A Penniless Girl from a Third World Country
A penny has two decimal places, right? I thought my life was worth zero, but then I realized it doesn’t even have decimal value.
It’s not that I’m not trying! Then, why don’t I even have decimal values? I think I know the answer.
In some countries, you can earn a few dollars through apps or websites that reward you for completing small tasks — like taking surveys, watching videos, or similar things. In other words, even sharing opinions or engaging online can pay off. But when no such services exist in your country, you turn to those apps and websites out of desperation for a few pennies, only to see the message: “This app is not available in your country.”
Let’s try hunting for freelance jobs. Locally, there are only a few websites for freelancers. Only a few jobs are available on them, and most are nearly dead. What about searching on social media? Well, many of those opportunities turn out to be scams that let you experience anger explosion. The job supply is painfully low, while the unemployment rate soars. Without a specific, in-demand skill, your chances of landing a job are slim. When local services fail you, you turn to international platforms. But to use them, you need an account that supports international transactions — only to be met with, “This service is not available in your country.” You decide to at least set up a profile despite lacking the right account, and the response comes: “Your profile has been rejected.”
We live in the data age. Ads, spyware, and trackers are your loyal followers, trailing you everywhere. Selling data rakes in millions. Content is king, and creating it has become a lucrative business. But that’s not the case if you’re in a third-world country. “No problem! Take all my info! Wait, I’ll even share my entire life story — take it all!” you might say. Yet, you still won’t earn a penny from your data. Of course, to make even a few cents from your content, you need to join the right program — only to hear, “This program is not available in your country.”
What about selling products online? Well, you’re met with, “Shipping is not available for your country.” You fill out an online form, and when it’s time to select your country, you realize it’s not even listed. Services available to most nations? None of them are accessible in yours. When a country is under international sanctions, those who suffer the most are the people struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the select few on the blacklist are like: “Since I can’t use my name, I’ll just use someone else’s,” they say, finding an easy way out. And that, you call “the power of money.”
Even if you would rather not, you have to look at the situations of local markets when no other options remain. High unemployment drives low wages. You spot an IT job posting: “Must know three languages, have at least two years of work experience, and be proficient in this skill and that skill.” Then you see the monthly salary — barely scraping $200. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll be treated like SHIT. Here, it’s common knowledge that those in power love oppression and suppression. As for skilled professionals? They are like, “Eternal suffering? Nope, I am out,” and they flee the country.
Under strict economic sanctions, you are completely powerless to do anything. “Don’t worry! We’re here for you!” brokers and agents proclaim as they approach. Normally, transactions and interactions — whether B2B or B2C — could happen directly, making them faster and more cost-effective. But here, agent fees and broker fees pile up, and they’re expensive. Add in taxes for the country and protection fees for armed forces in some regions, and it’s expense after expense. You go into business to make profits, right? The prices have skyrocketed by the time goods reach consumers. When salaries are very low, those inflated prices are astronomical.
What about taking the local entrepreneur route? Let’s first examine the small business landscape in cities. The country leans heavily on imports, and most small businesses are retail shops, food stalls, or service providers. Then come the shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels, which essentially monopolize the market. Starting a small business and keeping it afloat is a exhausting challenge. The rich just keep getting richer, while small business owners struggle to survive.
What about the “I have an innovative idea — I should produce my own product” route? Don’t get your hopes up — local products are often treated as trash. A lack of trust plays a huge role here, tied to social psychology. It’s like the ugly frog pining for the beautiful swan. There are many untold underlying social issues, fueled by deep-seated discriminatory attitudes in the community.
In many towns, shopping centers are rare, though bazaars are common. In some rural villages, shops are nonexistent, and most struggle with transportation difficulty. Over the past few years, the government has poured effort into building roads and bridges. But where did the money come from when the country’s only exports are agricultural products, oil, and minerals? For a nation with a budget deficit, taxes alone aren’t enough. The answer? Debt from first-world countries. Once you uncover that fact, your perspective shifts. The road you walk on stops being just a road — it becomes a symbol of debt owed to wealthier nations. Is this what you would call “a drastic change in perspective”?
While first-world countries race toward an artificial intelligence (AI) era, this country remains stuck in the agricultural age. Foreign investments are like: “I would love to help you transition into an industrialized country, but your government is unstable. There’s no legal protection for us. So, give me a call when things settle down. Until then, good luck!” And with that, they vanish.
So how do people survive in poverty? Fortunately, the country is rich in natural resources — ruby, sapphire, jade, diamond, pearl, gold, silver, platinum, copper, coal, lead, zinc, iron, tin, tungsten, chromium, nickel, oil, petroleum, natural gas, rare earths, and more. It’s also blessed with forests, mountains, streams, rivers, and the sea. Extracting minerals and gems, or harvesting forest and sea products, is dangerous work, yet people risk their lives to earn a living. Even so, most of these resources are siphoned off to other countries through illegal trade. A tiny fraction of the population grows wealthy, while the vast majority remains trapped in poverty.
Are there any options left? “Hey, join us!” say scammers, swindlers, pickpockets, thieves, and robbers. In the worst cases, even murder can happen. When people are in poverty, crime rates soar. You don’t preach morals when you can barely put food on the table, right? Despite all these hardships, getting rich isn’t actually that difficult— if you know the trick. Yes! Become a favorite dog to those in power and lick their shoes. A somewhat luxurious life will soon come to you. Come to think of it, at this point, even begging starts to look like an honest job.
Did you know? Being born in a third-world country is like you don’t even have a chance to stand at the starting line in a race.
And, now what? Pandemic and coup d’état? Nice! Let’s laugh in dystopia!!!
June 8, 2021
