The Sea Of Poverty

Although there is a globalization of poverty, poverty remains rampant in Asia. Of the estimated 1.2 billion people living in absolute poverty around the world, more than two-thirds are in Asia. To date, poverty affects almost 900 million people in Asia, i.e., 75 percent of the poor in the world reside in Asia! Nearly one in three Asians is poor. (Statistics from Asian Development Bank).

Each of us has encounter faces of poverty in one way or another. The scope of needs is staggering! We could choose to do something or nothing! Do we dare to make a difference in a world of faceless poverty?

The saying is right, “Poverty, poverty is everywhere!”

The Limbless Leper

Pakistan —Eric Tan NH was walking through the bazaar (marketplace) crowd. Suddenly, a voice cried, “Give way! Give way!” True enough, the crowd instantly made way for the limbless leper. It was an unforgettable sight—a limbless leper (his legs were amputated) moving on a trolley! To this day, the limbless leper reminds Eric of his responsibility to empower those who are disadvantaged in life.

In 2004, Dr. Eric Tan NH founded Vision Network Society to engage global challenges such as Asian poverty. In their overseas travels, most VNS volunteers have encountered faceless poverty and felt helpless. Through VNS, volunteers are able to do something significant to tackle poverty.