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27th October 2009 by Julia Hosking

The real global financial crisis

Could you live on $7 for 7 days? Sound unbelievable, right? But unforunately it's reality for 1.4 billion people.

But wait... are you thinking those 1.4 billion people live in places where carrots and rice are one cent per kilogram? Well you need to think again.

In the nation of Haiti in South America, almost 55% of the population live on less than US$1.25 a day (United Nations 2009) - but prices are roughly the same as those in Australia.

7 days, 7 dollars

Compassion Australia employee Az Hamilton saw this first-hand on his trip to Haiti in 2008.

Later that year, he commenced his "7 days, 7 dollars" challenge. Az went to the supermarket on day one and spent just seven dollars on his weekly groceries.

The week was tough for Az; he was frustrated, annoyed and hungry. But for him, he says, "I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel". This is not the case for those who live in poverty everyday.

When the clocked ticked over to mark the end of his seven day challenge, Az headed straight for McDonalds for some ‘real food'. "That struck me the most," he shares, "how I could just revert back to comfort."

Change a life

Az, when he challenges others about sponsorship, is often asked, ‘but what if I can't afford to sponsor a child?' His response is ‘what if you can?'

"Six years ago I sponsored my first child. I was on a low wage and yet I said, I can't not sponsor a child, I'm given so much," Az expresses. "I now continuously challenge myself. I sponsor another child every year. It's stretched me, but it's highlighted that you can do it."

Az's role with Compassion Australia involves encouraging youth to use their skills and abilities to engage with and tackle the issues of poverty. He believes that young people have the power to fix the problems the world faces by, for example, campaigning to the government. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said that he will make changes if enough people say they want change.

'Stupid poverty'

Az (pictured right) talks about something called ‘stupid poverty' - poverty that can be easily prevented. It's a term that was coined by poverty campaigner and U2 front-man Bono in 2005. For example, children are dying from diseases a 20 cent immunisation could have prevented, or they are dying from starvation when others are throwing away excess food. But Az has hope. "We are the first generation in history that can see that stupid poverty can be eradicated."

Az believes we are in a prime position to see change happen. We have all the knowledge, resources, technology and human capacity that we need. "We know what we need to do," he says. "... [But] we don't just want people's money, we want their heart."

As he shares this, he recalls Matthew 25:31-46, in particular verse 40, "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'."

Heal the world, make it a better place

So how can you help?

1. Use your voice to campaign to the Australian government so that they can financially assist less economically developed countries.
2. Engage with a few short-term projects every year. Long-term commitments are not the only way.
3. For those who are able, sponsor a child.
4. Get involved with Az's campaigns against poverty for 2010. He is seeking creative people, musicians, writers, prayer warriors and many others. Send him an email if you are interested.

*Statistics quoted were accurate at date of publish.

Julia Hosking is a journalist with The Salvation Army, writing for the MORE website and Pipeline Magazine. She is a perfectionist at heart and loves eating chocolate, drinking coffee and chilling out with her husband, Michael.

Julia and her husband worship at Menai Salvation Army, and during their honeymoon they discovered a passion for lying on Thailand beaches.

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1. 

   Roscoe

   November 09, 2009 at 2:28pm

   It's amazing to think that this kind of poverty also exists here in Oz too...
   
   I know I waste food so often and am trying to cut down my food bills (especially when eating out) so I can direct money into child sponsorship and also donate to groups who actively work with these communities...
   
   I also notice how our church "marches on it's stomach"... every event we put on there's food involved.... we're now actively trying to have get togethers that doesn't involve food and again use the money instead on mission work...
   
   There's a challenge for all of us... stop thinking with our stomachs!

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