The Poverty Dilemma

It is hard to complain about anything living in luxury with air-conditioning and a flushing toilet when we look a little closer to the local people.  They live very different lives with minimal income and resources and they are still happy and getting on with living. 

I spent some time talking with my neighbour last night about her family and life here in Kiribati. Her family are from one of the outer islands and people still live reasonably well there. Her husband is currently away studying in Fiji. Fresh food is more available and affordable there.

The reliance on cheap white rice for diet in the capital Tarawa is distressing and the rates of diabetes causing amputation, blindness and early deaths is alarming. The wife of our accommodation college principal is currently in hospital with diabetes related illness and has just had toes amputated. 

Everyone I speak to has a similar story. 

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