Getting To Know International Organizations: Part 1

Poverty on the Early Childhood Community

I have selected the Podcast entitled "The Effects of Poverty on the Early Childhood Community. A 13 minutes long conversation with Dr Cathy Grace (Director of Early Childhood Development, Children's Defence Funds). Here is the link to the full version below:

https://class.content.laureate.net/6a0931ed57b54082190975bfe510935d.html#section_container0

I have learned from the conversation in that Podcast that in her book, Valerie Polakow stated that" Millions of children are denied the basic rights the rest of the populace take for granted; this is an outrage that requires urgent attention" (Laureate Education, 2011). Dr Grace in the Podcast has addressed several growing concerns, myths, health issues and provided suggestions for early childhood professions to eradicate poverty in their community, which is a topic that is close to her heart. 

Dr Grace references children in rural and urban communities in America, where surprisingly, children are suffering from poverty. Information from a recent census reveals that poverty is at its peak compared to where it was in the last 20 years.  In her conversation, Dr Grace made references to Dr Jack Shancoff, Neuroscientist, who specifically stated that children from birth to eight living in poverty will be adversely affected than children who have passed the ages of eight and ten, respectively. It can be damaging for young children who endure impoverished lifestyles. 

According to Dr Grace, in her field of work, she has encountered numerous families in deprivation. But what is really appalling is how poverty can drain your energy. Moreover, there is no reason to laugh, involve in recreational activities and do chores. Besides, there are insufficient funds to participate in these activities. 

Furthermore, health issues, depression, anxiety, addictions and other mental illnesses are all byproduct of poverty. 

What do we do about poverty?

Dr Grace alluded to the fact that we, everyone who is in a much better place, have to be the voiceless voice, an advocate for these children and their families who are disenfranchised and continue to bear the brunt of this monster. In fact, if things should ever get better, we have to see poverty as our business. Not because we are not in this situation at present. If we continue to turn a blind eye or play the blame game, there will continue to be inequality, discrimination and injustice. We all have to speak up and speak out. 

Involvement in Civic Duties

I have learned that individuals in poverty are sometimes disenfranchised in exercising their rights to vote due to a lack of finance and support. They are unable to find a simple thing as their transportation cost to participate in these activities. Also, there are communication issues, so they are often left behind.

Myths Surrounding Poverty

Dr Grace has highlighted several myths that surround poverty. In her conversation, she pointed out that a new group has emerged into the poverty line due to this global pandemic. Instability and insecurity are the order of the day. Families in middle-class neighbourhoods are now hard hit because finances have weaned, and there is still the reality of bills, mortgage among other house debts, as a result of the loss or reduction of jobs.

Furthermore, there is the idea that because individuals work numerous jobs, they are well off. But, some of these individuals are still living in poverty because of the meagre wages they receive. Also, some are discriminated against because they seem to settle for mediocre jobs and do not intend to upgrade themselves for better working conditions and better-paying jobs. Consideration must be given to these individuals who may want to upgrade themselves but are not privy to information regarding scholarships and better job opportunities. 

Poverty limit individuals from maximising their full potential. It places them in a box. As a result, we, as educators, will have to put ourselves in their shoes to assist them. Many of us are lucky to have overcome some of our hurdles and challenges. Some of us had support; others were not so fortunate.

Ways to Eradicate Poverty in the Early Childhood Setting

Early childhood professionals must know the communities in which they serve. Children and their families will benefit immensely from this activity as they will feel a sense of love and care from teachers who visit their homes and remain in touch with them and their current situation. Collaboration with the health department is vital as teachers can provide the necessary information about child development that may not be readily available to other professionals—contact agencies and advocate for children and their families. Early childhood professionals must invest quality time to forge relationships with parents, bearing in mind that it is more than just catering to their academic needs. But also their biosocial and psychosocial needs.

United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF)

I have visited the United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) website. Originally known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, the United Nations General assembly was created on 11 December 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries devasted by World War 11. 

UNICEF  has been advocating for children and their families who are impoverished. Here is the link below: http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html

UNICEF calls for all Governments to recognize child poverty as a national policy priority and protect children from its most devastating effects. We support countries' efforts to assess monetary and multidimensional child poverty. Poverty and deprivation measures that go beyond income and address them through policies and programmes, and budgets.

I have selected the journal article: 

Child Poverty and Deprivation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Children living in poverty are deprived of nutrition, water and sanitation facilities, access to basic health-care services, shelter, education, participation and protection, and that while a severe lack of goods and services hurts every human being, it is most threatening and harmful to children, leaving them unable to enjoy their rights, to reach their full potential and to participate as full members of the society” (United Nations, 2007). 

The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children’s rights irrespective of their parents’ or guardians’ “race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or another status” (CRC Article 2). Thus, the study considers a child aged 5-15 who has no access to a particular resource to be deprived either because the household cannot afford it, or for any other reason. 

• Almost a third (30.6%) of children aged 5 to 15 are poor in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

•  Poor children are more likely to be deprived of any of the dimensions studied and in any number of dimensions simultaneously. They are also more likely to experience a higher intensity of multidimensional deprivation. 

• Living in a larger family (with three or more children), having a household head who has only lower education and those who do not work are all positively correlated with the probability of being both poor and deprived in three or more dimensions.

References

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2016). Child Poverty and Social Protection. Retrieved from: https://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2016).Child Poverty and Deprivation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Retrieved from:

https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/2%20MODA%20Bosnia_layout.pdf