We all face problems and challenges in life, don’t we? Below, I’ve listed 5 of the top challenges and problems worldwide, that while extreme, are the reality to much of this planet’s population.

#1. Globally, 10.9% of the world is living on less than $2 a day.

#2. For every 1,000 children born, 41 will die before they turn five years old.

#3. Globally in 2016, over 63 million children were not attending school.

#4. The number of hungry people in the world has increased over the last few years. One in nine people in the world habitually go hungry, and, as a result, suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Food security is the biggest threat to the overall health of the human population, more so that malaria, tuberculosis or HIV.

#5. Today, approximately 12% of the world’s total population is still practicing open defecation.

These are all problems/ challenges that are very complex, and most would probably agree that there is no one answer or easy solution.  

Healthcare, food/ water shortages, and education are just a few of the enormous issues that plague this planet. They are issues that need to be addressed and helped. However, despite the incredible work and contributions around the globe, we are not solving these problems and making them go away completely. While we would all love to end the world’s struggles, it is just not practical or possible to fix everything and constant worry will do you no good.

This doesn’t mean that we can’t do a great deal to help alleviate problems and work towards making the world a better place.

As I read through these devastating statistics, it saddens me not only because of all the hurt in our world, but more because of the fact that this negativity is what our culture chooses to focus on. In the news, in our politics, and in our communities, hearing the negative and overlooking the positive has become a norm in our society. We often hear only what has gone wrong in the day.

Something I have started doing and truly enjoying, is to search the news and the web for stories of hope and how people and organizations are making this world a better place. I’d like to share one such organization and their story with you just as an example of the wealth of good taking place around the globe. This group is called “ConcernUSA” and has helped countries around the world for 50 plus years, making it a better place. Here’s a little snippet from there website about what they do:

“For almost 50 years, Concern has worked to help the world’s most vulnerable families, from Syria to South Sudan. Last year, with a staff of just over 4,000, we reached more than nine million people in 28 countries. And because we know that every penny is precious — to our donors and to the people we help 92 cents in every dollar goes straight to our programs.

Our staff does whatever is needed. We build shelters in the wake of hurricanes, feed malnourished children when famine strikes, and truck water in times of drought. And when the media spotlight moves on, we don’t. We stay to help whole communities lift themselves out of poverty for good.” 

Friends, there are so many problems in this world. There are also so many blessings and things to be grateful for. Focus on the things that you can change for the good and don’t worry about the ones out of your control. Just like what Concern USA is doing around the world, there is so much to be thankful for and so much positive is happening right in your own backyard. We can’t navigate through this world alone, and when you can work together and focus on what’s truly important and within your reach, only the best is yet to come!