Poverty, also known as the “silent killer” (causes of poverty), exists in every corner of the world. The mortality rate of poor children is a staggering number; approximately 9 million die every year. Some see poverty in the fact that people cannot afford a professional meal or are forced to skip a meal to save money. This is not true poverty; poverty is where people live on $1.25 or less a day. According to Causes of Poverty, 1.4 billion people live like this. Even more shocking than the latest statistic is that half the world's population lives on $2.50 a day. Living a life of poverty is like living in a rapid downward spiral into failure. If you were born into poverty there is little chance that you will be able to create a better future for yourself. IN some countries, especially in Africa, there is a law that states that if you are contagious you cannot go to school. Most poor children are chronically ill and therefore rarely receive an education. Lack of education represents a major challenge for these children later in life. According to Causes of Poverty, more than 101 million children are out of school. Of these 101 million, only a few will be given the opportunity to work. However, most of them, when they look for a job, are rejected and die due to lack of education. Children are not the only ones who see a dire future, adults do too. Insufficient education is not the only thing that harms people affected by poverty: the absence of basic fundamental skills represents a huge burden. There are approximately one billion illiterate people in the world. Not retaining reading or writing skills is a huge disadvantage. People will try to get the upper hand on you because you are trash for the upper middle class. Growing up in poverty...... middle of paper ......having a government and a parliamentary system. Although Afghanistan still remains the poorest, they hope to pass this name off. Poverty will not end in a flash; it will take time and patients. To end poverty it will take the help of every ethnic group. Jeffery Sachs predicts that poverty could end as early as 2025. Countries are already trying to ensure free healthcare for all, but are having trouble getting everyone to agree on the bill. Some say, “why change what isn't broken?” But the truth is that the system is broken, it helps those who can afford it but not those with limited resources. As highlighted above, eradicating poverty will take time, but it can happen. As Nelson Mandela pointed out, “like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.