I think the title of this thread is redundant, because most poor people are hopeless or in hopeless situation. Anyway, I put so to emphasize. I wake up this morning and end up thinking of my family who live in other continent. They are just fine, not rich but not poor either. I will meet them in two months. I then think of the future of my 2 brothers and my 1 sister. Sister is fine, she is married, and both she and her husband are working. My 2 brothers, 1 is in high school, and the other is just started University education. I then think, what happens if something bad happens to my parent (as they are getting old). How to make sure that both of my brothers will be ok, financially, academically, mentally, physically, morally, etc. They both are still a bit childish. I tried to make plan A, plan B, plan C, etc, to make sure my family is gonna be alright. It gives me a bit headache. Then I think of those poor people, who have no money, no education, no good health, etc. I am thinking, even me, who is in a much much better situation and have prospective future, is nearly stress or has a lot of fear. What about them who are completely hopeless? What about them whom people make distance with to avoid become their burden? Who are actually responsible for their well-being? Now that I look around here in Germany, things are completely different. Poor people are getting arbeitslosensgeld to support their monthly living. They also get decent housing. They are given (or forced to take) job offers by municipalities. Their well-being are ensured by government. In country like mine (Indonesia), or many other parts of the world, nobody cares. Government are corrupt, insurance is alien thing, free education is just a dream. So who are responsible for them (the hopeless poor)? Why do they have more and more children? How is their future, are they going to suffer just forever? Are we to be blamed if we live in comfort while many are suffering? etc etc. Just a morning thought before I start my days. Your thoughts?
inzomnia i know exactly what you mean, its one of the reasons we have so many "illegal immigrants" comming over from places like indonesia to australia where these sorts of services exist. Its sad but there isnt a whole lot we can do about it, untill somewhere like the international human rights commision makes universal health care and high quality free education a human right its an internal matter which we cant really effect
When I talk about poor people, do you have any idea how difficult their life is? I know poor people in my country who works in crushing stones. Everyday they have to crush big stones into small stones (manually) to be used for building or road material, and in the end, they got like 50 cent per day. Just enough to eat rice for themselves, not enough to support their children. I see no point of living that way, really sad. I can do a lot of things, and I hope I will have the capacity to do so. You all can give me some ideas here, practical ones, which I can apply when I go home later. I am thinking that education is very important, because it create chances (job opportunity). Maybe I'll make schools without teachers, started with elementary level. I'll create videos of various subject (copying books into DVDs), make it as nice learning powerpoint materials. Then students who cannot afford schools can come everyday to watch. Maybe I'll hire few poor people to run the schools themselves, to discipline the students, but they don't have to teach (as they have no education themselves). No teacher means nobody to ask if they have questions, but still better than nothing. They will be given exam, and they can check the result themselves on the power points. If they fail they have to repeat the same class or go back to lower class. There should be mechanism where they can follow formal national examination every year, so that they can get certificates and later can look for job. What do you think? I think it should be possible to make education for free. etc etc etc.. I have to cook now, if you have any ideas you can share me here.
Hi Inzomnia ..... I know what you mean .... I´ve been travelling in Africa and Asia for many years .......... it takes a total change of government / policy to help poor people ........ The FASTEST way to help very poor people into a decent life has been the communist way .. however that way historically , also included giving up your freedom and personal rights .... Russia, Cuba and China were very poor, when the communists took over .... they did achieve fast results for very poor people .... but in the long run it does not work very well ....... All in all , the European socialist democratic way is the best .... it still uses the capitalistic way of making money ...... making much more money than any other political system .....but distributes the money to needy people .......... full freedom and human rights for people..... wellfare and free medicare ....... free education ....... not only equal rights but equal opportunities as well ............. Only drawback is , it takes a long time to implement it into society .... many decades ....... Actually , it almost looks like Obama is considering , to use some of its elements in USA .... US really needs decent free medicare available for all .......
inzomnia Australia is not so removed from asia that we have no idea what is happerning, epecially concidering that its closer to get to bali than perth (that isnt even to MENTION the fact timor and the solomon islands make indonesia look like a paradise). There is one major thing australia is doing to try to help and thats the island worker program where people from the islands around australia (including indonesia) are flown into work on australian farms by the farmers here and paid AUSTRALIAN wages. Futher more sadly the plite of aborigionals in australia isnt much better Your dam right that education is VITAL but goverance is even MORE important, there is no point in australia (or any other country for that matter) pooring money into places like fiji, timor, SI unless we can fix there governance first governance, basic health care and food are the first priorites because these are about servicing the initial needs, followed by education and top quality health care which are about nation building
Careful asguard. That sort of "Interventionism" is what lead to the anger that many Aborigines have today. Even if we interfere and change their governance, well meaning as that might be, I do not, I say again, Do not. Trust the government to do that without a hidden agenda.
