This statement of Jesus' “For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always” (Matt 26:11 NKJV) suggests that poverty always exist. As evidence, in every nation, on every continent, among every people group, whether, 1st, 2nd or 3rd word. there are poor people. Hence, the world poorer Countries are working around the clock to reduce poverty and Africa being prominent, with Sub-Saharan Africa being the hardest hate. Unfortunately according brookings.edu/blog, Africa is stagnating. Brooking argues further that "In 2019, some 70 percent of the world’s poor will live in Africa, up from 50 percent five years ago. By 2023, Africa’s share will rise to over 80 percent (up from 60 percent in 2016). For Africa to end poverty by 2030, more than one person would need to escape poverty every second; instead, Africa currently adds poor people." This sad reality is what we face in Sub-Saharan Africa. So as I work in this part of the world, I record that this is actually true. For our target audience is mostly composed of the poorest of the poor. Probably because the gospel appeals to them contrary to the few successful ones who do not find it easy to accept the gospel or may question its intend. My concern is while we make mission effective, by making disciples of all nations, people and tongue, asap the great commission, the welfare of mostly poor converts must be met to make that difference that the gospel brings to a soul that accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ. How then do we tickle the poverty reality in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Church?
Thank you for posting the problems of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. As I have studied India's poverty, inequality, purchasing power, infrastructure and spatial disparity empirically for about 30 years, I am inclined to write a few vital issues for you. 1st, forget about religious, cultural and historical texts. Concentrate on today's socio-economic conditions, geography, soil, water, communication, skill and education of the people and all other infrastructure facilities. 2nd, organize a statistically sound sample survey of the people living in those backward regions. 3rd, the questionnaire must ask all possible questions relating to the above; then organize a pilot survey. After that, finalize the ultimate questionnaire and canvas in a systematic random sampling way across the regions. 4th, your sample size should be around 1% of population (or household) depending on diversity of the spaces. Then learn from the data set what are the problems, what should be done, and many such hypotheses. A final caution: unless there is 100% perfect democratic decentralization process, most funds disbursed for development may be siphoned off. So, be careful not to be carried away: Gone with the Wind. Almighty Nature bless you. Dr. Buddhadeb Ghosh, Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta 700108, [email protected], +91-9433164711.
Dr. Buddhadeb,
I am so gratified by your prompt and precise response and courson. The points are valid and will be followed accordingly.
The concept of poverty is a very complex, contested difficult concept to deal with. In my view, I think the beginning of a solution starts with identifying the cause of the issue.
First engage with the affected people and ask them what they think are the answers to the following questions and how they want to be helped in order to address their needs.
What definition of poverty are were using in this case? for example, is it food, water, or what.
What are the possible causes of poverty on the target population? - is it related to consistent droughts, lack of employment or jobs, or what?
What possible outcomes do we expect in the end as a solution to their current poverty problem? Is the aim to eradicate the type of poverty or alleviate the current issue as a stop-gap-measure or what. Is the intention to give and create dependency or is the desire to empower the congregants in such a way that they can feed themselves with the seed that you gave them to plant and feed themselves?
If you can find answers to some of these questions and work with the affected people in your planning, decision-making and implementation of your solution, you have started to plant the foundation for ending poverty. Even the cost of your solution might be less than you think. I hope I have contributed to an answer to your question.