(picture credits to World Vision Organization)
Famine is an increasingly the cause of deaths in those poorly-developed countries. They have to starve because they didn't have enough money for meals or food is scarce in their country. So point is, many of us can even waste food by not finishing them and throwing away those huge portions of leftovers. I got it.
What I don't get is that while we're trying to raise the awareness of those in places like Ghana and even controversially North Korea, we all overlooked the poverty faced right here in Singapore. Yes, Singapore is well known for being a well-developed country with a prosperous economy, but there are many who didn't even have the money for their daily meals.
(pictures credit to singstatistician.bs.com; elderly citizens working low-paid job and picking cardboards to earn a living by themselves.)
As a result of Singapore's advancement in economic growth, basic necessities must increase as well, leading to an increase in cost of living. Many homeless and poor elderly citizens still exist in Singapore. They're all abandoned by their children and left to fend the harsh life in Singapore all by themselves. They can't work to earn a living, so you'll see them scavenge for used cans, newspapers, cardboards etc. all over Singapore. We see them doing that almost every single day, but instead of helping our own Singaporeans first, we're trying to help those in another country?
Of course I'm not saying we should abandon those in other parts of the world that are experiencing famine or to say we should just care about ourselves. What I'm trying to say is that every time we see those poor elderly citizens or those families experiencing poverty scavenging for food, we despise and have another attitude towards them. So what makes you think those who took part in campaigns against famine around the world would meant what they say to help those people experiencing famine worldwide?
The Samaritans in Singapore that will provide shelter, care and the basic necessities to all those who only drinks water daily to survive can only do this much. The government, religious, private, racial organizations can't cover every family or individuals experiencing poverty or famine in Singapore. Regardless of their financial status, I believe those needy should be the priority to aid in any famine campaign.
Awareness for poverty and famine around the world of course must continue but if we can't help those people who are struggling in Singapore, what position are we in to aid those around the world?