The Impact of Poverty in Rural Communities in Tanzania

BY JACQUELINE MALECELA      
       
           Poverty in Australia, although considered to be a prosperous country, is as serious an issue as global poverty. Poverty in Australia is associated with high levels of long-term unemployment, the significant increase in the difference in economic well being between Australians. Australian Indigenous peoples continue to be the single most disadvantaged group in the Country, with many living in conditions similar to those in the poorer Countries. Evidence of social distress is found in the increasing numbers of Australians seeking assistance from charitable organisations in times of financial crisis. The Salvation Army in Australia assists 1.08 million people per year and spends $318 million delivering its social services through out Australia. Poverty is the major cause of homelessness. An increasing drug culture, gambling addictions and family breakdown are also contributing to the high levels of poverty.
  The obvious difference in the level of income between the very poorest people on earth and the majority of those in Australia does not effect the reality that both suffer from the same kind of social and economic exclusion, from the same sense of humiliation and dependency, from the same kind of rejection,In addressing the issues of poverty we need to peel back the layers of poverty and injustice which keep people poor., revealing something that is already there ? human dignity and a desire to live and enjoy life. Poverty permeates body, mind and spirit


        The world is changing at an unprecedented rate and continual change will be the feature of the 21st Century. The Salvation Army is being challenged to develop effective responses to this volatile social environment. Over the past ten years there has been a radical shift in the way that welfare agencies have had to deal with changing needs in the community. In particular they have needed to provide support for people who have never sought assistance before.It has also been necessary to address changes in the way that governments structures the delivery of human service programs. Increasingly the community sector has been required to take on tasks, which in the past would have clearly been the responsibility of governments.


        An example of this is the de-institutionalisation of mental health facilities, where many people have been relocated into the community without adequate support. Significant numbers of people with mental health issues are now using homeless persons services or live in low cost rooming houses, without appropriate medical, housing or support networks. Another area where community organisations are facing considerable changes is in the area of providing assistance to the unemployed.The challenge is how we can plan and prepare for a prosperous and socially inclusive Australia ? This is a question The Salvation Army is carefully considering.

         The Salvation Army believes that there are two core requirements for the challenge of the new century.
Firstly, The Salvation Army must be forward thinking, innovative and able to adapt to human needs in a constantly changing social environment.
Secondly, although a major provider of crisis support, needs to develop its capacity to help individuals and families in the context of communities local systems of support. Building up the capacity of local community to support people is a major challenge for Australia over the next twenty years.In this rapidly changing world, it is vital that people feel connected in supportive and resilient families and communities. No one should feel alone, unloved, forgotten and with no sense that they belong somewhere in our society. As well as its crisis support, The Salvation Army offers a comprehensive range of responses to people in need, including many focussed on prevention, early intervention and transitional support.


         Throughout its history The Salvation Army has had to balance huge demands on its services with a limited resource pool. There never seems enough to go around and grass root Salvation Army services have a rich tradition of using what they have in an innovative and practical way.Responding to ever changing community needs necessitates a continuing commitment to innovation and flexibility. Innovative organisations are learning focussed. They learn from the people who use their services; their staff; by being active participants in the local community; by using their own program data and other relevant research.The Salvation Army in Australia responds to its responsibility of bringing the organisations collective experience of social need to advocate on behalf of the disadvantaged through representation on Federal Government advisory groups including homelessness, youth and drug and alcohol.
        
        Divisions within the Territories have access to State and Local Governments through direct communication and representation on advisory group and peak bodies and through pre budget consultations, advocating for a fair and more compassionate deal for the most disadvantaged.