Let’s Solve Poverty in 2026!

We’re not kidding. We’ve actually worked out how to change the world and we’re doing it in 2026. Come along for the ride!

We’ve been tackling poverty for ten years and now we’re ready for elimination. On a small yet meaningful and sustainable scale, village by village, we’ve supported local leaders with strong visions and epic implementation skills to improve their peoples’ lives. It’s been fantastic, but poverty still exists …

They say a drop in the ocean matters, but when it comes to global poverty, a drop is peanuts. I mean, it’s life-changing for the individuals we reach and of course that matters, but it’s not nearly enough,

We’re well into the 21st century and poverty is still hanging around in almost every corner of the world, even though it’s been clear for years we have the tech and the tools to feed everyone, provide clean water, universal education and healthcare. It’s actually not that hard! China lifted 943 million Chinese out of poverty in three decades. How, you may ask? By deciding to and just getting on with it. Admittedly, with a bit of an iron fist but the point is, where there’s a will, there really is a way. 

What’s missing on the global scale is political will. Unfortunately many of the world’s most powerful people seem quite attached to power, and not in a ‘let’s empower the people’ kind of way. But in a ‘give me more power over more people’ kind of way. But it’s not just power-drunk authoritarians who sustain a world full of haves and have-nots; a lot of regular people profit from poverty - maybe even you, if you’re honest? I know I do, in many ways. 

But hey, let’s not get down on ourselves about profiting from a system we didn’t build but we happen to benefit from. Instead of waiting for ‘them’ to care, why don’t WE solve poverty ourselves? Really, why not! 

As I said, China’s done it. And people are doing it at the village level all over our gorgeous globe. We’ve seen it with our own delighted eyes. The thing that really struck me on my last visit to Africa in July this year was just how good people are at solving poverty. We do go on about local leaders being amazing a lot, but with good reason! They know the culture and the hidden nuances that outsiders can’t grasp even if they learn the language. They grew up with the specific challenges and have that essential firsthand experience so they know in their bones why drinking dirty water sucks, or why not being able to go to school is a huge disadvantage. Or their uncle died of toothache because there was no available healthcare. You can’t beat lived trauma as a motivation to improve things. And local people also stick around to see the change through. They troubleshoot til the cows come home to solve whatever arises - things frequently arise - and make sure they reach their goals, no matter what. Because it’s their community, their people. Mate, I can’t emphasise enough just how effective solutions to poverty are when they come from the very people involved. 

So back to my epiphany in Kenya. Before the trip I had stepped away from Just Peoples for six months to remember why I care about poverty. So with fresh eyes I saw kids from slums getting quality education and a substantial meal each day. I saw a pregnant woman in an isolated village getting a visit from a nurse and saw the relief in her eyes knowing her baby would be born safely. And I thought, ‘oh wow what a privilege to be part of this, this is SO important!’ And yes, it is important, buuuuuut… I couldn’t shake the feeling that a drop in the ocean is just not enough. Because the thing is, there are millions and billions of drops who care about people in poverty and we know personally hundreds of capable leaders rearing to lift their communities and countries out of poverty, if only they had a few more resources to make it happen. 

So the point is, we need more drops! 

Plus, if billionaires can increase their wealth to gazillions while more and more people are left hungry and sick, why should we stand for that? Honestly, I hate that about the world. Big fan of humanity, but I really hate that a tiny number of people own 95% of the world’s wealth while others are starving. They can’t even spend it all. It’s so selfish and greedy, any toddler can see that. And also, why should philanthropy be reserved for mega rich people? I want to be a philanthropist! I want to be someone who can make a real difference. Why should we be excluded from decision making at the global level and take it lying down. “Oh ok, poverty is necessary so some people can have countless zeros in their offshore bank accounts, yeah, good one. Carry on.” You wouldn’t hear Thunberg saying that, that’s for sure. 

Now I’m getting furious again. Thinking about this really boils my blood, not just because it’s so outrageously unfair but because so many people are made to really suffer. It's abhorrent. Slavery was abhorrent and it went on for hundreds of years until enough people woke up and put a stop to it. Can you believe slavery was legal? Powerful people benefitted hugely from the outrageous exploitation (to say the least) of millions of people, so it was legal. Poverty is a similar story. We’re so used to it we've come to accept it as part of life. Can we put a stop to that now, please? Let’s be the people who band together and say, “Truly, THAT’S ENOUGH NOW!! We’re furious and we care about other people! We’re at our best when we take care of each other and when all people have the opportunity to thrive! We want to have a say on how our global society is run!”

And the wonderful thing is… it’s possible! We can do it. We really can. Last year Just Peoples sent around $200,000 to local leaders to reduce poverty and that was great. Thousands of people are now living safer, healthier, all-round-better lives as a result. Imagine if we could send $10,000,000! (Or ten MIIIILLLLLLLLIIIOON dollars, as Jo would say.) The impact of that amount of money in the hands of the most savvy, resourceful and committed people on earth would change the world. You may not think $10M is enough to change the world but that’s just the starting point obvs, it’s not a one and done transaction. 

Umm… where are you going to get ten million dollars from?

Great question! We’re gathering a group of 1,000,000 people who feel like us about poverty and inequality and asking for a cool $10 each. It’s not a huge ask, but it is a huge impact. And on we go like this, inviting ever more caring people to join us on our mission, $10 at a time. Finally the average human has an easy way to create the kind of world we all want to live in. I for one can’t wait to live in this compassionate world. I can’t wait to see humanity united as one interconnected and diverse family of cultures and creeds, looking out for each other, respecting the beauty that each people brings to the whole and dancing and singing and laughing forever and ever. 

Sometimes you need a bit of idealism to get things rolling, but it beats disillusionment and apathy, anyhow. 

Ok but where are you going to find a million people?

Well, we’re starting with you. And your mum. Now I don’t want to beg or rattle a tin in front of your face, but please donate a tenner so we can be done with this poverty once and for all. And then go ask your mum to donate too. You will feel better about the world, I promise! And you’ll feel great being part of the movement that changes the world. 

Unless you’re a billionaire in which case you may feel differently. You’ll be fine. And you can give a little more than $10 if you don’t mind. It’s the very least you could do. 

And if you’re someone living in poverty, I’m so sorry you’ve been neglected for so long, but we’re on our way.