Absolute and Relative Poverty

What is poverty? Poverty is the state of being extremely poor, with very little money, food or access to clean water.

When people hear the word ‘poverty’, the initial assumption is that it’s someone who is without food, water or money. While this is true, poverty also includes those who have limited access to something, a lack of opportunity or facing issues of equality. Can you think of any specific groups that have a higher chance of living in poverty than others?

Women Ethnic Minorities Children Unemployed Low Paid Workers Elderly Single Parents

Why might these specific groups have a greater chance of being in poverty?

What do you think ‘absolute poverty’ means? Absolute Poverty is a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information.

What do you think ‘relative poverty’ means? Relative Poverty refers to a standard which is defined in terms of the society in which an individual lives and which therefore differs between countries and over time.

Poverty tends to be linked with particular countries of the world. When you hear the word ‘poverty’ what countries come to your mind?

You probably mentioned places such as the continent of Africa, or countries like India, Afghanistan or Romania. However, in reality, poverty is a global issue and can be found in every single country all over the world. And yes, that even means in the UK too!

The UK has a population of around 64 million people, and 13 million live in poverty. That is over a ¼ of the UK’s population. In a recent study by Inequality Briefing it was shown that 9 out of the 10 poorest areas within Northern Europe were in the UK alone. And yet we also have the richest: London. Why do you think this is?

Do you know the UK’s minimum wage?

In places such as Africa a lot of people live on no more than £1 a day. Most of the time this £1 isn’t just for one person, but is spread out to support an entire family. How far would this amount of money go towards food in the UK?

What is Live Below the Line? Live Below the Line is an awareness and fundraising campaign, challenging individuals and communities to eat and drink on £1 a day. By taking part in LBTL, you are shining a light on the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty, on just £1 a day. In 2015, schools across the country will take part in Live Below the Line by eating and drinking on £1 for one whole day.

Can you help Send a Cow to change lives? Take up the Live Below the Line challenge and raise money for our Burundi campaign. Burundi is the hungriest country in the world. Families here have been living on much less for a lifetime. Hunger ultimately means loss of life - and of all hope for any kind of meaningful future.

Send a Cow: Burundi

With the money you raise we can start to end hunger in the country one family, one community at a time. It raise means we can get into the heart of these communities and, within months, see them growing enough food to feed their families.

For every £100 you raise we will support a group to set up an allotment to grow fruit and veg to feed their families and sell. And for every person helped, a further 9 benefit, spreading the impact of the money you raise still further.

Crucially, your support will mean people feel valued, not forgotten. This is the spark. When a person feels valued they believe they can take the livestock and the knowledge we provide and shape their own future. It starts with an appetite for change. We simply provide the means to make that happen. Will you help us?