International Contacts Part 2

            Since I have not heard back from any of the international contact attempts, I listened to a podcast on the World Forum Radio.  This week, I chose to listen to Maysoun Chehab discuss her work as a Regional Early Childhood Care and Development Program Coordinator at the Arab Resource Collective in Beirut, Lebanon.  Her work there is non-government related.  She works with early childhood practitioners, policymakers, and the community to give information regarding children’s rights, best practices, and other relevant information.  Much of the information is in Arabic and seeks to target communities about issues in ECE. 

            Maysoun Chehab has been with this organization since 2005.  After the 33 day war on Lebanon, she worked on a project (beginning July 2006) that would give psychosocial support to children.  She related that many were affected by this war, as 126 primary schools were completely destroyed.  She said that families and children needed support post war to work on the emotional and social reactions the war had aroused.  Her work began with families first, because she felt if the adults did not have support, they could not adequately support the children.  After six days of intensive training, the adults were better equipped to help the children. 

            I also visited Harvard’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/).  As we know, the first, earliest years of life are some of the most important in the development of children.  The Center at Harvard is promoting the mission of the importance of ECE all across the globe.  To do this, research is key, coupled with education.

            In Brazil, the Center is collaborating with Brazilian experts and beginning a program called “Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância.”  This seeks to take knowledge about child development and health and create better policies for children.  Policymakers, politicians, and leaders came together to discuss early childhood development.  I found this interesting as they all wanted to learn more to advance early childhood education.

            I found the biography of Gunther Fink to be inspiring.  He was a professor of international health economics at Harvard and began assessing the effect that malaria had in the country of Zambia.  There is no malaria vaccine available, and this and HIV is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five.  He began to ponder ways that this could be changed.  With measures such as treated bed mosquito nets, mosquito spray, and anti-malaria medication, the effects have been positive.  The death rate has declined.

            I was surprised at the global work of the Harvard based Center.  I learned the importance of advocating for children globally!

A Further Look at Global Fund for Children

As I continue to read the information on the Global Fund for Children, I am struck by how this organization seeks to use a grassroots movement to aid people around the world overcome some harsh circumstances.  As I read about the efforts and programs of the GFC, I cannot help but think how important it is to advocate for children and their families right where I am.  For instance, at my school, we have 3 Pre-K classes and 6 Kindergarten classes.  Many families do not come to Pre-K simply because they do not have transportation.  A reasonable solution, in my eyes, is to provide an age appropriate bus within safety guidelines for children to travel to school.  I plan to speak to my supervisors about this during the week.

Also, the GFC works to “advance the dignity of children worldwide” (GFC, 2012, para. 2).  I am impressed that the organization works to preserve the dignity of children.  So many programs I have seen have wonderful missions, but the dignity of humans is not preserved. 

I decided to turn to the blog this week to see what information was presented there.  I did not really see anything that was controversial to me.  I did find the report on human trafficking to be eye opening.  According to a report prepared by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “27 million people around the world are considered victims of modern-day slavery or human trafficking” (http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/the-promise-of-freedom/).  Wow!  This blog definitely opens my eyes to issues that occur worldwide.  The author of the blog, Alexandra Torrealba reminds the readers that all children are entitled to an environment where they can learn and grow up to be productive citizens.

I think my eyes continue to be opened as I read the stories from around the world and the impact GFC is making.  It is easy for me to sometimes get caught up in my own little world and forget about the lives and plight of others worldwide.  I am moved to have a stronger urgency for advocacy.

International Contacts Week 3

Although I sent out multiple e-mails, my attempt to make an international contact has so far proven to be unsuccessful.  I keep hoping… Congratulations to those who made contacts!

For this blog assignment, I visited the World Forum Radio and listened to an archived podcast.  I chose to listen to Meridas Eka Yora from Indonesia.  He related his efforts at establishing three boarding schools for those that were orphaned during the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, a territory that was closest to the epicenter of this natural disaster.  There were 500,000 people left homeless during the tsunami.

Meridas Eka Yora related that he and his staff trained teachers for the children who lost so much during the disaster, telling the teachers that they must be both mother and father.  He also discussed how they had many psychologists during this difficult time, but the teachers were best at helping the children, as they would get up in the night with the children, and the teachers tended to the needs of the whole child.  His goal was to create a family feeling.  For those who expected that their families may return, he took them into his own home. It seems as if he truly cares for the needs of these orphaned children, and also tries to encourage them.

I visited The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre’s (CHIP) website.  The website describes poverty as a denier of opportunities.  I agree with this!  Poverty can be a cycle, and that is why education is so vital! Further, effects of poverty early in life, such as malnutrition, can be devastating.

I decided to read about CHIP’s involvement in China, as I have a personal interest in this country.   China has seen a reduction in poverty over the years, as a result of economic growth.  I was surprised to find that life expectancy is 71 (I imagined it lower), and that 85 percent of the population over 15 is literate.  CHIP cautions that the figures vary by region (rural versus urban).

In 1997, a minimum living standard was begun, called the diabo system.  This is for families that have no work and no savings.  Over the last few years, the government has shown more interest in reaching out to the poor.

I did not know there was government aid to families.  I am glad to see that there is discussion among officials as to what can be done to help break the poverty cycle.

Web Resources Week 2

Having an interest in international education, I chose the Global Fund for Children organization.  The link to the website is http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/

I was compelled by the vision of the organization.  According to the vision statement, this organization seeks to provide “a world where all children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive” (Global Fund for Children, 2012, para.1).  I too want this for the students I teach, many of whom come from poverty and other harsh situations. 

I also like how this organization is community based, relying on the strength of the communities it serves.  The organization works with communities all over world, including the United States.

The summer newsletter featured an article about child labor.  I was struck by the fact that over 215 million children worldwide are laborers.  These children do not go to school and are victimized at such an early age.  They are robbed of the innocence of childhood that many experience.  A featured article dealt with a lady named Josefa Condori Quispe who had been a child laborer, but escaped, and now is working with other young ladies through this organization, to help them reclaim their life and basic rights. 

References:

Global Fund for Children. (2012).  About us.  Retrieved July 7, 2012 from http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/about-us/