For some time now, many of you who have followed us in our work have been waiting for the release of our book Living on a Dollar a Day. Thank you for your patience. The book is now on its way to the printers and will be in book stores early next year. On the inside flap of the dust jacket, these are the words that will appear. We wish we had the space to say more, but it should give you a pretty good sense of the body of the work:
Slightly over one billion people on the planet live on a dollar a day. While the reasons for their poverty may be different across geographic regions and political circumstances, the results are much the same. Extreme poverty robs people of options in life, and the cycle is nearly impossible to break without help. While the poor often work very hard at jobs many of us would not even consider doing, not having access to basic health care and education keeps them at the bottom of the economic ladder, usually for generations.
Living on a Dollar a Day shares the personal stories of some of the poorest of the poor, honoring their lives, their struggles, and encouraging action in those who can help. In making this beautiful and moving book a team traveled to four continents, took thousands of photographs, conducted numerous interviews, and researched information on the agencies around the world that strive to help the destitute. The resulting stories and photographs offer a heartrending glimpse into the everyday realities of individuals and families facing extreme poverty. Personal profiles give voice to their experience, and research about the root causes of global poverty is shared along with information on how those in more fortunate circumstances can get involved.
Living on a Dollar a Day gives the largely invisible poor a face and a voice. In a world that grows more and more connected and interdependent, the issues that affect one person eventually affect us all. This important book is a powerful call to action for anyone who wishes to help alleviate human suffering.
Also, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his tribute to the book, wrote on the back cover of the dust jacket:
Too often those of us who live comfortable lives miss the entire spectrum of humanity who share our planet in lives of desperate poverty. This book brings all of us closer. – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
We will start to schedule book signings soon. Hopefully I will see many of you at one of our events. Thank you.