LIFE IS HARD WHEN ONE IS POOR

 By Promise Odejide 

After reading Ridwan Obanla's article "THE SILENT BATTLE," I came to understand that life can be difficult for everyone, but it is especially hard when one is living in poverty. Poverty is not just a lack of money, but a lack of opportunities, resources, and dignity. Poverty affects every aspect of life, from health to education, from work to leisure, from security to happiness.

Let me start from Health, Poverty is only one of the major cause of ill health and a barrier to accessing health care when needed. Poor people are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and mental health problems. They are also more likely to die at a younger age than their richer counterparts. 

This same poverty makes it harder to access quality health care services, especially in low- and middle-income countries where public health systems are often underfunded, understaffed, and overcrowded. Poor people may face long distances, high costs, and discrimination when seeking health care. They may also lack information, awareness, and trust in the health system.

Looking at poverty at Educational angle, it is a major obstacle to education and learning. Poor children are less likely to enroll in school, more likely to drop out, and less likely to achieve good learning outcomes. Poverty affects not only the quantity, but also the quality of education. Poor children often attend schools that lack adequate infrastructure, materials, teachers, and management. They may also face hunger, violence, abuse, and exploitation in and around school.

Poverty also limits the opportunities for lifelong learning and skills development. Poor adults may have low levels of literacy and numeracy, and lack the skills and qualifications needed for decent work and social inclusion. They may also face barriers to accessing formal and non-formal education programs, such as cost, time, distance, and discrimination.

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Likewise in working aspect , poverty is a major challenge for decent work and economic growth. Poor people are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, or working in precarious and informal sectors. They are often exploited by employers who pay low wages, offer no benefits or protection, and expose them to hazardous and unhealthy working conditions. They may also face discrimination and harassment based on their gender, ethnicity, disability, or other factors.

Furthermore, It decreases the chances for entrepreneurship and innovation. Poor people have less access to financial services, such as credit, savings, insurance, and remittances. They may also lack the skills, knowledge, networks, and markets needed to start and grow their own businesses. They may face legal and regulatory barriers that hinder their formalization and competitiveness.

Finally, Poverty is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that affects every aspect of life. Poverty is not only a lack of money but a lack of opportunities resources dignity Poverty makes life hard for everyone but especially for those who are poor.

To end poverty we need to address its root causes such as inequality injustice discrimination corruption violence conflict climate change To end poverty we also need to empower its victims such as women children youth minorities persons with disabilities refugees migrants To end poverty we need to work together as individuals communities organizations governments To end poverty we need to act now before it is too late.