the time they reach the age of 10.
We often take for granted the privileges we have in the developed world, not realizing the realities of those living in less fortunate environments. From Tanzania to Ethiopia, Guatemala to the Middle East, there are stories of misfortune and sorrow that remind us of how much we are truly blessed.
In Tanzania, for example, the lack of financial resources means that hospitals are often unable to purchase basic medications. This can have dire consequences, leading to people dying from easily preventable illnesses. I recently spoke to a doctor who told me how he often has to buy medications himself, using his own money, in order to save the lives of his patients. His despair was palpable, as he told me how he was considering quitting his job, unable to cope with the heartbreak of watching people die unnecessarily.
The situation in Ethiopia is no better. On a recent bus journey through the country, I witnessed a mother and her two children drinking directly from a roadside puddle as it rained. Unpaved roads and other infrastructure issues are just a few of the many problems that hinder the country’s development.
A similar situation prevails in the hills of Guatemala. People here live off of corn tortillas and reside in homes with poor ventilation and no smoke extractors. This means that, by the time they reach adulthood, they have the lungs of a two-pack-a-day smoker.
These stories of hardship and despair are a reminder of how truly privileged we are in the developed world. We often forget that, while we may have our own problems, we should be thankful for the abundance of resources available to us. For those of us that have ventured outside of our comfort zone, these stories will stay with us forever.