1/3 of rural families earn less than $3,000/year.

This clip highlights the stark reality of poverty in rural America, revealing that 17.5 million people, or one-third of all rural families, earn less than $3,000 a year, struggling to keep up with technological and industrial advancements.

The Plight of Rural Families

A man shares his personal struggle, explaining that without education, he is confined to manual labor, expressing a profound sense of hopelessness about his future prospects.

The Weight of Hopelessness

The clip reveals the severe financial hardship faced by a family of six, living on just $96 a month, which barely covers basic needs and makes sending children to school a constant struggle.

Living on Pennies

A proud farmer expresses his deep distress and fear of losing his farm, a place he built himself and where he has lived his entire life, highlighting the emotional toll of economic instability.

The Farmer's Dilemma

A speaker laments the destruction of the family farm, describing it as a 'losing proposition' that erodes the entire philosophy of life in rural communities, leading to a decline in local trade and business.

The Lost Family Farm

A community leader explains the sorghum project, which helps local farmers process cane and provides employment opportunities, emphasizing self-sufficiency and collective action over external dependence.

Community Sorghum Project

A proud community member stands before a newly constructed dam, built by the people themselves, which has successfully withstood floods, symbolizing their resilience and collective triumph over adversity.

Building a Dam, Building Hope

A stark revelation about the health crisis among rural children, with 80% suffering from parasitic infections and many lacking lunch money, highlighting the severe impact of poverty on their well-being.

Children's Hunger in Schools

Thanks to a school meal program, children who once suffered from fainting spells and empty stomachs can now focus on learning, demonstrating the immediate and positive impact of adequate nutrition on their education and health.

A Hot Meal, A Brighter Future

A woman explains the importance of a daycare center as a demonstration project, providing crucial social and educational experiences to prepare underprivileged children for school and future learning, countering the disadvantages of unequipped home environments.

Overcoming Educational Barriers

A young man, standing before a dilapidated building, articulates the desperate need for employment in his community, emphasizing that a job is all they ask for to improve their circumstances.

The Need for Work

A man describes the dire housing situation in his county, where 99% of homes are old, dilapidated wooden structures, often lacking basic amenities like running water and proper sanitation, despite appearing somewhat maintained from the outside.

Housing Crisis in Rural America

With only a government loan for materials, a determined family undertakes the difficult task of repairing their own house, driven by a powerful desire for a better life and demonstrating incredible self-reliance.

Self-Help Through Home Repair

[01:28] The Plight of Rural Families
[02:30] The Weight of Hopelessness
[03:06] Living on Pennies
[04:39] The Farmer's Dilemma
[06:06] The Lost Family Farm
[07:15] Community Sorghum Project
[09:08] Building a Dam, Building Hope
[10:00] Children's Hunger in Schools
[10:44] A Hot Meal, A Brighter Future
[11:24] Overcoming Educational Barriers
[15:53] The Need for Work
[18:56] Housing Crisis in Rural America
[19:56] Self-Help Through Home Repair

Poverty In Rural America