19 February 2025

Finding Hope on Poverty Eradication Day

Picture: supplied

Clare Steele

17 October 2024

On significant days like these, I reflect deeply on the global challenges we face—and the hope that spurs us on.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty might remind us of the sheer overwhelming scale of poverty and suffering around the world on our newsfeeds, causing us to feel discouraged. But amid these challenges, I am reminded that we are not alone in this fight.

At Compassion, we see and hear daily reminders of God’s faithfulness and the tangible progress made in the lives of children and families through the work of the global Church.

Real Progress Has Been Made

While the statistics can be daunting—an estimated 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030 if current trends continue, according to the UN—its essential to look at the long-term progress over the past three decades:

  • The number of people living in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 per day, reduced from over 2 billion in 1990 to around 700 million by 2020. This represents remarkable progress, with over one billion people lifted out of extreme poverty.
  • 25 countries halved their Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) within 15 years, reflecting significant improvements in overall quality of life in health, education and living standards.

Read more: Child poverty a priority for new BSL head

This is not to say the challenges aren’t sobering. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions more people into extreme poverty, and rising food costs, ongoing conflicts and climate issues continue to slow our progress.

Yet history shows that, with the united effort of a global neighbourhood, significant progress can be made.

The Church’s Role in Restoring Hope

God’s heart for the poor is a theme woven throughout the Bible, and the church has always played a vital role in addressing poverty and injustice. This mission is as necessary today as it has ever been. Poverty is more than just a lack of financial resources. The very nature of poverty erodes a person’s self-worth and their ability to live out their God-given potential.

Can you imagine the daily struggle to find enough food to eat and meet even the most basic needs?  This relentless battle to survive leads to despair and hopelessness.

We know that this spiritual and emotional poverty, can only be healed and restored through the hope found in God.   

Through Compassion’s partnership with over 8600 churches globally, we see the Church acting as the hands and feet of Jesus—empowering children, serving communities and bringing hope where it’s needed most.

Picture: supplied

Children not only receive practical support but are cared for within a safe community where they are loved, known and protected by staff who work closely with families to provide individualised support.

I’m deeply moved by the ways our local church partners are changing lives. I think of Richmond Wandera, a pastor and Christian leader in Uganda, who was once a Compassion program participant.

After his father was murdered, his mother struggled to support her six children and was forced to move into one of the worst slums in Uganda. Richmond’s childhood was filled with hunger, fear and hopelessness.

But through Compassion’s child development program, Richmond received healthcare, education, emotional support and the opportunity to hear the gospel. He was sponsored by Heather, a 15-year-old girl from the UK who saved up her babysitting money each month. That one act changed his life.

Read more: ‘Band-Aid’ budget payments fail to address real issues driving poverty: BSL, Anglicare

He had the chance to go to university with Compassion’s support. Inspired to bring hope to his community, he later pursued pastoral ministry, completing a master’s degree in theology and a PhD in leadership.

Richmond now leads the very church in Kampala that changed his life. He also leads an organisation that is training 15,000 pastors across East Africa. This is the transformative power of the global Church in action.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing Richmond share his story, and his message has spurred me on since that day. As Richmond expressed: “The Church is God’s ‘Plan A’ to bring hope to a hurting world.” 

God has called his people to care for the vulnerable, so how might we act?

We are so thankful that our supporters have also considered how they might act and partner with churches around the world to care for the most vulnerable in Jesus’ name.

Picture: supplied

Joining God’s Mission of Justice

At the very heart of our mission is the belief that we are not trying to fix injustice on our own—we are joining with God in His work of restoration and justice. He desires that every person, made in His image, lives free from poverty and flourishes as He intended.  

As followers of Jesus, we are invited to join God in the work He is already doing to bring healing and light to a broken world.

This changes how we view our work. When we feel burdened or frustrated about progress, we can be confident that God is at work. Our job is to be faithful to the part that He’s given us to play, trusting that He will bring about the growth. As 1 Corinthians 3:6 reminds us, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

Every Act Makes a Difference

We believe that God calls each of us to play a unique role in this mission.

At Compassion Australia, we’re blessed to be supported by over 121,000 Australians who give, pray and serve to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Alongside 300 incredible volunteers and nearly 1,000 Australian churches, we are collectively transforming children’s lives.

If you’ve ever wondered if your contribution is really needed, let me encourage you: your actions matter. Whether you sponsor a child, volunteer your time, advocate in your community or pray for those living in poverty, every act reflects the heart of Jesus.

As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let’s remember that we don’t act alone. As the global Church, in partnership with God, we are releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Join us today in this mission to bring hope and life to those who desperately need it. Let’s come together and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Clare Steele is the CEO of Compassion Australia

For more information or to support Compassion through volunteering, sponsoring a child or donating, visit: Compassion Australia

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