The children of this region are confronting many challenges such as poverty, domestic violence, explotation, abuse, social exclusion, and natural emergencies such as weather. Sixty percent of children under 12 years of age live in poverty. Nearly 85,000 children die annually as a result of violence in the home, violence affects over 6 million children and adolescents. There are young people living with HIV/AIDS, and those with disabilities, and dramatically affects indigenous and Afro-descendent communities. As one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world, there are 40-50 million indigenous and 150million Afro-descendants living here, close to half of which are under 18 years of age. Children in these communities have lower levels of nutrition and limited or non-existent access to basic services (unicef.org, 2013). Emergencies are common and harsh with natural disasters such as flooding and hurricanes occurring yearly. Invariably these days of havoc create years of distress.
These experiences might have a long lasting impact on children's emotional wellbeing and development in many ways. These children including 7.3% of boys and girls under-five years of age are underweight for their age, and about 20% show signs of stunted physical and developmental growth. Poverty is threatening the health of children and their families. Violence against children threatens their survival and well-being, and prevents them developing to their full potential, leaving physical and psychological scars, too often perpetuation a cycle of violence (unicef.org, 2013).
I gained much personal insight from this research. I learned that the people and children here really are suffering from a wide variety of challenges. I have a different outlook on the way that I will look at the children when I go to visit these places in the near future. I now understand that these children and their families really do need the money from the tourists that come into these regions and it is not a gimmick. It really makes me sad to learn these things.
References
http://www.unicef.org
The statistics for your region are staggering and sad for all these children! Does your regional site talk about what they are doing to help those in need? I remember when we lived in Saudi Arabia and took vacation through Cairo, Egypt, we saw young children working in the factories that made rugs and such for the tourists-it was very sad to see and know I couldn’t do anything for them. Over my time at Walden I now know I can be their voice in some small way and maybe help them get a better life.
ReplyDeleteTheresa, I agree with Susan, the statistics you have quoted are staggering. Africa's figures are just as large, but what really blew my mind were the statistics for people suffering from HIV/Aids in sub-Saharan Africa.
ReplyDeleteHere are some of the statistics:
UNAIDS estimates for 2008 (which are latest figures available) there were roughly:
33.4 million living with HIV
2.7 million new infections of HIV
2 million deaths from AIDS
Approximately 7 out of 10 deaths for 2008 were in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region that also has over two-thirds of adult HIV cases and over 90% of new HIV infections amongst children.
The problem is not just the fact that so many people are living with HIV/Aids, but the devastation that the disease leaves in its wake. Children often have to care for the sick parents, and once the parents are deceased, if they are lucky they may have grandparents who will take them in. But often this is not the case and they are raised by an older sibling who is often trying to attend school, as well as come home and take care of the younger children. These children all suffer tremendous emotional trauma as a result, this is not even taking into account other illnesses like Malaria, cholera and/or Tuberculosis, poverty, abuse, lack of clean water and inadequate sanitation all add to their existing hardships too. Their perspective on life must be so different from ours. I found some additional information on the following webpage: http://www.unicef.org/sowc01/2-3.htm if you are interested in reading further. The information supports a lot of what we have learned through our course at Walden. UNICEF talks about the perpetual cycle of poverty as well as poverty being more than just income poverty; they talk about the poverty brought about by discrimination, social exclusion and deprivation of dignity. I think that social-emotional poverty is far more damaging to human development. Our brain is considered the most valuable human resource, if it is not given the opportunity to develop fully what hope is there? I found this topic extremely heavy on my soul and it stirred up so many emotions inside me. Imagine the impact we could have if all the good people of this world stood united and decided to make a difference ... how many people could we reach and would the help/support be sustainable?
Thank you Theresa Johnson
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading you investigation of the region of Latin America and the Caribbean. I see your selection gives you a lot of information on the area. The area is exposed to a lot for problems. And it is hard for a child to live and grow up in an environment that is what we call hard cord violence. You gave a good analysis of the region as to the problem that children face. With the poverty, domestic violence abuse and natural disaster it is hard to see how a child can develop and learning. It is also good to know that this is a region that you have visit and have some knowledge about the people. Thank you for the information about Latin America
Hi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteWhat a very informative and interesting blog! I really enjoyed reading it. It's so sad how many different countries/families & children have to suffer in today's society. Our world has changed and continues to changed, but not always for the better. The statistics you gave in your blog post made me cringe. I just can't believe it! You are right when you say there are so many families suffering. It's heartbreaking but I do feel that we can make a difference just by doing one act of kindness! :-)