They were never more than a short step from absolute poverty.
However, he seemed to have suffered from poverty at the end of his life.
"The first thing that one has to do is defend people and make them safe from poverty."
But it's not just in Africa where children are under threat from poverty and disease.
He died on 22 June, having suffered much from poverty after his return.
He though it was away to escape from violence, drug and poverty.
A job is lost, a husband leaves, and they are weeks from poverty.
In that way they will have a special chance to escape from poverty.
How are we to save this world from want and poverty?
Of course those living in or at risk from poverty are hardest hit.