The cost of poverty is the hidden price a person pays simply for not having enough.
Poverty doesn’t only cost money. It can also cost belonging, safety, rest, satisfaction and even your future.
Compassion equips the local church to serve children and their families as they reach for more beyond the darkness of poverty.
In many parts of Brazil, a fresh cup of coffee will cost you only about a dollar. Great, right? Now imagine working 40+ minutes just to afford that single dollar. That’s one way to see the cost of poverty — where even the simplest pleasure costs nearly an hour of hard-earned income.
Money is just the start. Poverty is expensive, in more ways than you might think.
What Does the “Cost of Poverty” Mean?
The cost of poverty is the hidden price a person pays simply for not having enough. And millions of families living in poverty around the world pay it. In terms of money, this hidden price could look like:
Paying less for essentials but working far more to afford them. The $1.00 coffee in Brazil costs nearly an hour of income when you earn minimum wage (approximately $1.48 at the time of writing).
Paying more for single items like one roll of toilet paper because you can’t afford the upfront cost of buying in bulk.
Paying higher food prices because the only nearby options are small local markets, not supermarkets with lower prices.
Paying more for safe water because you must buy it from someone local or walk long distances to get it, wasting hours of work.
Paying more for basic medical care because you must travel to the doctor. Or delaying getting care because of cost, worsening your illness or injury, which then costs more to treat.
Every extra dollar spent chips away at a family’s already limited income, forcing impossible choices: Food or shelter? Medical care or water? Work more or spend time with family? The cost of poverty leaves little room for anything beyond survival.
The True Cost of Poverty Through One Family’s Eyes
Numbers can only tell part of the story. For Francisca and Fabrício’s family, poverty took so much more than resources; it cost them their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
But while the reality of poverty is often bleak, there are glimmers of hope. With determination and the love and care of the local church, darkness can be overcome with light.
Poverty Costs Belonging
Francisca was only 14 when her first daughter, Amanda, was born. And at 16, her daughter, Francielly, arrived. As a young mother, Francisca was rejected by her own family and marginalized by society, leaving her homeless.
She never learned to read or do math, limiting her income opportunities. Impoverished, Francisca couldn’t get ahead or secure shelter, giving her no choice but to endure abusive relationships just so she and her children would have a place to stay.
After becoming a mother to three with the arrival of her son, Isaac, Francisca began fearing for her children’s safety. She made the difficult choice to leave the house of her youngest child’s father.
Alone and with nowhere to belong, Francisca wasn’t sure what to do next. Home became a small, unstable shelter close to the community’s Compassion center.
Seeing the family’s need, the center registered Francisca’s children into the Compassion program and provided them with food and other essentials. Francisca began to feel a little less alone.
Francisca’s loneliness completely faded away when she met Fabrício, a kind young man from the neighborhood, who was determined to protect and care for her and the children. Soon, love blossomed, and the two started a life together.
Fabrício resolved to build a safe place for his new family, which is exactly what he did.
“It took me about a month to gather the wood in the community, raise the structure and cover the roof with palm straw. We moved in before the house was even finished.” — Fabrício
The local Compassion center saw Fabrício’s efforts and stepped in to help him finish the walls of their home with mud and purchase wiring for electricity.
Poverty Costs Safety
Despite Francisca and Fabrício’s hard work to build a safe place to call home, their community has no basic sanitation or plumbing. Their home has no toilet inside and no access to safe water. Instead, their toilet is outside, and the family walks to the local pond for water to use for washing.
“I love our new house … but what upsets me is that we don’t have running water or a proper bathroom. Our toilet is outside in the backyard, and I feel scared when I have to go there at night in the dark. We also have to use a nearby pond to wash our clothes and dishes.” — Francielly
Not only is visiting the bathroom scary and potentially dangerous, but the family is also at risk of disease from unsafe water.
To provide water, Fabrício walks over half a mile to fetch water from a well in a neighbor’s field, carrying buckets back home. Otherwise, the family must buy bottles of mineral water that cost around $1.30 each, an expense that weighs heavily on their limited income.
The well water Fabrício fetches still isn’t safe for drinking. To help the family access safe water without the added expense, the Compassion center provided them with a water filter they can use to make the well water safe to use.
Poverty Costs Rest & Health
Fabrício’s love for his family is reflected in his tireless dedication to earning a living for them. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to provide, even if it means waking up at 3 a.m.
“My husband rarely rests. He works from Sunday to Sunday, taking any job that can earn a little more. Even when I tell him he needs to rest, he insists on waking early and continuing to work.” — Francisca
Recently, Fabrício found a formal job loading and unloading trucks. His salary, often delayed, is the Brazilian minimum wage ($1.48 per hour), hardly enough for a family of five.
