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Small Ways to Fight a Big Problem

The Global Poverty Club to offer concrete suggestions for lessening poverty around the world during week-long forum.

A lecture last year at Northwestern University by the economist Jeffrey Sachs on the scourge of global poverty got Elmhurst College junior Dan Zarlenga wondering what he could do in his small way to help. His answer: the Global Poverty Club.

The eight-month-old student organization is launching a week-long program, Poverty Week, beginning Sunday to educate the community on ways it can lessen the suffering caused by poverty. The week to build poverty awareness is the culmination of nearly a year of research by the 20-member club into non-profit organizations in the fields of economics, health and education. So far, it has raised $2,500.

Poverty Week is one piece of the Poverty Project, a year-long exploration of the issue at Elmhurst College. The Poverty Project comprises not only student-sponsored events such as Poverty Week, but also College-supported efforts such as speaker forums and other cultural events, classroom assignments and service-learning efforts. The Poverty Project was inspired by renowned Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, the recipient last month of the College’s highest honor, the Niebuhr Medal, for his work as an advocate for the world’s “poorest of the poor.”

Zarlenga was inspired to tackle the issue after he heard Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University discuss the challenges of economic development and environmental sustainability. And he was struck afterward when he overheard two students say that they felt helpless. “They wondered what they could possibly do as college students in Chicago,” he recalled.

One of the first channels identified by Zarlenga’s fledgling club was Kiva, (www.Kiva.org), a site that enables givers to fund entrepreneurs in developing nations. Kiva calls itself a “person-to-person micro lending Web site.”  The club raised $1,000, and Zarlenga says the club during the week will invite students to browse the site and recommend which entrepreneurs should be funded. The club plans to make loans to 40 businesses of $25 each.

In the field of health, the group already has raised $200 for Nothing but Nets (www.nothingbutnets.net), a campaign of the United Nations Foundation that distributes anti-mosquito bed nets for families in Africa. The agency says that use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission of malaria as much as 90 percent.

And in education, the club has backed Pennies for Peace, (www.penniesforpeace.org), a service-learning program of the Central Asia Institute that raises money to buy school supplies for children in impoverished nations such as Afghanistan. The club raised $162 for this cause during the Spring Term and Zarlenga says this drive shows how even the smallest contributions can make a difference.

Zarlenga, a native of Niles and now a senior, hopes to pursue a career in microfinance—funding small businesses in developing nations. He and club members got the idea for the week-long forum after researching the non-profit organizations that work on global poverty. “Individuals can help wherever they live,” he said.

Events run from October 25 through October 31 and begin with a trip to the Feed My Starving Children facility in Hoffman Estates. A highlight of the week is a lecture by Lisa Van Es, founder of the non-profit consulting firm Divine Commerce LLC, about the crucial role that education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty. 
 
Sunday, October 25: Volunteer Trip to Feed My Starving Children
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
At the Feed My Starving Children facility in Hoffman Estates, volunteers will package specially prepared food to send to impoverished nations. Transportation will be provided. Departs at 9:45 a.m. from the Frick Center, Bryan Room.  Sponsored by Brighthope International.

Monday, October 26: Poverty Week Kick-Off Celebration
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Learn what this weeklong event is all about while enjoying live music, games with prizes, videos related to global poverty and more. Frick Center, Bluejays Roost.

Tuesday, October 27: Panel on Poverty
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
International students and others who have personally experienced living in or near extreme poverty will share their stories. Frick Center, Alexander Room.

Wednesday, October 28: Kiva Lending Session
11:00 a.m.-1 p.m.
Learn about Kiva.org, a non-profit website that allows individuals to make small but meaningful loans to poor entrepreneurs anywhere in the world. Global Poverty Club has raised nearly $1,000 toward 40 Kiva loans, and will invite students to help choose entrepreneurs to benefit from this money. Frick Center, Founders Lounge.

Keynote address: 
Lisa Van Es Presents “The Global Impact of Education”
6:00-8:00 p.m.
During a visit to Belsi, Nepal, author and Divine Commerce, LLC, founder Lisa Van Es was struck by the lack of educational resources there. She will speak about the experience, and her efforts to build a library there for the children. Frick Center, Founders Lounge.

Thursday, October 29: Fair Trade Sale
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Ten Thousand Villages, a national chain of fair-trade stores, will sell its handicrafts and other items at Elmhurst College. The stores “strive to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of artisans in 38 countries” by providing fair wages to artisans in developing nations. Frick Center, Alexander Room.

Video Presentation
4:15 p.m.
“The New Heroes: Their Bottom Line is Lives” focuses on the work of inspiring leaders in the fight against poverty. Frick Center, Blume Boardroom.

Friday, October 30: The Greenjays Present: EC Unplugged
1:00-4:00 p.m.
It’s Friday, so unplug and join the College community for live acoustic music and a scavenger hunt. This event encourages students to “unplug” themselves from electronics and other appliances that use the Earth’s resources and instead to join in the fun on the campus’ beautiful mall. Co-sponsored by the newly formed Elmhurst College sustainability group, the Greenjays. College Mall.

Saturday, October 31: Pennies for Candy Halloween Festival
Noon-3:00 p.m.
Kids and parents are encouraged to bring as many pennies as they can to the festival, where they can trade in the pennies for candy, prizes, fun and games! All proceeds will go directly to Pennies for Peace, a non-profit program that purchases school supplies for poor children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. College Mall. Rain site: Cafeteria.

Almost all events take place on the Elmhurst College campus. For locations, visit www.elmhurst.edu/campusmap.

For more information about Poverty Week at Elmhurst College, call 630-617-3390 or e-mail gpcpresident@gmail.com.