As a daughter of Hispanic parents, I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a different culture growing up. This exposure to a different culture has led me to explore a different perspective than that of the stereotypical American culture. Being raised in America by Colombian parents, has allowed me to grow up being bilingual. Through my experiences, I have learned to adapt to new views and be open to learn about the rich history of my culture. Over the years, I have seen both the American and Hispanic culture reflected in my way of addressing issues of poverty.
   

 Since I visit Colombia every two years, I have seen the devastation of how people live in an underdeveloped country. The houses are fragile because they are built with scraps of metal that are tacked onto a weak structure. The delicate structure makes these homes more susceptible to natural disasters such as landslides. Another one of my concerns, was that the water is not truly pure, and at times, food is scarce. It grieves me to see how these people do not have the resources needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. A way to fix this problem would be to form a group of people who would be willing to raise money and to use that money towards building small wells in locations where the water is filthy. People in Colombia need guidance on how to use these tools given to them, so that they can create an abundance of these necessities around the country. I believe if we were to raise enough money, we could also send perishable foods or seeds, to plant fruits and vegetables. Colombians lead an unhealthy diet because they do not have the resources or money needed to eat fruits and vegetables every day. This is why Americans need to provide support by raising money to take trips to underdeveloped countries, such as Colombia. This way people can be taught to build wells to attain clean water, to make healthy foods with little resources, and tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
   

 Another problem I have seen when I visit Colombia is that many people do not have anything past a high school education. The main reason people work hard and do not earn much is because they were never taught the importance of earning a college education. Many people believe the solution is to work more jobs because it will lead them to live a sustainable life. A way to fix this problem, would be for Americans to go to Elementary schools in Colombia and encourage children to invest their thoughts in a brighter future. One that includes a college education and living well, which will lead them to less stress and worry in the future. This way, people will understand at a young age that there is a way to combat poverty and they can do so by receiving a college education that will pay them well in their future lives.
     

When I take trips to Colombia, I always try to do the best I can to help these struggling people. When I see someone on the side of the road who is asking for money and they look like they haven't eaten I offer them a meal. In order to decrease poverty in the future, people in impoverished countries need to be motivated to make smart decisions at a young age. By offering my insight on third world countries, I hope to get groups together to visit Colombia and guide these people in the right direction. By taking this first step, I believe I could initiate a change in the amount of uneducated people and put an end to the continuous growth of poverty in Colombia.