When I typed in; www.childrendefense.org into my navigation bar to visit the Children’s Defense Fund site, these are the faces I instantly saw. These are the faces of today’s Child poverty. The site provided five personal stories written by Julia Cass. Reading just a few of them, made my heart sank. I can not do the writing justice but these are the reality that these families face every day and the worries are highlighted and the parents’ emotional rollercoaster and full-on fear that they, along with their young children, will become homeless, is apparent. I believe it struck a cord with me because of the past assignment about looking at your own community in regards to poverty and the fact that I can relate to these stories because I am a parent and money is of course a worry to me. I am not, by any means, on the brink of being homeless but after reading these stories and looking at these faces, it was an emotional read. I encourage you all to go visit the website and read each of these stories.
This gave me another view to look at poverty; instead of looking at the facts of the issue itself, this brings an emotional viewpoint by showing personal examples/stories, pictures and quotations from the parents that really made you cry along with them. In this particular subject, as well as other issues highlighted on the website, they focus on the effect that congress and politicians have on issues posted by the site such as various budgets and funding, health services, welfare, head start and other early education programs, and poverty issues. The site also has the latest news on the home page from the organization and also some helpful “advocate & family resources” links you can go to, through other organizations, websites and articles offered on the site. These issues are just the “tip of the iceberg” when exploring this website, and I’m sure there are plenty more to find that will provide me with much more educational and valuable information.
Comment posted by Robin Lemire
ReplyDeleteI agree it is always good to see issues and trends from different perspectives. It is very hard to see the personal examples of poverty versus looking at statistics. I know from our assignment last week I learned (amongst other information) the educational implications of poverty. These facts were made even clearer to me the more research I did. I have done previous work on the need for quality and affordable child care for single and low-income families but did not have a lot of research on school-age children. I also was stunned by the numbers which I am sure are even higher now since the last Census. I work with such a small percentage that it brings to light the seriousness in my own backyard of poverty and its effects when I read the actual data concerning this issue in my own community.
Great post!
Robin
Jaimee,
ReplyDeleteLet me first say that I really love the way you are developing your blog. So inviting.
Poverty is the real issue and the main challenge that many children are facing today. The largest number of children that are out of school can be attributed to no other reason than poverty. It is shocking that more than 16 million children in America are poor. More shocking is the fact more than this number of children live in poverty in Africa where the number of people living in extreme poverty grew from 217 million in 1987 to more than 300 million in 1998, we are in 2011 and the number is still growing.
Take a look at data below
One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented. (source: Africa 2015)
Nearly one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight. (source: UNICEF)
Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (source: World Bank/UNICEF)
43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water. (source: UNICEF)
64% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation. (source: UNICEF)
Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school. (source: Africa 2015)
Source
Fight Poverty.http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/facts/africa.html
Jaimee,
ReplyDeleteThe emotional stress caused by poverty is eye opening! As the world economy deteriorates, poverty is growing. Another recently shocking cause of poverty is the weather! From my African studies, I have learned that entire villages in Sub-Saharan have become nomadic, due to lack of water! In my own home town, I see families living in tents along the mountain. There is also a tent city near downtown Harrisburg, PA, along the riverfront. It is indeed a sad situation.
Mary L.
I like that you also posted the pictures that are found on the website. The one thing that stood out to me when i first opened that website was the pictures of the local faces of poverty. These are the types of children that i work with on a daily basis, and most people don't even take a moment to notice that these children are living in poverty. It is so close to home, and so sad when you stop for a moment and reflect on the amount of poverty that is so close to home. The program that i work for is the largest in our community and only serves low income children. I don't even know where there is a private program in my community. All of the parents of children that attend our program work full time. I see children daily that come to school with no jacket, or shoes that are way to small, or they have not eaten since they left the previous day. This is heartbreaking, but at least i know that they are being cared for in a positive and caring program throughout the day, and i know that their parents are working hard to give the children what they do have, even if it is barely a roof over their head. Our parents are determined to become more, but without our program they would not be able to even work.
ReplyDelete