March 26, 2012
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Katie is Awesome
While I was back in the USA, a book caught my eye, but I didn’t have time to read it. So I recently googled it: “Kisses from Katie.” Seemed nice–some girl from Tennessee is in Uganda. What is so special? Oh–she has 13 kids. What? http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2011-10-10/katie-davis-uganda/50723100/1
In one of those “It was a God thing/it just happened” kinda things, she went to Uganda, and there were some girls who needed her. And she said yes. And her blog is lovely, and she seems like such a beautiful person. (http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com).
Half-jealous and completely inspired, I read some of the comments people left USA today. I always forget NOT to do that. What the heck? How can people get upset about someone helping somewhere else? Comparing her to “octo-mom” and saying “She is just gonna bring them back here and live off of welfare.” How little is your world. I am surprised at the comments I get sometimes from people: “Well, aren’t there children you can help in Indiana?” Yes, I reply (in my head): and where were you while I was working in Inner city Indianapolis for 8 years?
Poverty and need is a real issue everywhere. Just because I am serving in Brazil does not mean that I am belittling the true needs that there are in the USA. It does not mean there are not hurting people in Indianapolis. Is doesn’t even mean that I am not needed in Indiana. I could be of great use there. But I am called here. This is where I know right now I am supposed to be. Forever? Who knows–the road turns when you least expect it.
That said, if you have never been out of the United States, there are some things you just cannot fully grasp until you have seen it. Poverty looks different in Brazil than in the USA. It looks another kind of different in Uganda with Katie.
Here are some numbers to help visualize: (I am sorry I do not have my sources lined up. If I turn this into an official rant, I will make sure to get them organized)
1. Education:
USA spends around $6,000 (round upwards) a year per child for public school
Brazil spends around $600 (round downwards) a year per child for public school
2. Minimum wage:
USA: $7.50 (The last time I was working there)
Brazil: $2.00 (Yes, housing is cheaper here, but food is relatively the same)
3. Those in Poverty:
In the USA: 15% (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/supplemental-poverty-measure_n_1080160.html)
In rural Brazil: 41%
4. Definition:
Poverty in the USA: $11,139 for an individual, or $22,314 for a family of four
Poverty in Brazil: $4,000 (minimum wage) which might be for an individual or for a family. 18% in deepest poverty are making $540 a year (http://www.brasil.gov.br/news/history/2011/05/04/brazil-program-to-eradicate-extreme-poverty-to-benefit-16.2-million-citizens/print)
