Imagine a world without extreme poverty.
Family Partner's core value since the inception of our program in 2016, and the driving force behind all that we do is directly ending extreme poverty.
On October 17th, we commemorate The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This annual worldwide event originated in 1987 when a massive gathering in Paris proclaimed poverty a violation of human rights. It emphasized the need for collective action to work toward respecting the rights of the poor and reducing poverty rates worldwide. Since then, people of diverse backgrounds have united annually to express solidarity with those living in poverty.
But how do we know that we are achieving this goal? Are we empowering families in Kenya to overcome extreme poverty?
One way is by using proven tools like the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which captures the level of poverty beyond traditional income-based metrics. It was developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The MPI identifies and assesses multiple dimensions of poverty at the household level, considering factors such as:
Education (e.g., years of schooling, child school attendance)
Health (e.g., child mortality, nutrition)
Standard of living (e.g., access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, housing, and assets)
Each household is evaluated against these indicators, and if they are deprived in a third or more of the indicators, they are classified as multidimensionally poor. This allows policymakers to understand poverty from a broader perspective, capturing more complex realities beyond income levels alone.
This data-backed approach goes beyond diminishing the effects of poverty by dramatically shifting the standard of living for those in extreme poverty.
Although this can be used to track our progress and help determine success, it's not just about the numbers. Family Partners believes that the most important goal is transforming lives for God's kingdom and his purposes. These lives have a face and a name. They are the families that you partner with to create a brighter future.
Zig Ziglar once said, "Success isn't measured by what you do compared to what others do. It's measured by what you do with what God has given you."
This October 17th and every other day, we need to listen to the voices and seek to understand those living in poverty. Let's join hands and work together to end extreme poverty and create a world of justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Let's be in it to end it!
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