Blog Action Day has finally arrived but my mind is blank! :??: I'd intended to have a well written post part planned, essay style, but then I ran out of day. And now I run out of time.

So, the question that made me think, is What actually is poverty? In light of the current financial situation I seem to hear the word bandied around a lot. But actually? Here in the UK how many people are poverty stricken?

I start with the basics, a definition borrowed from Wikipedia:
Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.

When I think of poverty I immediately think of the images remembered from childhood, of famine struck African children with distended bellies, the barrios and slums in third world countries, people really living hand to mouth.

And I am grateful that I live in a country where I am able to live in more comfort than many people can even dream of. To me this credit crunch is as close as I'll ever get to being poverty stricken. If cutting back on meals out, borrowing books instead of buying them, re-heeling my shoes instead of buying new pairs and putting extra layers on rather than turning up the heating I have a lot to be thankful for.

As a child we weren't rich, but I never felt poor. We always had enough to eat, heating and clothes. I saw mum struggle with a couple of jobs to keep us going, but I can't begin to imagine how disheartening it must be to have to struggle for the basics or to go without. I grew up respecting money and understanding that you have to make an effort to have a good lifestyle.

As an adult the poorest I've been was whilst at college as I was living semi-independently in a grotty bedsit. My part time job had to cover the bulk of my expenses. I had to live on restricted means, shop in Lidl and climb into bed when it was too cold. I remember eating instant mash on many a night as it was quick and cheap if not nutritious.

I guess I've been fortunate, not to live in a place or time where the basics are restricted permanently. Reading through other peoples blogs today has brought home to me how lucky I am and how many ways there are to help other people. The saddest thing is to realise quite how materialistic both I and modern society have become. I hope this is something that can be reversed. I certainly hope my children have the opportunities I have, and the understanding of how lucky they are not to be living in poverty.