Poverty alleviation and a better quality of life

Priscilla WELIKALA

A definition of Poverty as given in the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, is a state where one lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material provisions.

A solution for this would be to ensure an adequate and continuous flow of resources and this involves active participation of people maximising their own strengths.

SAARC steps

Concern for Poverty alleviation has been a topic of much concern and in the recent SAARC Summit declaration Poverty Alleviation is one main area where Heads of State and their Governments will continue to “ Combat Poverty through all available means, including especially through Peoples’ Empowerment”.

It is very creditable that such importance has been given, as a large percentage of people are subject to Poverty in the region and even in the World.

Now let us look at the existing Programs and Services for the poor and whether they have contributed to Poverty Alleviation. It is very important to look at these programs and their implementation for it could be seen that these programs have contributed to alleviating some of the problems poor people experience, but have they really contributed to alleviating poverty, and finding solutions to situations poor people face in life.

In the SAARC Declaration it is stated very rightly that they will combat poverty especially through “People’s Empowerment”. This is very important and the question is as to whether this is happening.

It is very important to understand that the anxiety and uncertainties faced by the poor due to their unstable economic situation guide their thinking and orientation and their worry is as to whether they will have enough money for tomorrow instead of planning for their future.

Poverty creates not only a different lifestyle but a different emotional set up as well. With such a frame of reference peoples empowerment has to be done with much understanding. Paternalistic or humanitarian policies will not activate people into action.

Empowerment

They can contribute to perpetuating dependency. People are a resource and they must be strengthened socially and economically.

“Empowerment is a process by which disadvantaged people work together to increase control over events that determine their lives.”

For this to happen the paradigm of working for people must change towards working with people. This will need changes at policy level for according to the present manner of service delivery the people become eligible to get services based on various “inadequacies” they have. e.g.: no source of income.

At time of service delivery what is strictly seen to is, as to whether they fall in line with this set criteria and if they do, they are provided with the services- financial or material assistance.

Provision of services alone will never move people out of poverty.

It is important to work with people, to move them from where they are now to a situation where they would be enabled to live a better quality of life or household well-being as a step by step process towards poverty alleviation. The important question is as to whether any attempts are made to effect this change within the people.

Moving people from where they are to a socially acceptable state of house hold well- being or a better quality of life means trying to effect changes within people who do not volunteer for change. Change means moving people from the comfort of what they know into the unknown area of work or some such activity which in the long run will benefit them.

Reactions

There can be reactions to change such as resistance, anger, and hostility. However provisions could be included when services are delivered to impose certain consequences if they do not take steps to improve their situation, and for these policy changes would be necessary.

This is where working with people is important, to help them to build trust and confidence to empower themselves to move out of their existing “powerless” situation.

The workers engaged in service delivery need to work with people with an understanding, and for this they must get the necessary training.

Mere delivery of services alone will not lead to poverty alleviation. Of course there are certain groups of people who will need such services, but for the most part people must be able to maximise their strengths, enhance their potentials and work towards their development.

Another very important factor to consider and conceptually understand is what we understand by poverty alleviation in our country.

Very often the success of programmes are reported by way of distributing many things to the people such as sewing machines to make use of for their economic enhancement or giving financial aid for micro enterprises etc.

All these are good but what is very important is the follow up to see how they are doing and if they have enhanced incomes, do they contribute to a better quality of life or better household well being.

This is an area where much thought has to be given for we are working with people who are in a particular frame of mind, having led a different lifestyle due to various deprivations economically as well as socially.

Changes

It should be possible to see specific and measurable changes in their household well-being or quality of life as poverty Alleviation becomes a reality. Quality of life or household well-being must be something meaningful, appropriate and acceptable to the people.

It must be something achievable and those working with the people must be able to influence these changes.

For Poverty Alleviation to be effective, there must be positive and measurable changes contributing to a better quality of life or household well-being through active participation of people.