Statistically Speaking

Two sets of statistics came my way in the last few days. I found one in the June 30 issue of Christian Century. The other is in the Summer 2009 World Ark, the publication for Heifer International.

The World Ark numbers are straight to the point:
According to the US Goverment, the poverty threshold is now $17 per day per person;
According to the World Bank, the new international extreme poverty threshold is $1.25 per day;
The piece concludes with the stat that 45% of the world's children live in poverty.

The Century quoted a Democracy Corps Youth Survey conducted in August 2008 giving the top personal goals of young people aged 18-29. With the percent responding "very important":
80% - Paying off all debts;
78% - Finding a job you will enjoy;
75% - Finding a job that will make you financially secure;
66% - Buying a home;
59% - Giving something back to your community;
59% - Giving something back to your country;
54% - Having children;
53% - Getting married;
50% - Becoming more spiritually fulfilled.

I wonder what impact on the world we all could have if one of our personal goals was to make a difference in the lives of someone in our country or in another country who is living in poverty.