I agree that being able to sew and to cook are skills most people need. They are also skills that most people have. And they are skills that most of the people that I work with who are extremely poor use. And I work with a lot of extremely poor people.

At least, most of the people with whom I work who are extremely poor cook when they have food to cook.

dianavan, thanks for sharing your experiences and observations. In many cases, the presence or lack of supportive or extended family or other significant informal social supports is a very significant factor. These social supports are resources. And what is poverty about? Lack of resources.

Education is a resource. Life skills are resources. A garden is a resource. Access to health care is a resource. Transportation is a resource. Money is a resource.

Janie