The dignity of work

Whoa, this year has FLOWN by and we haven't blogged at all since January! Clearly, we're still getting the hang of this social media thing.

A recent article in La Nación (the main national newspaper here in Costa Rica) recently published an article about some findings about poverty according to a recent "State of the Nation" survey. It is super-encouraging to us that the government is at least recognizing some of the poverty issues in this country, and is also affirming of the directions we have taken with our organization's strategic goals.

First, some facts about the poorest 20% in current state of Costa Rica:

• Average educational level attained is 6.34 years of education (that's kindergarten through 5th)
• Average monthly income is about $367 (while the cost of living is about what it is in the U.S., so you have an idea of how far this goes) - this is 1/12 of the average income for the top 20%
• 43% of households are headed by women
• Unemployment is 25%
• Over half of workers do not receive even the minimum wage mandated by the government
• Yet these people are responsible for more children and elderly dependents per household (2.4 for each working adult)  than those with more resources (.59 for each working adult).

These are the very things we try to help people deal with on a day-to-day basis: work, education, single mother challenges, and prevention of the abuse and violence that comes out of these stressful situations. We see this 20% fighting for their lives and their children's futures, and try to provide them with tools and resources with which to do so.

The article cites some important factors contributing to the cycle of poverty, among them:

• "Low education levels of the poorest households are one of their primary limitations."
• "The most effective way to help the poor depends on the possibilities of linking them to the employment market."
• "For those who can work, the issue is to reduce unemployment and create employment opportunities of better quality, guarantee the payment of minimum wage and other legal working conditions, and provide training."
• "In the case of independent workers (micro- and small-business owners), it is necessary to provide support via economic credits and technical assistance."
• "The government provides some programs to poor families to assist them, but they are means, not ends."

This is precisely why we give our lives to serve the poor in continuing their education and keeping their children in school, and training and preparing them to find meaningful work. Certainly personal choices are a factor in terms of motivation to continue in school, or when and how many children to have. But there are also very real systemic issues that perpetuate the cycle of poverty that are beyond the control of the individuals in poverty: the quality of education that they receive in their underfunded school that limits their opportunities to continue, the injustice of a system that doesn't enforce the laws of working hours and minimum wage, and the disinterest of the public and the government to resolve the issues. 

We believe that God calls His people to step in and seek justice where earthly authorities and governments will not. By serving the poor in dignity-giving ways that allow them to break the cycle of poverty for themselves, we show God's love and concern for them. This is why we invest in the lives of people like those in the photo above at our recent Jobs for Life graduation. Won't you join the team?