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Could you survive on $2 a day or less? 2.7 billion people do. Statistically you had a greater chance of being born into a life on $2 a day than you did of being born into your current financial situation.
Hamid and Khadeja
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hamid and Khadeja live in a Dhaka slum with their young son. Their home consists of cement block walls and a tin roof. Hamid is a reserve motorized rickshaw driver and Khadeja works as a seamstress. The family of three survives on an uncertain $0.78 per person per day.
Feizal
Uttar Pradesh, India
Feizal's ten-member family lives on a household monthly income of $36, made mostly from selling aluminum pots. His wife and daughters roll bidis (cheap cigarettes) to sell. Although their income is low, the family stocked away significant savings in preparation for their daughters wedding. When Feizal fractured his thighbone, the family was suddenly without its main breadwinner. He didnt want to spend the money he had saved for his daughters wedding, so he went to a less expensive, traditional doctor. The break got worse, and the family was forced to spend nearly $250 (two-thirds of their income for a whole year) on a modern doctor and hospital fees.
Pumza
Cape Town, South Africa
Pumza supports herself and her four children as a sheep intestine vendor: every day she spends $5 to buy intestines, cooks them on an outside fire, and sells them. Her daily revenues average about $6-$15. From this amount she must cover the cost of her supplies, as well as feed her family. However, some days the weather is cold and rainy and people dont want to buy her intestines. When that is the case Pumza is forced to take out loans, driving her further into poverty.
Subir and Mumtaz
Dhaka, Bangaldesh
The couple and their five sons live on government-owned land in Dhaka. Their rent-free timber and bamboo hut is lit by a single light bulb, the electricity for which constitutes their only monthly bill. Subir earns most of his income pedaling a hired rickshaw but the physical demands of pedaling mean that he can only work four days a week. Subirs earnings fluctuate with weather conditions, political strife, and police harassment. His income is supplemented with rent from a temporary boarder, Mumtazs income as a maid, and two of their sons wages.
Profiles provided by:
Portfolios of the Poor
Vital Edge Aid