Thanks for all input. I see that most of you focus on governance change. I am not sure if I have capacity for that, so I won't try that unless I am part of government. I want to have some practical solution which could be applied by anyone anywhere. On thinking of free education, now that I think of it, is it legal if, say, I record class teaching (in real school), for all subjects and all levels (elementary till high school)? Something like, I select good schools, ask permission to record class teaching (with cameras), and then document them. In this way, I will have recorded teachers. All I will need next is a place. Maybe I will negotiate with some cinema owners so that they will allow me to relay the materials in cinema at times when they don't operate (normally movies are only played in evening). Then people in town who can't afford school can go to 'cinema school' every morning or noon. Or maybe I will use mosque or churches for that purpose. Put big screen to show the class teaching and people can study for free and no teachers should be paid. Now they will need some books and pen. Maybe I will open some kind of bazaar every beginning of semesters where people can donate books and pens. Everyday maybe people can also donate a little bit bread to school so the poor have more motivation to come (they can study and they can even eat). I wonder if this is possible. All ideas are welcome.
Please be careful, folks, what the "government" giveth, the "government" can taketh away just as easily. When one becomes dependent on someone or something else, they aren't free ...and the more dependent, the less free they are. From read this thread, it seems that y'all want everyone to be dependents. Is that right? Is that how you really feel? Or should you be talking about charity? I.e., personal charity, not from the government or some big agency? And should "government" be turned into a charitable organisation? Is that how you see "government"? Baron Max
Not sure what you mean, but the situation in my country is that there are too many poor people, and I don't see anything progressive. According to UN report that I read somewhere, last year there are 37 millions people who live below poverty line in my country (i.e. those who are living with income less than 2$ per day). This year, that number increase into some 41 millions people. They are poor because they have no good job, because of no proper skill, because of no proper education. So I am thinking whether it is possible to provide free education for them, isn't it also helping the government? I think the society can work together if they really wants to help the poor. I'm just not sure whether this will be legal, but I think it is practical, and should be beneficial in the long run.
But should the people be forced to help others when they don't want to? And government assistance for the poor is doing just that ...forcing people to pay taxes so they can give it to other people. That's pure socialism, pure communism, and it's done by force. If people want to help the poor, why don't they do so? Why must those same people yell and rant to try to force others to do what they don't want to do? Baron Max
No, people should not be forced to help others when they don't want to, and I am nowhere saying that people should be forced. It's just I do a bit reflection, how difficult it is if one day my parents are not with us anymore and I have to take responsibility from them. I want the best for my brothers and sister (and I don't have anyone else to think coz I don't have my own family yet). Then I think, I am so much more lucky compared to other millions people who live in poverty in my country. I just want to do something to help them coz I am still in productive age. Especially after I see how well people can live in Germany. I don't want to just donate to some invisible organisation where I don't know where my money will go. I want to start with small things, say with some 10, 20, 30 street children around my town so that they can have better future. If they have minimum high school education, maybe later they can work in factory or something, and earn 100$ a month of steady income rather than crushing stones or begging on street..
But Asguard is also right, basic healthcare and foods are priorities. But then again, people can have good foods if they have income. This should take some skill or education. I want to focus on education of the children so that they don't end up like their parent and trap in vicious cycle.
Btw, Asguard, what is the name of that particular program? And whether they have website for it? I can google it if I know the name. I'll check the thread somewhat later. Tata.
Yeah, but that's exactly what happens when the government shells out tax dollars to welfare cases ...they're stealing from those who have money in order to give to people who don't. Try any way you want, but when you see it for what it is, then no one who values freedom and personal choice could possibly agree with it. I would guess that that same sentiment is in all of us here. But there are good ways to do ...without forcing others to give up their money for it. The government should have no role in such personal charity. Baron Max
Ok, I think you have mistaken my point entirely. I am not looking for charity here. At least not in form of money and not here. I am thinking whether it is legal to make such school which I have described above, namely recording real school teaching, and open free school for people who can't afford school. Then they will need books and pens, so in the beginning of each semester, I'll open a bazaar in which people can donate books and pens. What I mean by people are people in the neighborhood. Then if that works, maybe many people will do the same in other cities all over the country. If this sound like going to become burden for society, I guess I'll adopt 2-3 children (my parent already had one, but the mum of the boy took him back). Or open free library where children can read on-site. That's the least I can do. If you have any ideas though, are still welcome.
I'm confused, Inzomnia, so I have to ask ....are you talkig about the USA? If so, then public school is open to all kids regardless of poverty or riches. In fact, in the USA, it's required for kids to go to schools. So why are you looking to create your own school? And if you are, surely you realize that it would have to conform to state and federal requirements for teaching skills and other such issues. Yep, I'm confused. If you're talking about, say, Africa, then....? Baron Max
god barron, cant you READ. She is talking about indonesia and other parts of asia, most specifically south east asia.
As Asguard said, I'm thinking to set up the free school in Indonesia, Baron. Actually in Indonesia it is compulsory to have minimal 9 years of education (6 years at elementary level and 3 years in mid school). By law, the 9 years of education is for free (in government school) in some province, but in practice, although there is no monthly fees, parents are required to pay unofficial entry fee. The entry fee consists of school building donation, uniform clothes (for daily and for friday), compulsory books, etc. The amount doesn't make sense, that's why many people can't afford to go to school. Then from time to time the school will ask payment for trip to visit museum, zoo, swimming, etc. Too much burden for parents who are struggling for basic needs. I have to do further research, any suggestion or information are always welcome. Thanks for you guys that have sent me invaluable information through PMs, I really appreciate it. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Should set up family planning and birth contol pill give aways, that way they can control the population better to give others a better education system. Less people being born means more education for those that are there.
What then? You have a piece of paper that says some nice flowery bullshit, that's what. Your solutions aren't solutions.
