Voices of the Poor : Crying Out for Change

As the second book in a three-part
series entitled Voices of the Poor, "Crying out for
Change" accounts for the voices from comparative
fieldwork among twenty three countries. Through
participatory, and qualitative research methods, the book
presents very directly, poor people's own voices, and
the realities of their lives. It outlines the
multidimensional aspects of well-being, and how poor people
see it, highlighting that in material terms,
"enough" is not a lot for a good life, and,
analyzes social well-being, security, and freedom of choice
and action, in contrast to the "ill-being" aspects
of material absence, reflecting on the experiences of
humiliation, shame, anguish. and grief. The struggle for
livelihoods is described through the scarcity of rural
production, the diversified cities' bondage, and, the
limited opportunities of life, and individual breakthroughs
challenging their livelihoods. Further analysis reflect on
the inadequacy, isolation, and lack of access to
infrastructure; on the health aspects of mind and body; on
gender relations in troubled subjugation; on social
exclusion; and, on the uncertainties for survival. It
finally challenges the meaning of development, and of power,
calling for change, from material poverty to adequate assets
and livelihoods, from exclusion to inclusion, organization,
and empowerment.