Poverty, unfortunately, gets passed down from generation to generation. Families cannot afford access to healthy food, clean water, or medical care if their incomes are not sufficient and stable. One in three children in low and middle-income countries are chronically malnourished due to urban poverty. Without intervention, hunger can cause physical and mental impairment and even death. Nothing justifies the peril of a child due to starvation. Consequently, here are some impactful approaches to solving urban poverty.
1. Encourage The Affected to Participate
Fighting poverty in a community requires genuine and active participation from those most impacted by its problems or issues. It means that the people directly affected by the poverty intervention are the people who will play the most active roles in it. Both formal leaders and those who get directly impacted should have a voice. All vulnerable groups in the community must get equal notice in terms of ideology, and they should participate in addressing and solving the problems they face through facilitation
2. Equally Urge Child Participation
When children have a say in how things get handled—they become the focal point of your efforts. Plan International teaches kids about their rights and how to become community leaders. By having a voice and a say in matters that affect their future and the lives of those around them, children are better able to become active citizens.
3. Encourage The Affected to See The Problems
It’s up to those vulnerable groups in the community directly impacted to pinpoint the problems. Concerns and difficulties are visible when they are brought to light by those directly affected. They start to feel better about themselves and learn to cooperate to solve common issues. It allows them to build on their previous work and experience to tackle challenging problems and concerns.
Affected individuals gain confidence and the ability to notice additional issues that need to be addressed as they identify and address their initial, more straightforward problems. Externally introduced projects can alleviate some effects of poverty, but without people’s active participation linking them to their issues, they won’t last.
4. Form Organised Groups
Form a group to aid the community rather than just a few individuals. When working to alleviate urban poverty, it’s more efficient to do so by organising and facilitating group efforts rather than focusing on specific individuals. That’s why it’s crucial to work together to solve widespread issues rather than help solo individuals.
5. Empower The Affected and Help Them Trust The Process
People going through the process of fighting urban poverty should be more aware of their situation and abilities so that they can keep working together and solve future problems. Additionally, it’s a slow process to alleviate poverty. Combating poverty is complex, made more so by the need for profound inner change on the part of the marginalised. Influential people have the moral obligation to shoulder these complexities by utilising resources to guarantee a cohesive effort towards solving societal issues—only then will they simplify the complexities. And for affected people to become agents of their development, it is necessary to invest time in educating and supporting them.
To fight social inequality in Singapore, visit The Best of You to collaborate with groups that fight poverty.
