Students painted words to drive out poverty on a dark blue wall Tuesday.
UF’s chapter of Nourish International, which educates people about extreme poverty, had around 20 students paint over the word “poverty” on the Plaza of the Americas. By the end of the event, called Paint Out Poverty, the word was barely recognizable, said Jackie Zambrano, the leader of the UF chapter.
Students painted words such as “ingenuity,” “equality” and “kindness” during the event, which had been held in previous years.
Jackie Bornstein, a member of the chapter, said the group didn’t have the time or funds to hold it last year but wanted to bring it back.
“It’s a visual representation of what our work does for our poverty,” the UF psychology sophomore said.
The 19-year-old said she hopes students think about what they can do to alleviate poverty and create hope.
“It’s sad that people don’t know about (poverty),” Bornstein said. “I just feel that it’s important to remember that the rest of the world exists outside of here.”
Niki Namazi, a UF psychology senior, painted “unity” in blue on the wall.
“I felt as though a lot of people don’t think poverty is their problem,” the 21-year-old said. “Sometimes, I just feel that everyone has to come together for a cause.”
