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“But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes
his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH-
XL8PXSyQ&feature=related
“There will always be poor people in the
land. Therefore I command you to be
openhanded toward your brothers and
toward the poor and needy in your land.”
–Deuteronomy 15:11
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and
needy in your land.” –Deuteronomy 15:11
We have so much need here in the US .
If you watch the news, you know there is poverty all over the world, but what we DON’T hear about is the great need right here in our land.
It is overlooked because it doesn’t get the media coverage in the states as foreign poverty gets. The news report about Pine Ridge was not done by a US reporter, but rather by a reporter from Britain.
Before I did my research, I had no idea there were places like this in the US. Sure, there were homeless people living on the streets, but to have this many people in one reservation blew my mind.
poverty
–noun 1. the state or condition of having
little or no money, goods, or means of
support; condition of being poor
It is located in the southwest corner of South Dakota, fifty miles east of the Wyoming border in Bennett, Jackson, and Shannon Counties.
Pine Ridge Reservation is the second-largest Native American Reservation within the United States, covering 2.7 million acres.
The Reservation is divided into eight districts: Eagle Nest, Pass Creek, Wakpamni, LaCreek, Pine Ridge, White Clay, Medicine Root, Porcupine, and Wounded Knee.
Home of 40,000 people. 35% being under the age of 18.
Median income = $2,600 to $3,500 per year
Unemployment ranges from 83-85%.
Rapid City is the nearest town for those who
can travel to find work. It is located 120
miles from the Reservation. The nearest
large city to Pine Ridge is Denver, Colorado,
located 350 miles away.
Teenage suicide rate is 150% higher than
the US national average.
Over half the adults battle addiction and
disease. (alcohol, diabetes, cancer,
malnutrition)
Infant mortality rate is about 300% higher
than US national average.
Drop out rate is over 70%.
Pine Ridge Reservation schools are at the
bottom 10% of school funding by US
department of education and the
bureau of Indian affairs.
Teacher turnover is 800% of the US
national average.
Houses on the Pine Ridge Reservation are overcrowded, which results in homeless families living in tents or cars.
In order for no one to be homeless, they would need 4,000 new homes built.
There is an average of 17 people living in a house of 2 to 3 rooms, and 30 people living in a house made for 6-8 people.
Occasionally residents are found dead from hypothermia.
Most families use their ovens to heat their homes.
On the reservation in the winter, the temperatures can reach -50*F or lower.
This is why I want to help.
Who? Schools, school-sponsored clubs, churches, companies, sports teams
What? Gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, earmuffs, wool socks, etc.
Where? Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota
When? I want this up and running as soon as possible. I would like to collect items twice a year, including other necessities sent in the summer, eventually focusing on Christmas with toys, books, and board games.
Why? Because basic needs MUST be met first. Without these needs being met, they will not be able to focus on the things they need to do to better their lives. When the basic needs are met consistently, we will be able to address other areas of importance.
How? Collect Christmas items and deliver to the Oglala Sioux tribe through contact with president, John Steele.
Goal #1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.Target 1B: Achieve decent employment for women, men, and young people.
AND EVENTUALLY…
Goal #4: Reduce child mortality rateTarget 4A: Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.
Goal # 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
Target 6C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases
Oglala Sioux Tribe President
John Steele
PO box 2070
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
Phone: 605-867-5821
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no
pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not
love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18
Still in the process:
Website!!
The project can be implemented to be sent anywhere in the world. For instance, school supplies can be sent to Africa. Books can be sent to the countries with low literacy rates.
If this works out, I will start bigger and better projects on the reservation and in other countries, such as Siberia, that will make them self-sufficient.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0F
2Kl4tyA0
The Bible
http://home.comcast.net/~zebrec/OST_President_Steele.htm
http://www.backpacksforpineridge.com/Home_Page.html
http://www.youtube.com/
