Of course - societies are heterogeneous - there's always exceptional people that could be a prove to others that change is indeed possible.

I think, however, that fighting poverty is a numbers game. In a society that values entrepreneurship and striving towards a better live at its core, there will be many more people that achieve success and that uplift their surroundings.

In a society where hopelessness prevails and ambition is met with suspicion, anyone ambitious or successful will soon leave for greener pastures.

So, to really fight poverty at large, you have to move the general mindset towards a fundamental believe that a better future is possible.