To make ends meet, he takes on extra work, which normally pays below minimum wage, such as collecting recyclables at the landfill, cleaning fields and building barbed wire fences.
Despite being just 24 years old, his body already shows signs of overwork. His lack of rest often impacts his health.
“Sadly, I’ve never had another choice; I’ve always worked to survive. Now I have a family depending on me. A few months ago, I found out I had pneumonia. I took some medicine, but I still had to work. I can’t let anything happen to me; how would I leave my family with nothing?” — Fabrício
The countless hours Fabrício spends working are quickly consumed by the cost of basic goods, even when they choose the cheapest options.
One pack of beans costs $1.47, about an hour of labor.
One bar of soap costs $.80, about 32 minutes of labor.
One avocado costs $1.18, about 47 minutes of labor.
One gallon of gas costs $4.50, about 3 hours of labor.
Poverty Costs Satisfaction
Despite Fabrício’s tireless efforts, when his paycheck is delayed, it can mean there’s no money for food.
“We don’t have much choice about what we eat each day. When there’s corn flour, we eat corn flour; when there are eggs, we eat eggs; when there are biscuits, we eat biscuits. And when there’s nothing, we eat nothing.” — Francielly
Without enough to cover the essentials, many needs often go unmet. Most of the family’s clothes are donated, and the toys little Isaac plays with often come from the landfill where Fabrício sometimes works.
The family finds respite through the Compassion center. There, they receive the food and other essentials they need to keep moving forward.
“We always pay extra attention to Francisca’s family. They know they can count on us. Whenever we receive food donations, they’re the first family we think of.” — Claudiane, Compassion center tutor
The children especially love visiting the center, a place where they can simply be kids. They learn, play and fill their bellies, enjoying the simple pleasures poverty tries to steal.
“I love the food at the center. There are tasty juices and biscuits, and so many fruits like pineapple, apples, grapes, guava and watermelon. I love it!” — Isaac
Poverty Costs Futures
As a boy, Fabrício couldn’t go to school. Instead, poverty meant he had to work to provide for his family. Without an education, Fabrício’s options have always been limited. Now, as a father, he wants something different for his own children.
“I know if someone wants to have a good future, they must dedicate themselves to study. I didn’t have this opportunity; I had to work. Now I want my children to have a different future.” — Fabrício
The closest school to the family is almost two hours away on foot. Yet Fabrício takes the responsibility to walk them to and from school each day, rain or shine.
“My daughter Amanda struggled a lot in school … but now she’s very dedicated, thanks to Fabrício, who always encourages her and takes her to school. It doesn’t matter if it’s a heavy sunny or rainy day.” — Francisca
To set an example for his children, Fabrício recently decided to exchange a few hours of labor each day for pencil and paper. Every night after work, he attends a class for young adults in the city. And back at home, Francielly confidently helps him with his homework.
“I’m so happy when I see my father going to school. I’m very proud of him. That’s why I always help when he needs.” — Francielly
Poverty Costs Hope
Through all these experiences, poverty lies to the family. It says, “You’ll never get ahead” and “Things will never change.” Endlessly working yet still constantly struggling to get necessities like safe water and even a meal threatens the family’s hope daily.
But at the local church, the children get to hear the gospel. And the family sees the gospel in action through as the church lovingly cares for and encourages them. Together, they’re learning that hope isn’t found in things. Instead, it’s found in Jesus.
“I’ve learned from the tutors at the center that God created me, and before I was born, he blew on my nose to give me life. I believe God is always by my side. I feel him. I feel him when I’m in the center, protecting me and taking care of me. He answers all my prayers, especially those invisible things I ask of him: love and happiness.” — Francielly
Compassion Helps Families Restore What Poverty Takes
Francisca and Fabrício’s story is proof that poverty costs more than money. But it’s also proof that hope can be found despite it.
Hope is found in Francisca’s endless love for her children and their safety.
In Fabrício’s tireless work as he provides for his growing family.
In his willingness to walk his children to school so they can achieve brighter futures.
In his desire to set an example by working, loving and learning alongside them.
Compassion is proud to walk alongside these families as they work to fight back against poverty. In partnership with the local church, we provide ongoing love and care, empowering them to continue reaching for more. Poverty takes, but Compassion equips the local church to restore.
While poverty cost Francisca belonging, she found it at the local church.
While it costs the family’s safety, a simple water filter protects them from disease.
While it costs them satisfaction, food and other necessities fill their bellies and hearts.
While it costs them hope, the gospel, shared in word and action, restores it.
Poverty is costly and dark. And no one knows this quite like Francisca and Fabrício. But through the family’s determination and the local church’s dedication to caring for them, the future is bright.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:5, NIV
Poverty doesn’t just cost money — it often costs the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of families around the world. But by sharing the gospel in word and action, local churches are coming alongside them, giving them hope to press on. You can join us.
