What is Poverty?: Intern Post by Robbie Tanner

 It’s a simple life. No McDonald’s wrappers, waking to the rooster’s crow, everyone has a large garden, and no one seems to get angry about anything. Families are important here. A large family is honorable and God has His role in everything. People are just so happy. And since the recent ending to the draught there is plenty to eat and there is enough water for the land to produce more food to come. What could there possibly be to complain about?As we spent the week meeting with people we will be working with these next couple of weeks, we have heard some amazing stories.  The adversity that faces anyone from the village who wishes to get a secondary school (high school) education is immense. Secondary school is not paid for by the government so those who cannot afford to pay the fees, cannot attend classes. Because the fees are so high, and the schools are often quite far away from the students homes, most students do not get the chance to attend. Because of these things, those students who are able to attend are considered to be fortunate for the opportunity to receive education not subsidized by the government.I had the opportunity to teach a Form 2 (sophomore) business studies class with my wife Ali. It was such a great experience to hear some of their questions about America and the education we receive. One specific experience from this class that stuck out in my mind:While answering a question, we began to discuss the poverty in America. I was describing what life could be like for someone who is below the poverty line in America and what the government does to help those with the greatest need. In this conversation a student said “I wish I was one of those people.” As the class laughed at his comment, I looked at him and was hit with the realization that he wasn’t joking at all.One can know they are blessed when someone considered fortunate in another country wishes to be someone considered “unfortunate” in their country.