Definition:

Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can't be met. (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/poverty.asp#:~:text=Poverty%20is%20a%20state%20or,needs%20can't%20be%20met.)

Poverty is linked with negative conditions such as substandard housing, homelessness, inadequate nutrition and food insecurity, inadequate child care, lack of access to health care, unsafe neighborhoods, and underresourced schools which adversely impact our nation's children.  (https://www.apa.org/pi/families/poverty)

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Stories:

 A young man came to Accra, Ghana to get ahead in life but did not have any support network and ended up sleeping on the streets. This became problematic when he was too exhausted to wake up when someone stole his knapsack from under his head and slit open his pocket to steal his money. He was left with no phone, no passport, no phone numbers, nothing but his clothes on his body. He said he begged on the street for food until he found a job though it pays very little money.

A lady I know cannot turn on the stove. I wondered if she could not read. I gave her a list one day and she brought it so close to her face I realized she needs glasses. What happens with signs on the road? Can she see far away? Life is limited by what she cannot see. No text messages, just phone calls - when the phone is working.

I asked if Ghanaians went on vacations. The rich people do was the reply. "Do you" I asked? A short laugh and "Never" was the answer. "What do you do on holidays?" "I stay home and rest."

Traveling down busy Independence Avenue, I noted four men on skateboards rolling down the street with atrophied legs folded under. This is their means of transportation. Cheapest method when wheelchairs and/or prosthetics are so much more expensive. Another day a man who had two legs - one went to his knee where his foot hung perpendicular to his body and one long regular leg.

If you cannot afford a doctor, whatever happens you have to take care of yourself and live with the consequences. If you do go to the hospital, bring your own food as it is not automatically provided.

Children begging on the streets may or may not have food at home. I have been assured by other drivers that they do. The aggressive demand if you roll down your window is astonishing to me. If I give biscuits to one he will throw out his hand again. If there is a whole medley of children they will come into the window and when they get a biscuit pack transfer to one hand and leave their hand outstretched. There is no thought of one for each. They all want as much as they can take away from the window. Trying to give to one, I will get others pushing their way into my window. What causes that kind of aggression? Poverty. Desperation.

When asked, the Stake President said his main problem and concern in the stake is employment. For the married and unmarried. Those with families and those who are becoming adults.

There are huge numbers of youth who will be looking for jobs in a few years and no industries and jobs that will supply employment.

It is awful to live in poverty.