An average Singaporean childs greatest worry would most likely be what toy to play with first.

On the contrary, a Ghanaian childs worry would be whether he would live to see the next day. The income divide in the world appears to be ever so great, yet our ignorant selves do not seem to take enough action to solve it.

In this advanced 21st century, there is barely any disease that scientists have yet to find a cure for. Nevertheless, we still have millions of people dying from the E.Coli virus, which simply causes diarrhoea. How can it be that nearly all the necessary vaccinations and medication are within the richs arms length but no matter how hard the poor try, they never seem to be able to obtain what they need? I find it hard to believe that the developed world has all the tools and cures that those in poverty need, but help does notays seem to be given. Hence, the problem of poverty continues. And this results in us losing potential Nelson Mendellas, Mother Theresas and John Lennons as a child dies every four seconds.

Some might argue that global warming is a much more pressing issue that we need to solve. With ice caps melting, volcanoes erupting and tsunamis occurring, it is evident that the number of people affected would be larger than those affected by poverty by leaps and bounds. A slogan often used in global warming campaigns is the protect the Earth for our future generations. This is where I feel the world is being ironic. Here we are trying to save our future generations, while simultaneously, we are letting a rather significant proportion of our generation die. The question that needs to be asked is why are we letting our own kind suffer and die, whilst knowing very well that we have the tools required to help them? Therefore, I feel that poverty is a more urgent issue to be resolved as I believe what matters the most are the people living in our world right here, right now.

According to statistics, there are billions of people living under US$2 per day. Conversely, this is less than what an average primary school child has for pocket money in a day. I feel that the developed countries are just consuming too much. According to researchers from the United States, Singaporeans are consuming far more that they need. The startling statistics revealed that our tiny Lion City is ranked close to the USA for consumption despite the difference in country size. I believe that this is where the solution for poverty lies. If nearly every person in a developed country decides to spend a little less and instead donate the money to charity, a large amount of funds can be created in no time and provided that the money is handled with care, it would then go to ensuring the basic needs of those in poverty will be met.

The ball is in our court and all the necessary tools are in our hands, all we need is a little less frees and a little more care, concern and awareness for those around us. As long as we take action, I am sure the ball would be sent over to theirs then slowly, but surely this urgent global issue would be resolved. Finally, just like the Singaporean child, that poor little Ghanaian child would be able to have a toy to play with and the childhood he rightfully deserves.