Running to end poverty also ends abuse! One child, one family, one village at a time.

When we think of poverty, images of sick children, starving mothers, war and more come to mind. But there are many more abuses of the poor. Most residents in impoverished communities do not own their homes, making them susceptible to the whim of the owners. Homes are made of impermanent materials and need repair often. When unskilled families attempt to fix things themselves, leaking roofs and broken toilets remain.

The few sanitation structures are typically open holes with no coverings, causing health problems. Much time is spent traveling to gather water, with thousands of families relying on a simple pump. And sometimes, thieves steal the pump parts and sell them for high prices.

Without funds for equipment or working animals, harvests must be done with hand tools and by members of the whole family. Even young children help, which keeps them out of school. In case of drought or famine, a poor crop creates long lean seasons. Loan sharks may charge up to 30 percent per month interest … Read more at http://www.outreach-international.org/site/PageServer?pagename=what_stories_abuse