Generational poverty is quite different from situation poverty. "Generational poverty is defined as a family having been in poverty for at least two generations. There are some key factors associated with Generation Poverty. And we notice this as we work with clients...and now as we are working with some of their adult children.
HOPELESSNESS ; many families live with this each day. Loss of HOPE. Besides lacking finances to meet basic living requirements, people in poverty are also often dealing with; Educational poverty and Parental poverty and Spiritual poverty.
Let's think about this for a moment. If parents are working several jobs to support family, they are less likely to be available for children...and/or if parents are stressed and living urgently their energy level for children is likely to be low.
We sometimes take for granted the support systems we have in the churches we attend. People in poverty may not be able to attend churches because of work or feeling 'less than' or other reasons.
Education is often not a high value, as it is more important to get a job or two and have immediate income.
"The cumulative effect of these different forms of poverty sometimes create the most damaging outcome of generational poverty~~the constant presence of hopelessness."
There is much more, of course. The Good News is that we have Good News! As believers, we can choose to impart HOPE. We can do this by 'opening the door' with gifts of mercy, such as firewood, hygiene, bikes, etc. Then as relationships are developed and we earn trust, there are opportunities to speak HOPE and TRUTH into lives.
Rarely is this a one time thing. (Tongue in cheek). People are learning new ways of thinking, new ways of doing and like all of us that just takes time. And much encouragement.
Thanks for seeing people and listening well to their stories. Thanks for speaking truth into lives and hope. You can make all the difference!