World hunger
Ending world hunger has always been a widely discussed issue. Whether it’s a question posed at a pageant or a topic of conversation around the dinner table, the question of how humanity should address world hunger is inevitable. However, after watching the documentary Poverty, Inc., my perspective has completely shifted. I now see that poverty and world hunger are not just humanitarian crises, they have also become part of a larger marketing scheme. In reality, we may be misunderstanding the root of the problem entirely.
Background
Growing up, I often heard about poor countries or impoverished people in third-world nations. I even remember buying the Skechers BOBS shoe, a dupe of the TOMS shoe, thinking that if I bought a pair, a poor child in Africa would also get one. But I never really sat down to consider whether my actions were actually helping the poor or hindering them.
Incorrect Perception of Poor People
The perception that poor people are unintelligent, incapable of self-sufficiency, or not entrepreneurial is a dangerous narrative. Many have been conditioned to adopt a victim mentality—one imposed on them by outside perspectives—or a mindset of dependency. A clear example of this is the subsidized rice problem in Haiti. Haitians were once able to grow their own rice, but after a devastating earthquake set them back, many NGOs began sending free or heavily subsidized rice. In the short term, this seemed like a great idea. However, this practice has continued for years—long past the country's recovery period—crippling local farmers and their ability to compete. Some may argue that sending free goods and resources is the best way to help, but this is not what these people truly need. Just like anyone in the U.S. or any other developed country, they want to earn a living on their own terms. They have families to support, bills to pay, and dreams to achieve. So why not help them work toward these goals?
Teach them to fish, and let them fish
When raising children, we’re often told to teach them right from wrong. But the truth is that no matter how much we lecture them, they will eventually learn those lessons through experience. What they truly need are the resources and opportunities to explore, learn, and make informed decisions for themselves. In my personal opinion, this is the best approach. The same principle should apply to those struggling with poverty—we should provide them with the tools and opportunities to rebuild their own lives rather than simply giving them handouts.
Take, for example, an orphanage in Haiti. Many mothers in the country were surrendering their children to orphanages—not because they didn’t love them or feared for their survival, but because they knew their children would have better opportunities there than they could provide at home. Seeing this, a couple—who had previously adopted two children from Haitian orphanages—decided to take a different approach. Instead of simply taking in more children, they hired these mothers, giving them jobs and helping them develop entrepreneurial skills. This allowed the women to earn a living, afford housing, put food on the table, and provide their children with an education.
Similarly, in Kenya, people once bought clothing produced within the country. But today, nearly all clothing owned by the average Kenyan—unless they are wealthy—comes secondhand from the U.S. or the U.K. This doesn’t just affect individuals; it weakens the entire economy. A concerning trend in many developing nations is the lack of a middle class. In contrast, most developed countries have a significant middle-class population. Economists argue that this disparity isn’t necessarily due to poor decisions made by the people in these countries, but rather the actions of developed nations that "swoop in to help," often with unintended consequences.
Most people who want to help do so from a place of compassion. However, they don’t always approach the issue with the right mindset. As one notable African economist pointed out, many fail to consider the long-term impact of their actions. Unintentionally, they may not see those they are helping as equals, leading them to believe these individuals need to be handed everything rather than empowered to build sustainable lives.
Our own issues at home
I believe the same issue applies to the way poor and homeless individuals are treated in the United States. Instead of simply being given free clothing and food, they should have access to temporary shelter while being encouraged to seek employment. Once they secure a job, they could start paying small amounts of rent as they transition back into independent living. This approach would not only help them reintegrate into society but also reinforce the work ethic that most people inherently possess—an ethic that is often eroded when individuals are kept in a cycle of dependency.
How to properly answer the world hunger question
If I, or anyone in a pageant, were asked the infamous question about how to end world hunger, I would say this: “Rather than simply providing food, we should empower people to sustain themselves. If they know how to farm, we should assist them in reclaiming their agricultural practices. If they don’t, we should teach them and allow them to learn through experience. The goal isn’t to create dependence on foreign aid but to enable self-sufficiency. In times of crisis, emergency support may be necessary, but long-term, people must have the means to provide for themselves.” We don’t need to turn their struggles into a business opportunity, helping others should never be about profit. Seeing people regain their independence, thrive, and build better lives for themselves should be reason enough.