Building a Just Society: The Role of Charity in Combating Poverty

Poverty is a serious issue threatening societies worldwide, as millions struggle to meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and health care.

This dilemma gets worse with the spread of epidemics, wars, and natural disasters.

In this article, we will explain the magnitude of poverty worldwide and reveal the role of charitable work and donations in fighting poverty and building a just society.

The importance of addressing poverty

Poverty is not just about the lack of money; it affects all aspects of life, from health to education to social relationships. For example, poverty can lead to malnutrition, poor health, and reduced life expectancy.

Poverty can also contribute to social problems like crime, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

It can also prevent children from going to school, which can limit their opportunities in the future. Therefore, addressing poverty is essential to improving the quality of life of individuals and society as a whole.

The current state of poverty in society

Despite global efforts to reduce poverty, it remains a significant problem. According to the World Bank, about 650 million people live in extreme poverty.

Most live in developing countries Africa, and war-ravaged countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon, so efforts must be intensified where poverty disproportionately affects different groups, with women, children, and minorities being the most affected.

Statistics on poverty rates

The following statistics highlight the current state of poverty in the world:

For 30 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty (less than $2.15 per person per day) has been decreasing.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 crisis, poverty increased, and the number of people in extreme poverty rose from 70 million to over 700 million.

The global excessive poverty rate reached 9.3% in 2020, up from 8.4% in 2019.

In 2022, as many as 685 million people lived in extreme poverty.

By 2030, nearly 7% of the world’s population, or nearly 600 million people, will still struggle in extreme poverty.

Factors contributing to poverty

Poverty is a complex issue with multiple causes. Some of the factors that contribute to poverty include:

Lack of education.
Discrimination.
Unemployment.
Low wages.
Disability and mental illness.
Civil wars.
Natural disasters: Like the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria.

The Importance of charity in combating poverty

Charity plays a crucial role in addressing poverty in our society. Here are some of the reasons why:

Overview of the role of charity

Charity can take many forms, including donations, volunteering, and community service. The role of charity is to provide support and assistance to those in need, including individuals and families living in poverty.

Role of charity in combating poverty

Charity can directly assist those in need, providing food, shelter, and medical care. They can also work to address the root causes of poverty by advocating for policies that promote education, employment, and equal opportunities for all.

Charities can also help build community resilience and foster social cohesion by supporting community development initiatives.

Benefits of charity

Charity offers numerous benefits, both for recipients and donors alike, including:

Positive effects on mental and physical health.

Fostering a sense of community and social responsibility.

Life-changing assistance for those in need.

Charitable assistance provides access to essential services and resources that individuals may not have otherwise.

Creating a more just and equitable society.

Everyone can contribute to this goal by supporting charitable organizations and causes.

Types of charitable giving

Charitable giving can take many forms; here are some of the most common types of charitable giving:

Financial donations

The best and most common form of charitable giving is for people experiencing poverty to be able to purchase their own needs, where individuals or organizations donate money to a charitable cause.

Financial donations can be paid for once or can be a continuous habit. In other words, it can be made in various amounts depending on the donor’s budget and preferences.

In-kind donations

In-kind donations involve giving goods or services rather than money. This can include donations of food, clothing, medical supplies, or even professional services.

In-kind donations are a valuable form of charitable giving, as they can provide necessary resources to those in need.

Volunteering time and skills

Volunteering is also a form of charitable giving, where individuals donate their time and skills to help a charitable cause, including volunteering at a local soup kitchen, tutoring children, or even providing pro bono professional services. For example, a dentist may offer free dental care to needy people.

Regardless of the type of charitable giving, each one has the potential to make a significant impact on combating poverty and building a just society.

Effective strategies for charitable giving

Charitable giving can be a powerful tool for combating poverty, but giving in a way that maximizes impact is essential.

Here are some effective strategies for charitable giving:

Targeted giving

Targeted giving includes directing donations to organizations or programs that focus on specific areas of the needs of people experiencing poverty. For example, Bonyan Organization focuses on providing services and support to refugees and displaced persons and providing food, medicine, and health care.

By focusing on specific areas of need, targeted giving can help ensure that resources are allocated where they are needed most.

Collaborative giving

Collaborative giving involves pooling resources with other donors to support a particular cause.

By working together, donors can have a more significant impact than they could individually and can support causes that may be too large or too complex for a single donor to address.

Impactful giving

Impactful giving involves a strategic approach to giving, where donors carefully consider the intended outcome of their donation and the long-term effects it can have on the community or issue they are trying to address.

Impactful giving is not just about the amount of money donated but also about the effectiveness and sustainability of the programs or initiatives being supported.

Individuals, organizations, and foundations can create positive change and make a real difference through impactful donations.

Challenges of charitable giving

Despite the benefits of charitable giving, several challenges must be addressed to ensure that donations are effective and impactful. These include:

Fraudulent charities

One challenge of charitable giving is the prevalence of fraudulent charities that seek to exploit well-intentioned donors.

To avoid these scams, it is essential to research charities and organizations before donating to verify that they are registered and legitimate.

At Bonyan, we pride ourselves in being a trustworthy organization, as our online profile of charitable projects, along with the tangible impact we were able to achieve on refugee communities and those in need, is well documented.

Unequal distribution of resources

Another challenge that hinders charitable efforts is the unfair distribution of resources within and among countries.

The main reason for this is rooted in the lack of authentic data about the conditions of people experiencing poverty and the discrimination between people based on their race, religion, or opinions.

To address this challenge, it is crucial to prioritize donating to organizations and causes that promote equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Lack of sustainable solutions

Finally, charitable giving can also be constrained by the need for more sustainable solutions to poverty and other social challenges. It is essential to support organizations and initiatives that prioritize long-term solutions, such as:

Education.
Community Development.
Cash-for-work projects.

The Role of Charity in Combating Poverty

Donate to Combat Poverty through Bonyan

As explained above, refugees live under dire circumstances in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.

These individuals and their families require our help and support during these challenging times.

Therefore, at Bonyan Organization, we have been actively working towards providing relief and aid to those affected by the ongoing conflicts in the region.

By donating to our NGO, you can significantly impact the lives of these individuals and their communities.

Remember that your benevolent contributions today can make a substantial positive difference in the lives of millions of refugees tomorrow!

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FAQ

How do charities help poverty?

Charities help poverty by providing direct assistance to those in need and establishing policies and programs that address the root causes of poverty, such as education, health care, and cash-for-work projects.

Social work can help reduce poverty by providing support and resources to individuals and families in need, promoting education and employment opportunities, and advocating for policies that promote equal access to basic needs.

What can the youth do to reduce poverty?

The youth can reduce poverty by volunteering their time and skills, participating in preparing and distributing meals to the poor, or teaching children and providing job training for those in need.