Poverty/Simplicity 6 th, 7 th and 8 th religion

Do Now In your own words, please write down what the words poverty and simplicity mean to you

What is Poverty? Poverty is the state of being extremely poor Poverty is measured in three common ways 1. income 2. Assets- accumulated wealth in the form of money, securities, and real estate 3. Human well being- health, nutrition, infant mortality and sanitation

There are many children your age that are living in poverty, not only in other countries, but in the United States as well. In many cases we have people living in poverty in our community and we might not even know it I would never think that I have anyone living in poverty in my community, but right down my house we have a food pantry for those in need and there are A LOT of families that go there to make sure they have dinner on the table for their family

How Can We Help? Please take time to reflect on what we just said, that it is possible to have people living in poverty in our own community Write down in your notebooks ways that you can help

Ideas that I had Volunteer at the local soup kitchen Habitat for humanity- Help build safe homes Babysit for FREE! Many times they cannot go into work because they have no one to watch their child Tutor- We know how hard it is to get a job without a college degree, well it is even harder to get a job without a high school diploma Help them study to get their GED.

More Ideas Donate your old clothes We have so many clothes that we grow out of, give them to someone who doesn’t have any clean clothes to wear Have a fundraiser They do not always have to be for general causes they can be for a specific family that you know NEED’s the money Be a big brother or big sister Many times children living in poverty do not have anyone to look up to Give them your old clothes, show them how important their education is and make them a hot meal

What is Simplicity? Simplicity is the state of being simple Having exactly what you need, nothing more and nothing less Only the bare necessities For example: You need a backpack for school, you do not need to buy an expensive one, you just need one that will hold all of your books and last you the entire year.

Quick Write What are some material things in your life that you have that are preventing you from living simply?