people struggle too?

Now, I’m not saying we should or should not buy items made in other countries and I have no solution to end world poverty. However, I hope we each take time to pause and reflect on how greatly we have been blessed. This Christmas season, instead of spending our wealth on a gift that adds to our clutter, perhaps we can show a little gratitude by donating to help those in need, whether they are our neighbor or whether they live half a world away.

Merry Christmas everyone!