I don't know about elsewhere... but in our parts there is always help out there for the poor. There are so many assistance programs for food, shelter and medical that make me think just maybe they are living a little better than I am... those who are poor. Don't get me wrong. It's a good thing to help people less fortunate. But there needs to be programs to rehabilitate and teach so that poverty does not become a way of life. It can be beaten. But it takes perseverance and determination. In the end, self worth will take them places where they'd never dream they could be.
Note: I was one of seven children (five of us in the pic) and we grew up in a four room house. That's two bedrooms and an outhouse, thank you very much. Mom worked in the sewing factory and Dad was an electrician at the Brick yard. Mom and Dad put us to work cleaning the house, washing dishes and babysitting our siblings. I know it's a different world today. But for crying out loud.... can't we just pull a little wisdom from our past into today... and become healthier and happier people...??!!