Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Starvation in Africa

Ehren Campbell

Overview
Africa is in a vicious cycle of starvation, poverty and low-productivity. As (First Name?) OConnor stated, "Poverty, malnutrition, and low productivity are connected in a vicious cycle. This vicious cycle is started by most of the Africans being hungry, as a result of this, they are less productive, and because they are less productive they can create less of an income for them and their families causing the whole thing to start over and forcing a majority of Africans to slowly and painfully die." As Christ-followers, we are called to help the poor, and to view the world, its problems, and solutions from a Biblical perspective. Some believe that the poverty and suffering in African could be a result of sin. According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. Whether their situation is caused by sin or not, only God can heal their land. Breaking the poverty cycle will require eliminating government corruption, ending wars, increasing the supply of clean water, building good roads, and growing crops that can be exported. Cycles are broken one link at a time. Christ followers can provide assistance drilling wells, building roads and irrigation systems, and the necessary food, water and medicine while their infrastructure is being built.

The Viscious Cycle of Poverty

Low Income

Cycle of Poverty
Low Productivity Malnutrition

Wars
Effects on Poverty
Africa spends $18 billion per year fighting wars. War diverts resources away from more productive uses such as improving irrigation. When people are killed or injured their family loses an income earner.

Corruption
Effects on Poverty
Africa receives $22.5 billion per in foreign aid. It loses $150 billion per year through corruption. When officials steal money instead of using it to repair roads, build water treatment plants, and help farmers

Wars
Effects on Poverty
Africa spends $18 billion per year fighting wars. War diverts resources away from more productive uses such as improving irrigation. When people are killed or injured their family loses an income earner.

Insufficient and Poor Roads

Effects on Poverty
Limits internal trade, forcing each region to be self-sufficient. Traffic accidents cost approximately 1% of their gross domestic product. When people are killed or injured their family loses an income earner, thus contributing to the familys poverty.

Insufficient Irrigation and Poor Soil

Effects on Poverty
Infertile soil leached of minerals results in small crops. Much of the land requires terracing due to mountainous terrain before it can be farmed. Insufficient irrigation reduces the kinds of crops that can be grown. Small crops means small income for farmers.

Lack of Clean Water

Effects on Poverty Fact 1 about water Fact 2 about water. Fact 3 about water. Show how these facts about water contribute to poverty.

Parallels between Africas Problems and Gods Judgment Against Israel

Israel 1 Israel 2 Israel 3 Africa 1 Africa 2 Africa 3

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3