Picture a small boy, no older then 12, with the body size of a five year old, bones poking out of his tight, dark skin.  This is the reality of poverty in our world today.  Millions of children suffer from malnutrition and will sadly continue this cycle for generations to come.  How can we break this awful cycle?  It will take time and cooperation but we, the people of the world can each make a difference in helping those in need!

Through many different ways and everyday actions, we can each touch the lives of others and those who need it most.  Another hubber, Glassvisage, is a great example of doing such with teaching.  http://hubpages.com/hub/My-quest-to-Teach-for-America is a great hub to visit concerning her quest to help others with the power of the mind.  Doctors and teachers actually are alike in many ways, they each impact peoples lives everyday, change lives for the better or worse, and require knowledge to cause a ripple in the figurative pond of life.  A huge difference, however, is that doctors usually get immediate gratification for their efforts, while teachers don't usually get a thank you ussured to them and even have to "battle" a class at times to teach them information that will influence their lives.

 Through occupations and volunteering the uniques kills that each of us possess, we can shape the world into what we desire it to be-a place of peace and prosperity, or not so much.  Volunteering time and money to local places like food banks, community kitchens, and even BSA (Boy Scouts of America) can make a great impact.  I have helped out quite a few times at community kitchens and have found that seeing the hope and appreciation that each person has coming in to receive a warm meal truly can quicken the hardest heart into humility.

On the big picture of things, ultimately jobs will need to be created in countries were major poverty exists.  With the technology we have now, it will become easier and easier to bring jobs over to other country.  For example, biologically engineered plants can produce food in some areas that poverty exist at.  A major problem to consider when constructing such jobs in poverty stricken areas is the education the people have.

Lack of education is viewed by many people as the number one factor contributing to poverty.  More information regarding to poverty causes and effects may be found at http://hubpages.com/hub/Povery-Causes-and-Effects .  A product that has recently entered the market, a $100 laptop, may make all the difference in educating countries battling with poverty.  This laptop is bought in sets of 2 only, so the price actually is $200, but one bought goes to a family that is living in poverty.  This program is called "One Laptop per Child" and was made possible by Quanta.  More information regarding this organization can be found at http://digg.com/tech_news/OLPC_manufacturer_will_sell_200_laptop_in_developed_countries .

Are you convinced yet that there are people out there trying to help those in poverty and that you can make a difference also?  At the very least, a huge thing you can change in your everyday life is to smile more and at totaly strangers.  If we each decided to spread joy more often in our everday lives, that can largely contribute to making the world a better place.