By Bronwyn Fraser

Poverty is caused when communities experience discrimination or are unable to access essential services. But this is something that the “picture of poverty” often doesn’t show.

We’ve all seen the so-called “picture of poverty”. Too often are we shown images of “needy people and helpless children” in developing countries. And for many Australians, these images are the closest that we will get to actually seeing what poverty is.

But what real messages do these images convey? Is the reality of poverty behind the picture more complex than this?

UnitingWorld understands that poverty is not about an inability within people who are poor that renders them in need of rescue. Poverty is most often caused by the restricted access to opportunities and essential services and resources. Inequality perpetuates poverty in many communities.

Limited Opportunities

Limited access to opportunities is one of the biggest causes of poverty. There are many reasons why people may be unable to access essential services and resources.

Some examples include:

• The lack of services available due to isolation, as in the Highlands of PNG;
• Being unable to afford school fees to access education, as in Zimbabwe;
• Discrimination based on ethnicity, religious beliefs, political affiliation or designated social standing, as faced by the Dalit communities in India.

The poverty cycle continues most often because of external circumstances – the systems that the people must work within.

The Right to Dignity

UnitingWorld believes that every person has the right to access the resources and services necessary to ensure a life of dignity.

We recognise that no single agency can address all rights, UnitingWorld works alongside our Church Partners to support communities in accessing clean water and sanitation, livelihood opportunities, education and health care. This is the beginning of a journey to independence and a full realisation of their right to dignity.

Central to UnitingWorld’s vision is to see transformed communities where peace and justice reign and poverty is alleviated, reflecting hope and life in Jesus Christ.

Decoding Development

Development is the approach to poverty that addresses the underlying causes of the poverty. Partnership, participation and sustainability are fundamental components to good development.

“Partnership” in development is more than a buzz-word, and development is never something that should not be imposed on communities.

Rather it is something we facilitate in genuine partnership that builds the local capacity and empowers people to free themselves from the structures that continue to oppress them. UnitingWorld works through local Church Partners in long-term partnerships that put equality, dignity and respect as the central foundations of every project.

UnitingWorld understands that those in the best position to identify the restrictions holding them in poverty are those living within the local communities themselves. Not only do these people have the right to play a critical role in all stages of developments, but they provide valuable insight into effective and culturally appropriate solutions.

It’s also about sustainability. This means that development projects must have a life much longer than us assisting the projects. UnitingWorld enables local ownership through building the capacity of local churches to take on the responsibility of supporting their communities, and by training local people to run the projects themselves. As the local community begins to sustain the project themselves, we are able to open the opportunity to other communities and empower them to build their future in a similar way.

The Challenge of Responding Effectively

There are many ways we can respond to situations of poverty but not all are development. Australians sometimes focus on the symptoms of poverty rather than the causes. Working parties that travel to developing countries to build or maintain a building may create some short term benefit, but risk changing little about the actual poverty is challenged.

Sending items or other non-monetary resources to orphanages or schools, for example, provides some assistance. But it is important to ensure that these resources are culturally appropriate and can actively improve quality or access to these vital services.

When considering a response to poverty, here are some questions to think through in reflecting on the real impact of a response. Does this response take away the opportunity for employment for local people? Are the items to be sent culturally appropriate and genuinely useful? Is there a cost involved for the receiving community? Can they be purchased in that country, supporting local businesses, employment and economy? Does it seek to address the underlying causes of poverty?

UnitingWorld provides the opportunity for individuals, schools, congregations, and community groups to participate in good development initiatives that will have real, sustainable impact on addressing poverty.

Engagement for the long haul

Through strong relationships with our partners in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, UnitingWorld is well placed to not only facilitate good development projects, but also provide a link between our partners and Australian Uniting Church communities in sharing this journey together.

It’s not a fast process by any means and there is no quick-fix. But by walking together in genuine partnership, we can assist communities in poverty to break through and enjoy a life of dignity.

Bronwyn Fraser is the Development Education Officer for the Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld