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.