October 15, 2008
Today is Blog Action Day across the world and we are talking about Poverty. For my part, I would like to put poverty in global perspective.
Our clients at Good Shepherd Housing are the poorest residents of Fairfax County. They are trying to raise families on extremely-low incomes. Many making less than $28,350 for a family of four. That's seems incredible to me, and I think that anyone that is able to do that should be commended for their resourcefulness and frugality.
HOWEVER... today, while presenting at a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) fair, I was introduced to an international aid agency called MICA, Inc. It's not typically my way to give other agencies time on our blog but their story is impressive. They provide micro-credit loans to families in Africa, where a loan of $280 can buy an ox and a cart and transform a community. It's astonishing.
So I invite us all to think about how, despite maybe our need to cut back a little in this tough economy, we are all incredibly blessed to be born in this great country and have access to all that citizenship entails. (Related, I hope that everyone fulfilling their obligation as a citizen and voting this November 4. I am volunteering as an Election Officer for the first time and am very excited. I hope to see you out there.)
